Montessori, Maria (1870–1952)

Maria Montessori was a physician, professor, school administrator, educator, philosopher, advocate for [Page 571]women's rights and a champion for children, especially those with physical and intellectual disabilities. She is best known for developing what is known as the Montessori method of education, which emphasizes self-directed activities and self-correcting materials for children in a sensory-rich environment. Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, in the province of Ancona, Italy, on August 31, 1870, the only child of Alessandro Montessori and Renilde Stoppani. Her father was a government accountant and was transferred to Rome, where Maria attended public elementary school. At the time, the schools were described as dirty, crowded, and dreary, and the education system antiquated and in dire need of reform. Montessori eventually initiated reforms in education based on the premise that all children can learn and become self-motivated, lifelong learners. She advocated for children's rights and helped reform the educational environment from dreary and austere to pleasant and attractive. She is considered one of the pioneers and champions of educating young children and those with disabilities.

Before her involvement in education, Montessori had other career goals. After elementary school she attended a technical school with the intention of becoming an engineer. She graduated with honors but then decided she wanted to become a doctor. This was unheard of for women at this time in Italy, and at first she was not admitted to the University of Rome medical school. She persisted in her desire to attend the medical school and was finally admitted as the first female medical student. Those years at medical school presented constant obstacles for her to overcome, and she was described as a diligent student and received prestigious scholarships and recognition for her hard work. During her last 2 years, she studied pediatrics and she worked at the Children's Hospital while also attending the psychiatric clinic. In 1896 she was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome medical school. After graduation she worked as an assistant at the hospital attached to the university and eventually opened her own practice.

At the time Montessori graduated from medical school, she was chosen as a delegate to represent Italy at an international women's congress in Berlin on the condition of women and the need for social and political reforms. She was endeared as a role model and an advocate for women. After returning to Rome from the women's congress, Montessori was appointed surgical assistant at the psychiatric hospital; this position stimulated her interest in children's emotional problems.

She studied the work of Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard, physician and pioneer of education of the deaf and mentally handicapped, and his pupil Edouard Seguin, and wrote articles on their work for Italian newspapers and magazines. By 1898 she was considered an authority on educating retarded children and was asked to give lectures throughout Europe. Afterward she was asked to codirect (with Guiseppe Montesano) a new lab school to train teachers in educating mentally disabled children. The school was considered a success, especially when after a couple of years 8 of the 22 children at the school passed the public school exams along with “normal” children.

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