My Experience as a Trainer - Polli Soholt

Every day, I am grateful for this work. As a trainer, I get to be with like-minded people who view the world with hope and compassion. These people include the staff at MNW, the adult learners, and other Montessorians. I find that these people have open minds; are seeking to make change in the world, be it large or small; are curious; are joyful about their discoveries; are constantly looking for ways to bring equity to the children and adults working with children; and are willing to share their knowledge with others. Even though the adult learners have a lot of assignments, they are always open to learning how to use new materials and learn about more of Dr. Montessori’s theory. This is a testament to their drive to learn this pedagogy so that they can impart it in the best way possible to the children.

When I was working with children, I was constantly looking for more information about how to enhance my practice. From the very beginning of my time in the environment with children, I sought out other Montessorians and learning experiences to work on the issues on my mind. As I started the Training of Trainers process, I thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to talk to fellow Trainers in Training about their experiences and views, and the opportunity to dive deep into the history, philosophy, theory, and materials that the program offered. As part of my training, I needed to go through the 3-6 course training course two more times, and I felt like I had been given a great gift. After years with the children, I was relishing listening to a trainer present all the theory and materials. This gave me a complete perspective to review what I had been doing with children in a non-judgmental way. Luckily, I was still working with children at that time, so I was able to adjust the way I was doing some things with them based on this thorough review that the program provided.  After finishing the program and becoming a trainer, I have found that this education is still taking place. When I study before I present to the students and when I practice with materials, I am continuing to come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Dr. Montessori’s work. Suffice it to say that I have never been bored, and every day is a new learning experience.

Doing this work has helped me to understand the theory and philosophy in a visceral way. Watching the way the children developed and viewing the adult learners transform during the course, gives me examples of how to use the theory and philosophy in my daily life.  This has given me a framework to view the world and make decisions about how I can contribute and affect change.

The way I view the world has been influenced by the guidelines that we use to work with children, the guidelines that we apply to the environment for the children, and other theoretical principles that we use in our work. This has helped me to develop a framework for my personal life that has brought peace and calm to the way I approach my relationships with other people as well as my views of how to solve problems and affect change. As we all know, Dr. Montessori did not develop a method of education as much as a social movement that begins with the children resulting in changes when these children become adults. I have found this inspiring and significant.

Observing the children develop and learn daily was transformational and inspiring. Observing the same qualities in the adult learners has helped me come to a greater understanding of how adults learn, and this is quite different from the way children learn. This observation has allowed me to be more aware of different ways of learning and helped me to adjust what I do with the adult learners that supports their learning process in constructive ways. It is very exciting to see the adult learners become successful in their work because of the adjustments that I have made in the way I deliver the content and work with them collectively and individually.