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In too many Montessori programs the Assistant Teacher continues to be viewed and treated like some kind of blue collar worker, assigned the fixed roles of “restorer of the environment” and “behavior management SWAT team.” The Montessori cultural curriculum teaches children that all life forms are to be respected and protected, that every living organism plays a vital role in the great wheel of life. Yet children in most Montessori classrooms continue to witness a distinct hierarchy and power differential between the Lead Guide and the Assistant. In this workshop, we will discuss how Montessori educators can begin to deconstruct this hierarchy, by providing the Assistant Teacher with opportunities for learning, self-development, and expanded instructional contributions, just like the young people they serve.
