“Instead of a commander, she would be a facilitator who teaches little and observe much.”

Montessori directress is the term to call a teacher in Montessori classroom. The main role of a Montessori directress is derived from its name, that is to direct the child to find the best way to learn from the environment. To achieve this, she should do some roles, namely:

She should become the Catalyst. It means that she should activates the relationship between the Montessori environment (i.e. the materials) and the child. A directress should be able to help the child to focus his attention the materials. She also should prepare and organize the materials to meet the need of the child. Finally, she should demonstrate the material and allow the child to discover and develop the concept on his own later.

She should become the Protector. It means that every child and material in the environment should be protected by the directress. For example by arranging the materials to be easily accessed by the child, thus the materials will not easily fall and the child will eventually safe and comfortable in learning.

She should become the Model of behavior. The directress should behave the way she want her child to behave. For example if she wants the child to respect the environment and his peers, the directress should show that behavior first, so that the child will follow.

She should become an observer. On daily basis, the directress should observes constantly to be aware of the needs and the ability of the children. The directress should observe and later decide what things she needs to prepare in order further support her child in classroom. For example, when a child shows an interest in animals, the directress can make use of this to attract the child’s attention to a specific material. Also, when the child his potential in a particular skill, the directress can later provide and offer the child with materials that supports it.

She should become an enthusiastic directress and able to demonstrate love and curiosity to knowledge. By becoming this, the directress will have the ability to accelerate the children to discover and learn more knowledge.