Special Interview: German intern teacher shares thoughts on WMS and Montessori education 

This winter, Wilmington Montessori School was graced with an international visitor. Meike Lehrmayer, a bilingual education major from a small town in southwest Germany, is spending the year at the University of Delaware to fulfill her German university's study abroad requirement. This January, she spent three weeks as an intern teacher in Room 16. At the end of her visit, she shared her thoughts on Montessori education, WMS and her overall experience in the U.S.

After high school, Meike spent a year in the U.S. as an au pair on Long Island, N.Y. "I had a great time, so I wanted to spend my required study abroad in the U.S. again in order to see and experience more of the country," Meike explained.

While Meike knew she wanted to do an internship at a U.S. elementary school, it was a chance meeting with WMS alumna (and daughter of preschool teacher Trish Bradley) Lena Bradley that brought her to Wilmington Montessori School. Lena and Meike met in Germany, where Lena was involved with a study abroad program. After Meike told Lena that she was interested in an internship in the U.S., Lena recommended WMS. Lena spoke to her mother Trish, who worked with 5-7 teachers Arlene Wason and Erin Winner to arrange the internship. The Bradley family also invited Meike to stay at their Wilmington home during her three-week internship. Meike was particularly excited about the prospect of spending time at a Montessori school.

"I had done several internships at German schools, but never at a Montessori school. Therefore, I only experienced traditional classrooms with desks and boards, and one teacher per classroom," she explained. "I learned a lot about Montessori education in lectures and seminars in Germany, and I've always wanted to get an insight into daily school life at a Montessori school."

Meike said that traditional German schools often incorporate some aspects of Montessori education in their classrooms, encouraging children to work independently at their own pace and become responsible, reliable and autonomous, but not to the extent that WMS does.

"I really like how children can learn and work at their own pace at WMS," she said. "As a result, everyone lives up to his or her potential, no one is bored and no one is overwhelmed with the kind and amount of the school-work."    

Click to read full interview 

News from the Preparedness Committee: 
WMS Prepares for Lockdown Drills

Wilmington Montessori School presents: 

"Follow the Child: Parenting Class - for you and your child!"

Birth to 2 years

9-10:30 a.m.

Fridays, February 22 through March 22

Cost: $100

Registration deadline is February 15 - class fees due upon registration.

This weekly class offers moms, dads, grandparents and other caretakers mutual support and guidance in the beginning months of their child's life. Sara Grant, an Infant/Toddler Montessori teacher and mother of two, brings her many years of experience and observations to assist with the challenges of parenting and help parents enjoy the wonders of connecting their little one to the world around them. 

Set in an authentic Infant/Toddler Montessori classroom, this class will focus on nutrition, developing healthy eating habits, discipline, nursing and every-day life with your infant and toddler.  Meet other parents of infants and toddlers and enjoy lively discussions while your little one keeps busy in the classroom, prepared specifically for them at their stage of development.

Sara, who is also completing her doula certification training, will bring to life the Montessori Method through a wide range of enriching, hands-on activities in a fun environment for you and your child to explore.      

 "So much happens in the first 18 months of your child's life!" Sara says. "I look forward to helping you apply Montessori principles at home to make the most of this amazing stage of your child's development."

This workshop is open to families outside the WMS community so please tell a friend! 

Questions? Please contact Theresa_Conaty@wmsde.org or call 302-475-0555.   

A good way to begin helping your child feel more capable is to make a list of everything you do that your child can do for him or herself.  Now, see how many of those things you do because you are in a hurry; it's not done right; you like doing it yourself; it's quicker and easier; etc. 

Everyone knows you know how to do it and you can do it to your expectations, but how will your child learn unless you are ready to offer the opportunity for him or her to become more self-sufficient? So, check your list and decide which tasks you can give away. Your challenge is to lower your expectations, allow more time and have the curiosity to see what happens.

Good luck!