"When I graduate from Lander, I hope to teach Montessori Kindergarten in the Greenwood area. As a student teacher, learning under Lisa Burch in her primary classroom of 3 to 6 year olds, I am gaining real-world experience in seeing how the children respond to the lessons, the materials and me. I chose the Montessori method of teaching because of the focus on the children ís ability to plan, concentrate and complete tasks independently. The children learn through very specific lessons how to care for themselves and their environment as well as the basic math, science, geography and reading/writing curriculum. Emphasis is not only on the lessons, but also the independence and self-confidence that a child gains in the Montessori classroom. The classroom is unlike any other. Children are busy working on things that interest them independently while the teacher is able to move around the classroom, helping children, observing children at work and giving lessons when needed. The materials encourage children to correct their own mistakes so the teacher is not needed by every student at all times, which is the norm for traditional classrooms. There's a constant buzzing in the classroom - but it's one of discovery and excitement as they concentrate on their own work, not children demanding the teacher's undivided attention individually on a constant basis."

"I am able to observe the children and the teacher to gain knowledge about how the children work and perform in the classroom. I get actively involved, which is a real test of my ability to work with children. This is my first clinical experience in a Montessori classroom and I find myself being led by the children every time I enter it. They are gaining more information and insight from this experience than I recall from my early school years."