Dr. Maria Montessori
Montessori Children's House has it's roots in the methods founded by Maria Montessori. She "was an Italian physician, educator, philosopher and humanitarian ; she is best known for her philosophy and method of education of children from birth to adolescence. Her educational method is in use today in a number of public as well as private schools throughout the world."*
* quote from Wikipedia ~ Maria Montessori.
Dr. Elisabeth Caspari
"Dr. Elisabeth Caspari was one of the foremost experts in presenting the Montessori message for six decades. She was born in Chateau d'Oex, Switzerland in 1899 and educated in Lausanne, Switzerland, culminating with a Doctoral Degree in Music Pedagogy in 1927. She studied directly with Dr. Maria Montessori during the Third Indian Course, in Madras, 1941-1942, and following that had a close association with Montessori at Kodaikanal, India for four years. In 1964, she returned to Montessori studies in Verona, Italy where she received the Montessori Preschool and Elementary Teacher Certificate from the renowned Dr. Sorge. Dr. Caspari taught hundreds of Montessori teachers and established schools around the United States and Mexico. She was a sought after speaker at Montessori conferences and received prestigious awards from Montessori societies, including the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). Along with Dr. Feland Meadows, Dr. Caspari founded the Pan American Montessori Society in 1973. Dr. Caspari remained an active consultant to Caspari Montessori Institute's Teacher Education Program until her passing at age 102, on July 11, 2002. Students, staff, and Caspari Montessori board members have personally taken to heart the motto of Elisabeth Caspari: Love is the Key."*
*Quote from Caspari Montessori Institute Website.
http://www.casparimontessori.org/
Ms. Vickers holds a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Miami, and Montessori Diplomas from MTI, AMI, and PAMS. As a Master Teacher for PAMS, Ms. Vickers heads the Midwest Montessori Teacher Education Center, and directs this course, hands on. Mrs. Vickers was a student of Dr. Caspari, and founded the Montessori School of Miami Beach in 1969.
The elementary school was added in 1973. In addition to her administrative duties, Ms. Vickers served as classroom directress, working with the children as their teacher. Her many years in the classroom have enabled her to observe and react to children's "sensitive periods", and to offer challenges at appropriate times. The elementary child loves music and history, so a school of music and drama was added.
Ms. Vickers has written and directed eight musical operettas dealing with American history and political satire. Mrs. Vickers later turned the Montessori School of Miami Beach over to her twin daughters. In 2002, The Montessori School of Miami Beach was merged with her daughters school, Gulfstream Montessori. Ms. Vickers taught the adult course to teachers for PAMS at Gulfstream. When PAMS desired to open a Midwest training center, Ms. Vickers was chosen to spearhead this opportunity. Ms. Vickers placed within the Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2002 - 2004.
