48. History of Montessori with Carol Dittberner
The Good Shepherd and the Child
"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:5 Welcome back friends to the GS and the child podcast! We are excited to begin season 2 with a series on all things Montessori! To start this season off we are going to explore the history of Maria Montessori and her work! A good episode to go back to is Episode 28 on Montessori’s Epiphany with Sherry Mock. But today we are going to look at the whole timeline of Montessori’s life and work, but episode 28 takes one moment of that timeline, Jan 6, 1907, and goes into the beautiful details from that day. So, after you listen to today’s episode, go check out episodes 28. Carol began as a Montessori Guide after receiving her diploma at the 38th Indian Montessori Training Course in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India in 1974. The very next year, Sofia Cavalletti participated in an International AMI Conference in St. Paul, MN. After the conference, 30 of the primary Montessori guides, took the first course given in the U.S. They covered all three levels and studied for 5 weeks. Later, she competed two degrees in Human Development, both her B.A. and M.A., the latter from St. Mary’s University. The first atrium in Minnesota began because her two children, who were adopted from the Missionaries of Charity in India, turned 5 and 3 years old. The atrium began in 1982 at the Church of St. Frances Cabrini, Minneapolis, MN. In 2006, Carol received the Diploma from the Assistants to Infancy training at the Opera Nazionale Montessori in Rome, Italy. She was able to work with Silvana Montanaro and visit the Rome Atrium often. In the late 1980’s she began work as a Formation Leader and has given CGS catechist formation in all three levels over the last 30 years. Another joyful ‘grace’ was yet to come when she was invited to work with the Missionaries of Charity, beginning in 2009 in Kenya. A complete circle, from the adoption of her children to serving the sisters, a golden thread, sewn by the Holy Spirit. In addition to Formation Courses in the U.S., Carol has worked with the sisters in Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, and Rwanda. Sources for learning more about Maria Montessori’s life: Association Montessori Internationale, Amsterdam Montessori Organizations and Archival Libraries American Montessori Society, New York City Books by Maria Montessori: The Secret of Childhood The Child and Society A New World and Education Books about Montessori or her work available through the CGSUSA bookstore: In the 2021 Journal, we seek to offer a rich study and deeper understanding of Montessori's work, which is so integral to CGS. NURTURING THE WHOLE CHILD BY GIANNA GOBBI COMMEMORATIVE JOURNAL: GIANNA GOBBI 1919-2002 MONTESSORI: ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THE CHILD IN THE CHURCH (SOFTCOVER) SILENCE IN THE SHADOW OF SPEECH Previous episodes about Montessori and her work: Episode 4 on Normalization Episode 28 Montessori’s Epiphany Episode 30 on Freedom and Discipline Through their joy, their wonder and awe, their capacity for love and prayer, and their radical simplicity, the children offer adults a glimpse into what it means to fall in love with God. This has been the work of CGSUSA for almost 40 years now: to advocate for the child’s joy. Each year, CGSUSA provides catechist formation, publishes new books for continued study and contemplation, and continues to support catechists and religious leaders across the nation and the world in helping children find their own path to God’s love. We humbly ask for your continued help and support in this effort, please give to our Annual Appeal. Please donate so the work may continue. Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Follow us on Social Media- Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” Instagram- cgsusa Twitter- @cgsusa Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd