could use feedback/advice about teacher coverage

[bananahands]

I have a situation that I'm not sure how to handle, and I would love any advice you may have.

My two children are in a Montessori facility at my husband's company, which on the whole we've been very happy with. They're both in the same class at the children's community level. Each of these rooms has a lead teacher who is AMI certified or in the final stages of certification, along with two asssistants (typically recent college graduates) who receive in-house training but no formal, certification-track Montessori schooling. The school as a whole is AMI certified, as well.

This summer, the head teacher in their classroom is enrolled in a nine-week course and is out of town for the duration. They've added a third assistant to maintain teacher-child ratios, but there is no trained Montessori presence in the class. We're on week 3 now, and I am definitely noticing a difference. The care is sufficient, as far as safety and time management is concerned, but it feels more like having them in an ordinary daycare, which isn't what I want (and not what I am paying for, to be sure).

Would this be something that would bother you, since it's only temporary? I haven't called the school director yet because I'm frankly not sure what to say. She'll probably ask me what I'd like to see happen, but at this point in the summer I can't imagine there really is anything to be done. I don't want to move them to another class, because they really like the main teacher (they like the assistants, too). Plus, they will be moving to primary in January.

I'm actually surprised that an absence of this length is considered acceptable by AMI. When I think about the year as a whole, nine weeks out of 52 is a substantial chunk of time to be without this critical presence.

Thanks for any feedback.

[arwenevenstar]

Hi,
Probably not full of much help, but thought I would just put something in for you as your replies were empty at the moment.

TBH, if it bothered me, I think I would speak to the head. If the school is worth it's salt, then it should be open enough to encourage two way conversation. Just voice your concerns. She will, hopefully, put your mind at rest.

That's it

[momeg]

I was an assistant in a Primary Montessori classroom for four years. We did have situations where the main teacher either left or was on a leave of some sort, and the assistants had to take over the classroom for a bit. I would have to say, in your situation, it really depends on the assistants that you have--how comfortable they are with the materials and the method. I am assuming that your kids are in a Toddler environment since you said that they are moving to Primary in January. A competant assistant should definately be able to properly handle that sort of classroom--it is mainly Practial Life stuff, isn't it? Of course, it could be that the director won't let the assistants work with the children. Sometimes these hard-core Montessori-types don't want anyone showing the kids anything unless they have certification--understandably so for a lot of the Primary Language and Math materials, but anyone familar with the Method can handle a little Rice Pouring or Bean Spooning lesson, I think. No mysteries there, really. That's just my opinion though.

If it really bothers you, ask to observe a bit of the work period. If there is no "work period," and they seem to be just running around like monkeys, I would voice a complaint. That is just slackness on the part of the director and assistants. In my experience, I did know assistants that would just let the kids "play" while the teacher was absent though. It is not uncommon, but it is not right either. If the director doesn't want the kids to work with the materials while the cat's away, she should have lots and lots activities planned--every day, for the whole nine weeks or whatever. Also, beware of the underpaid assistant. If your school doesn't duely compensate their employees, you can't blame them for not shooting for the stars when it comes to the enlightenment of your child. No one that make minimum wage is going to go out of their way on any job.

I am now a SAH Mom to two dds. My eldest is starting in a Primary class in a few weeks. If I was in your situation, I probably wouldn't worry unless my dd seemed unhappy. If your kids are having a good time, let it go. It is summer, after all. If you love the teacher, don't give that up. You might be shooting yourself in the foot.

Good luck! I hope I helped.