Peace & Social Justice
Inspiration and resources for building caring and empathic communities.
A commitment to basic human rights such as freedom, dignity, safety, equitable treatment, and a standard of living adequate for health and well-being drive the Montessori commitment to education for peace and social justice. By creating respectful, inclusive classrooms, celebrating diversity in all its forms, crossing cultural boundaries, and modeling engaged citizenry, Montessori educators nurture students who will transform the world and make it a better place for their generation and the generations that follow.
An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.
Dr. MARIA MONTESSORI
Dr. Montessori believed each generation of children brings renewed hope for a more peaceful world. But so often in our practice we make the mistake of isolating peace as a separate curricular area. As children move from respecting their physical space to respectful collaboration, from projecting their own desires for peace and social justice to leading that change, they will come to understand that conflict is an opportunity for growth and understand their own potential for leadership. This is the essence of Montessori, and can be found in the design of the materials and the prepared environment. Look for the elements of peace through all levels, materials, and subjects.
A Teacher's Perspective
Now more than ever I am convinced that Montessori educators and advocates must champion our efforts to bring peace into our classrooms, and by extension, the world. We can be the difference so that tomorrow’s leaders will not see through the lens of hate, but instead look to peace, empathy, understanding, and love as the values to which they turn to solve their community’s problems. Join me in approaching this charge with passionate determination and optimism.Learn More About Peace & Social Justice in Action