Retain the Bachelor of Education (Montessori Specialty) Degree offered at AUT University
- Target:
- AUT University, Education Faculty
- Region:
- New Zealand
AUT University has plans to end the Bachelor of Education (Montessori Specialty) Teaching degree that has been offered since 2003. Dr Nicola Chisnall was instrumental in putting the programme in place from 2002. It is heartbreaking to see that the legacy she left behind that has brought tremendous benefits to teachers, children and families could soon be dismantled.
This programme has introduced many prospective teachers to the Montessori philosophy. It has resulted in many of its students gaining not just a passion for the Montessori method of education; but also a deep respect and understanding of how children learn.
Dr Chisnall has also highlighted the Montessori Method of Education as a framework for peace and social justice (Chisnall, 2011).
Montessori is not just a method of education but a way of life that will ensure humanity achieves its fullest potential through the child, the father of man.
The Bachelor of Education (Montessori Specialty) degree not only introduces teaching undergraduates to the Montessori pedagogy; it also empowers them to truly bring about peace education and social justice by serving the child; as eloquently stated in the following quote from Maria Montessori :
“Times have changed, and science has made great progress, and so has our work; but our principles have only been confirmed, and along with them our conviction that mankind can hope for a solution to its problems, among which the most urgent are those of peace and unity, only by turning its attention and energies to the discovery of the child and to the development of the great potentialities of the human personality in the course of its formation.” Montessori, M. (1948). The Discovery of the Child, NY:Ballantine Books.
The undersigned include centre managers, owners, teachers, parents and past graduates of the B. Ed (Montessori Specialty) degree. We have experienced the benefits of the Montessori philosophy and urge AUT University to continue offering the Montessori Specialty programme.
We, the undersigned, call on AUT University to continue offering the Bachelor of Education (Montessori Specialty) Teaching degree (ECE and Primary) so that the children of Aotearoa New Zealand may reach their fullest potential through the pedagogy and skills that this degree offers to teachers; to become the guides that facilitate our children in their self-construction to fulfil humanity's future.
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The Retain the Bachelor of Education (Montessori Specialty) Degree offered at AUT University petition to AUT University, Education Faculty was written by Tracie Phua and is in the category Education at GoPetition.