Staff Interview: Greg McCracken

What is a motto that you live by? When I was young, my dad often reminded me: “Always do your best.” In the same way, what I often try to keep in mind is "Do what you can, where you are, with what you have."

How were you first introduced to Montessori?

Like many others, I discovered it through my children. Looking for a program for my son, we visited a Montessori school without knowing anything about it. I really liked it, especially the way the teachers talked to the children. It seemed very warm and nurturing.

Later, when my third son was having some issues, I volunteered in the classroom and the staff encouraged me to pursue teaching. I started tutoring at 17 so I had been teaching for a long time before stepping into the classroom; I found I really liked it and the students responded well to me. I was hesitant though because it seemed like an enormous weight – to be responsible for educating young minds. I’m still aware of the great responsibility but I now understand there’s a way to manage it.

Interview with upper elementary Montessori teacher Greg

Before you became a Montessori teacher, you studied English and Comparative Literature. What was your original plan?

My degree took a long time to complete because of family responsibilities. Originally, the plan was to go to grad school and teach creative writing at the university level. However, my family had to shift gears and my path changed. I do use what I learned in college and working with older students now with the children.

How did your passion for outdoor education develop?

That has always been a life-long interest. I grew up on a farm. The woods have always been a rejuvenating and safe place – something I want to share with the children. Learning about the outdoors has to go beyond the classroom and luckily the schools I’ve worked for have agreed. Outdoor education is really important for children – for their well-being and calm but it's also proven to have a positive cognitive impact on people.

Do you feel like there is a difference in education from when you started teaching to now?

I feel that, when I first started, children were more receptive to new things. Now, for whatever reason, they don’t seem to have the same reverence as before. Perhaps this is due to having more access and less mystery. As a teacher, I’ve remained largely the same. I try to be open and sensitive to each child.

You hold the AMS Elementary I-II diploma, what is your favorite thing about Upper Elementary children?

The conversation! They’re at a developmental level where they are discovering and forming their own ideas. This offers real opportunities to help them figure out, not tell them, what they think. I experienced that with my 5^th grade teacher, Mr. Albertini, who was the most influential teacher I had. He asked me what I thought, and it was the first time someone had given me that space. And that’s what I try to give to my students.

What would you tell parents if you had the chance to share some life experience with them?

Be patient. If you’re supportive of your children, offer them love and guidance (including boundaries), it will be okay. There will be struggles but the stress will lessen.

You’re an avid traveler – what’s in it for you?

I’m a big history nerd so I love going to places and learning about cultures and people. I meet a lot of people who are “5-minute friends.” We chat, deeply, and then move on. I really enjoy seeing the common threads we all share. At the end of the day, we’re all just living our lives as best we can.

What does your life look like outside of IMSP?

Outside of IMSP my life revolves around Joyce, travel, playing and listening to music, reading, photography, movies, art and nature.

Describe yourself in 10 seconds

Someone who loves learning, other people and hearing their stories, the woods and nature, teaching, music and art, walking, traveling and getting to know new places; and who wants to share all of those with others.

Upper elementary lesson in the forest

Five Writers I Love, in no particular order, except #1:

1. William Shakespeare

2. Anton Chekhov

3. Emily Dickinson

4. Jane Austen

5. Haruki Murakami

Comments

Další články

Montessori Sensorial Materials Lead to Sensory Awareness

The materials in the Sensorial area of the Montessori classroom are quite unique – they speak to the tactile observer in all of us. When you consider the way humans take in information, you realize how often we use more than one sense to explore. Maria Montessori’s work in the Sensorial environment was designed to take advantage of this tendency. Today, I will discuss the materials featured in the Children’s House classroom (ages 3-6).

Supporting Independence in the Toddler Child

In Montessori education, we often speak about independence. Helping raise children into confident adults is a priority for all of us – but why is independence so important and how do we nurture it in even our youngest learners?

Our Life in Lockdown

We have all had our fair share of complaining about the situation we have found ourselves in since last Spring, but in this article, I wanted to concentrate on the positives this has brought to us.

Video: Blueprint for the classroom: A Way to Move Forward

How do we encourage peacefulness and respect in the Montessori classroom? Together with the children, we prepare a blueprint for our classroom community!

Top 3 Winter Activities for Toddlers

We know that when schools are closed and children are at home for the holidays, it can sometimes be a challenge to come up with new, interesting ideas of things to do with your toddler. Here we have compiled a list of our three favorite winter-themed activities that consist of simple steps and only require materials that you probably already have around the house.