preparing for next term

Like many other home educating moms, I am pausing to reflect on the past term of learning and contemplating how our recent experiences might shape the next term. I find myself returning to the very basics, the soul of the matter: my own spiritual preparation for teaching and guiding these young perons. I am blessed to own a copy of "The Child in the Church" (out of print) with contributions by Maria Montessori and some of her followers (edited by E.M. Standing). Chapter four is taken from two courses of lectures given by Madam and is entitled, "The Spiritual Training of a Teacher. "Allow me to quote liberally from the opening of the chapter:

A teacher must not imagine that he can prepare himself for his vocation simply by acquiring knowledge and culture. Above all else he must cultivate within himself a proper attitude toward the moral order. Of vital importance is this preparation is the way in which we regard a child. But our subject must not be approached from its external aspect only--as if we were concerned merely with a theoretical knowledge about the nature of a child and methods of instructing and correcting him.

Here we must insist on the fact that an instructor must be prepared inwardly,and must consider his own character methodically with a view to discovering any defects within himself which might prove obstacles in his treatment of the child. To discover defects that are already rooted in the conscience, some help will be required, some instruction...In this sense the teacher must be initiated into her inward preparation. She is too much occupied with "the wicked tendencies of the child," and "how to correct its naughtiness," and "actions dangerous to the soul, caused by the remnants of original sin which are in the child," etc.

Now, skipping ahead a bit, here are some pointed comments:

A teacher must be able to see the child as Jesus saw him. A teacher is one who can rid himself of all the obstacles which make him unable to understand a child; he is not merely a person who is always trying to improve himself. Our instruction to teachers consists in pointing out to them which states of mind need correction, just as a doctor would diagnose a definite and particular illness from which a human organism is suffering or in danger. Here, then, is positive help: "the moral defect which arises in us and prevents our understanding a child is anger.

And, since no moral defect acts alone, but is always accompanied by, or combined with, other defects--just as Eve was joined by Adam as soon as sin made its first inroad--so anger is mixed up with another moral disorder, which appears less ignoble and is therefore the more diabolical: pride.

Oh, goodness, there is so much more spiritual wealth offered by this wise woman. I am reading slowly, trying to return myself to the patient and kind mother and guide I once was. Constant prayer, much contemplation and great amount of trying to live in the present moment are my aids. Anger often seems to swell when we stop working with "what is" and react instead to our idea of "what should be." I have read that Dr. Montessori would mentally greet each childwith the salutation: "Behold the child!" Which is to say, here is this lovely little person, individual and unique...what shall we offer one another today? What shall discover and where shall we go in our journey? What does he bring?