An alternative solution for our islands : ” Teach me to teach myself “
“ Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the world ”
This is one of many quotes made by Maria Montessori, a leading Italian woman doctor and famous educationalist.
Carrying on its well-known but yet to be democratised values and philosophy, the Montessori Association of Polynesia is planning on opening our school in Tahiti, hoping, in all humility, to make a contribution to our islands’ educational system forward.
Our structure will provide a friendly environment for children from 0 to 9 years old and a facility for training and raising the awareness of parents and child development professionals. This practical school will allow us to offer Polynesians from various social backgrounds an authentic Montessori teaching, thanks to the support of Montessori experts.
Our school will offer some free places to families in disadvantaged areas, creating social mixity.
RESONS FOR THIS PROJECT
Today our association is brought together by a great sensitivity to the innocence of children and the defense of their rights. A beautiful dynamic is activated.
We are keen to continue federating the people who aspire to follow the philosophy of Maria Montessori, specifically that the future of humanity resides in children. It is our role, as adults, to let them blossom !
We are deeply convinced that the Montessori pedagogy is a practical and efficient tool and a great alternative, which on top of fostering solid learning skills and constructive social skills, will contribute to a better society tomorrow.
We have a great workspace
Our gratitude go out to Mayor Oscar Temaru and his town council. The school will take up residence on the premises of a preschool now closed and located in Oremu, Faaa. What better place than a structure already built specifically for children, and moreover offering a breathtaking view of our sister island Moorea
We have a great team
To a pedagogical team which has undergone training and certification from the highest institution of this pedagogy, namely the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
BUT we are also facing a challenge
Our requests for grants have not been accepted. A capital investment of 55,813 Euros has been budgeted, funding that we don’t have.
We know how difficult it is to raise such an amount of money in such a short time but we still want to believe it can happen.
We hope that, thanks to the Ulule community, we will be able to reach at least half of our goal, ie. 27,650 Euros.
To give a better idea of what this school will look like, we have taken a few pictures and a little video of our ideal atmospheres : children guided by their instinct, adults willing to move forward, environnements which will encourage learning… Our dream is to make it all real for a high number of Polynesians in our school.
We talked earlier of a planned budget of 55,813 euros.
Following the “all or nothing” principle, we will follow the advice of Ulule professionals. We will wisely aim for a first goal of half our final budget.
Buying and shipping the teaching materials for 3 to 6-year olds
This is absolutely necessary to start the first class in the school. To create a Montessori atmosphere, the classroom has to have scientifically elaborated ressources. The cost is quite high and the transport charges linked to our remote geographical location makes it even higher.
Work on the building
The building is solid but will need some work to comply with hygiene and safety norms.
Plane tickets to bring two Montessori experts from France to Tahiti
A educator to teach the children (there is no local personnel with the necessary qualifications) and an instructor to lead the first diploma program that will ensue the opening of the school. Both have been trained and qualified by the International Montessori Association. Their presence is essential to guarantee the fulfilment of our project and, above all, its quality.
The Association Montessori Polynesie (AMP) was born in Tahiti a little over a year ago on the initiative of Poerani Ebb, the president-founder. Four years ago she wished for an education based on an approach with a deeper respect for the natural development and harmony of her newborn child. Maria Montessori’s work answered her wishes. Since then, she has embarked on a long and laborious path raising awareness and accompanying other mothers who, like her, were seeking another way of educating their children.
Poerani’s dream was to open a school for her son and other children, as well as to provide a training center aimed at parents and professionals working in childcare and education in Tahiti and its islands.
THAT EVERY CHILD OF FRENCH POLYNESIA CAN ONE DAY GROW IN BENEVOLENCE.
And finally to many volunteers who are enthusiastic about a Montessori school; starting with the AMP President who will voluntarily ensure the direction of the school until the project is viable enough to remunerate another director. The expertise of Christian Marechal, from France, will guarantee a real conformity to the Montessorian spirit while a dozen team members with various skills are working locally on the implementation of the “Polynesian Montessori School.”
“Today, caring for the purity of children and defending their rights as human beings is uniting the members of our association. A beautiful dynamic has started.
Our fundamental aim is to keep federating people who aspire to follow the path laid by Maria Montessori, one aspect of which is that in children lies the bud of humanity. As adults, It is our role to water and make the bud blossom and grow.
And finally, we are profoundly convinced that the Montessori teaching method is a pragmatic and efficient tool that, in addition to nurturing today’s knowledge and constructive social qualities will contribute to a better society tomorrow.
Poerani EBB, President of Montessori Polynesie
Past steps justifying the implementation of the project
The Montessori Pedagogy
Montessori is a world-renowned pedagogy that combines a child-friendly environment with scientifically developed materials for a child-centered approach to education. From a learning stance, the results are more than satisfactory for the children who have the chance to follow this type of education. From a scientific standpoint, the recent discoveries of neuroscience in children’s neurodevelopment have validated the conclusions of Doctor Maria Montessori, after whom this pedagogy is named.
It was, therefore, natural for the Association Montessori Polynesie (AMP) to one day envision the possibility of opening locally a school advocating this promising method.
Knowing us more