Read the Book...
Montessori Madness!
A Parent to Parent Argument
for Montessori Education
by Trevor Eissler
We know we need to improve our traditional school system, both public and private. But how? More homework? Better-qualified teachers? Longer school days or school years? More testing? More funding? No, no, no, no, and no. Montessori Madness! explains why the incremental steps politicians and administrators continue to propose are incremental steps in the wrong direction. The entire system must be turned on its head. This book asks parents to take a look—one thirty-minute observation—at a Montessori school. Your picture of what education should look like will never be the same.
Montessori Madness! follows one family with young children on their journey of determination, discovery, and delight. Learn the who, what, when, where, why, and how of Montessori education.
Reviews:
Just what the wider educational community needs—a book written with passion and understanding by a Montessori parent to other parents. Trevor Eissler is a rare parent who can put into writing his enthusiasm and first-hand experience as a Montessori advocate to other parents.
-Barbara Gordon, President, Montessori Institute of Texas; Founder, Barbara Gordon Montessori School
...after five pages I was hooked and read the 230 pages on my computer screen in one sitting...Buy a copy of Montessori Madness and after you’ve read it give it to your sister, your brother, your neighbor, or your local library. “Leave” it at your YMCA, pediatrician’s office, grocery store or wherever, and create a viral marketing tool for Montessori education. Deliver a copy to your local public school superintendent, your mayor, and your state legislator.
-Maren Schmidt, author of Understanding Montessori and Kids Talk
Trevor Eissler has hit a homerun with this book. It should madden for just the reasons Eissler desires: parents and educators need to know about Montessori in order to serve the children of the world in the best manner possible...His voice, that of an informed Montessori parent, rings off the pages with passion, concern and a solid understanding of the Montessori approach- not just for his children or yours, but for the culture...Eissler uses folksy tales to illustrate some of the fundamental principles that define Montessori and these go a long way to creating clarity for parents or any reader of his book...After twenty years as a trained Montessori teacher and administrator, having done my share of writing and speaking about Montessori, I was very pleased to see this book come out, read it cover to cover, ordered a couple dozen copies to hand out to folks, leave in airports- whatever. We need to get
the word out about Montessori, however we can, and Eissler's book is an excellent way to do that. It is not "heavy" or laden with technical terms or Montessori jargon. It is accessible to all. What are you waiting for?
Order it already!
-Mark Berger, Director, Corvallis Montessori School
I have been telling everyone I know (and pretty much everyone with ears!) about Montessori Madness and encouraging them to read it. I currently have a staff of three, and I've bought copies for all of them. I've also been sharing the book with parents who come to enroll children. Many books about the method are biased because they are written by "insiders" who already believe in the method. The beauty of Montessori Madness is that it is written very objectively, and presents an "outsider's" view of the method. It is a great tool for explaining Montessori in lay person's terms and for helping to eliminate skepticism that many people feel at first about the method...In addition to my role as principal of a brand-new Montessori school, I also teach two courses at Barry University in Miami, as part of the Montessori teacher education program. I have recommended the book to my students, and I will encourage them to read it this semester. I'll also share short excerpts as fuel for discussion in class. Your perspective is a very powerful tool.
-Alan Koesten, Principal, Marware Montessori Academy
I love this book. Trevor Eissler has an easy, conversational writing style, and a gift for translating academic jargon into something useful. He walks readers right into the Montessori classroom and provides the details they crave when trying to compare schools, programs, and philosophies. As a great storyteller with a sense of humor, he entertains as he enlightens. The book is packed with meaty anecdotes and the best of what critics and educators have had to say on the subject of school reform. It held my attention from the first eight word opening sentence to the very last page.
Montessori Madness! not only discusses what's gone wrong in other schools, but also identifies what exactly about the Montessori classroom goes so delightfully right. It inspires parents to experiment and innovate and actively participate in the design of the education of their children. My sense is that Montessori Madness! began as a father's private investigation and evolved into a call to action. I have not found another book out there that gets to the heart of the Montessori education like this book does. Thank you, Trevor Eissler, for a great offering.
-Susan Cavitch, author
of The Deliberate Home and The Soapmaker's Companion
I am excited that our faculty will be reading Montessori Madness! this summer for our summer reading selection. It is a very practical perspective from a parent that gives great insight and answers to the questions that our parent body seems to be seeking. This book gives us very tangible topics to discuss with parents in the upcoming years.
-Michele Shane, Head of School, The Children's House
This is by far the most passionate, interesting (and even humorous at times) Montessori book we have read in a long time. It is written by a father, a pilot, who compares the Montessori education his children are receiving with his own education. His insight makes this revolutionary educational method understood better even by those teachers and teacher trainers who know it well...it is the most valuable parent book available today.
-Susan Stephenson, Michael Olaf Montessori Company
What's great about this book is that it is written by a Montessori parent for other parents who may or may not have already discovered Montessori education for their children. It's easy reading and passionately makes the case for choosing Montessori.
-Nirvair Khalsa, Head of School, Khalsa Montessori School
This is the first book on education my husband has ever read!
-Audrey, Montessori parent
I don't know if it was your intention to do so, but you have made me jealous for not having that type of education as a kid! I feel that as an adult, I learn much closer to the Montessori method than to traditional learning - so I am finding a lot of similarities there!
-Staci Taggart
Often when I give a tour of the school, Dads say, "Well I would expect you to say that Montessori is great." Now I can hand them your book and let them know that someone else (also a Dad) feels the same way! ...Thank you! This is the first book I have found that is written from a parent's point of view and a deep understanding of Montessori philosophy. This will be one of our Parent Ed. books this year. I only wish I had it 27 years ago when I started teaching!
-Becky Carty, Director, Ivy League Montessori School
