Together in One Spirit: The Effects of a Montessori Classroom Team’s Spiritual Preparation on Classroom Harmony
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the spiritual preparation process of a classroom
team and its effects on the adults and children in the classroom. It aimed to identify traits and
behaviors of leaders and colleagues which support healthy spirituality necessary for a
harmonious classroom. The researcher collected data through instruments used by the members
of the classroom team, including pre/post surveys, an interactive video journal application called
Marco Polo, classroom observations, and a photo journal curated by the members of the team.
The researcher then tracked themes throughout the data to identify patterns of behavior which
did or did not support adults’ connections to each other, the children and families in their care,
and/or the environment of the classroom. It was found that connection to each of these elements
was increased through intentional communication both in times of ease and flow, as well as
times of challenge. Acceptance of these cycles of joyful and difficult moments as “normal” was
also an important factor in the classroom team’s development of shared spirituality.
Subject
Spiritual life
Environment, Classroom
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84590Type
Thesis
Description
Master of Science in Education - Montessori