Teaching at the school has been such a great experience. I'm very grateful that I've been able to work at a Montessori school in the Dominican Republic as well as the United States. I have found so many differences and similarities between the to schools since working at the school in the Dominican Republic. One of the biggest differences is the language. At Tres Mariposas students have a large native language of spanish and some students know french. All of the students know minimal amounts of English all though it is currently a big concept they are trying to enforce because Cabarete is a tourist area and many tourist have a native language of English. So if students learn more English they will be more qualified for jobs and other opportunities that would help them and their families financially.
Working at this school has taught me to be more patient with students and trusting of them. Students of Montessori have a great level of independence at a very young age. I knew this from previously working in Montessori but I was even more surprised and thrilled when i saw the level of independence that the students had in the "El Nido" part of the school. They were so self-sufficient at such a young age. Children at the age of 1 and 2 freely poured their own cups of milk with a GLASS pitcher. They also did dishes, chosen their own work, and "raked" the grass. All of which is normal for any student of a typical Montessori school.
Also I have noticed that students in the Dominican Republic perform roughly at the same level as student in the United States of America. The only difference is that the students in the Dominican have less materials so students had a hard time being challenged once they mastered a lesson. it also made it harder to differentiate some lessons. Thankfully someone in our cohort was fortunate enough to get materials donated so children would have more work with added variety.
Working at this school has taught me to be more patient with students and trusting of them. Students of Montessori have a great level of independence at a very young age. I knew this from previously working in Montessori but I was even more surprised and thrilled when i saw the level of independence that the students had in the "El Nido" part of the school. They were so self-sufficient at such a young age. Children at the age of 1 and 2 freely poured their own cups of milk with a GLASS pitcher. They also did dishes, chosen their own work, and "raked" the grass. All of which is normal for any student of a typical Montessori school.
Also I have noticed that students in the Dominican Republic perform roughly at the same level as student in the United States of America. The only difference is that the students in the Dominican have less materials so students had a hard time being challenged once they mastered a lesson. it also made it harder to differentiate some lessons. Thankfully someone in our cohort was fortunate enough to get materials donated so children would have more work with added variety.