An education experience unique to Sydney’s Inner West
“The Montessori method takes advantage of children’s natural need and desire to learn.”
Our Teachers
A Montessori teacher is a guide or facilitator whose task it is to support the young child in his or her process of self-development. In Montessori education teachers are also known as ‘directors’.
A major advantage of the ISMS Montessori classrooms is the high staff-to-child ratio and the fact that children will remain in the same classroom environment for three years. Not only does this provide a stable environment for learning, our teachers really get to know and understand each child and their unique personality. This understanding informs our teachers in the directing of each child into areas of natural interest and in observing and assessing the child’s educational and social progress.
All ISMS Montessori teachers have recognised Montessori teaching qualifications and typically also have a bachelor degree teacher qualification or other relevant tertiary qualification. All teaching staff hold qualifications which comply with NSW government requirements and a number of our teachers have specialist skills such as in music and literacy. Most of our staff have been with ISMS for many years and all are very committed to our children and community.
Our Principal
The ISMS Principal is Cathy Swan, a Montessorian since 1978. Cathy first came across the philosophy as a teacher’s assistant at a school in Connecticut, on the East coast of the US.
Cathy began her qualifications in Education by studying to be a Pre Primary Teacher (3-6 years); earned her Masters of Education from the University of Portland, in Portland, Oregon and is an Auxiliary Teacher Trainer with Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Cathy joined ISMS in September 2009.