Module Details

Module Code: EDUC8054
Title: Montessori and Leadership
Long Title: Montessori and Leadership
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 1420 - Education Studies
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: Montessori’s philosophy encapsulates many facets of leadership. Core to the method is the symbiosis of environment, child, and educator. The adult models leadership and nurtures the development of leadership in children. The environment of mixed-age groups helps foster leadership. The Montessori pedagogical approach promotes care of self and others, patience and empathy, autonomy, independence, self-regulation, and children learn to advocate for themselves and others. This module aims to introduce students to the theoretical underpinnings of Montessori leadership and its links to quality practice.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Translate key Montessori principles to leadership practices (birth to 12 years).
LO2 Apply contemporary educational leadership theories in the Montessori context.
LO3 Appraise the role of leadership and its impact on quality practice in education settings.
LO4 Appraise the significance of effective teamwork in maintaining high quality practices in the Childcare sector.
LO5 Critically analyse the concept and practice of supervision in pre-school and after-school services.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Montessori Philosophy (birth to 12 years) & Leadership Theories
Montessori’s philosophy (birth to 12 years) captures many of the multifaceted aspects of leadership. These facets are grounded in Montessori’s belief of staged human development and insights to common human propensities such as those for order, exploration, and communication. Overview of key educational theories, models, and styles. Purpose of supervision; change supervision and reflexive practice; supervision and the national practice frameworks, guidelines and regulations; strategies for effective supervision in practice; mentoring and coaching. Communication skills and policy development at the macro level; empowering and influencing others; leading change and innovation; internal and external networking; ethical leadership; collaboration; perseverance.Advocacy. Children as leaders. Practical advocacy.
Montessori Method (birth to 12 years) & Leadership Practices
Effective leadership – Montessori method (birth to 12 years) and leadership practice; characteristics of an effective leader; impact of leadership styles; establishing credibility and trust; leadership versus management; application of educational leadership theories in the Montessori context. Building effective teams; different types of teams; self-leadership and accountability; roles, responsibilities and power; team meetings; supporting conflict resolution in teams; team as a community of practice. Self as a leader; be a leader; creative thinking; flexibility; rights and responsibilities; shared values; commitment to life-long learning; commitment to life-long self-improvement; infectious and dynamic sense of ambition; being an effective problem solver.
National Frameworks & Leadership (birth to 12 years)
Consolidate leadership aspects of the Irish Frameworks in Childcare. National Quality, Regulation and Curriculum Frameworks for children aged birth to 12 years. Síolta is the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and Áistear is the National Curriculum Framework for ECEC in Ireland. For school going children - UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and international best practice, National Quality Framework for School Age Childcare – in development. Nurturing Skills 2022-2028. DCEDIY Rights of the Child. Citizenship. Leadership for inclusion. LINC. AIM. First Five 2019-2028.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Oral Examination/Interview % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Montessori Leadership - relating to group dynamics/teamwork and the role of supervision in ECEC and SAC settings.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 60
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Portfolio of learning based on guided interactive activities, establishing applied links between Montessori theoretical principles and leadership practices.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact Group discussion and interactive learning Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact Research and reading Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact Group discussion and interactive learning Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact Research and reading Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Orion, J.. (2021), A Kids Book About Leadership, A Kids Book About, Inc., p.64, [ISBN: 195395507X].
  • Montessori, M.. (2017), The Discovery of the Child, Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, Amsterdam, [ISBN: 9789079506385].
  • Montessori, M.. (2019), The Secret of Childhood, Martino Fine Books, USA, [ISBN: 9781684223824].
  • Montesori, M.. (2012), The Absorbent Mind, Barnes and Noble, New York, [ISBN: 9781607965053].
  • Bates, B. and Bailey, A.. (2018), Educational Leadership Simplified : A guide for existing and aspiring leaders, Sage Publications Ltd, London, [ISBN: 1526423774].
  • Rodd, J.. (2020), Leadership in Early Childhood The pathway to professionalism, 4th. Routledge, London, [ISBN: 9781003116295].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HMOED_8 Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Montessori Education 8 Mandatory