Miss Isaku has been working at Willow Tree Montessori since 2018, and has decided to further her education to be a Guide in our Young Children’s Community this coming fall. We had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with her about her studies and her passion for Montessori.
WTM: Tell us a little bit about the program that you are studying.
MI:I’m training to get my Masters in Early Childhood Education as well as getting accredited for AMI Assistance to Infancy. The program I am taking through MTCNE, and the University of Hartford is built around learning everything about children aged 0-3 years. We learn about their needs, development, care, psychological and physical growth, and how to help guide the child during the different stages of maturing. We learn about the importance of a prepared environment, and how that helps aid in independence within the child. Overall, you learn how to be a well-rounded guide!
WTM: What is your favorite thing about studying to become a Montessori Guide?
MI: My favorite part about becoming a Montessori Guide is really seeing Maria Montessori’s pedagogy happening right before my eyes. Her work has not only changed my views on children and their abilities but about education as a whole. Watching children follow their inner instincts drive them to what they need in the environment, watching them focus on work for a prolonged amount of time, watching them become independent explorers….these are the reasons I’m becoming a Montessori Guide.
WTM: Tell us about your journey and how you ended up at WTM, and what made you decide to pursue this as your career path?
MI: My journey to Willow Tree started after I graduated from Southern Connecticut State University. I started applying to jobs, and as fate would have it, I got a call back from Willow Tree to be an Assistant! On my first day there, I was star struck. The children were shining tables, cleaning up spills, setting up their snack tables, dressing themselves, and so many other remarkable actions. They were doing everything they needed to do for themselves, by themselves! With every passing day, I watched as the children grew into independent, productive, free-thinking, and kind people. Watching Mrs. Bielik work with the children was almost like watching a magic trick. During her presentations, the child(ren) would not only be focused, but they were so happy to be learning something new. After spending my first year in the Primary Casa (Casa Dei Bambini), I knew I found the career I’ve been searching for. Montessori is the perfect combination of psychology, philosophy, and education, which I absolutely loved. The opportunity for me to get my AMI Assistance to Infancy accreditation along with a Masters in Early Childhood Education came along, and with the love and support from the staff at Willow Tree, I was able to take that opportunity.
WTM: What have you learned about yourself working at WTM?
MI:Willow Tree has taught me that I need to relax!! Sometimes I find myself getting flustered trying to keep a close eye on every child, but I’ve learned that the environment is made for the children to explore and learn. Their inner drive will direct them to where they need to be and I simply need to sit back and observe. The best thing I’ve learned working here is that the child is not an empty vessel waiting to be filled with knowledge, the child is already filling himself with knowledge, and we are simply aiding in that task. Trust in the process.
Thank you to Miss Iskau, for taking the time to answer our questions.
Majla Isaku is a Masters student at the University of Hartford. She is also working toward getting accredited in AMI Assistance to Infancy. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in mental health from Southern Connecticut State University. During her undergrad she played women’s rugby for two years, and she sings Opera. Her favorite color is light blue. She was born in Albania and speaks both English and Albanian. If she had to eat one meal for the rest of her life it would be chicken parmesan with angel hair pasta.
Miss Isaku said “One of the biggest joys in my life is working with kids and I’m very grateful I get to do what I love at Willow Tree.”