Workplace preparedness and the Montessori education

SAN DIEGO - June 8, 2018 - PRLog -- A core component concerning school curricula is shifting. Today, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are not the only skills progressive employers are seeking based on. "It turns out that is a gross simplification of what students need to know and be able to do, and some proof for that comes from a surprising source: Google. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/12/20/the-surprising-thing-google-learned-about-its-employees-and-what-it-means-for-todays-students/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5b79811ce622)" Valerie Strauss stated recently in an article titled "The Surprising Thing Google Learned About Its Employees".

In actuality, the qualities they're looking for include:

-being a good coach

-communicating and listening well

-possessing insights into others' values and points of view

-having empathy toward and being supportive of one's colleagues

-making connections across complex ideas and,

-using critical thinking and being a problem solver.

Google originally set its hiring algorithms to sort for computer science students with top grades from elite science universities. In 2013, Google decided to test its hiring hypothesis by crunching every bit and byte of hiring, firing, and promotion data accumulated since the company's incorporation in 1998. Project Oxygen shocked everyone by concluding that, among the eight most important qualities of Google's top employees, STEM expertise comes in dead last. The seven top characteristics of success at Google are all soft skills: being a good coach; communicating and listening well; possessing insights into others (including others different values and points of view); having empathy toward and being supportive of one's colleagues; being a good critical thinker and problem solver; and being able to make connections across complex ideas.

This theory is also supported in the book authored by Cathy N. Davidson, CUNY titled "The New Education: How to Revolutionize the University to Prepare Students for a World in Flux".

How Montessori Teaching Fits Companies' Workforce Needs
"I went into the 'toddler room' for children 18-36 months this week and there was lots of activity," Kristin Edwards, M.Ed., Director of Lifetime Montessori School in San Diego, says. "A little girl had a miniature watering can and she was watering plants. She went toward a vase and overfilled it. She looked around to see if anyone had noticed. Then, she walked away—to get a sponge.

"What amazed me," Edwards continued, "is the girl thought, 'what do I do?'

She then created an accurate decision making process. If our Montessori teacher hadn't previously given the children lessons that were modeled on how we fix mistakes and are responsible to each other, then none of this would have happened. Can you imagine? This two-year old, based on this type of behavior, would be the type of person employers would hire. Why? She solves problems."

What are the Montessori differences here?

First, in a Montessori school, we tell parents not to clean it up themselves. Let the child do it. Overcoming an error builds independence and self-esteem. So much of Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy is based on parents making kids a respected part of their household and how to get the most and best out of your relationship.

Secondly, the Montessori Method is based on the very traits listed earlier: communication, empathy, responsibility, independence and curiosity.

Google's Projects Oxygen and Aristotle
In 2013, Google tested its hiring hypothesis of only seeking computer science students with top grades from elite science universities. Their Project Oxygen conclusion: STEM expertise was the least important quality of the company's top employees. As a result, the company enlarged its prospective employee pool to add artists, MBAs and humanities majors.

As a follow-up, last year the company released its Project Aristotle findings supporting the importance of soft skills even in high tech environments. Instead of just scientists in the room running down ideas, Aristotle showed that equality, generosity, curiosity, empathy, emotional intelligence and emotional safety were core reasons how communication and listening allows every team member feel confident speaking up and making mistakes!

"Google is interested in how to change things," Edwards says. "It shouldn't surprise us that they are seeking people who are not built for the factory but by using their imagination and brainstorming. Groups of people of different cultures, ages and genders need to communicate, empathize and LISTEN to someone else's idea. Plus, not be shy about their own ideas or making an error--especially in a group setting."

Montessori teaching builds and molds each individual's strengths in such a way that he or she can work toward creating a cohesive unit. It's these soft skills Montessori teachers focus on that differentiates this Method from the public school down the street. Montessori builds concepts first and rote learning later—not the other way around.

"In the same way, top companies have to find teams to work together to build something out of the box," she continued. "You've got to create from imagination—then, build and manage a team. For companies that don't have a 'Steve Jobs type' leader, that's very exciting. Best, it's neat to see it happening every day in our classrooms. We are teaching tomorrow's workforce every day. Even if industries change in the next 20 years, companies will still need graduates who are problem solvers. And those future college graduates are our students today."

Lifetime Montessori School in Santaluz is building Workforce 2038 today via its Montessori toddler, preschool and elementary classes. The school serves nearly 200 students whose families live in the Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S, Del Sur and Fairbanks Ranch communities. Annual tuition is about $13,000.

For a tour, visit: https://www.lifetimemontessorischool.com/free-tours