Navigating Montessori: Teacher Identity and Policy Challenges in Public Schools

Join us as we dive into the complex world of Montessori education within public schools. In this episode, Dr. Heather Gerker from the University of Cincinnati shares her research on how Montessori teachers grapple with educational policies that often clash with their pedagogical beliefs. Discover the concept of Montessori fidelity and hear firsthand accounts from educators who navigate the tension between standardized testing and child-centered learning. Learn how teacher identity shapes responses to policy and the strategies for better supporting Montessori educators in the system.