An Evening with Montessori Madness!
Author Trevor Eissler
Over 100 years
ago Doctor Maria Montessori took up the challenge to start a program in the San Lorenzo poverty district of Rome for sixty
children all under the age of six. What she learned from observing the children was to become the basis of a new education
for life. Her views became a radical departure from traditional education in that she considered how the learner learns rather
than just what was to be taught. Today there are over 8,000 Montessori schools serving children from infancy though adolescence
around the globe, including four in Redding and Chico.
The Shasta Montessori Association, along with Montessori Children’s House of Shady Oaks
and Middle Creek Montessori Elementary School, will be hosting Trevor Eissler, the author of Montessori Madness! A Parent
to Parent Argument for Montessori Education.
We know we need to improve our traditional school system, both public and private. But how? More homework?
Better qualified teachers? Longer school days or school years? More testing? More funding? No, no, no, no, and no. The book
Montessori Madness! explains why the incremental steps politicians and administrators continue to propose are incremental
steps in the wrong direction. The entire system must be turned on its head. Montessori Madness!
follows one family with young children on their journey of determination, discovery, and delight-illuminating the who, what,
when, where, why, and how of Montessori education..
Eissler, father of three Montessori students, is a business jet pilot and flight instructor living near Austin, Texas.
Over the last fifteen years, he has taught hundreds of pilots, from beginners to professional pilots. He is an author, a juggler,
a unicyclist, a Toastmaster, a pianist, a triathlete, and a husband.
Eissler will present a keynote address to parents and
educators on Tuesday, March 9th at the Redding Library Community Room from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. In Eissler’s
own words, “My talk will be about parents: how the Montessori principles we see in the classroom are really universal
principles of learning and often apply to adults as well. I feel that once adults see the relevance and prevalence of these
principles in their own lives, they’ll insist on enrolling their children in a Montessori environment.” This event
is open to everyone who is interested in a proven alternative to traditional education.
Hear what someone else says about Trevor Eissler’s
Book, Montessori Madness! …
As a Montessori teacher for over 30 years, I was thrilled to read Montessori Madness!
This book is not the usual dry treatise on education, but an entertaining, thought-provoking insight into Montessori
philosophy. A father of three children and a pilot by profession, Mr. Eissler uses his own interesting life experiences to
illustrate the basic tenets of Montessori philosophy. His colorful and descriptive analogies paint a picture so moving, so
profound, and yet so entertaining, one cannot put it down. Montessori Madness! is not only an informative book
for Montessori parents; it is an impassioned plea for a complete paradigm shift in education. I'm ordering a copy for
President Obama!
Lleana McReynolds, Director, Raintree Montessori School
Open to everyone interested in alternative education, the March 9th
workshop will cost $20.00 per person or $30.00 per couple and includes one free copy of Montessori Madness! All the
profits will go to Shasta Montessori Association. To register please contact Tom at Montessori Children’s House
of Shady Oaks by e-mail shadyoak@snowcrest.net or calling 222-0355 extension 10.
