Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first woman physician, developed her philosophy of education early in the 20th century. While treating children with Downs’ Syndrome at the University of Rome’s psychiatry clinic, Dr. Montessori realized that the children were capable of learning. Her teaching brought about remarkable results and laid the foundation for the Montessori Method we use today.
In 1907, Dr. Montessori began her work with non-disabled children. She was invited to organize schools in a slum area of San Lorenzo, Italy. Her work was so successful that by 1913 she was heralded as the “woman who revolutionized the educational system of the world.” The author of several volumes and numerous articles about education, Dr. Montessori died in 1952.