Meet Mr. Ben

"The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination. Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." -Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential

Hi, I'm Mr. Ben!

I grew up in Saint Paul and attended Montessori schools from the age of 18 months through 6th grade. I graduated from Saint John's University, and many years later I received my AMI 6-12 Montessori training from Centro Internazionale Studi Montessoriani in Bergamo, Italy - a program started by Mario Montessori in 1961. My initial teacher licensure was from Hamline University. I live in Minneapolis with my wife Kari, my son Simon, and our dog Dag.

I know that Montessori education is not as familiar to everyone as it is to me. I will send home an update once a week to help keep you informed of what your child is working on in our classroom. If at any time you have questions about what students are working on, you can let me know and I'll try to help. In the updates, I will also try to include at least one fun, free activity for the upcoming weekend.

I strive to create a safe, and supportive classroom environment. There is absolutely no room for bullying at school. If a student is repeatedly unable to follow rules, is violent or verbally hostile, or having an especially difficult day, parents or family will be notified via phone or email. In some cases there will be a call from the principal if an offense is severe enough. Please review the class rules and expectations that will be posted in our classroom.

Classroom Expectations

1. Respect yourself. Be the best possible you that you can be. Work hard, show good character, and be a leader and role model for others.
2. Respect others. Treat people with kindness, be a sympathetic classmate and compassionate friend.
3. Respect the environment. Take care of what is around you. Be mindful of your actions within the classroom, within the school, and in the greater environment.

We are going to have a great year!

Sincerely,

Benjamin Dorer

“This is education, understood as a help to life; an education from birth, which feeds a peaceful revolution and unites all in a common aim, attracting them as to a single centre. Mothers, fathers, politicians: all must combine in their respect and help for this delicate work of formation, which the little child carries on in the depth of a profound psychological mystery, under the tutelage of an inner guide. This is the bright new hope for mankind.” -Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind