What is a Glass Classroom? an Interview with Brooks Gerber, MAT
Brooks Gerber, co-founder of Montessori Alliance of Tennessee and Montessori East's Curriculum Coordinator, explains the concept of the Glass Classroom, inspired by the original glass classroom, held in 1915 at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, in anticipation of MAT's Nashville event held Saturday, May 12.
For those who don’t know, what is the Glass Classroom?
A glass classroom is simply a Montessori classroom set up in a public space. Children work in
the space like they normally would, as onlookers observe. It’s a great marketing tool for Montessori
because it shows how much the materials and design speak to children, given they are happy to work
in the space and do so even though they are not in their traditional setting.
the space like they normally would, as onlookers observe. It’s a great marketing tool for Montessori
because it shows how much the materials and design speak to children, given they are happy to work
in the space and do so even though they are not in their traditional setting.
What do you hope the Glass Classroom on May 12 accomplishes?
We hope it builds camaraderie among the Montessorians that participate and also spreads
awareness about this kind of education to the greater community.
awareness about this kind of education to the greater community.
Why has MAT chosen this as an event?
It’s very joyful and a great way to show the type of education we promote to the masses. It can
include the whole family and its very social.
include the whole family and its very social.
For other interested groups or states, what are some steps that you and MAT have taken to achieve this event?
The first step is to find a teacher and school willing to offer his/her classroom for the event. The
next step is a venue. You want a place that is public and affordable, and that will have families.
After that, it boils down to people. It takes a good number of people to pull it off, but for almost
all of them it’s only one day of volunteering and then it’s all done!
next step is a venue. You want a place that is public and affordable, and that will have families.
After that, it boils down to people. It takes a good number of people to pull it off, but for almost
all of them it’s only one day of volunteering and then it’s all done!
What are some recommendations you would have for someone interested in doing this in their own community?
You need at least 10 folks who are willing to give the event their time and to start calling venues early.
9 months out is great.
9 months out is great.
Where can we find out more about this project?
Our project is on our Facebook page and we’ve been promoting on Instagram as well.
Additional Resources: