Dr. Maria Montessori was born in Italy on May 31, 1879. She studied at the University of Rome and in 1896, graduated as the first woman medical doctor. She was also a professor of Hygiene and Anthropology.

Dr. Montessori worked with children from varied backgrounds including those who were socially deprived and others with special needs.  In 1907 she was asked to look after a group of children between the ages of 2-6 years, whose parents could not afford baby-sitting.  For those children she opened her first "Casa dei Bambini" (House of Children).  It was here, through observation and the use of scientifically prepared apparatus, that she developed the Montessori Method of teaching.

Dr. Montessori was an exceptional woman who had a tremendous respect for the child's individuality.  She believed in treating the child as a "whole person".  Despite the setbacks and criticism she faced in her own country and abroad, this determined woman continued to develop and implement her vision with respect to the education of young children.  She died in 1952 but her method of teaching lives on!