A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and current head of Aidan Montessori School, Kathy Minardi is a member of the North American Montessori Teachers Association, as well as the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools. Montessori schools like those led by Kathy Minardi differ from traditional educational institutions in several ways.

1. By Kathy Minardi

2. Introduction
 A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and
current head of Aidan Montessori School, Kathy Minardi is
a member of the North American Montessori Teachers
Association, as well as the Association of Independent
Maryland and DC Schools. Montessori schools like those
led by Kathy Minardi differ from traditional educational
institutions in several ways.
The differences begin with the learning environment that
students are exposed to. In a traditional school, classrooms
are prepared with materials and resources designed to
make it simpler for a teacher to instruct a large number of
students.

3. Montessori and Traditional Schools
 Conversely, Montessori classrooms are prepared ahead of
time with lessons and activities that are designed to fit the
learning interests and needs of each individual student.
This student-tailored learning leads to a significant
difference in instructor teaching styles and student
motivation. Montessori schools encourage children to
learn at a personal pace using all five senses, rather than
relying solely on the typical auditory and visual modes
used by traditional learning. In this way, Montessori
curricula teach children to take an active role in their
education and instill life skills, such as self-confidence,
concentration, and knowledge appreciation.

4. Conclusion
 Additional practices adopted by Montessori schools
that traditional schools lack include flexible grade
levels, in which a child is placed into a grade based on
his or her developmental stage. These levels are
typically grouped within a three-year age range,
starting at the age of younger than 1 year and
extending up to age 18. Montessori defined the
developmental stages in terms of psychological
characteristics that are revealed at each stage Birth to
Six, Six to Twelve, Twelve to 18 and 18 to 24.