21st Century Education Statement

Michelle Reader
Montessori Community School, Durham, NC


There has been a great deal of research recently about the skills that will be needed in
order to be successful in the 21
st
century. The National Education Association (2011) has
identified the four most important 21
st
century skills as critical thinking, communication,
collaboration, and creativity. These skills are collectively referred to as the Four Cs.
21
st
century students need to be able to think critically. They need to be able to
evaluate information in order to make decisions and solve problems. 21
st
century students also
need to have strong communication skills. They need to be able to articulate their thoughts
and ideas clearly, and to be receptive to the diverse ideas of others. In addition, collaborative
work is essential for 21
st
century success. In our interconnected society, it is important for
students to be able to work effectively and respectively in teams. Students need to learn to
share responsibility for group work, be flexible, and value each member of the group and their
contribution. Finally, it is important for 21
st
century students to be creative and innovative.
Students need to be comfortable designing, inventing, and exploring. They need to be willing
to take on challenges, to make mistakes and learn from them, to brainstorm new ideas, and to
improve upon those ideas (National Education Association, 2011).
I believe that Montessori education does an excellent job of preparing students for the
21
st
century and beyond. Montessori students are expected to be independent, and to share
responsibility for their own learning. They are encouraged to seek out their own answers to
questions, rather than relying on others. This fosters the ability to think critically. In addition,
Montessori students are used to communicating and collaborating with each other through
group work. Finally, Montessori students are encouraged to be creative and innovative in their
work choices.
In order to prepare students for the 21
st
century, it is also important to examine areas of
new learning, such as technology. Technology will always be evolving, so we will all need to
continue to learn and grow. According to the National Education Association (2011, p. 31):
While critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity can all be taught in
a low-tech environment, 21
st
century students need to harness technology to be
effective problem solvers, collaborators, communicators, and creators. They must use
technology to collaborate with others in communities beyond their own.
In addition, it is important to examine content areas such as engineering and applied
mathematics, which have not traditionally been covered much in the Montessori curriculum.
Montessori Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (MSTEM) addresses those areas in a
way that preserves the authenticity of the Montessori classroom. According to Roberts (2013),
. . . STEM education, through project-based learning strategies, can stir the curiosity of how
things work in young learners minds and enhance their creativity, innovation, and learning
experiences. One of the hallmarks of Montessori education is hands-on learning that inspires
creativity and innovation.
For the past year I have been working on my MSTEM certification through St. Catherine
University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have enjoyed implementing many STEM experiences in my
classroom. I have seen firsthand how engaged and excited the students are about these
lessons and activities, and how the skills they have learned in these explorations can help them
become the kinds of learners, thinkers, and leaders that the 21
st
century needs and requires.
References

National Education Association (2011). Preparing 21
st
century students for a global society: An
educators guide to the Four Cs. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/A-
Guide-to-Four-Cs.pdf

Roberts, A. (2013). STEM is here. Now what? Technology and Engineering Teacher, 73.1, 22.