It is always exciting to see Maria Montessori receive public recognition for her years of hard work and evolution of education. Who would have ever thought she would get her credit on Barbara Walter's list of the years most fascinating people?

Barbara Walter's included Google founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, on her yearly top ten list for 2004. For seeing a need, the two started in a rented garage with a plan to create a way to give people information quickly and effectively. Presently, the two have created a billion dollar company and have brought the word, 'Google' into homes and offices around the world.

Larry and Sergey do not encompass the word billionaire. Larry drives a Prius and Sergey's mode of transportation is his in-line skates. Even when they took their company public last year they chose to let individual people bid on the initial shares instead of big banks. Contrary to most businessmen, the two do not see their work as just a means of getting rich. They see it as a way to make a difference in the world.

During the interview Barbara Walters asked if they credit their success to their parents or their education at Stanford. The two men replied with an answer that made all Montessori teachers proud. They said it was actually going to a Montessori school, which taught them to be self-directed and self-starters that led them to the pathway of success. They said learning in a Montessori environment allowed them to learn to think for themselves and also gave them freedom to pursue their own interests. (Yes!!!)

When children are taught to think for themselves there is no limit to what they will create during their life. As Montessori teachers this is what we strive for everyday. It is true that the pathway to these life skills comes from being allowed to make mistakes and learn from them in a positive manner that ultimately creates the desire for more learning opportunities. Look what this kind of environment did for the Google Boys!

February 2005/ Volume #1
Issue #3/ Page 6 of 8
American Montessori Newsletter