New director appointed at Carnegie School of Education’s International Montessori Institute

Dr Archer has worked in the early years education sector for 20 years, is a trained Montessori teacher, and has extensive experience in both teaching and education research. 

He said: “I am honoured to be taking up the role of Director of International Montessori Institute, which is founded on a partnership between Leeds Beckett University and The Montessori Group.

“This role offers exciting opportunities to build on the excellent work of colleagues, who have launched the centre and developed an accelerated degree programme in Montessori education. I look forward to collaborating to develop new postgraduate programmes and advancing the research agenda of the Institute.

“As a Montessori trained teacher, I have experienced first-hand the transformative power of this approach to education. I have had the privilege to experience Montessori education in a range of Early Childhood and Primary contexts and see its powerful impact on children’s lives. The education pioneer Maria Montessori began her work in the most disadvantaged areas of Rome as an advocate for children and her commitment to education for social justice informs my own work.

“Montessori education is a philosophy committed to human flourishing, one which respects all children’s rights and agency; it is an empowering approach to living well with others.

“I very much look forward to working with colleagues across the university and the wider education community to develop this work."

The International Montessori Institute launched in 2020 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Dr Maria Montessori’s birth. 

As well as developing research into the application of Montessori education, the Institute offers an accelerated degree programme in Montessori Primary Education and aims to create the first Montessori professorship. 

The main aim of Montessori education is to help each individual child reach their full potential in an environment specifically prepared to meet the child’s needs and interest. The adults and children are an integral part of this nurturing environment designed to facilitate the Montessori motto of ‘following the child’.

The Montessori Group CEO Leonor Stjepic said: “Our vision is a world where every child is given the tools to grow into adults who will have a positive and transformational impact on the world. From learning skills needed for future work to an understanding of the respect for the natural world around us, instilling respect for diversity and developing emotional resilience – the Montessori pedagogy covers them all.”

Karen Chetwynd, Chief Operating Officer of The Montessori Group, said: “We believe the Institute, under the direction of Dr Archer, can enhance the reach of Leeds Beckett University and the Montessori Group for further collaboration globally in research projects and wider activity, with Montessori training benefitting from the academic rigour and reputational development of relevant, current and impactful research activity.”