MNA1091 Interview with a Real-World Manager – Insights Into Leadership & Education

Individual Assignment

Interview Transcript with Mary Hunt (Hunt Montessori School Manager, & Teacher)

1. What inspired you to start your own Montessori?

When I decided to start a family, I needed a job that was flexible and allowed me to raise children. I was always passionate about childcare, and I wanted to run my own business, so I decided to open a Montessori school.

2. What leadership style would you say you apply in the workplace?

I wouldn’t know any of the leadership styles but when it comes to leading my team in the Montessori, I encourage collaboration, involve them in the decision-making process, and motivate them to always have a smile on their face.

3. What challenges do you face being a teacher and a manager?

Being both a teacher and the manager of the Montessori can be difficult at times. On one hand, I have to plan out the curriculum and the children’s development, on the other hand, I have to handle the staff, budgeting, and the paperwork for each student. The school closes at 3:30 but my work goes much later into the evening but having a team and being able to delegate some tasks to the other ladies takes some pressure off.

4. How do you apply the decision-making process in the day to day running of the school?

I always make sure my team is involved in the decision-making process. I hold meetings to gather different perspectives and insights from the staff when it comes to curriculum adjustments or reporting on children’s performances.

5. How do you keep your staff motivated?

I like to think that I am a flexible manager, I allow the ladies to take tea and coffee breaks throughout the day and we have lunch together during the break between our morning and afternoon classes. I also try to pay the staff a fair and competitive salary and allow them to explore and develop their professional teaching methods.

6. How do you balance parental expectations with your staff’s capacity to engage?

I prioritise communication between parents and staff. We have Facebook and Instagram pages which we post on regularly to show the parents what their child has been doing in school. I also encourage an open-door policy where parents can speak to me when they are dropping off or collecting their child and voice any concerns that they may have. Lastly, we hold parent information evenings once a year to showcase the children’s development.

7. How do you create an environment that is positive for the children?

We create a positive learning environment by ensuring that the children feel that school is a place they can feel comfortable, safe, and respected. In my experience, this creates an environment where the children are confident, willing to engage, and ready to learn. We practice the Montessori curriculum as it allows the children to do things they wouldn’t be allowed to do at home like pouring water from jugs into glasses and we allow them to transfer rice or lentils from bowls into cups. Activities like this allow them to build their dexterity skills and confidence because most children wouldn’t be allowed to do this at home because they might make a mess.

8. How do you make sure your school remains aligned with the Montessori curriculum?

We review our curriculum annually to ensure that our teaching stays in line with the policies that the Department [of Education] sends out. It is usually a long day during the summer holidays where the staff and I review the new policies, we also review the previous year’s curriculum, and we discuss what went well and some things that maybe didn’t go so well. We also check all the equipment and supplies to make a list of anything that needs to be bought or replaced before the school reopens in September.