Along the 50-kilometer stretch of Hualien County from Yanliao to Jiqi, only seagulls meet the eye. There is no sound of school children reciting their textbooks.
If it takes a village to educate a child, what does it take to train a teacher? In the past, Montessori education, which originated in Europe and the United States, was something out of reach for those in Taiwan.
If you’ve listened to the Y2 Podcast, you are likely familiar with the sharp, energetic, and humorous Diane Teng. Diane’s job titles and roles are as diverse as the multiverse.
In the course of growing up, we all encounter one or two teachers who impact us profoundly. For Y2 Montessori Adolescent Community’s (Y2MAC) guide, Fang-Jou Chang, being raised by parents who are teachers became his inspiration.
"You’re not a real Montessori teacher; you’re a fake! You can’t restrict our freedom," a third-grade boy standing in front of Zheng-Hua Yan pointed and roared like a string of blasting firecrackers.
Majoring in business management at National Chengchi University, never taking any courses related to education, and was long employed in the business sector…What kind of sparks would ignite when someone with this background joins Y2 Montessori Adolescent Community (Y2MAC)?
“It takes a village to raise a child" comes from an African proverb speaking to how the raising of healthy, happy, and flourishing children require the collective efforts of parents, teachers, neighbors, professionals, community members, and policymakers—all must work together to rear children.
