Albert Max Joosten

Albert Max Joosten (21 November 1914–26 February 1980) was one of Maria Montessori's earliest students and an ardent believer in her methods, who went on to become her trusted lieutenant and to play a major role in popularizing the Montessori Method of Education.

Birth and early years

Joosten was born on 21 November 1914. As a pupil he attended both the pre-primary and the primary Montessori School his mother directed in Amsterdam. During the summer vacations, he accompanied his mother when she visited Dr. Maria Montessori, in order to become acquainted with the new pedagogical and psychological developments she had devised, and which on their return to Holland were to be illustrated in the Montessori courses conducted by Mrs. Joosten.

Joosten was deeply influenced by Dr. Montessori. He felt privileged to be allowed to spend time with Dr. Montessori and learn the nuances of the Montessori method of education directly from her. His enthusiasm for the educational contents of the work in which he was growing was equal to his keen intelligence, so that soon, although still a child, he was allowed to participate in the conversations and work during these summer sessions.

He grew up passing the winter with his mother and the summer with Dr. Montessori. He acquired such understanding, dedication and expertise that it was not surprising that in his early twenties having completed his schooling, he quit further studies at the university which, although very promising, he found unimportant compared to the faith that burned in him, and he asked to be allowed to help in the organization of Dr. Maria's international work. Impressed by his enthusiasm and his understanding of the Montessori system, Dr. Maria Montessori allowed him to be a part of her organizational set up. This gave him a further chance of getting deeply acquainted with the theory and practice of the method. He never missed a chance to attend any lecture given by Maria Montessori - in her training courses or elsewhere.

His association with the Montessori Movement

In 1936 when Dr. Montessori took up residence in Holland and started a training centre in Laren, he formed a part of the teaching staff, continuing at the same time to be closely connected with the work of AMI (Association Montessori Internationale). His intelligence and steadfastness in his work prompted Dr. Montessori to trust him with greater responsibilities. He managed the affairs of AMI from 1939 to 1947 when Dr Maria Montessori and Mario Montessori Sr had moved to India. In 1947, he joined Maria Montessori as her movement gained popularity in India and she needed help in meeting the growing demands of the movement.

In April 1949 when Montessori went to Pakistan on the invitiation of the new government there Joosten accompanied her along with her son Mario Montessori. Joosten assisted her in the month long course she conducted in Karachi [Maria Montessori, Rita Kramer, Hamish Hamilton Paperback, pp. 355.] . Later in the same year when Dr. Montessori left India, she asked Joosten to stay back in India as her personal representative and continue conducting the Montessori training courses there. Swamy S R joined him in this endeavour and their association lasted till Joosten's death. In 1949, he became the Director of the Indian Montessori Training Courses. In 1957, he was appointed Director of Training of the Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka and in the year 1973 he assumed Directorship of the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota, USA. All the three centres flourished under his expert guidance and direction. He also travelled all over the world as an AMI examiner. When the AMI Sponsoring Committee and the AMI International Pedagogical Committee were instituted, he was chosen as a member of both, and in the latter capacity was nominated to the Governing Board for the time when that body would have to start functioning.

The years between 1947 and 1973 he mostly spent in his beloved India and continued conducting courses in the different cities and towns there. The Montessori Movement in India owes a great deal to Joosten's untiring efforts. From 1973 Joosten shared most of his time between India and the United States. He also worked in several European countries spreading the scientific method of education developed by Dr. Montessori.

Despite his hectic work schedules, Joosten found time to become an accomplished pianist. He also had a natural gift for languages. He could speak Spanish, Italian, Dutch, English, German, French, and Hindi.

Joosten has also authored books on the Montessori method of education and some of them are used even today by students of Montessori training courses, parents, and practising Montessori-trained adults. Some of his more popular works are: "Gateways to Montessori-Theory", "Gateways to Montessori-Practicals", "Towards a Healthy Humanity".

Joosten passed away on 26 February 1980.

References

cite journal
title = In Memoriam
journal = AMI Communications
volume = 1/2
pages = 39–40
date = 1980

Notes

External links

* [http://indianmontessoricentre.org/tsep.0942/montessorians/articles/joosten/article_list.php Some articles written by Albert Max Joosten]