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About the Institute

The Montessori World Educational Institute was established to archive and make information regarding the Montessori Approach to Education accessible to parents, teachers, and others in 1979. Robert Blodget, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, from the Psychology and Child Development Department of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, worked with Margaret Homfray, Phoebe Child, and Edna Andriano to document and archive the  approach to education developed by Maria Montessori. In the process  they collaborated and established the Montessori World Educational Institute.  Miss Homfray, Miss Child, and Miss Andriano had all been students, and then collaborators, with Dr. Montessori over many years.  Dr. Montessori authorized Miss Homfray and Miss Child to provide Montessori training and sign Montessori diplomas

Founders

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Co-Founder

Margaret Homfray

April 6,1908 - March 7, 1996

Miss Homfray first studied with Dr. Montessori in London in 1929.  Miss Homfray, Miss Child, and Dr. Montessori worked together to establish a London Montessori Center, The St. Nicholas Training Centre for the Montessori Method of Education.  Dr. Montessori personally authorized Miss Homfray and Miss Child to provide Montessori training and sign Montessori diplomas....

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Co-Founder

Robert Blodget, Ed.D.

September 28, 1942 - Present

Dr. Blodget studied Montessori with Margaret Homfray and Phoebe Child at UCSB and then arranged for Margaret Homfray to teach Montessori at Cal Poly.  He then worked with Margaret Homfray and Phoebe Child to establish the Montessori World Educational Institute.

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Contributing Founder

Phoebe Child

May 21, 1910 - February 13, 1990

Phoebe Child first studied with Dr. Montessori in London in 1929.  She then went to Italy to take the International course offerred by Dr. Montessori in Rome. After World War II, Dr. Montessori then lived with  Miss Child and Miss Homfray and while giving Montessori lectures at night (see The 1946 London Lectures).

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Contributing Founder

Edna Andriano

June 7, 1909 - December 31, 2004

E.M. Standing, author of the book, Maria Montessori, Her Life and Work,  called Edna Andriano, Margaret Homfray, and Phoebe Child,  "The Three Graces."  They met in 1929 at the London Course taught by Maria Montessori...

Board Members

The Montessori World Educational Institute is accredited by the

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

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For more information contact: 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools

533 Airport Boulevard,  Suite 200, Burlingame, CA  94010  |   (650) 696-1060

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Notice of Non-Discrimination:  The Montessori World Educational Institute admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin or creed to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded to students through the Institute. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin or creed in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other Institute administered programs.

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The Montessori World Educational Institute is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

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