It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Montessori on May 6, 1952. Maria was born August 31, 1870 in Chiaravalle, Italy and was the founder of the Montessori educational philosophy. Maria began her teaching career in 1896 as an elementary school teacher and quickly realized her methods greatly improved classroom attainment levels. After attending Brockhouse Medical School in 1896, Maria developed her own educational pedagogy. Her philosophy focused on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play, and soon spread to many countries around the world. Throughout her life, Maria wrote extensively, her most notable book being “The Montessori Method” in 1912. She travelled extensively and tirelessly opened new Montessori schools around the world. Maria worked tirelessly to promote her philosophy until the day she died, aged 81. Maria Montessori's death leaves behind her a great legacy of an educational system that has changed the lives of thousands of children around the world. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.