Montessori taught me the joy of discovery…It showed you can become interested in pretty complex theories, like Pythagorean theory, say, by playing with blocks. It’s all about learning on your terms, rather than a teacher explaining stuff to you. SimCity comes right out of Montessori—if you give people this model for building cities, they will abstract from it principles of urban design.

-Will Wright, Computer Game Designer and Original Designer of The Sims

Montessori in the news

Famous people influenced by montessori education

Many famous and influential people have been impacted by the Montessori method of education. From early childhood educators such as Fred Rogers to inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell, many people have sung the praises of Maria Montessori's educational philosophy.

The website Living Montessori Now compiled this list of former Montessori students who have gone on to contribute greatly to society as a whole:

"The famous individuals most obviously influenced by Montessori are former Montessori students. Many of these individuals are known for their initiative, creativity, and self confidence. These include actors George Clooney, Cami Cotler, John and Joan Cusack, Dakota Fanning, Melissa and Sarah Gilbert, Helen Hunt, and Lea Salonga; artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser; authors Anne Frank and T. Berry Brazelton; management guru Peter Drucker; Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin;Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos; Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales; Sims designer Will Wright; former Washington Post owner and editor Katharine Graham; former First Lady and editor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis; Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez; celebrity chef and author Julia Child; magician David Blaine; media mogul Sean Combs; musician Joshua Bell; and Princes William and Harry."