Deepa J. Makhija is a Montessori-trained educator with over 20 years of experience in
creating structured, child-centered learning environments. She strongly believes in the
Montessori philosophy of fostering independence, concentration, and a lifelong love for
learning. Her approach focuses on guiding each child at their own pace, understanding their
unique needs through careful observation, and providing meaningful learning experiences
that support holistic development. She looks forward to contributing positively to a
nurturing, orderly, and growth-oriented classroom community.
Snippets of an Interview conducted with Ms. Deepa J Makhija
One size doesn’t fit all…each child is like a flower that
blooms at its own pace with no comparison. Gaining
confidence through exploration and independence which
is the crux of the Montessori System attracted me to this
system of learning. Watching children bloom keeps me
passionate every day.
What made you choose Montessori teaching, and what
keeps you passionate about it?
How do you make your classroom a place where children
feel confident and independent?
Children are allowed to choose activities and have the
liberty to express their needs and thoughts. This
freedom of choice and expression helps them gain
confidence and independence.
What’s one Montessori activity you feel every child
should experience, and why?
All the Montessori activities are scientifically designed
for exploration. The Moveable Alphabet Box, where
the child analyses the sounds of a word and uses the
letters (sounds) in the box to build words, is an amazing
activity that every child should experience to help them
form words independently. Also, the Stamp Game is
another fantastic activity where the child experiences
and gains clarity of place value while performing the
four mathematical operations.
How do you handle tough days or challenging
behavior while staying calm and positive?
Silence Activity is a part of the Montessori System,
and we use it often to calm an agitated or troubled
child and the children around.
How do you keep yourself updated and relevant as a
teacher?
Finding creative ways to challenge children’s interest in
learning and reading, and participating in various
workshops helps keep me updated and continue my
journey of learning as a teacher.
If a young person today is thinking about becoming a
Montessori teacher, what honest advice would you give
them?
If you love children and are passionate about helping
them in their journey of learning, then choose teaching
as a career. The rewards are immense.
How do you become a Montessori
teacher?
To become a Montessori teacher, you need to do your
diploma in Montessori from a reputed institution.
What has been your most memorable moment with a
child that reminded you why you chose this career?
A teacher can make a difference in shaping a child’s life.
Children express themselves differently, either by
retreating into a shell or throwing a tantrum when they
go through tough times, like a change in environment
or the separation of Parents.
As a Montessori teacher, I faced this challenge in my
class with a three-year-old who would throw a fit every
day. He would get irritated, roll on the floor, wail and
cry, due to a change in environment and family issues.
This brought the whole school into my classroom,
wondering what had gone wrong.
With the cooperation of the parents and support from
the school management, I was able to help him bloom
into the confident boy he is today.