2005 LIVING LEGACY

CELMA PINHO PERRY

A citizen of three continents, Celma grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and discovered the world of education in Europe. The depth of the experience Celma had as a student of Lubienska de Lenval, who was an assistant of Maria Montessori herself, directed her to a lifetime commitment to children and teachers. In São Paulo, Brazil, in 1956, Celma started her first Children’s House, an “Escola Experimental.” She also assisted Pierre Faure, another follower of Montessori, in his work to begin a Montessori teacher education program, in Brazil. Celma has been a professor of education at universities in Brazil and the United States, and has additionally taught Montessori educators in France, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Slovenia.

Studies brought Celma to the United States in 1964, where she immediately became involved in AMS. Through the Society, Celma made connections as she planted seeds in Chicago. These seeds became roots when she founded Seton Children’s House, in Clarendon, Illinois, which then supported the growth of the Montessori Education Centers Associated (MECA) Teacher Education Program. Over the years, Celma was also instrumental in the growth and development of several other Chicagoland Montessori schools: Montessori Children’s House of North Barrington, Montessori School of Hinsdale, and the Montessori Infant and Toddler Community. Today, 40 years after Celma’s arrival in the United States, MECA and its lab schools continue the traditions that she began so long ago, of following children, families, and future teachers with passion and depth.

Celma’s work has touched the thousands of her students who are scattered over five continents, and she continues to be committed to empowering educators the world over. A recent joyful task was organizing a new national Montessori teacher education program in Brazil, which is directed by Brazilians under her guidance.

Celma has a master’s degree, AMS credentials (EI), and AIRAP credentials (I&T, EC, EI-II, SECI). Together with her husband, Desmond, Celma now enjoys observing their two daughters, Anna and Cristina, as they also progress in their professional lives as Montessori educators.

Celma shared her thoughts on "The Great Friendships: Across Continents, Over Time, Living Montessori," at a reception that was held in her honor at our annual conference in Chicago, Illinois, Thursday, March 31, 6 - 7:30 p.m.