Montessori, Maria aria Montessori(mah REE uh mahn tuh SAWR ee(870-1952) was an Italian teacher and doctor She became famous for her way of teaching, it helped children learn better and enjoy school more. Young children were taught to use their senses sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch in learning. Older children were taught to use thinking skills and their imaginations. Children often worked in groups. This way of teaching became known as the Montessori method. Today, there are schools all over the world that use the Montessori method Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, near Ancona in Italy. She was the first Italian woman to receive a medical degree. Later, Montessori worked with children and developed her teaching methods. In 1907, she opened her first school for preschool children.