María

My name is María Sánchez del Pino.

I have lived and studied in Granada all my life, and since I was very young, I knew that my work would be linked directly with the treatment of people, their learning, and offering as much as possible to other people.

I gradually discovered that my vocation was with infants, accompanying them in their learning, watching them grow, develop and enjoying their achievements.

I began my university degree in Infantile Teaching, which I enjoyed, while receiving my formation in the degree which l had chosen. I had the opportunity to extend my curriculum by enrolling in courses in pedagogy of emotional intelligence, another on modifying problematic behaviour of a student and finally learning to think about tutorial action.

In the last year of my degree course, I chose as my main theme of TFG, research and study into the cases of children with special needs and I was fortunate to take part in an Association of volunteers called ‘MIRAME’ (WATCH ME) for some time. There I helped as much as possible, and I learnt more from them than they learnt from me.

On finishing my degree, I taught in a traditional school for four years, in the Pre-Schooling department. This meant that I took a deeper interest in the philosophy and methods proposed by Maria Montessori, which had been referred to briefly, but not in any depth, during my degree course. Therefore, on my own I decided to carry out a course as Assistant and later as a Montessori Guide. This training changed my vision of childhood, allowed me to discover my inner self and thanks to this I learnt that this was the way I was to follow.

Thanks to Toy Box I shall be able to carry out the model of teaching which I believe in, and here I shall accompany the group of boys and girls from 3 to 6 years old.