Maria Edelstain-Goudeli and the beginning of Montessori education in Greece

Abstract

Maria Montessori’s work spread throughout the world in a vast number of countries. In Greece, it was first implemented by a pioneer of Montessori education there, Maria Goudeli (formerly, Maria Edelstein) in the 1930’s. The present study aims to unfold the history of Edelstain-Goudeli, while examining the social, political, historical and cultural environment of the time. It is important for the global pedagogical community to investigate how any “alternative” education system is established in a country without any prior experience, especially since to date, the Greek education system has been highly centralised in terms of organisation and administration. Edelstain-Goudeli had to overcome the dominant intellectual traditions, and political and educational institutions in Greece, in order to infuse the Montessori education system into Greek society. The process is situated within the framework of “reception theory” for a scientific theory within a “scientifically peripheral” country. The study also attempts to reveal Edelstain-Goudeli’s personality, as well as identify stimuli and motivations underlying her efforts and decisions.