Gilsoul, Martine. 2024. “The Palidoro Children’s House Diaries of Irene Bernasconi (1915-1916).” In The School and Its Many Pasts, edited by Juri Meda, Lucia Paciaroni, and Roberto Sani, 139–49. Macerata, Italy: Edizioni Università di Macerata.

The Palidoro Children’s House Diaries of Irene Bernasconi (1915-1916)

The article examines Bernasconi’s transformative experience as a Montessori educator at the Palidoro Children’s House. It highlights her pioneering efforts to apply the Montessori method in the harsh, rural setting of Italy’s Agro Romano region. Bernasconi’s school and private diaries provide a vivid and deeply personal window into her challenges and triumphs, as she adapted her teaching to address severe poverty, poor hygiene, and a lack of resources.

To build her argument, Gilsoul draws on a variety of sources, including Bernasconi’s diaries, archival documents from the Ente Scuole per i Contadini and the Società Umanitaria, as well as analyses of Montessori pedagogy and rural education in early 20th-century Italy.

Why did we choose this article? First, because it demonstrates how one can construct the history of the Montessori movement from the margins. By focusing on Bernasconi’s experience, the piece highlights the often-overlooked perspectives of educators working with the Montessori approach in challenging environments. Second, it underscores the immense value of the teacher’s role in shaping the lives of students and communities, even under difficult circumstances.

This article is not just a historical record; it is a reminder of the transformative power of education and the resilience required to make a difference in even the most challenging circumstances.

Dr Erica Moretti