I started as a special ed /elementary ed teacher and then I had children so I left teaching. When my children entered high school, I became a Montessori teacher and started working at a Montessori school in the Indianapolis area for special needs children. I found that the students were able to excel in reading, math, science, and social studies using the Montessori manipulatives. Now I utilize both what I learned as a traditional teacher and as a Montessori teacher to help my students reach their fullest potential. Montessori is all about manipulatives.