Why Valorization Matters: A Reflection from the Classroom

We live in a world that feels like it's teetering. Between polarization, digital noise, and systems that reward egocentrism, it’s no wonder so many young people feel lost—or worse, indifferent. But I believe there’s a path forward. And it starts in the classroom.

I came to education through an unlikely path, trained as a mechanical engineer, I spent a decade in the tech industry before realizing something was missing. I wasn’t fulfilled. I wasn’t connected. I started tutoring students on the side and found myself learning more from them than I expected. I wasn’t just helping students understand math, I was helping them see themselves as capable, curious, and kind. And that changed everything.

That’s when I found Montessori. Her philosophy didn’t just resonate, it clarified everything I had been feeling. Dr. Maria Montessori wasn’t just an educator; she was a rebel, a scientist, and a humanist. She fought against fascism, resisted gender norms, and refused to treat children as empty vessels. Instead, she believed in their power to shape a better world, if we gave them the right environment to grow.

At the heart of Montessori’s adolescent philosophy is a concept called valorization. It’s the process of becoming a strong and worthy person, not through praise, but through meaningful work, reflection, community, and contribution. It’s about helping young people see themselves as helpful, capable, and connected to something bigger.

This is what I try to nurture in every student I work with.

But let’s be honest: it’s not easy. One of the biggest obstacles to valorization is internal resistance, young people (and adults) who don’t yet believe in themselves. The second is external: society, systems, content, and culture that reinforce comparison, disconnection, and apathy. If we want to counter that, we need something radical: compassion, consistency, and community.

In all the work I do, teaching, tutoring, mentoring, advising, I center the same question: How do we help people become more themselves?

Valorization isn’t a metric. It’s a process. It’s slow. It’s human. And I believe it’s the most urgent work we can do right now.