It’s the role of an adult to prepare the environment in order for the child to develop its full potential.
For Lana Toggenburger, pedagogy is far more than just a concept — for her it is a deeply rooted philosophy. Raised in a family of teachers, with a mother who worked as an elementary school teacher, she developed a natural affinity for education early on.
After successfully completing her pedagogical training in Ukraine, Ms. Toggenburger moved to Germany. There she began her Montessori journey at an international Montessori school in the kindergarten sector. It was love at first sight. The Montessori approach fascinated her from the very first moment, and she quickly decided: from then on, it would be Montessori only.
In Germany, Ms. Toggenburger earned her first Montessori qualification and was able to successfully put her diploma into practice with children aged 0 to 3.
Her passion for Montessori pedagogy has accompanied her for over 24 years and remained undiminished after her move to Switzerland. While working at a Montessori school, Ms. Toggenburger continued her professional development and obtained another diploma for children aged 3 to 6. At the same time, she repeated her pedagogical studies to obtain the required official recognitions in Switzerland.
Today Ms. Toggenburger works as a Montessori teacher at Lip. She appreciates the great freedom and the trust of the school leadership, which allow her to work according to her pedagogical values. By the time school holidays arrive, she regularly notices how much she misses her daily work and how gladly she stands in the classroom.
Highlights of her professional life include events with families, such as theater or dance performances. When the children proudly exceed their own expectations at these events, she sees the core of the Montessori philosophy: the experience of self-efficacy. The children learn to take responsibility and to take things into their own hands. This builds genuine self-confidence that grows from within.
Her leisure time is just as varied. Anyone who knows Ms. Toggenburger knows she seemingly has a million hobbies. Whether reading, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, playing the piano, doing handicrafts, horseback riding, exercising, or gardening — she decides spontaneously according to what she feels like doing at the moment.
Her most refreshing balance, however, is found in icy water. In winter she swims in the lake daily to recharge and to strengthen her resilience for body and mind. Her fascination with cold-water bathing is contagious: she has already persuaded two colleagues to try the cold dip. This keeps everyday life at Lip wonderfully lively even outside the classroom.