Maria Montessori's transformative teaching philosophy was influenced by her early experiences in a male-dominated society and her education in medicine. She worked with mentally disabled children, which sparked her interest in child development and individual learning. This experience led her to observe children’s natural behaviors and recognize their innate potential. Montessori's innovative methods emphasized self-directed learning and the prepared environment, encouraging children to learn at their own pace. Her groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the Montessori method, which revolutionized education by focusing on the whole child and fostering independence.