yes it is

Who were her contemporaries of Maria Montessori

I am am certified Montessori teacher I do not think that the Montessori method is "rigid" with regards to classroom management. There are responsibilities that the children have in the classroom but these are reasonable and things that the children are completely capable of doing and allow for more independence.

Maria Montessori did not invent the Montessori method in a single year, but rather developed her educational approach over the course of several decades starting in the early 20th century. She began implementing her ideas in 1907 when she opened her first school in Rome, Italy.

Preciosa Soliven is the founder of OB Montessori by learning the Montessori Method in Bergamo and Perugia, Italy. She was tought the Montessori Method by the only son of Maria Montessori, Mario. Preciosa Soliven is married to Maximo Soliven, publisher, journalist, chairman, columnist of the Philippine Star and had three children.