Join us this week as John Moncure shares insights from his newly published book: “Montessori Schoolkeeping: Leading Your Learning Community to Sustained Excellence”. John brings a unique perspective on School Leadership, Montessori and the military.
Join Martha Carver, head of school and IMC board member, as she leads us through the “ecosystem” of student retention. We will explore the interconnectedness and interdependence of school culture, leadership and governance, educators, and families. Martha will help us consider the elements of successful retention. See you Wednesday!
“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” Henry David Thoreau
During these times of uncertainty, misunderstanding, and disagreement, we have an opportunity to reframe our dialog. Indeed, it is necessary. Using Donna Hicks, Ph.D.’s “dignity model,” we will explore the ten essential elements of dignity, the ten temptations to violate dignity, and how to reconcile our differences with dignity. Please join us for this crucial conversation!
Life has changed for many families over the last several years. Today, it is more important than ever for schools and families to work together to create a nurturing community that supports parents/families/caregivers, teachers, and children. Join Renee DuChainey-Farkes and Tim Seldin as we discuss the value of school-family partnerships, review the recent findings from the new General Surgeon’s report, “Parents under Pressure,” and consider how our schools can become communities where people feel safe, connected, welcome, and can learn together. Working in partnership with our families/parents/caregivers supports what we all know about parenting, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Montessori Schools have an opportunity to support this need.
Ideally, this is not merely a list; it’s a syllabus, a set of dispositions we could seek to better understand and, eventually, embody throughout our lives.
Let’s start to build such a syllabus, together.
Conflict is a powerful force that, when harnessed, can lead to innovation, growth, collaboration, and connection. And yet, many of us will avoid it with the skill of an Olympic athlete. Conflict, however, will not avoid us; sometimes seeking us out, unexpectedly blindsiding us. As we set our intentions for the new school year, how can we cultivate a healthy, constructive conflict culture in our organizations and approach difficult conversations with staff, students, and even parents while patiently understanding those who seem to love to stir up chaos.
The Montessori Elementary curriculum is so vast, especially when student-led inquiry is encouraged. Dr. Robin Howe will share some strategies for managing the curriculum, while also giving students the opportunity to explore their own interests. This included managing the curriculum in multiple ways to ensure that students complete the three or six-year work cycle in preparation for the next level. These are strategies that were developed by the late Dr. Michael Dorer, which have evolved over the years while working with students and in schools with the challenges of everyday modern Montessori.
An opportunity to refresh ourselves and point our inner compass toward “Montessori True North” as we prepare to welcome students, parents, and teachers back to our schools. Through song, poetry, visualization and affirmation Andrew will guide us as we prepare to set sail for new destinations in the new school year.
Author, playwright, Montessorian Dr. Cindy Acker will begin the critical discussion on how to use her book, The Path Beyond Diversity. At this important historical moment in time worldwide, we have the opportunity to teach with historic integrity, and to support children to be the changemakers of peace that Dr. Montessori modeled.
Our students with autism, ADHD, and Anxiety have more in common than sensory processing and integration challenges. Sensory input difficulties can certainly feel uncomfortable and even dysregulated much of the time, but it is also common for our students with differing needs to feel
isolated, “different or less than,” and that they don’t fit in or belong. Naturally, it can easily lead to emotional and social problems for them in the classroom.
One technique we can use to support these students that can benefit all students, and even us and other adults in the classroom is “micro-moments.” These are brief, easy moments of interaction that help all students feel seen, understood, and valued. Micro-moments contribute to a culture of caring and belonging that are vital to every student’s success- especially those who feel “different.”
Gender issues seem omnipresent in many schools these days, whether we like it or not. Why is this? Does gender really matter, or are we making too much of it? As teachers, do we treat boys and girls differently? Should we? And what about students who might be trans or non-binary or gay – what should we say or do about that?
This workshop will look at some of the socialization behind the gender identification of children, talk about what happens in most classrooms, and discuss what we might or might not do to best help our students thrive.
School leaders around the country are currently dealing with multiple stressors from across the spectrum of school operations. These include drops in enrollment, a shortage of qualified teachers and parents dealing with unprecedented levels of anxiety as their children try to navigate academic expectations and societal changes.
These times can be extraordinarily difficult even for seasoned administrators. How can we find our way back to center and regain our perspective? How do we prioritize when everything is important and urgent? And how do we find our way back to flow and flourishing for ourselves and our schools?
In this webinar, we will explore these core challenges and questions and identify the rays of light through the trees that can potentially lead us out of this seemingly dark forest. We will also remind ourselves to laugh and to love each other – especially now as we prepare to take these next steps on our journey in the new school year.
For Montessori educators, who strive to cultivate holistic development in their students, coaching has emerged as an invaluable tool for professional growth and excellence. Together, we will examine the definition and essence of coaching as a tool for Montessori guides, emphasizing its alignment with Montessori philosophy through personalized support and reflective practice, and discussing its unique benefits. We will conclude by introducing an enriching opportunity for you to offer this type of individually-tailored support to your classroom guides, providing them the resources and assistance they need along their transformative journey to fulfill the role of the prepared adult.
When the question becomes, “How do we manage the student whose behavior is disruptive or even aggressive?” we can reframe that question to “How can we support calm behavior for all students?” A primary reason for this behavior is dysregulation of the sensory system. Preparing an environment that supports regulation and calm is one primary way we can prevent, or greatly minimize challenging behaviors for our students.
In this hour, Montessori/special educator, Christine Lowry, will share one simple, practical, doable environmental support for ALL students. Join us for a “how-to” in creating a Movement Corner (that really works) and how you can intentionally and explicitly teach and guide its use to bring greater calm and comfort to your classroom.
Join us for an in-depth look at how Montessori pedagogy can support neurodivergent students. We will review what it means to be neurodivergent and will discuss some of the most common types of neurodivergence including Autism, ADHD, and Down Syndrome, while exploring the unique benefits of the Montessori environment and the ways we can support these students in our classrooms and school communities.
We all know that communication is the key to creating positive relationships. Yet, we wonder how, when, and on what platform(s), and the ultimate question: Is anyone reading or listening to us anyway? Join our App team, Samual Buchanan and Sean Cann, along with School leaders Patty Sobelman and Priscilla Hicks to find out how these challenges can be addressed in a parent, staff, and board-friendly way.
As your staff ambles out to their cars, on the afternoon of the last day of school, what will they be feeling, thinking, needing? Hopefully, they’re not off to find a stiff drink, or therapist, or alternative career options! Wrapping up the year with your team shouldn’t feel like a brutal, boring post-mortem. It can be a time for celebration, gratitude, learning, and envisionment. Join us for a lively discussion on how your “End-of-School Epilogue” can be an inspiring, aspiring, community-building experience.
Montessori Family Alliance School Group Membership (Print & Digital 2026 1/2 year pricing)
Original price was: $30.00.$15.00Current price is: $15.00.
The Montessori Way, Revised and Expanded: An Education for Life; A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Teachers
$25.00
The Montessori Child: A Parent's Guide to Raising Capable Children with Creative Minds and Compassionate Hearts (The Parents' Guide to Montessori)
$20.00
The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being (The Parents' Guide to Montessori)
$20.00
Montessori in Action: Building Resilient Montessori Schools 1st Edition
$29.95