Dear IMC members,
Well, we are almost there! By the time this issue of Montessori Leadership arrives, we will have celebrated the end of another school year and are well into preparing for the next, in most of the northern hemisphere. Where did the summer go? I like to consider the end of each school year as an opportunity to acknowledge our progress and many accomplishments, appreciate our staff, students and families, and begin making plans for “next year” as we reflect on plans for improvement. Each new school year brings us the opportunity to start with a fresh perspective and understanding of how we can better serve our Montessori students.
We, the International Montessori Council (IMC), are also exploring the most relevant and responsive ways to serve you, our members. Many of you have clearly expressed your interest in being actively involved with the IMC strategic initiatives for the future. As I have mentioned previously, we are focusing on four strategic domains to stay mission-aligned as we move forward.
We are currently forming strategic committees that will work directly with our board members to creating action plans for each of the following strategic initiatives:
1. Strengthen our governance, finance, and internal systems to ensure sustainable growth.
2. Develop an array of meaningful and responsive services aligned with our core values to attract, retain, and increase our membership.
3. Lead educational innovation with a unifying voice, impacting education, families, and Montessori worldwide.
4. Embrace inclusivity, seeking to understand and embody the principles and practices of social justice, restorative practice, and conflict resolution, encouraging Montessori’s vision of peace throughout the world.
We’ll use our Core Principles to guide our initiatives and reflect on our progress:
INCLUSION: A circle of equals where everyone has a voice.
SUPPORT: A global network of Montessori expertise.
OUTREACH: Making Montessori education more accessible.
LEADERSHIP: Building peaceful and positive school communities.
BEST PRACTICE: Promoting fully implemented Montessori education.
FAMILY: Helping parents apply Montessori at home.
PEACE: Living it, teaching it, promoting it through community service.
ADVOCACY: Opportunities for social justice and equity work.
SELF-CARE: Learning environments that enhance happiness and health.
You will find these core principles reflected throughout this issue of Montessori Leadership.
From inclusion to equity to advocacy to best practice…you will notice that each of our contributor’s views inspires an open mind, a paradigm shift, and the opportunity to explore our understanding of Montessori philosophy and practice.
Keep in mind, we’re here to help. Stay in touch and let us know how we can best serve your needs. We welcome your article submissions, school highlights, and book reviews. Please email me at kathyleitch@montessori.org with any questions or ideas.
Sincerely,
Kathy Leitch
Executive Director
International Montessori Council
Kathyleitch@montessori.org
ML/ August 2019/ Pg 4
