Montessori guides are highly skilled and trained professionals, so why do many parents ask: “Why do they need to attend conferences?” After all, it’s an inconvenience for the parent if the school has to be closed down to allow for travel and participation.
There are several compelling reasons for parents to encourage and support teachers attending a conference:
1. In many states, early childhood teachers are required to take a certain number of professional development hours to keep their licenses up to date. The number of hours can vary greatly from state to state. Attending a conference such as the annual event the Montessori Foundation and IMC host in Sarasota, Florida can earn a guide 2.5 CEU (Continuing Education Units) from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina. Since many states require 3-5 units every few years, this single event brings them closer to fulfilling the required hours.
2. With the explosion in the field of Neuroscience, Dr. Montessori’s postulations can now be proven with science. Montessori guides need to adjust and fine-tune their presentations accordingly. This benefits the children.
3. Teachers often feel depleted and need to ‘recharge their batteries.’ I recently spent an entire day with my four-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter. We did something like ten activities during the day, all modeled on Montessori experiences in the primary classroom. At the end of the day, when she literally fell asleep in my arms, I thought to myself: This was one child! How tired is a guide with 26 students at the end of each day? The event we hold each November is intimate and planned to provide an easy pace so that participants have an opportunity to network and discuss what they are learning and experiencing in their own classrooms without feeling rushed. Bouncing ideas off one another brings a sense of renewal and enthusiasm back into the classroom.
4. Highly respected Montessorians are carefully chosen to present and keynote at this event. We cover all ages, from infant/toddler through secondary, with workshops throughout the weekend designed to appeal to each level. Administrators and guides who need spiritual renewal also find many workshops geared just for them. We even have workshops on advocacy and public school Montessori issues, which focus on the need to have a clear voice and strong messaging.
5. Community and partnerships. We eat all of our meals communally. The menu is custom crafted with healthy and delicious meals in mind and, working with our host hotel (for 10 years now) The Hyatt Regency, Sarasota, our attendees rave about the food and presentation. Our meals allow for more networking time and, over the years, school attendees have developed relationships with other schools all over the world. A truly Montessori global experience takes place. You can feel the energy build over the days we spend together.
6. Teachers who have the opportunity to participate in an event such as ours are usually more grateful, engaged, enthused and excited to try out all the things they’ve learned when they return to the classroom. Parents should know that their child is the recipient of all this renewed spirit.
We highly recommend that schools, along with parents, find ways to help teachers attend conferences such as ours. Think about helping them come next year. We are already planning for it and so should you.
ML/ September 2018 / pg 22
