(800) 655-5843 / 1 (941) 729-9565 | Fax 1-941-745-3111 info@montessori.org
Standing Together: Our Role in Ending Systemic and Internal Racism

Standing Together: Our Role in Ending Systemic and Internal Racism

by | Empowerment, Free Reads, MFA, Montessori Teachers, Social Justice, The International Montessori Council

To Our Fellow Montessorians:

We join the nation in grieving the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, as well as the deaths of Breonna Taylor, a first responder in Louisville, Kentucky, shot in her own bed; Ahmaud Arbery, shot while jogging near Brunswick, Georgia; and far too many other Black men and women, who have been the victim of racist action in our nation. The International Montessori Council (IMC) and the Montessori Foundation are committed to advancing world peace, equity, inclusion, and diversity. We recognize that these are not isolated incidents but emblematic of a longstanding, egregious pattern of systemic racism—and we stand against it. We must dedicate ourselves to the achievement of real justice and equality for all, because injustice and inequality—against even one person—diminishes all of us.

We recognize that it is not enough for us to reject racism. We must be committed to fighting it, to eradicating it on individual and systemic levels. Michelle Obama wrote: “Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us—Black, White, everyone—no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.”

We recognize that it is not enough for us to reject racism. We must be committed to fighting it, to eradicating it on individual and systemic levels. Michelle Obama wrote: “Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with.

We are aware that this work requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-examination and criticism, intentional systemic change, and a willingness to listen, call out, and stand up. We must send out into the field, Montessorians who are race-conscious guides, credentialed by an association which must model antiracist, conscious principles, and actions.
The IMC and Montessori Foundation are committed to this work and to being held accountable for our work to bring an end to racism within our structures.

We also remain committed to the ongoing work of building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive world community. The IMC and The Montessori Foundation also recognize and acknowledge the internal work we all must do. To that end, we are now creating a Social Justice Task Force that will address and act on:

  • The inner work of every Montessori teacher, parent, and leader to root out unconscious habits of prejudicial thinking and ideologiesA Social Justice Curriculum and the instructional changes we must bring into every prepared environment and teacher education program
  • Changing our schools’ culture, communications, hiring, and professional development practices and norms, to be more equitable, diverse, and inclusive
  • The advocacy work Montessori educators and leaders must now engage in on local, national, and world stages
  • Adding the voice of Montessorians of color to the IMC board of trustees
  • Educating ourselves and Montessorians about the work of antiracism in all areas of living and working
  • Using our voice as a platform for justice

If you have an interest in contributing your time and talents in any of these vital areas of social justice in the Montessori community, we invite you to step forward. Let us know about yourself and your preferred area(s) of focus and service.

In peace,

IMC Board of Trustees
Kathy Leitch, Executive Director,International Montessori Council
Tim Seldin, President, The Montessori Foundation

The Flag of My Heart is Flying at Half Mast

The Flag of My Heart is Flying at Half Mast

by | Empowerment, Free Reads, MFA, Montessori Family Life, School Leadership, Social Justice, The International Montessori Council

Even more, after the news of the past few weeks and most recently, I am afraid for my son, a black man. I am afraid for my two black adopted brothers and for young men of color everywhere, as the world becomes browner. When things occur in the world, I am moved to address our parent body, but I have spent days with no words—only feelings of the deepest sadness, anger, fear and resolve to resist this virus of racism that keeps infiltrating our communities. In my morning walk, I kept looking up at the flag in front of City Hall, saying ‘why isn’t the flag at half-mast?’ This is such a devastation for our nation. Why aren’t we mourning the hearts of individuals across the nation as we strive to
try to put our feelings around this atrocity somewhere?

I understand the number of protests that are occurring around the US and the Bay Area, as there is a horrible helplessness that who we feel we are as humans is defied by what we see—even now. Even now, we still have lessons to learn about humanity, racism, and otherness. Even now, we still have to self-check our own biases which spill out into our thoughts and actions. Even now, we must face the reality that deep down, we still have work to do every day.

Even now, we still have to self-check our own biases which spill out into our thoughts and actions. Even now, we must face the reality that deep down, we still have work to do every day.

This weekend, there will be protests everywhere. I implore you to make good decisions regarding these protests, whether you attend, watch on television or speak of them:

  1. If you feel moved to protest, please do it peacefully.
  2. Please remove yourself from any protest that begins to change from peaceful to violent in any way.
  3. Please do not condone violent protests in comments.

There is a very serious reason that I make this request. It is not simply because you should not risk being injured or arrested. There is an underlying stereotype about men of color—Black men specifically, that Black men are violent. Responding to this horrific situation with violence exacerbates the notion that Black people are violent and/or incite others to violence. This very notion is a part of what gives others the twisted belief that they must be violent toward Black men in order to be safe.

Please give the utmost of respect to Black men nationwide by holding up the truth that this stereotype is incorrect, and that Black people can be promoters of peace, keepers of peace, and models of peace.

The flag of my heart is at half-mast, for the family of Mr. Floyd, for the families of so many disenfranchised people, so many people of color, Black and Brown men especially, for so many poor people who need justice. As Dr. King said, “true peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” We must stand for what is right, for the lives of our children are at stake.

In Peace,
Dr. Cindy Acker
May 29, 2020

Webcast Beyond The Numbers

Webcast Beyond The Numbers

by | Emotionally Healthy Children, Montessori Administrators, Montessori Teachers, School Leadership, Social Justice, The International Montessori Council, Webcasts / IMC

Valaida Wise, Ed.D shared her expertise about social justice and equity in Montessori schools. Val will help us understand why “placing equity at the center of our practice is more than just making sure that our communities are diverse.”

This post is only available to members. To access this post, you will need to log in or join.