Schedule
We have an exceptional schedule of keynotes, workshops, roundtables, and networking opportunities. Start planning which sessions you want to attend.
Friday, November 4, 2022
All times are given in Eastern Standard Time (USA)
7:30 am – 8:00 am
*In-person Onsite*
Back to Center
Join us for 30 minutes of mind-quieting, energy-boosting activities and exercises. Share your favorite mind-body practices: creative movement, songs, affirmations, poems, breath work, visualizations – any activity that brings you peace and positivity.
8:00 am – 8:50 am
Breakfast
9:00 am – 9:30 am
General Session Opening Ceremony
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Ann Epstein
(Special Ed, Casa dei Bambini)
1A | What the New Child Development Milestones Mean for Montessorians
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
After nearly two decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control collaborated in updating child development milestones in February of 2022. Key changes include making it easier to identify children who might be eligible for early intervention, particularly in the area of language development. Before this update, milestones stated when 50% of children develop skills and concepts. Now milestone are set at when 75% of children would be expected to, for example, crawl, or draw a person with 3 body body parts. We will dive into what the updates mean for teachers, school leaders, teacher educators, and families.
Read more ...
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Claire Salkowski
(Elementary)
1B | Mindfulness, Montessori & Contemplative Practices PART 1
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
Rarely do we teach children to be truly mindful or how to be self-reflective and to know themselves deeply. This workshop is designed to help teachers assist children in the art of mindfulness and self-reflection moving from stillness into silence and deeper reflections. Using a specific sequence of experiences, activities, preparation of the environment and the art of guided mediation from the master Thich Nhat Hahn and others, teachers will learn how to help their children cultivate a true “peace within.”
Read more ...
This two-session workshop is designed to help teachers and staff recognize the value, need and approaches for teaching children how to be truly “mindful” in all that they do. Teaching children about stress reduction, relaxation and the connections between body, mind, and spirit; and emotion, thought and behavior and how to achieve a balance between them, gives children the opportunity to truly “be peace.”
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Hillary Drinkell
(For Casa, Elementary & Secondary)
1C | Developing Emotional Strength in Students: a Nervous System Approach Using Practical Activities
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
Developing emotional strength in students (and teacher-guides): a nervous system approach using practical activities. In this workshop you will understand the nervous system’s role in helping regulate behavior, both in your students and yourself. You will come away with a basic understanding of how the nervous system works (I’ve used this as a lesson with elementary students when discussing the human body) and some practical activities that can be used by all ages to help bring about self-regulation using the all-important Vagus Nerve. We will end the workshop by having some fun while developing resilience and calm in the body-mind.
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Christopher Gallagher
(For All)
1D | Bonny Montessori: How to Design a Beautiful Montessori Environment
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
If you are building a new school, renovating a classroom, or just want to improve the look and feel of the school, do not miss this presentation. Find out why Maria Montessori was so passionate about preparing beautiful, inspiring environment for children. And find out what a beautiful school can do for Montessori teachers, and parents.
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In this presentation we will share a broad array of beautiful images, from the simple to the awe-inspiring. Building, doors, windows, floors, ceilings, landscaping, and driveways – each plays its part, because as Montessori said, “It is almost possible to say that there is a mathematical relationship between the beauty of the surroundings and the activity of the child.”
Presenter Chris Gallagher is a practicing architect, Headmaster Emeritus of the NewGate Montessori School, and designer of countless homes, shops, restaurants, and schools.
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Cathy Tobin
Patrice Cherico
(For Leadership)
1E | Preserving an Authentic Montessori Experience in Public Schools
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
In this session Patrice Cherico and Cathy Tobin, Executive Director and Principal of Innovation Montessori Ocoee and Innovation Montessori High School, public charter schools serving close to 1000 students in Central Florida, will discuss how to hold true to an authentic Montessori experience in the public domain.
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Cassi Mackey
(For All)
1F | Creating Harmony through Courageous Conversation
Courageous Conversations are what expand an organization and build harmonious relationships. These relationships are what inspire our children. We should integrate open communication into our school community to the point where it is always the point where we start. It will ensure that all voices are heard while building relational capital, which will improve the well-being, civility, and prosperity of your school community.
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Learn how to integrate Courageous Conversation into the fabric of your school where people are empowered to make changes on their own to improve relationships and communication and where honest concern is expected, required, and desired by everyone.
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Jon Wolff
Fred Luskin
(For All)
1G | Forgive for Good . . . It’s Time to Let Go of the Hurt, Improve Communication, and Create Better Boundaries Part 1
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
It’s virtually impossible to work as intensely and as intimately as we do with children and adults without suffering the slings and arrows of misunderstandings and miscommunication.
Read more ...
Because we’re passionate about what we do, we tend to take judgment and criticism by others personally. We’re unsettled by conflict. We feel wounded. How then do we unburden ourselves of the baggage of resentment and antipathy? How do we mend broken relationships? We invite you to join Dr. Fred Luskin, founder of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project, and Jonathan Wolff, for a 2-part workshop on the art of letting go . . . and of speaking more assertively and effectively. . . . We will work with the difficult art of caring for ourselves while also working to care for others.
9:45 am – 11:15 am
Tim Seldin
Renee du Chainey Farkes
(For Leadership)
1H | Engage your Board of Trustees to Lead your school with you in a truly Montessori Way
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
Tim anbd Renee will share findings from their new book “A Trustee Handbook for Montessori Schools” (working title) soon to be published.
Workshop will outline a new model for Board of Trustee governance specifically designed for Montessori Schools. This model is a philosophically different governance model – one that still has the board overseeing, defining mission, establishing policy, hiring, and evaluating the Head of School – yet one that carries out these duties and responsibilities in a manner more true to the Montessori values and principles in “The Montessori Way.”
An overarching question will be: Does your school leadership hierarchy truly reflect your school and community values consistent with Montessori principles?
11:15 am – 11:45 am
Break
Network & Visit Exhibitors
11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Lunch
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Alanea Williams
(For Toddler)
2A | Helping the Parents of Infants and Toddlers with Parenting
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
In our role as teachers of infants and toddlers, classroom parents often ask for tips and suggestions to bring the Montessori philosophy and way of life into their homes and family routines. We will study the new book by Tim Seldin and Lorna McGrath “Montessori For Every Family”. Let’s explore activities and ideas to share with our parents that promote healthy development and nurture family community at home. “Montessori For Every Family” covers it all – from inside to outdoors!
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Susan Zoll
Laura Saylor
Natasha Feinberg
(For Casa & Elementary)
2B | Montessori and the Science of Reading
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
What is the Science of Reading? In what ways is Montessori education already aligned with reading research? This presentation makes visible the connections between the Montessori philosophy and pedagogical practices that align with the Science of Reading research, approach, and associated strategies. Additionally, the presentation demonstrates the importance of an integrated curriculum, such as use of the rich Montessori Cosmic curriculum and sequenced cultural materials to support language and literacy development. Further, findings will highlight what lessons Montessorians might learn from reading scientists.
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Claire Salkowski
(For Elementary)
2C | Mindfulness, Montessori & Contemplative Practices PART 2
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
Rarely do we teach children to be truly mindful or how to be self-reflective and to know themselves deeply. This workshop is designed to help teachers assist children in the art of mindfulness and self-reflection moving from stillness into silence and deeper reflections. Using a specific sequence of experiences, activities, preparation of the environment and the art of guided mediation from the master Thich Nhat Hahn and others, teachers will learn how to help their children cultivate a true “peace within.”
Read more ...
This two-session workshop is designed to help teachers and staff recognize the value, need and approaches for teaching children how to be truly “mindful” in all that they do. Teaching children about stress reduction, relaxation and the connections between body, mind, and spirit; and emotion, thought and behavior and how to achieve a balance between them, gives children the opportunity to truly “be peace.”
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Luz Casquejo-Jonhson
(For Elementary)
2D | Reclaiming the Cosmic Tales
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
The Cosmic Tales or Great Lessons are the way in which to thrill the Second Plane child to their inmost core as Dr. Montessori said. It is the way to engage children in the essential questions “Who am I?”, “Where did I come from?”, “Why am I here?”. It is of the utmost importance, then that the tales be told in a way that all learners can access. In this interactive presentation, participants will learn how to apply justice, equity, diversity and inclusion concepts in order for students to feel connection to these stories.
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Danielle Parker
(For Secondary)
2E | Mindfulness in the Secondary Classroom
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
Read more ...
In this session, discover how the science behind mindfulness and the science of adolescent brain development converge in a way that suggests that adolescence is an optimal time to incorporate mindfulness skills. Danielle will share an introduction to mindfulness, methods and structure she has used in her secondary classrooms, troubleshooting mindfulness issues, as well as several opportunities to practice mindfulness as a group.
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Jamie Selhorn
(For All)
2F | Montessori Classrooms Build Executive Functions
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Jon Wolff
Fred Luskin
(For All)
2G | Forgive for Good . . . It’s Time to Let Go of the Hurt, Improve Communication, and Create Better Boundaries Part 2
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
It’s virtually impossible to work as intensely and as intimately as we do with children and adults without suffering the slings and arrows of misunderstandings and miscommunication.
Read more ...
Because we’re passionate about what we do, we tend to take judgment and criticism by others personally. We’re unsettled by conflict. We feel wounded. How then do we unburden ourselves of the baggage of resentment and antipathy? How do we mend broken relationships? We invite you to join Dr. Fred Luskin, founder of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project, and Jonathan Wolff, for a 2-part workshop on the art of letting go . . . and of speaking more assertively and effectively. . . . We will work with the difficult art of caring for ourselves while also working to care for others.
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Tim Seldin
Renee du Chainey Farkes
(For Leadership)
1H | Engage your Community, (Parents and Faculty/Staff) to Lead your school with you in a truly Montessori Way
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
A great Montessori school is a community of people who relate to each other within a system of shared understanding, practices, agreements, relationships, and culture. Following the Montessori Foundation’s decades of experience in developing World-Class Montessori Schools and best practices in Montessori Leadership, we will explore how great Montessori schools use to create a culture of partnership, bring new people into the school community, form strong bonds of engagement, communicate effectively, and create a learning community for parents, students, faculty and staff., school leaders, and the board or school owners.
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm
Break
Network & Visit Exhibitors
2:45 pm – 5:00 pm
(For All)
Play: Words that Made the Difference: BROWN vs the BOARD OF EDUCATION
*In-person onsite & live-streamed*
On Friday night at the conference, a major event will take place: a live presentation of the complete original play “Words that Made the Difference.” This important production, produced and staged by Dr. Cindy Acker, portrays the landmark case that stripped away constitutional sanctions for segregation by race, and made equal opportunity in education the law of the land.
We are also accepting Patrons who wish to support the production. Patrons donating $250 will receive acknowledgment in the playbill and signage. If you wish to donate please click here
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Reception
Meet & Greet the Actors
Join us for some pass around canapés and a great opportunity to meet the author and the actors of the play