MPPI News and Updates

October 17, 2014

The establishment of the MPPF has always been a high priority of the Council. It is designed in an effort to both share the work and issues being addressed at the state level, as well as to glean advice and input from other Montessori associations. Combined we represent the largest sectors of Montessorians, and the organizations are able to efficiently communicate information to their constituents and provide valuable perspective “from the field”.

We are thrilled to have an overwhelming response to this first conference call, with representatives from over 20 different affiliations participating. We view this inaugural call as an exciting opportunity to openly demonstrate the value we know we can derive from strengthening our collaboration with the broader Montessori community, and the significance it will have for the grassroots advocates in each of the states.

September 18, 2014

As the Montessori Public Policy Initiative gears up for another busy academic year, we want to keep the state groups and advocacy coalitions abreast of the work that’s been done and our organizational structure moving forward.
Through the significant work that was undertaken by MPPI consultants Christine Lowry and Kimberlee Belcher-Badal on behalf of the initiative last year, we were successful in supporting many states with their advocacy goals.  We want to express our gratitude for their hard work and dedication as they move on to other endeavors now that their contract period with MPPI has ended.

In the coming months, the MPPI will undertake a needs-assessment of the initiative in an effort to identify and prioritize the issues in the states; identify how the MPPI council can help support the work of the states working at a grassroots level; determine how to best use shared resources with the two national organizations to support the states; and continue to examine the best structure for providing a high-level of legislative and policy guidance to ensure that Montessori is well represented in each state.

We will continue to update the state groups and advocacy coalitions via the listserve and respond to inquiries and concerns as we undertake the needs-assessment process.  The vision of the MPPI is that “through coordination and collaboration with national organizations and state coalitions, the MPPI will support and advance the implementation of high quality Montessori through advocacy action.”

Please feel free to direct questions or concerns to any of the founding members of the MPPI Council.

Bonnie Beste, AMI/USA

Rich Ungerer, AMS

Sharon Damore, AIMS

August 28, 2014

We are pleased to welcome several new members who will be a part of helping this initiative continue to grow.

Mary Ellen Kordas joins the Council as an additional AMS representative.  Mary Ellen lives in California and has been actively involved in Montessori advocacy and practice there in both Northern and Southern CA.  She is the former head of Valley Montessori School, is on the AMS Board and is the treasurer for the California Montessori Council.

Wendy Schenk-Evans joins the council as an AMI/USA representative as the Head of School for Christian Family Montessori in Washington, DC.  Wendy has been involved with the DC Montessori Advocacy coalition since it began.

Patrice Britz works at Aidan Montessori School, and AMI school since 1980.  Patrice is a member of both the North Carolina Montessori advocacy coalition as well as the coalition in DC.  Patrice is Montessori trained at both the primary and elementary levels.

As we head into this new academic year, we are very excited to continue to help support the state representatives with the work of growing Montessori in the public conscious.