AMI/USA is working to expand its professional development offerings to support the Montessori community, including both educators and parents. The below videos are free, evergreen resources that can be viewed repeatedly for in-depth learning. They represent initiatives with partner organizations and educators within the Montessori community dedicated to expanding access to Montessori philosophy.

Check back often! We will continue to add to this library as we are able to develop more content.

Click here to view AMI/USA Policies

 

Webinar Recordings

The Montessori Approach Is About Creating Children for A Life of Caring

“Today we need an education that is about human development, about all the great things that humans do, because knowledge is not enough. It is about looking at children and saying: with what we’ve got let’s create something that’s going to help them flourish.” Watch this beautiful video AMI created in collaboration with BrightVibes on how a Montessori approach to education prepares children for a life of caring.

The Montessori Approach Is About Creating Children for A Life of Caring

World Day for African and Afro-Descendant Culture Seminar

On January 24, 2022 we celebrated the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Day for African and Afro-Descendant Culture Seminar 

On this occasion, together with UNESCO, we celebrated the many people and vibrant cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora around the world.  This day serves as a special time to recognize Africans and their worldwide descendants.  It highlights how the traditions of African culture support development and sustainability in their communities and so many others around the world. We were honored to have Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, Chair of the Department of Africology and African American Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, serve as our keynote speaker.  

We were joined by Hawa Diallo and Keisha A. McGuire, Permanent Ambassador of Grenada to the UN during our pre-recorded panel. During the panel discussion, speakers shared their viewpoint on the importance of African culture and its impact on the global stage.

De-Centering Whiteness in Montessori Spaces

On September 21, 2020, AMI/USA hosted the first of four webinars in its Social Justice Webinar Series. “De-Centering Whiteness in Montessori Spaces” was presented by Katie Kitchens, Mara Matteson, and Colleen Wilkinson.

Suggested Pre-Reading:

Moving Beyond Peace Education to Social Justice Education by Daisy Han & Trisha Moquino

Additional Resources provided by the speakers:

De-Centering Whiteness in the Montessori Spaces Resource Guide

Embracing Equity Workshop Recording: From Fragility to Stamina – How White People Can Get Proximate and Stay Engaged

Embracing Equity Accountability Plan For White Folx

Remembering Indigenous Voices in the Classroom

On September 27, 2020, AMI/USA hosted the second of four webinars in its Social Justice Webinar Series. “Remembering Indigenous Voices in the Classroom” was presented by Trisha Moquino.
“Remembering Indigenous Voices in the Classroom” Resource Guide

The Anti-Bias & Anti-Racist Administrator

On November 2, 2020, AMI/USA hosted the third of four webinars in its Social Justice Webinar Series. “The Anti-Bias & Anti-Racist Administrator” was presented by Amelia Allen Sherwood.“The Anti-Bias & Anti-Racist Administrator” Resource Guide

Preparing Ourselves Spiritually and Mentally for Revolutionary Social Change

On November 15, 2020, AMI/USA hosted the final webinar in its 2020 Social Justice Webinar Series. “Preparing Ourselves Spiritually and Mentally for Revolutionary Social Change” was presented by Sheri Bishop.

“Preparing Ourselves for Revolutionary Social Change” Resource Guide

Earth Day 2021

On April 22, 2021, we had the pleasure of hearing from a diverse panel of community leaders who shared topics related to environmental education, environmental justice and sustainability in celebration of Earth Day. After the speakers shared about what they are doing in their communities, we had a Q&A and a casual conversation space.

Click here to check out the Environmental Education Resource Page.
Below are some additional resources shared during the session:

AMI/USA Equity Statement Forum 2021

On June 9, 2021, we discussed the AMI/USA Equity Statement that was released in February and serves as our commitment to building a just, equitable, diverse and more inclusive organization.

Click here to read the statement.

Juneteenth Community Event 2021

On June 16, 2021, we held a free community event commemorating Juneteenth. Juneteenth marks the end of the enslavement period in the United States as on June 19th, 1865, federal troops finally arrived in Galveston, Texas with news of the Emancipation Proclamation. Cathy Runnels and Sheri Bishop shared their connection with Juneteenth, the history of the holiday, and how they commemorate the occasion. We hope you enjoy the recording for an opportunity to learn more about this milestone in American history and how to teach about this important moment in your classroom.

Click here to access the event page with additional resources.

Critical Race Theory: Talking Through the Confusion

On August 19, 2021, AMI/USA, and AMS, and MPPI learned from Dr. Valaida L. Wise, adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University and Wendy Shenk-Evans, Executive Director of MPPI, who provided insight from an academic and policy perspective on Critical Race Theory and the implications of the current dialogue for the Montessori community. The following questions framed the conversation:

  • What is Critical Race Theory and how does it differ from Culturally Responsive Teaching?
  • Why is Critical Race Theory suddenly in public dialogue?
  • Why is this important for Montessori education?
  • What are we seeing at the state and local levels with regards to policy around CRT and what can advocates do?

Thank you for providing questions that were addressed during the session. Our moderators, Dr. Ayize Sabater & Munir Shivji, asked the questions of the experts being interviewed.

Montessori Books: A Community Conversation

On September 19, 2021, AMI/USA hosted a discussion featuring the authors of recently released Montessori books including:

The conversation was moderated by Dr. Mira Debs of Diverse Families, Desirable Schools: Public Montessori in the Era of School Choice. The session introduced these cutting-edge books to the community, discussed the process of getting books about Montessori education published through traditional publishers – both academic and trade – as well as through self-publishing, and offered time for audience questions.

Addressing the Teacher Shortage….#ConsiderMontessori

In September, 2021, AMI/USA Executive Director, Dr. Ayize Sabater hosted an intentional conversation about our Montessori teacher shortage and effective steps taken by school leaders and Training Centers to grapple with this crisis: #ConsiderMontessori.

Call to Action Forum with Sheri Bishop #ReturntoMontessori #StayMontessori

In September of 2021, AMI/USA Executive Director, Dr. Ayize Sabater hosted an intentional conversation about our Montessori teacher shortage and effective steps taken by school leaders and Training Centers to grapple with this crisis: #ConsiderMontessori.

The “teacher shortage” is not only due to decreasing numbers of Montessori training cohorts around the country, but also to the number of trained and qualified guides that decide to leave the Montessori classrooms. On October 27 we continued this vital conversation and discussed some great teacher retention and staff expansion stories and reflect on how to slow this exodus. #ReturntoMontessori #StayMontessori

Partner Videos

Why Become A Montessori Teacher?

In March of 2020, BBC StoryWorks and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) filmed two short documentaries about the power of Montessori education.

This film offers a unique opportunity to see Montessori Center of Minnesota’s Primary (3-6) Teacher Training Program and Montessori Partners Serving All Children Schools (MPSAC). MPSAC collaborative programs support historically underserved communities that have been excluded from high-quality education opportunities. MPSAC programs are community-rooted and are established in schools as well as less-conventional educational settings. Click here for more information!

Why Choose Montessori Education For Your Child?

In March of 2020, BBC StoryWorks and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) filmed two short documentaries about the power of Montessori education.

This film offers a unique opportunity to see Montessori Center of Minnesota’s Primary (3-6) Teacher Training Program and Montessori Partners Serving All Children Schools (MPSAC). MPSAC collaborative programs support historically underserved communities that have been excluded from high-quality education opportunities. MPSAC programs are community-rooted and are established in schools as well as less-conventional educational settings. Click here for more information!

Connection from Montessori Guide

The Montessori teacher is asked to become the dynamic link to the prepared environment for the child. For more videos, go to montessoriguide.org.

Belonging at Work from Embracing Equity

This video comes to us from our partners at Embracing Equity.

 

Keeping Children Active at Home the Montessori Way

Videos created by Montessori Gym.

Turning Current Challenges into Learning Opportunities: A Montessori Physical Education Perspective


We are at a critical juncture. The challenges humanity has been facing in recent times invite a pause for reflection and the world is now rethinking its approach to everything.

This is the time to consider and prioritize the physical, mental and social-emotional health of children. And for this physical education is key. As we look back to move forward, Dr. Montessori’s emphasis on the importance of movement for child development and wellbeing seems more relevant than ever.

In this presentation, we will explore how to turn today’s challenges such as isolation and social distancing into opportunities for learning in areas like self-care, nature connectedness, solidarity and independence, while at the same time building physical literacy the Montessori way. And we will see how, in doing so, we are also helping children better navigate life in the current ‘new normal’ and post-pandemic future.

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SPEAKERS BIOS

Barbara Murphy, PhD

Passionate about education, Barbara holds a PhD from Northwestern University and a Montessori certificate from CGMS. As the mother of two while living in Italy, she fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. Now the founder of Montessori Gym, Barbara is fulfilling her dream of contributing to children’s wellness and learning experience.

Martin Yaconis, Engr.

After graduating as an Engineer from UBA University, Martin has dedicated his professional life to technology applied to health, sports and rehabilitation. His experience extends across the areas of physiological, biomechanical and cognitive training and monitoring, where Martin has worked with Olympic committees, universities, high performance athletes and young players’ academies.

Visit Montessori Gym to learn more!