Recorded presentations from AMI/USA Administrator Support Calls in response to questions and concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Maryse Lepoutre-Postlewaite Presentation “ABCs of Tender Loving Self-Care”
• Char Baccus Presentation June 10, 2020
• Paula Lillard Preschlack Presentation June 17, 2020
• Grae Baker & Dawn Michal Presentation June 24, 2020
• Joffe Emergency Services Presentation August 12, 2020
• Maryse Lepoutre-Postlewaite Presentation August 19, 2020
• AMI/USA Administrators Panel September 9, 2020
• AMI Recognition Program Presentation September 16, 2020
• Donna D’Hoostelaere Presentation October 14, 2020
• Montessori Children’s House & Schoool Parent Panel October 28, 2020
• Marion Price Presentation November 11, 2020
• Lisa Thauvette Presentation December 9, 2020
• Sheri Bishop Presentation February 24, 2021
• Public Schools Panel March 10, 2021
• Environmental Education and Montessori April 7, 2021
• Student Information System Vendors April 28, 2021
• Group Health Care for AMI Schools and Training Centers May 3, 2021
• Student Information Systems In Development May 24, 2021
• Group Retirement Plans June 28, 2021
• AMI Recognition Program August 11, 2021
• Teacher Shortage Conversation September 29, 2021
• Group Health & 401K Benefits Update October 4, 2021

“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

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.

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

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

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

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

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:

• Land Acknowledgement – here is a link to a resource to identify indigenous tribal land near you!
• Information was shared by Maritza Darling-Ramos including social media accounts to follow working for environmental justice in the Chicagoland area.
• Montessori Everywhere’s The Earth Project 
• Black Millennials 4 Flint 
• Positive Tracks
• Eco.Logic 
• Vel Scott’s Purple Oasis

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.

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.

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.

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

• Mariana Bissonnette – Babies Build Toddlers
• Simone Davies & Junnifa Uzodike – The Montessori Baby
• Erica Moretti – The Best Weapon for Peace: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children’s Rights
• Elizabeth Slade – Montessori in Action: Building Resilient Montessori Schools

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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

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

Videos created by Montessori Gym.

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!