1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 41:29

The phrase “herding cats” has never been more fitting than during those dreaded five minutes between circle time and lunch, standing in line for recess, waiting for parent pick-up, or passing time until the classroom teacher returns from an enrichment class.  Learn how to fill those gaps while also building a stronger classroom community. Join us as we share games, songs, movement activities, stories, and other fun tools that not only make the most of transition times but also create classroom traditions that students and teachers will cherish for years to come! For EC and EL.
Aimee Allen, MEd, is the Head of School at Harbor Montessori School serving campuses in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, and Bremerton, WA. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Montessori Educational Institute of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the Washington Federation of Independent Schools. She was a member of the AMS Board from 2020-2024. AMS Credentialed EL I, Administration
Mary Glenn, BA, MEd., is a former Instructional Coach at Geiger Montessori Elementary School in Tacoma, WA. Mary has worked in Montessori education for forty years and has served students in both independent and public Montessori settings. She is a teacher educator with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and taught at the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest. AMS Credentialed EC & ELI

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 54:20

Children may show signs of learning differences at a young age, often before formal schooling begins. Delayed language development, difficulty rhyming, trouble following directions, or frustration with basic tasks can all be indicators. When these signs are identified early, we have an invaluable window to intervene and provide targeted support that fosters resilience, skills, and confidence, and significantly improve long-term outcomes.
With 31 years of experience working with children with learning differences, Amy Cushner specializes in Montessori Applied to Children at Risk (MACAR). She is an internationally recognized speaker, presenting at prestigious conferences such as the American Montessori Society (AMS) Annual Conference, the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Conference, and CHADD. She has also led Montessori training programs in Canada, China, and across the U.S.
Dr. Joyce PIckering is Executive Director Emeritus of Shelton School in Dallas, TX. Joyce was the 2013 Living Legacy Recipient for American Montessori Society (AMS) as well as a former President of AMS Board of Directors. MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) awarded the Wisdom of the Elders award to Joyce in 2015. She is also an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University, a clinical assistant professor at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and member for accreditation of IMSLEC programs.

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 1:28:54

This workshop explores sensory regulation through a neurodiversity-informed, bottom-up approach rooted in occupational therapy. Learn how movement and sensory input prepare the brain for learning. Gain inclusive, evidence-based strategies to support focus, regulation, and engagement in Montessori classrooms.
Tia is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 28 years of experience working in clinical, private practice, and public and private schools. She specializes in sensory integration, neurodivergence, and ADHD, and currently works at The Montessori School of Denver, implementing principles of universal design for learning using a trauma informed lens.

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 50:44

Freedom of movement is an essential element to the infant Montessori environment. Explore preparations needed to achieve and maintain an environment free of containers. We will go over natural gross motor development we observe in container free environments.
Cristina Sova BA, is an Infant Coordinator and guide at Hope Montessori Infant Toddler Community in St. Louis, MO. She is a teacher educator at Hope Montessori Educational Institute and parent coach. Cristina has worked with infants and their families for over 13 years. She is a mother to two sons in their second plane of development. AMS-Credentialed (Infant & Toddler)

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 58:43

Come learn the communication skills for de-escalating disruptive or crisis situations. Move your interventions earlier to ease misunderstandings and miscommunications. You will learn verbal interventions, non-violent crisis interventions, and the skills of positive discipline to handle challenging situations. Practice implementing some of the tools of effective communication and participate in activities to understand your interactions. These universal skills can be used with the diverse people we interact with every day (co-workers, students, parents, family, board members, etc.).
Carey Wendell is an Upper Elementary and Middle School guide at The Montessori School Rochester - Crystal Lake in Pontiac, MI. She is also an instructor at the Michigan-Montessori Teacher Education Center.  A Montessori kid, Carey has been teaching in Montessori for over 24 years. AMS-Credentialed (Elementary I-II and Secondary I-II in process)

1.5 CPDs, Run Time:  24:33

Our presentation highlights two innovative Montessori micro high schools that: integrate city resources, extend learning beyond classrooms, prioritize holistic adolescent needs, and use the city as a dynamic learning environment to foster community and exploration.
Eileen Mariani is the co-founder, administrator, and biology guide at River Montessori High School. She has been at RMHS for 5 years. Eileen has a passion for providing Montessori education at the high school level and believes Montessori pedagogy to be the secret sauce when working with adolescents. 
AMS-Credentialed (Upper Elementary), AMS-CMSTEP (Adolescent Training)
Jenn Jordan BA, MA, MEd, MPhil has been passionately establishing and guiding Montessori secondary communities for over 20 years. She is a member of the Earth Charter Educators Network and holds a Certificate on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) from Earth Charter International.  She is currently Teacher Leader at Montessori Earth School, a Wildflower School in Columbus, Ohio. AMS-Credentialed (Secondary I-II). AMI=-Credentialed (12-18).

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 52:51

Miriam Beard said that, "Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." Exploring new environments is vital to the Montessori Secondary I curriculum. In this workshop we will learn how to design field experiences that inspire our students to be "travelers," and address the logistics of traveling with groups of students.
Dawn Fenicle, MS, is a middle school mathematics and sciences guide at Hudson Montessori School in Hudson, OH.  Dawn has a background in environmental sciences and native plant restoration.  She has traveled across the U.S. as a student and teacher.  Additionally, she is a beekeeper and small- scale farmer. AMS-Credentialed AMS (Secondary I & II)
Amy Dorman is the principal at Monocacy Valley Montessori Public Charter School in Frederick, MD. Amy has a background in social sciences and taught for many years across a variety of school settings before moving into administration. She earned a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Organizational Leadership. She is AMS-Credentialed in Secondary I & II. Amy is currently seeking her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 1:07:30

Touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste all inform infants' knowledge of the world. How we speak to infants and toddlers also informs them, and serves to model communication for them. In this presentation, we will explore infant development, and learn to ask critical questions of ourselves, such as, "How do my mood, facial expressions, tone of voice, and touch affect what I am communicating?
Tara has a BA from FDU, an MS from Bank Street College of Education. She is a founding faculty member of the Montessori Infant Toddler Training Program at Westside Montessori Teacher Education Program, teaching Child Development, Leadership and Personal Growth in both NYC and China. Tara authored Montessori at Home as well as other articles for parents and educators. Tara has been in the field for over 40 years most recently as Head of School at Morningside Montessori School. Credentialed (Infant-Toddler, Early Childhood)
Karen has spent 40 years in the early childhood field, owning her own school in Rhode Island for many years. Karen is the Twos Coordinator at West Side Montessori School, NYC.  She is also the Practicum Coordinator and Instructor for West Side Montessori Schools Infant and Toddler Teacher Education Program. Karen is one of founding faculty members of the Infant Toddler Westside Montessori Teacher Education Program and has taught in NYC, as well as in China. Karen has given many workshops and presentations throughout her career.

1.5 CPDs, Run Time:  45:30

In this session, we will present different co-teaching models for the elementary level; discuss the benefits and challenges of co-teaching for students, teachers, and families; and explore how each model can be implemented in the classroom.
Sushannah Hahn completed her Master of Education in Montessori Education at Xavier University in 2003. Her academic journey began at Transylvania University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. Since 2000, she has taught students 3-12 years old, in public and private schools in the Cincinnati Region.  She has also continued to serve as adjunct faculty and Teaching Professor in the Montessori Education program at Xavier University.
Rachel Pendleton is a Lab School Instructor for Upper Elementary at the Xavier University Montessori Lab School in Cincinnati, OH. She holds a MD in Montessori Education from Xavier University as well as a Professional Teaching License in the state of Ohio. She instructs undergraduate and graduate courses, such as the Mathematics portion of the Elementary II Summer Intensive Program. AMS-Credentialed (Elementary II)

1.5 CPDs, Run Time:  1:09

Have you ever wondered how young children learn to express themselves? Through this hands-on workshop, we will explore how art, culture, and the Montessori prepared environment intersect to create opportunities for children to more deeply explore artistic experiences.
Beth Norman, MEd, is an experienced Montessori leader serving the needs of children, families, adult learners, and educators with integrity, compassion, creativity, leadership, and advocacy. Currently Beth is the Head of School at the Montessori School of Long Grove, a faculty member of Seton Montessori Institute, an AMS Instructor Academy facilitator, and Vice-President of the Association of Illinois Montessori Schools (AIMS). AMS-Credentialed (Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, Administrator)
Catherine A. Mason, MEd, is a U.S. and International (Shenzhen, China) Infant-Toddler Instructor and Education Consultant specifically catering to Montessori education. For over a decade, she has worked with infants through adolescents guiding Music, English Language and Dance in Montessori communities. She creates curriculum and hosts professional development for current and future Montessori educators. Catherine is a Positive Discipline educator. AMS-Credentialed (Infant & Toddler).