1.5 CPD, Runtime: 58:54

The beginning of the school year has an incredible impact on the success of the rest of the year. However, we may find that as another new school year approaches, we go through the motions of Back to School Nights and Transition Visits without considering our intended goals or understanding how we can use these events to cultivate trust and form connections. Or perhaps we may start the year with lofty expectations, believing that this is the year we can "do it all." In this instance, we may need to come to terms with the fact that while our intentions may be boundless, our energy and time are finite.

"In Finding Balance: Connection and Boundaries in Montessori Communities", teachers and administrators will learn how to form meaningful connections with families in equal measure to communicating and practicing healthy boundaries. The sooner students and families feel a sense of connection as well as an understanding of the reasonable limits of what their school community can offer them, the sooner they can begin to thrive in their new environment!

Participants will come away with several supporting documents: Getting to Know You Form, Observation Form for Transition Visits as well as a simple Boundary Setting Guide.

Christine Carrig, M.S.Ed,  the founding director of Carrig Montessori School in Brooklyn, NY for this webinar. She has been in Montessori education for the past 19 years as both a teacher and administrator. She is also the Writer in Residence for the Khora: Maternal and Reproductive Psychology Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University where she focuses on the intersection between maternal development and child development. She lives in Queens, New York with her husband and four young children. AMS credentialed Primary/AMS credential 6-12 expected 2025.

8 CPDs, Estimated to take 6 hours to complete

Digital Citizenship in Montessori Education is designed to help Montessori educators integrate Digital Citizenship principles into their teaching practices. Participants will define Digital Citizenship and its essential components within the context of Montessori education. The course covers strategies for promoting digital equity, inclusion, and addressing inherent biases in digital systems. Educators will receive a toolbox of resources and strategies to draw upon for selecting DC lessons suitable to their classroom environments and class community. This class will provide examples of and model concrete classroom activities, ground rules, and educators' stances that cultivate an atmosphere in which Digital Citizenship skills – such as online safety, critical thinking, and responsible digital footprint management – can grow and thrive in students of any age, even if no technology is used in your classroom. The modules provide guidance on implementing these concepts in the classroom, modeling appropriate behaviors, and centering students in navigating and understanding their relationships with digital technology. Participants will also reflect on their growth as Digital Citizenship educators. By completing this course, Montessori teachers will be better prepared to begin supporting students in navigating the digital world responsibly and ethically.

The class will take approximately 6 hours to complete with no homework assignments. Each of the 6 class lessons/modules of this dynamic multimedia course includes a short introduction, content for the participant to review (including videos, podcasts, readings, resources, etc.), a game or activity related to the content, and a required discussion post. Each lesson/module is estimated to take approximately one hour to complete. You will have 180 days (approx. six months) from the date of purchase to complete the class and download the certificate that grants 8 hours of professional development. Certificates will only be awarded for full completion of the class.

Learner Outcomes

• Define Digital Citizenship and its essential components in the context of Montessori education.
Recognize the importance of digital equity and inclusion, understanding how to address the inherent bias of digital systems.
• Develop strategies to cultivate Digital Citizenship, online safety, critical thinking, and responsible digital footprint management among students.
• Receive a toolbox of dynamic resources and methods for implementing Digital Citizenship curriculum in your Montessori environment and staying informed on the latest developments in the digital sphere that may impact your student’s lives.

By registering for this class, you are agreeing to AMS Terms of Service.

Pricing

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1.5 CPDs, Run Time:  42:24

Is it time to examine your science album through a culturally responsive lens? Learn how to incorporate updated lessons and stories into your science curriculum that teach topics in a culturally responsive way that honors all of human endeavor.

Melissa Kelly, MEd, is an author, consultant, and trainer at the Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, where she teaches Physical Science, Biology and Math. She guides an Upper Elementary class at Monocacy Valley Montessori Public Charter School in MD. (AMS certified El I-II, MACAR I certified)

1.5 CPDs, Run Time 54:12

A team of Montessori teachers, trainers, and researchers in Bulgaria developed a new approach to teaching and learning media and digital literacy in Montessori preschools. Following the principles of an action research project, the team developed and assessed the usage of multi-sensory Montessori materials that teach six media and digital literacy aspects - information literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety, problem-solving (Tsourapas & Thompson, n.d.), and critical thinking. Furthermore, the research team aimed to use as few technological aids as possible.

Desislava Stoeva is a Montessori trainer and Assistant professor at the pedagogical faculty at Sofia University. In 2008, she established the first Montessori school in Bulgaria. She is currently completing her PhD where she engaged in action research which incorporated hands on materials to introduce Digital literacy in Early Childhood Montessori classrooms. 

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 26:41

In an increasingly globalized and unstable world, religious education in a Montessori setting needs to robustly contribute, in the words of Maria Montessori, to “build a world that will be the world of peace”. “Children are thirsty for a great vision” that great religious stories can foster. By learning to focus on the underlying unity in World Religions and recognizing the commonalities in human spiritual life, such as contemplation, they develop the capacity to contribute to social change, create unity and contribute positively to their community. Eventually they will be able to take personal responsibility for their own spiritual development and contribute to the moral advancement of civilization at the local level but also at the world level by developing patterns of behavior that feed their higher purpose and lead a fruitful and productive life.

Rebecca Teclemariam-Mesbah main passion is to explore how spirituality, scientific knowledge and creativity can meet to help grow sustainable, plentiful, and vibrant communities. With an Ethiopian father and a French mother, and having lived in Ethiopia, Kenya, France, the Netherlands and now Bosnia and Herzegovina, she is keenly aware that a diversity of voices and inputs are vital to this growth. Rebecca holds a PhD in Neurobiology (University of Strasbourg, France), an MA in Women and Development (Erasmus University, Netherlands) and a Montessori International Diploma (Early Years) and Teacher Trainer certificate from Montessori Center UK.

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 44:33

In the current context where children grow in protected yet isolated environments where their interactions with adults and groups of children are limited, their connections virtual and their inclusion in community endeavors rare, they need to be guided through conversations that promote mutual respect and understanding. Such meaningful conversations are constructive of closeness and friendship, and as the first step for building unity will serve as the foundation for collective and unified action.

In this respect, the role of the teacher is central to actively model the method of delivery and the substance of such conversations, encouraging questioning and elevating this scientific exploration of underlying causes of societal ills and their remedies by reframing and re-imagining everyday subjects: to find the profound in the mundane, the significant in the trivial, the unifying in the controversial.

Rebecca Teclemariam-Mesbah main passion is to explore how spirituality, scientific knowledge and creativity can meet to help grow sustainable, plentiful, and vibrant communities. With an Ethiopian father and a French mother, and having lived in Ethiopia, Kenya, France, the Netherlands and now Bosnia and Herzegovina, she is keenly aware that a diversity of voices and inputs are vital to this growth. Rebecca holds a PhD in Neurobiology (University of Strasbourg, France), an MA in Women and Development (Erasmus University, Netherlands) and a Montessori International Diploma (Early Years) and Teacher Trainer certificate from Montessori Center UK.

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 1:00

Learn more about the possibilities and experiences of teaching abroad. In this session we will share stories and practical resources and suggestions of where to look, things to look for, and what you may experience as a Montessori educator outside the US.

1.5 CPDs, Run Time: 1:01

Descripción del Taller Todos hemos visto cómo se iluminan los ojos de nuestros estudiantes después de una de las grandes lecciones, pero ¿qué pasa con la enseñanza del resto de los conceptos científicos? A pesar de tener un hermoso y muy completo conjunto de nomenclatura y tarjetas de ciencias de tres partes en nuestras estanterías Montessori, no todos las guías están seguras de cuál es la mejor manera de usarlos para fomentar la curiosidad, la investigación y las habilidades de pensamiento crítico y creativo en los niños y niñas.

Miriam Magre Loren, es licenciada en biología y posee un máster en educación, varios cursos en psicología y la credencial de la AMS (Sociedad Americana Montessori) en Taller I.

Ha trabajado como maestra de ciencias integradas en distintos sistemas educativos y como maestra titular en tres escuelas Montessori, dos de ellas públicas. Primero en Houston, Texas, donde fue galardonada como maestra del año, luego en Pijnacker, Países Bajos y actualmente está trabajando en Nosara, Costa Rica. Miriam también dirige una consultoría educativa (Towards Montessori) para escuelas y particulares. Ella también colabora como consultora con una escuela Montessori en Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Podéis encontrar algunos de los recursos Montessori creados por ella en TPT.

Miriam ha presentado en Conferencias Internacionales Montessori como “PMET- Public Montessori Educators of Texas Conference”, “AMS- The Montessori Event”, “Childhood Potential Online Montessori Conference”, la quinta edición de “El Congreso Internacional Montessori” y "MEPI- Hands for Peace International Conference"

1.5 CPDs, Run Time 1:05

We have all seen our students’ eyes lighten up after one of the great lessons, but what about teaching the rest of the science concepts? Despite having a beautiful and very complete set of nomenclature & three part science cards in our Montessori shelves, not all guides are sure of what is the best way to use them to foster children's curiosity, inquiry, and critical and creative thinking skills.

Miriam Magre Loren, M.S. in Biology & MEd., is currently working as a Montessori L.E. lead teacher in Nosara, Costa Rica. With more than 15 years in education, including 8 in Montessori, she taught Integrated Science (IB) in Spain and The Netherlands. Additionally, she served as a Montessori lead teacher in Houston (TX), where she was awarded Teacher of the Year, Pijnacker (NL), and currently in Nosara (CR). Committed to equitable education, she collaborates as a consultant with a Montessori school in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Miriam also runs an educational consultancy (Towards Montessori). You can find some of the Montessori resources created by her on TPT. AMS-credentialed (L.E.).

Miriam has presented at International Montessori Conferences such as the "PMET- Public Montessori Educators of Texas Conference," "AMS- The Montessori Event," "Childhood Potential Online Montessori Conference," the fifth edition of "The International Montessori Congress," and "MEPI- Hands for Peace International Conference."

1.5 CPDs, 55:35

"Emotional Fitness 101: Toolkit for Daily Emotional Challenges" is an enriching workshop that builds upon the foundation laid by the emotional first aid kit. While the emotional kit serves as a vital resource for addressing emotional injuries in the classroom, recess, or at home, "Emotional Fitness" takes it a step further by equipping children with the mindset habits needed to prevent such injuries altogether. This workshop targets the primary drivers of behavior, fostering the development of a growth mindset, an unshakable sense of self, and an unbreakable sense of connection while promoting kindness and inclusivity. Educators will learn valuable techniques to coach students in rewiring their mindset, reframing mistakes, eliminating limiting beliefs, overcoming negativity bias, and maintaining a powerful state of mind from within. Empower grade-school students to navigate life's challenges with strength and grace!

Lorena Seidel is a Mindset and Emotional Intelligence coach, a certified Montessori teacher, an internationally {IBO} trained educator, a certified Positive Discipline Facilitator, a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction {MBSR} mentor, and a mother of three.  She guides educational leaders and parents in cultivating emotionally resilient children who confidently tackle everyday challenges with an unwavering mindset and sense of self, ensuring they thrive at home, at school, and in life.  Through engaging keynote addresses and lectures at local, national, and international conferences, Lorena has made waves in the education community. Her impactful work has been featured in publications like NYMetroParents, Motherly, and Welcome Parenthood, and she's a frequent guest on online summits, extending her reach to support families and educators worldwide.

Education & Training
• BA in Education and Linguistics from the Pontificate Catholic University in Brazil
• BA in Education and literature from the University of Connecticut.
• Master of Arts of Elementary Education (M.Ed) from Sacred Heart University
• International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) trained teacher levels I, II, and III.
• Certified Montessori Teacher by the American Montessori Society (AMS)
• Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator
• Certified Positive Discipline For The Classroom
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training