EL BOLETINNews From The RegionsAn invitation to all members and friends of CIM: You are welcome to send information and updates about your school, teacher education program, association, conferences, events, etc. Send reports to Rittchell Yau via email at rittch...@netzero.com any time. Or, you can snail mail them to her at 416 N. Beringer Circle, Urbana, IL 61802. Photographs are welcome. Region I: MEXICOUpcoming Meetings in Mexico
A Response to the National Educational InitiativeThe National Educational Initiative has introduced national standards and regulations on all education programs in Mexico. The impact of the Initiative on Montessori programs in Mexico has brought about much discussion in the Montessori community. Efforts are underway to dialogue with national education officials and other educators about how the Montessori approach effectively creates an optimal multiage learning environments for children. María Elena Contreras Domínguez, CIM Regional Representative for Mexico, has written an article titled "Una experiencia de trabajo de un grupo multigrado de niños de preescolar de 3 a 6 años de edad de un ambiente Montessori." The article addresses issues related to the National Educational Initiative and will be of interest to Montessori educators in Mexico. Others looking to answer questions about Montessori and multiage grouping to their own audiences of parents, staff, or agencies that govern or regulate their programs may also find the article helpful. The article is available by contacting María Elena Contreras Domínguez at tocani_...@yahoo.com.mx . Our deep thanks to María Elena Contreras Domínguez for graciously making this article available to the readers of El Boletín. Valle de Bravo MontessoriNora Obregon provided this report on some of the activities of Valle de Bravo Montessori Teacher Education program in 2004 and 2005. In February 2005, Valle de Bravo Montessori graduated their first class of Montessori educators with diplomas. A second group of students are making their preparations now. Graduates of the program are continuing training through studies of cosmic education and advanced presentations in language. The training center is coordinated by Inés Cusi. Mare Tapia and Nora Obregón provide assistance. The objective of these educators is the sharing and diffusing Montessori philosophy and method of education with public and private schools in the region. In addition to the teacher education course, they give talks to parents and classes in Math and Montessori Philosophy to teachers of various schools. During the summer of 2004, they gave an intensive course in Early Childhood Community with the support of Olivia de Jaime, who came from Colima to share her materials and knowledge. That same summer, they gave the Great Lessons. Two teachers from a low income Montessori school were able to take the course. The first part of the training course on Secondary Montessori Education was given by Luciano Mazzetti in Valle de Bravo. This course was the bridge to unite efforts and start a cooperation program among various Montessorians. Participants included Inés de Cusi, Nora Obregon, Francis Torres, Claudia Mora and Paty Ramos. Montessorians from various schools in the country were also involved, among them Maria Elena Contreras from Tocani Montessori and CIM representative in Mexico. Talita Almeida, President of the Brazilian Montessori Education Association, participated in this event as well. The Valle de Bravo Montessori works as a non-profit organization. The fees that students pay is minimal. Many students received partial scholarships. Thanks to the solidarity and hard work of its coordinator, training staff, students, and alumni, it has been possible to develop the program. At times, the financial situation has been hard, but whenever it was necessary, in a generous spirit, they organized garage sales with the contributions of toys, clothing, books, and time from everybody at the Valle de Bravo Montessori. For more information, contact Inés de Cusi, Montessori de Valle de Bravo, Calle del Artista No. 201-D, Colonia Centro, CP 51200, Valle de Bravo, México, México or at familiac...@prodigy.net.mx. Phone: (726) 26-2-02-89. Nora Obregón can be reached at kunstgaler...@prodigy.net.mx o kunstgalerieva...@hotmail.com or by phone at (726) 26-2-46-30. Region IV: CENTRAL AMERICACosta RicaMay 18-20, 2006 II Congreso Montessori Costarricense The Asociación Montessori Costarricense will host the II Congreso Montessori Costarricense: "La Escuela Maternal Montessoriana: 80 años de trayectoria" from May 18-20, 2006. The format includes keynote speakers as well as workshops on a variety of topics. For full information, contact Marcela Hio-Soto of the University of Costa Rica at a...@cariari.ucr.ac.cr. Region V: SOUTH AMERICABolivia
New Contact Information for CEMC
The mailing address remains the same:
Virginia and Patricia Palza submitted the following update on CEMC. The Montessori Center for Education of Cochabamba (CEMC) started working with children ages 3 to 6 on March 18, 2000 under the direction of Virginia Palza Fuentes and Patricia Palza Fuentes, both qualified Montessori instructors. It was challenging work at first because of the competition in the educational field and the hurdles to get recognition. Given the work and the outcome of the six years of Montessori education, CEMC now enjoys prestige not only at the departmental level but also at national level. The program opened with four children in the year 2000. Now CEMC has between fifty and sixty children. Our teaching staff grew as well. For the present school year, we have 10 adults working at CEMC. The Center plans to expand its program in 2007. In terms of our regional work, we have founded the Bolivian Montessori Society. Through an official resolution and copyright dated September 19, 2002, we have the right to operate at a national level. During our winter vacation (June-July) we will offer a course for new Montessori guides. Sister Maria Cornelio, who has arrived from Germany and will be staying with us for several years, will lead the course. CEMC invites you to visit their new website for more information about the program.
Teacher Education Opportunity Opera Nazionale Montessori will hold an International Montessori Course for Assistants to Infancy (0-3) at their training center in Rome starting in September 2006 and concluding in January 2007 with the Montessori International Congress January 6-7, 2007, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Casa dei Bambini in San Lorenzo. The course will be conducted in English. However, translation will be available. Additional information is available at their website, www.montessori.it. Other contact information is: Office of Opera Nazionale Montessori, Via San Gallicano 7-001153 Rome, Italy. Telephone: +39-06-58-48-65 or +39-06-58-79-59. Fax: +39-06-58-85-434. Email: i...@montessori.it.
Volunteer Opportunities
Sound interesting? For information about opportunities outside the USA, contact Elena Young, CIM Coordinator, by phone at 56-2-205-1358, or by email at eyo...@vtr.net . For information about opportunities in the United States, contact Rittchell Yau, Region II Coordinator, by phone at 217-328-1341, or by email at rittch...@netzero.com .
Have You Moved This Year? A reminder to notify us when you move. Please send your name, old address, new address, new telephone number, and new email address. Mail us a change of address card, or send updates to rittch...@netzero.com. We want to go with you!
Corrections
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