From the OrganizationsAll Montessori membership organizations are invited to share information in these pages. Next deadline is Nov. 1.Montessori Exhibitor’s AssociationOver 30 Years with Montessori ServicesAmerican Montessori SocietyFall ConferenceDC Annual ConferenceRetreat in MexicoAMS MembershipNew Senior StaffMontessori Educational Programs InternationalNgomsi, Sweet KeynoteMEPI Conference Sept. 14Montessori Foundation/International Montessori CouncilMontessori Foundation Gets $1.125 Million GiftMoncure Gets Duties at FoundationMACTE Accreditation ActionsMontessori Exhibitor’s AssociationOver 30 Years with Montessori ServicesBy Julia Volkman The Montessori movement has come a long way since it first took hold in the US in the 1960s. Back then, it was a full time job just to find the materials you needed for your classroom, let alone educate the community, run a school, or actually work with the children. I am awed and amazed at the tremendous effort and tireless work of those pioneering American Montessorians. And look at where it has brought us. Today there are Montessori schools in all 50 states and teacher training centers located throughout the country. And as for materials, there are now so many choices of materials companies, teachers often set up spreadsheets just to sort through the options. One company that has grown with the Montessori movement and helped tremendously in meeting the need for materials is Montessori Services. The story of how that company came about, grew and remains guided by the Montessori teachings provides lessons for us all in ethics, integrity and just plain common sense. In 1976, Jane Campbell stopped teaching in her Montessori primary classroom so she could work from home caring for her newborn son. In the midst of the valuable and exhausting work of parenting, she wanted to continue contributing to the Montessori movement. She thought of how much time it had taken her to find all the tiny, color-coded objects she needed for her classroom and she realized that helping teachers locate those materials would be of great benefit. So her business idea was not originally a business idea, it was more of a community service project. And, for the first few years, it was also a bit of a volunteer project since it generated no real income. Jane knew how to run a classroom and a household, but knew nothing about wholesale or payment terms or taxes. She learned as she went. She began by going to the restaurant supply store in a then run-down neighborhood of Philadelphia. Then, she went across the street to the novelty store. In both places, she was able to set up a wholesale relationship to buy items in bulk (with the lowest minimums they allowed) for a discount. She also worked with another teacher (also taking a break from teaching to raise her family) who sewed folding cloths, blindfolds, aprons and other items teachers usually had to make for themselves. She took those items to the fall conference held by the Montessori Teacher’s Association of Pennsylvania (MTA-PA). She had no catalog. Just a bunch of things teachers needed. And so, Montessori Services was born. Curiously enough, the American Montessori Society (AMS) was holding their spring conference in Philadelphia. Jane attended and the business continued on from there. The company continued to grow, but it remained a home-based business for about 10 years. “I remember when we moved to California and people from the East Coast would be calling at 6:00 AM west coast time. I would have to muster all my strength to answer the phone without sounding too sleepy.” Through it all, she kept working to meet the needs of Montessori teachers. Today, Montessori Services has about 10,000 square feet of warehouse/office space and over 15 employees. Their product offerings have expanded to include not only a complete line of practical life materials, but also many materials for sensorial, language and math that teachers used to have to make for themselves (in all of their spare time). As you browse through their catalog or online store (www.montessoriservices.com), you’ll find pitchers, trays, baskets, scrubbing sets, aprons, language cards, child-sized gardening supplies, children’s books, teacher’s books, art materials, child-sized musical instruments physical science materials, historical timelines and so much more. Their products are a treasure trove for teachers just starting their classrooms and for those looking for extensions beyond the basics. While Montessori Services is no longer a home-based business, it still holds true to simple, modest values and the Montessori philosophy. Montessori Services remains guided by the reason Jane started the company, “to be of service to Montessori teachers.” Jane gave me permission to reprint an excerpt from their mission statement here, which I find so relevant for teachers and school administrators alike: The mission of Montessori Services is to support schools and families in the implementation of the ideas and principles of Dr. Maria Montessori, which provide for the full development of each human being, leading to the hope of creating a more peaceful world. The chosen role of Montessori Services is to provide materials and tools that add to the opportunity for all young people to develop to their highest potentials. Selling thoughtfully designed, child-sized items gives Montessori Services a unique opportunity to reach out to a greater community of educators and parents. Slowly but surely, child-sized Montessori materials are finding their ways into the hands of people unfamiliar with the method. These materials provide a bridge that spans the divide between traditional methods and the Montessori method. It sparks curiosity that opens many minds to the Montessori approach. To this end, the company now distributes the For Small Hands catalog specifically for parents. This catalog features items that appeal to parents of young children while keeping the Montessori principles of independence, self-directed learning and realism at its core. What’s more, parents who purchase from this catalog earn credits for their school—yet another way to support the Montessori community through its work. Montessori Services is one example of how the Montessori movement has grown and is reaching its stride in America, primarily due to the integrity of the Montessori community itself. The future holds tremendous potential. With the momentous work of Angeline Lillard and the ongoing brain research that supports the Montessori method, our movement is attracting more and more attention. Each of us is being called upon to answer the question “What is Montessori?” And with our relentless commitment to stay grounded in the pedagogy and avoid the siren songs so present in our culture today, we will one day meet our dream of bringing this ideal to life for all children. Our tireless integrity will bring us continued success. For more on Montessori Services, visit www.montessoriservices.com and www.forsmallhands.com. Julia Volkman is the mother of two, a Montessori primary teacher, the founder of Maitri Learning (www.maitrilearning.com), and the current chair of the Montessori Exhibitor’s Association (www.montessoriexhibitors.com). American Montessori SocietyFall Conference Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, will be the keynote speaker at the American Montessori Society Fall Conference in Irvine, CA, Oct. 12-14, 2007. Mr. Louv will discuss why interaction with nature is essential to healthy child development. In addition, dozens of other activities and presentations will offer enticing opportunities for educators. Attendees can participate in sessions on topics such as math, music and handwriting. Workshops will be held concerning items including AMS accreditation, school human resources, and creating parent handbooks. There will be time to visit with exhibitors and vendors as well as network with other Montessorians from across the globe. The theme of the conference is “Shared Visions: Celebrating 100 Years of Innovation and Inspiration.” It will both celebrate the centennial of Montessori education and bring together the shared visions of AMS and the National Center for Montessori Education (NCME). To register, view conference content, and make hotel reservations, please visit the AMS Website (www.amshq.org) and click on the 2007 Fall Conference link. DC Annual Conference The AMS 2008 Annual Conference, Montessori Leadership for the Next 100 Years – A Capital Idea, takes place in Washington, DC, March 6-9. Mark your calendars! With the wonderful array of guest speakers and presenters, this conference will be an exciting way to launch the second century of Montessori education. Visit the AMS Website (www.amshq.org) for updated information. Retreat in Mexico If you are a current or aspiring head of school or school administrator, we hope you will join us this Jan. 18 - 20, in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, on the Mexican Riviera, for three days of networking, guided workshops and fun in the sun. Among the topics to be discussed is how to effect positive change by building on what’s working, rather than simply trying to fix what’s not. The dynamic Amanda Trosten-Bloom, director of Consulting Services for Corporation for Positive Change, author of The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change, and herself a Montessori parent, will serve as the retreat facilitator. With its unique opportunities for both professional development and relaxation in paradisiacal landscape, the AMS Heads of Schools Retreat is one of our most popular events. To find out more, including rates, visit www.globaltvlpartners.com or contact Global Travel Partners at 800-381-4989. But don’t delay! Best rates are available now through Oct. 15, 2007. AMS Membership The American Montessori Society is dedicated to encouraging and supporting the use of the Montessori teaching approach in schools both public and private. Our teacher education programs prepare quality Montessori teachers for the classrooms, and our expanded scholarship opportunities help increase the number and diversity of Montessori teachers. As a member, you benefit directly from our position as the largest Montessori organization in the world, and from our commitment to advancing principles and practices that encourage better outcomes for children. For more information, please visit our website at www.ams.org/membershship or contact Jennifer Fernandez, AMS membership coordinator (jenni...@amshq.org or 212-358-1250, ext. 310). New Senior Staff In an effort to better serve its members, AMS has made some significant additions in office professional staff. Serving as the new Senior Director for School Accreditation and Member Programs is Marie Conti. Coming to New York City from Wilmington Montessori School in Delaware, her experience as both a school administrator and as the director of an AMS teacher education program will be invaluable as she works toward school improvement, school accreditation and professional development for educators. Doris Sommer, who had been serving part-time as AMS Consultant to Teacher Education Programs, is now working full time as Senior Director of Teacher Education. In addition, AMS now has a full-time Conference Planner, Leslie DiLeo, and a Senior Director of Operations, Gregory Jones. A full list of AMS staff and programs can be found on the AMS Website at www.amshq.org/contactUs.htm. Montessori Educational Programs InternationalNgomsi, Sweet KeynoteMEPI Conference Sept. 14Emmanual Ngomsi and Sheryl Sweet will be keynote speakers at MEPI’s annual Midwest “Hands for Peace” conference, Sept.14 -6 in Kansas City. Ngomsi is president of Universal Highways Inc. He has been a guest speaker, lecturer and presenter at several conferences and is the creator of Yan-koloba, a multicultural teamwork, teambuilding and character building game. Sweet is a long-time leader of MEPI. INFO: www.mepiforum.org. Montessori Foundation/International Montessori CouncilMontessori Foundation Gets $1.125 Million GiftThe Montessori Foundation has announced the receipt of a $1.125 million gift from the estate of May Shelmire Duncan, who died in September 2006, in Carbondale, CO. Duncan was a supporter of the Mt. Sopris Montessori School in Carbondale. According to Montessori Foundation President Tim Seldin, about 10 percent of the funds will be used to expand ongoing programs and operations. The balance will be reserved in an endowment to help fund the ongoing work of the foundation. Moncure Gets Duties at FoundationJohn Moncure, former headmaster of Montessori School of Camden (South Carolina) and currently an administrator at Eton School in Beijing, has been named director of operations for the Montessori Foundation. According to Tim Seldin, he will coordinate projects of the Foundation and the International Montessori Council and also have financial responsibilities. MACTE Accreditation ActionsAt its May 4-6, 2007 meeting, the MACTE Commission took the following accreditation actions: Grant of Full Accreditation Status
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