International NotesWith this issue we begin an experiment in reporting events from Montessori communities around the world. We welcome comments and, especially, contributions. To Submit Your International Newsor Toll Free: 866-565-2782 EuropeConference ReportRussiaPress CoverageChinaAMI PlansAMS PlansIndiaHyderabad MeetingNew ZealandAMI CenterCentral/South AmericanVolunteer Opportunities
EuropeConference ReportThe eighth Montessori Europe (ME) Congress, Oct. 26-28, 2007, in Amsterdam, drew more than 400 Montessorians from 19 countries, according to a report filed by Mirjam Stefels. The congress was organized in cooperation with the Dutch Montessori Society. According to the report, the congress was opened by Gudula Meisterjahn-Knebel, chairwoman of ME, and Ben van der Hilst, representing the Dutch Montessori Society. A greeting on behalf of the Association Montessori International (AMI), was delivered by Carolina Hussain-Montessori, great-granddaughter of Maria Montessori. Among the highlights: • Well-known Dutch architect Herman Hertzberger talked about his experiences as a Montessori child and how these led to the architectural ideas for his designs of several Montessori schools in the Netherlands. • Dr. Agnes E. van den Berg, of the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands, discussed the importance of nature for the child's well being. • Professor C. Lafosse of the University of Leuven, Belgium, reported on new research on the detrimental effects of an unhealthy lifestyle on the brain, especially during the formative years. • Professor Dr. Franz Hammerer from Austria discussed the pedagogical aspects of school design. The Saturday session offered 25 workshops. The congress was held in the Montessori College Oost, a large vocational Montessori school. Its students served as hosts, performed music and dance and served as cleaning-up team. Participants spoke highly of the quality of the students' performance. At the summing-up discussion with the students, according to the report, "it was remarkable to hear from them, that although they had to work very hard, they appreciated the kindness and friendliness shown towards them." RussiaPress CoverageMontessori education drew the spotlight with a feature article in the Moscow Times Dec. 19. An article by staff writer John Wendle reported on a visit to the Schastlivy Rebyonok Montessori Club in Moscow. It included a description of a typical Montessori setting and the confidence of a 2-year-old working with butter knives, much to her mother's pleasure. "Children begin speaking earlier. Everything is earlier. We get great results," said Yekaterina Seleznyova, the deputy director. The article reports "four or five government-certified Montessori schools in Moscow," quoting Larisa Klimanova, the Moscow representative of the Association of Montessori Teachers of Russia. "A Montessori education is only available in Moscow up to age 6," the article reported, "but Klimanova said there were plans for a Montessori school up to the 12th grade." INFO: (in Russian) www.montessori.ru. ChinaAMI PlansM. Shannon Helfrich, who has been working from the Montessori Training Center of New England in Hartford, CT, will lead the Association Montessori Internationale teacher education initiative in China. Helfrich has committed to working for three years to build AMI's International Training Center of Montessori Education of China in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. A new building, including designated teacher education space and model classrooms is under construction, Helfrich said. AMS PlansA two-week visit to Beijing and Shanghai in February by Marlene Barron and Marilyn Stewart may help shape the American Montessori Society's strategy for working in China. Barron, a former board president and Stewart, the current president, visited several schools and with several organizational and governmental leaders as part of AMS's "Montessori in Asia" task force on a trip paid for by Chinese organizations. The AMS board is not expected to take any dramatic steps. "AMS is not setting up a branch in China," Steward said, contrasting it with the strategy guiding Association Montessori Internationale. She said that AMS has decided not to sponsor a conference in China, but may pursue shorter professional-development workshops. According to Stewart, AMS may work to support the development of local and regional groups and provide support for AMS teacher education centers beginning work in China. The task force was charged with "reporting on ways to support the development of high-quality 'indigenous' Montessori teacher education programs and schools in China and Southeast Asia, and to establish an AMS presence throughout Asia." Barron told the board she estimates there may be 100,000 students in as many as 1,000 schools that describe themselves as "Montessori." "I don't see how we can in good conscience not be involved," Barron said. Stewart said approximately 50 AMS members will continue in conversations about AMS strategies. Stewart said formal membership for the task force could be made in April. Barron and Stewart kept a blog of their trip. It is at http://amschina2008.blogspot.com. IndiaHyderabad MeetingMontessorians in Hyderabad heard presentations from Association Montessori International officials and brainstormed strategies to promote their programs at an open forum in January. Megan Tyne, chairperson of the International Montessori Centenary Committee told the group that there are 22,000 Montessori schools in 110 countries. Andre Roberfroid, AMI president, also addressed the conference. The forum was organized by the Montessori Training & Research Trust of Hyderabad and AMI. The 26th AMI International Montessori Congress is scheduled for Chennai from Jan. 5 -8, 2009. New ZealandAMI CenterThe Maria Montessori Education Foundation, based in Auckland, will offer its inaugural AMI 3-6 course in Feb. 2009 in Auckland. "We are offering two AMI assistant certificate courses this year as preparation/enticement!" wrote Carol Potts of MMEF. Central/South AmericanVolunteer OpportunitiesYou are welcome to contact CIM for either specific program information or general suggestions about volunteering internationally and finding a good program "match" for you. Rittchell Yau, CIM Coordinator for Region II (USA) 416 Beringer Circle, Urbana, IL 61802 (217) 649-8525 The Consejo Interamericano Montessori (CIM) receives requests for volunteers from Montessori programs throughout the year. Here are a few current opportunities for service. You are welcome to contact programs directly. Or, you may contact CIM for information and assistance in contacting programs. When contacting a program, consider the following: 1) The school calendar year may differ from the one in your own country. Allow plenty of lead time to (a) make contact and communicate effectively about roles and expectations; (b) make travel and housing arrangements, and (c) meet the health and paperwork requirements that accompany international travel. 2) Programs will ask for a CV or resume. They also like to know what your goals are and what you hope to accomplish through volunteering. Including a list of references or copies of references will be helpful. 3) Consider your areas of interest and expertise. Do you want to volunteer in education, health services, or other community development service areas? Areas related to education could include working with children or parents, adult education, vocational instruction, English or other language instruction, or teacher preparation. 4) Identify potential dates when you can be available and your preferred length of stay (weeks, months or a year). 5) If you cannot be an "on-site" volunteer now, there are other ways you can get involved. Check the program's website. Contact the group with your interests. Request information. Ask for alternate ways you can you can support their work. Chile & PeruContact: Elena Young, CIM Latin America Coordinator Phone: 56-2-242-4278 Fax: 56-2-453-4261 Volunteer Opportunities: Montessori teaching infant-elementary in several programs in Chile and Peru throughout year. Next Step: Contact Elena Young for details about the schools, communities and volunteer positions. El SalvadorLa Joya Grande, El Salvador Hilda Rothschild Foundation 8 Campden Road Scarsdale, NY 10583 Phone: 914-723-3069 Fax: 914-472-8115 Website: www.hrffoundation.org (bilingual Spanish/English) Contacts: President, Dr. Lillian Moncada-Davidson lill...@hrffoundation.org Development Director, Helene Salomon hel...@hrffoundation.org Program Information: The Montessori school is part of a comprehensive community development effort to establish a self sustaining program that benefits women and their children in La Joya Grande and surrounding communities. Volunteer Opportunities: Health services, education, construction in rural community Next Step: See website for more information about volunteering. Contact Dr. Lillian Moncada-Davidson. HondurasMaria Montessori School of Honduras (Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary) Apartado Postal 92 Choluteca, Honduras Phone: 504-782-4174 Email: montessorihondu...@yahoo.com Website: www.montessorihonduras.org (bilingual Spanish/English) Contacts: Maria C. Moncada de Alonzo, Luis Adan Alonzo Program Information: A private school with 43 students including 12 on scholarship located in rural Honduras in a town of 120,000. The program aims to benefit the community as a whole. Volunteer Opportunities: Montessori teaching, English as a Second Language. Long term or short term options. Next Step: See website for information about the program. Additional Note: A salaried position for an English as a Second Language teacher is also available as of February 2008. NicaraguaLa Escuela Sueños de Luis in Nagarote, Nicaragua/ Right to Learn, Inc. 100 Capri Isles Blvd., Unit 113 Venice, FL 34292 USA Phone: 914-486-4249 Contact: Louise Brunberg Program Information: Begun as soup kitchen in 1996, La Escuela is a tuition free school for 200 children that is introducing the Montessori approach into the school. Children receive breakfast, lunch and other services. The program also includes a college scholarship fund, and an Adopt-a-Classroom program that provides classroom teachers with funds to purchase materials. Volunteer Opportunities: Montessori teaching Next Step: Contact Louise Brunberg or CIM for information. -Rittchell Yau
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