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As we count down the days to the The Montessori Event 2025, Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation, we look forward to one of the most inspiring aspects of this gathering—that of listening to Montessori Voices whose uniquely powerful stories … span multiple generations across the globe. Charles Terranova For Charles Terranova, the AMS 2025 Living Legacy, being a Montessori practitioner has included many roles, from classroom teacher to teacher educator, from school administrator to internationally acclaimed speaker. In all these roles, Charles’s mission has been “to foster understanding and the full implementation of Montessori, the most authentic interpretation of the philosophy,” which he believes is analogous to practicing and listening to classical music. With exposure and repetition, one develops a deep knowledge of the music and is able to anticipate what comes next. Charles believes it is the same for Montessori teachers: “It takes practice, sharing, and concentration—until the philosophy becomes second nature. It’s not necessarily the material; it’s the practice.” We know that classroom teachers and school administrators work tirelessly to plan for and facilitate the day-to-day running of classrooms and schools, and sometimes it feels like there is little time or energy for assessing and reflecting upon what we do and why we do it, and, importantly, for renewing our commitment to our practice. Charles provides the kind of inspiration from which Montessori educators, regardless of their role and level of experience, can draw motivation and strength to continue the hard work. From a half century of dedicated Montessori practice, Charles offers invaluable lessons to classroom teachers, school leaders, and other practitioners on carrying on “the mission of peace, equity, and high-quality education for all.” As recognized by Munir Shivji: For over fifty years, Charles has worked to drive meaningful and unprecedented change for

This article appears in the summer 2018 Issue of Montessori Life Magazine. Read the full magazine online. (Members Only) Tenet: The use of specially designed sensory materials to “refine… senses through an exercise of attention, of comparison, [and] of judgment.” Tenet: Hands-on experiences and child centered learning: “The child takes not only with the mind but with his hands and with his activity.” Tenet: A teacher should be “the guide on the side as opposed to the sage on the stage.” Tenet: An emphasis on intense and uninterrupted concentration A little more than 100 years ago, the Oakland Enquirer reported favorably on a lecture Montessori delivered to 6,000 National Education Association attendees: “Her speech was pregnant with the possibilities for future education…” (America’s First Impressions, p.113). In her lecture, Montessori credited her method of education for offering “easy and spontaneous solutions of pedagogical problems considered impossible to solve” (America’s First Impressions, p. 118). Perhaps this assertion was an overstatement. However, the prescience of her words and the Enquirer’s becomes evident when one looks at current education trends. Numerous Montessori materials have been adopted by and adapted to non-Montessori early childhood classrooms, as have ideas that Montessori espoused (like child-size furniture). However, in the process, some of the essence of Montessori’s principles has been overlooked. This article explores some of the ideals and views that Montessori advanced over a century ago that still have not been adopted in great measure—and which require more advocacy from early childhood organizations and individuals. In 1896, Montessori was an invited speaker at the first International Women’s Congress, in Berlin, entitled “Women’s Achievement and Women’s Endeavors.” She appealed for equal pay for equal work, pleading for childcare workers—and all other

The anticipation is building for thousands educators around the world preparing to attend the 2025 AMS Event, Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation, which commemorates the American Montessori Society’s 65th year with an outstanding lineup of voices from the Montessori community; workshops and in-focus sessions; school tours; and special exhibitions and events. In Part Two of our series previewing The Event, we highlight three special exhibitions and events.  The AMS Legacy of Innovation Hall Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a timeline of AMS’s legacy through an interactive museum honoring sixty-five years of history(1960-2025). The American Montessori Society’s rich past will be showcased through an exhibition of rare artifacts, vintage materials, photographs, and other highlights representing the ongoing impact of AMS on both Montessori and mainstream education. Additionally, “the 2025-Beyond exhibit spotlights the visionaries shaping the future, alongside tributes to the unsung heroes and volunteers who have supported AMS throughout the decades.” The Legacy of Innovation Hall, celebrating the past achievements of AMS and previewing the future, is not to be missed! Admission to the museum is included with conference registration. Soaring Roots: The 65th Annual Gala More than a Saturday night out for dinner, dancing, and live entertainment, the AMS 65th Annual Gala will feature “celebratory remarks and tributes from past and current AMS influencers, a live auction, and presentations of AMS Lifetime Achievement and AMS Impact Medals.” Traditionally known as the Springtime Fancy, this year’s Gala will take place on Saturday, March 15, coinciding with the annual conference. We invite you to connect with former executive directors, board presidents, board members, commissioners, and other supporters who have made key contributions to the mission and work of AMS. The Gala “is an occasion to celebrate our rich history,

Thousands of educators from around the world are preparing to gather in person or virtually for the The Event 2025, Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation, which marks the American Montessori Society’s 65th year. This series, presented through the month of February, will introduce readers to some of the Event’s speakers, exhibits, and other highlights. The keynote speakers for the 2025 event include Suneel Gupta, Erik Wahl, Dominique Dawes, and Alexis Nikole Nelson. In this first part of the series, we highlight keynote speaker Alexis Nikole Nelson: forager; outdoor educator; social media personality; and recipient of the James Beard Award. Nelson’s address on Reframing Food: A Tasteful Revolution, “will guide us as educators to reframe the world of food, while asking us to consider making tastefully satiating and environmental food choices.” Nelson, who is known on social media as “Black Forager,” grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she attended The New School Montessori–a fitting foundation for someone whose curiosity and hands-on approach to the world have shaped her career. Montessori education fosters independence, exploration, and a deep respect for nature, all of which shine through in Nelson’s passion for foraging. Long before she became a viral educator, she was a Montessori child, learning by doing and engaging with her environment in a way that would eventually captivate millions. In an interview with National Public Radio (NPR), Nelson remembers the moment she discovered foraging–a memory that echoes Montessori’s emphasis on sensory learning and discovery. While gardening, her mother pointed out a patch of grass that looked different. Encouraged to investigate, Nelson broke off some blades and instantly smelled garlic. “If you [encourage] a five-year-old [like] that, they will just start breaking plants in your yard and seeing if magical smells emanate from them,” she laughs. That instinct to explore, test, and

Apply Now for the 2024-2025 Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Grant ​ January 23, 2025—Applications for the 2024-2025 Peace Seed Grants are now open. Click here to apply. The AMS Community Engagement & Action Committee awards annual Peace Seed Grants (amounts range between $100 and $1,000) to help fund projects that promote peace and social justice education. The grants are presented in memory of educator Ursula Thrush (1930 – 2002), whose dedication to the concept of peace through children inspired many to advance peace education in their classrooms and communities. Among her many accomplishments, Ursula founded the Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate and Maria Montessori Teacher Training Center, both in San Francisco, CA; and helped to establish The Science of Peace Task Force and Montessori Peace Academy. Learn more about Ursula’s legacy. The successful applicant will: Have experience in a Montessori environment; Clearly articulate how the funds would be used to advance peace and social justice in a Montessori community; Agree to share a report about the project upon completion of the work. The proposed project should be designed to: Further peace and social justice education; Reach a significant number of diverse children and/or educators; Accomplish its goals in the 25-26 school year. Application timeline: Deadline: March 31, 2025 Acceptance Notification: May 30, 2025 AMS Peace Seed Grants are financed through donations to the AMS Peace & Social Justice Fund. We are grateful to Lesley Nan Haberman and The Family School in New York City for their generous support of Peace Seed Grants throughout the years.

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” Carter G. Woodson, Historian and Founder of Black History Month While many Americans are familiar with February as Black History Month—a time designated to recognize the history, culture, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans—some may be less certain about its history, goals, and how to meaningfully observe its significance. In a poignant description, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) defines Black History Month as “a celebration of legacy and the compelling stories that illuminate the diversity of Black experiences across generations.”  Black history isn’t an area to explore in February, and then put aside until the following year. Black history is American history, not a few notable events of the past. It is art, music, literature and sports. It is math, science, and technology. From history to literature, film, and community events, we offer a range of suggestions for students, teachers, parents, and others to explore this legacy in ways that build cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.   History For those interested in the origins and development of Black History Month, consider exploring the people and factors behind the initiative: Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves and the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, founded Negro History Week in 1926 with the objective of ensuring an annual, nationwide observation and celebration of the Black experience, history, and legacy. Woodson launched Negro History Week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history. Still, his more encompassing goal was to change the focus from “two great men to a great race … [of] countless black men and women who had contributed to

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is no longer an option, but a necessity for all organizations, including Montessori schools. With an increasing reliance on technology and the ever-evolving threat landscape, safeguarding sensitive information has never been more critical. Yet, many Montessori schools find themselves underprepared for the growing risks, leaving their systems vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Growing Cybersecurity Challenge in Montessori Schools According to Missan Eido, principal partner at Adennill, “Montessori schools often lack protection regarding cybersecurity. Like many educational institutions, they have embraced cloud-based systems for managing records and facilitating communication, but continue to store sensitive information on their own networks.” While schools see clear benefits in adopting modern technology to enhance record-keeping and streamline communication, many have not applied equivalent levels of technology to secure their networks. This gap in protection leaves sensitive information stored on school systems exposed and makes Montessori schools appealing targets for cybercriminals. Eido points out that these vulnerabilities extend beyond internal records. Schools manage private information about families, including credit card details and accounts payable data, making them lucrative targets for attacks. Eido highlights that “Children are prime targets for cybercriminals stealing school data. Every student is reachable online by anyone around the world [and] student data is valuable for identity thieves–clean credit and clean records.” This unique vulnerability is particularly alarming because it places children, whose personal information and financial profiles are often unprotected, at heightened risk of identity theft. Unfortunately, common issues such as insufficient budget allocation for cybersecurity, incomplete risk assessments, and the absence of clear cybersecurity objectives continue to

Present Your Workshop in the Nation’s Capitol January 20, 2025—Now through April 21, 2025, The American Montessori Society is accepting workshop proposals for The Montessori Event, taking place March 19 – 22, 2026 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Be part of the largest Montessori conference in the world Submit Today Review Process The Montessori Event is an international event that serves thousands of live and virtual participants. Presenting at a conference such as this requires experience. We encourage those with experience to co-present with a new voice to encourage varying perspectives and help elevate the experience of conference attendees. AMS values diversity and inclusivity and engages the following process for review: Each proposal is double blind reviewed using a vetted rubric. The first review is completed by members and others with content expertise and the second review is completed by Montessori credentialed AMS staff. Qualifications for Workshop Presenters Lead Presenter must have experience as a presenter at a larger event such as a regional conference or symposium, sponsored by AMS or another organization For topics related to Montessori curriculum: Credential at the level of target audience (Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, etc.) and minimum of five years of experience in a Montessori classroom at this level. For topics related to administration: Minimum of five years of experience as an administrator in a Montessori school, an administrator/instructor in a teacher education program, or a professional on the topic. For workshops on theory and/or information related to specialized fields: Appropriate degree or advanced studies and minimum of five years of experience in the topic field. For research workshops: A postgraduate degree and/or supervision by a faculty advisor in a university setting and experience conducting and presenting