Very nice to have been in San Diego for the weekend.  Aside from the fact that it wasn’t 8 degrees it’s always gratifying to be in the company of so many colleagues.  The variety of experience within the scope of “Montessori” is staggering.  It crosses geography, culture, and language.  Public and private, charter and magnet.  Differences emerge but they pale in comparison to the commonality of pedagogy and purpose.

Last week, while my home was being buried in 3 1/2 feet of snow, I escaped to Savannah for some more teacher training at Charles Ellis Academy, and observations at schools throughout Low Country. It was with great anticipation that I observed in some schools that I had heard about but had yet been able to visit.  James Simons and Murray-LeSaine are both in Charleston, SC.  Low Country Montessori, Beaufort Elementary, and River Ridge Academy, between Savannah and Charleston, were all new to me.  It’s with special interest that I observe Montessori being employed in a variety of locations and environments, with a diversity of students, but with a common thread of pedagogy.  The rise of Montessori in the public sector is simply stunning.  In 2002, there were barely 200 such schools, by 2015 there were nearly 600!  If what I observed is any indication of the quality of Montessori education, then certainly the kids are all right.

Many thanks to Helen Ross and the faculty of Ridgewood Montessori School in Paramus, New Jersey for hosting me on Monday, January 16th.  Dr. Montessori’s Five Great Lessons was our topic and the discussion could not have been richer and more informative.  I was so impressed by the interest and energy of this wonderful group of colleagues.

“Follow the Child” was just reviewed in the latest issue of Montessori Life (Fall 2016).  Click the link icon below to check it out!

Montessori Life Review

Wonderful to have the opportunity to speak to parents at the Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, the largest provider of Montessori education in Savannah, a public K-8 magnet school serving 560 students.  Looking forward to continuing teacher education with these dedicated teachers this summer!

Welcome to the website that I created in support of my book, “Follow the Child – The Basics, the Misconceptions, and Underlying Lessons of a Montessori Education”.  I would love to hear from you!  Specifically, in the vast wash of Montessori sites, blogs, and podcasts, what’s missing?  What’s needed?