When We Tell OUR Story, What Might It Be?

(Pictured above, from left to right, are the 2014 Distinguished Ohio Montessorians: Laurie Ewert-Krocker, Martha McDermott, David Kahn, Virginia Varga, Marta Donahoe, and Lynn Fisher)

A highlight from "Creating a Montessori Community for All" was the Distinguished Ohio Montessorian Dinner on Saturday evening, where we heard the stories of 6 Montessorians who've pioneered paths for Montessori education -- in Ohio and throughout the country!

Although each story was unique, several themes emerged, including:
     1.  Opportunity knocks!  Many mentioned that they felt they had been in the right place at the right time; that opportunity beckoned and they responded to the need before them.
     2.  One piece of the bigger puzzle!  Many felt humbled by the honor, that they had only done what so many others are doing -- playing their part in aiding life and transforming humanity!
     3.  It takes a community!  So many mentioned that they could never have accomplished what they did alone.  Each story was intimately linked to the lives and stories of so many others.
     4.  It's not easy, but it is joyful!  Creating new ways forward involves a lot of hard work, which wasn't easy but was deeply meaningful!
     5.  Part of an Unfolding History! There was a powerful linking of the individual's life work to the past (seeing it as an outgrowth of the love, efforts, and hopes of the generations of Montessorians before us) and to the future (imagining the possibility of what level next generations might bring our collective work).
     6. A Unifying Mission! We were reminded that Montessori education is ultimately about creating the possibility of a different future...a more peaceful future...a future that works for all!

These felt like powerful and timely lessons, as opportunity seems to be beckoning each of us to step forward to co-create a community -- and a future -- that works for all.  This IS history in the making! Twenty years from now, when we tell our story, what might it be?  Will our eyes twinkle, like the Distinguished Montessorians', as we reminisce about the hard but meaningful work that was necessary to find new ways to make a greater impact together?  What might be the piece of the puzzle we each contributed that brought Montessori education to such a scale that it fulfilled its mission -- to create a more peaceful future for all?