Representative John Becker Comes to Visit

As a first step in bringing the awareness of Montessori Education to the legislative table during educational policy meetings, I invited Representative John Becker, Ohio House District 65, to tour Children’s Meeting House in Loveland, Ohio and see the power and beauty of Montessori Education in action.

The classrooms were quiet, yet bustling with activity and movement.  Children were working together sharing ideas and answering questions about their work while other children worked independently, absorbed in their process.  Teachers were hard to find, quietly giving lessons, answering questions, and providing assistance when needed.  Looking like chaos compared to a conventional classroom, Meg Thomas, the Head of School for Children’s Meeting House, explained some of the reasons why a Montessori classroom is so successful.  She emphasized how the children working independently, on work of their own choosing, from carefully designed and sequenced materials deepens the level of learning within the child and, through careful observation, allows the teacher to easily assess the child’s skills and knowledge – without the time-consuming testing that is so prevalent in conventional schools.

A father to a college-aged daughter, Mr. Becker had heard the term Montessori but was not aware of what it truly meant.  With an MBA with a focus on taxation, the math curriculum was a great place to explore the Montessori materials in action.  In the pre-primary class, a 4 year old, was working with the golden bead material and let him share the sensorial experience of the difference between 1 and 1000.  “Wow, that’s heavy!” declared Becker.  Another child, age 5, introduced the linear counting chains, counting and labeling the six chain, then showing him how to fold the chain and stack the squares to make a cube. As the tour moved into the elementary classrooms, Becker received a presentation for the trinomial cube.   With gentle guidance from his 7 year old teacher, Becker successfully built the cube and put it back in the box.  Such great patience and perseverance!  He even got to take home the written expression of the trinomial equation.  What a fabulous introduction to the Montessori math materials, making abstract numerical concepts a concrete understanding.

Knowing that there is a large push to remove cursive writing from the curriculum, he seemed surprised to see our students writing in such beautiful handwriting.  Becker asked, “Do the children learn to write in script?”  Thomas’ replied, “Yes, it is still a valuable tool to learn, if for no other reason than it is a significant part of our history.  Our constitution is written in cursive; we’d like our students to be able to read it.”  Quite a powerful perspective for a politician to consider!

It is my hope that the next time Representative Becker places his vote on an educational topic, he will ask himself, “How will this affect Montessori schools?”

I continue to urge you to take action.  Support Montessori education by inviting your state representative and senator to your school.  No agenda, no issues to discuss, and no speeches, but just a casual visit as an introduction to some Montessori constituents.  Not only does this provide an opportunity for the politician to be awed by the Montessori environment and impressed by the children working, but also it aides in raising an awareness of just how many Montessori schools may be in the district. Contact your state representatives here: www.ohiohouse.gov and www.ohiosenate.gov/senate/index.

Written by Jill Wilson

The Journey Towards a Future that Works for ALL...

It's not too late to be part of creating a Montessori Community for all!  The conference may be over, but the journey has just begun! 

The Concepts
Although impossible to express the intangible and magical quality of connection, hope, and possibility that was kindled as Paul Born led conference participants on a brief tour of "Deepening Community" and "Collective Impact",  it is important to share some of the experiences and concepts, to build our community's "pool of shared meaning" (a concept from Crucial Conversations that refers to the importance of getting all the relevant information out in the open, as this is the "birthplace of synergy").

Carefully considered and structured exercises which created the time and space to deeply listen to each other's stories (about why Montessori education so important, especially at this moment in history, and what matters most to us about Montessori) gave participants a glimmer of the profound inner shift that is possible on the individual and collective level which might transform how we think and work together going forward.

This tapping into our shared values enabled participants to open our minds, hearts, and wills as we collectively considered:  How might we work together to live out the values of Montessori and transform our community and world?

It became clear that the answer is not about working harder (everyone is already doing everything they can), but about working better together!  Hope was kindled as we realized that by working together differently, we might change the circumstances of children everywhere -- in a way that none of us could do on our own.

Paul Born introduced the concept of Collective Impact -- a way to declare our longing for larger scale outcomes, and understand a system so we can talk about working together in a more systematic way. It gets us thinking together about, "Who is part of the system we wish to affect and how might we engage them?"  "How do we engage more broadly?" "How do we connect with parents, alumni, schools, neighbors, businesses, policy makers, and get them active and engaged -- get them to care?" Paul emphasized that it is hard for people to "care for" something, if they don't feel "cared about". We began to consider, "How might we begin caring for each other, including those with diverse voices and perspectives?"

The power of Collective Impact is magnified by deepening community.  It will only be by getting to know one another -- sharing our stories, enjoying each other, caring for one another -- that we will be successful in working together for a better world!

To Join or Not to Join the Journey?
Paul Born helped us realize that ultimately, we don't need agreement on WHAT we are doing, so much as WHERE WE ARE GOING TOGETHER!  While this collective understanding is something that will only unfold as we turn towards, and get to know, each other, conversations throughout the weekend, and the stories of the 2014 Distinguished Ohio Montessorians, suggested a possible direction -- towards Dr. Montessori's ultimate vision -- the possibility of a different future, a more peaceful future, for children and society.  

Are we ready to embark on the journey towards collectively actualizing this possibility?

Given a taste of the magic of deepening community, and a glimpse of how we might create a bigger impact together, are we ready to venture off the trail of "business as usual" to explore unchartered territtory and pioneer paths towards a future that works for all?  Will we give the time and energy needed to turn towards one another? Will we develop the courage and curiosity needed to explore and experiment with what we might create together?  Will we tolerate the discomfort that comes from shifting our mindsets towards a greater awareness of the whole, recognizing ourselves as integral parts of that whole, and embracing the participatory nature of life that we nourish in our children?

Collective Impact and Deepening Community are powerful concepts but not easy ones! They will require us to learn new ways of thinking, working, and being together! Truly revolutionizing society and how children are cared for and educated, will require the gifts that we give Montessori children each day -- learning how to learn, learning by doing, embracing mistakes, and finding joy in the process of discovery.

The journey towards a peaceful future will not be clear or easy, but it promises to be meaningful! Opportunity is knocking -- will we answer?

"It doesn’t matter where we start -- it just matters that we start!"
If we know where we are going together, and commit to ways of being with each other, we don't need to "figure it all out" before we get started!  Instead, we are freed to embark on an iterative process where we do, measure, tweak -- repetitively do, measure, and improve our way forward together.  It will be a simulaneous process where we "build the plane as we are traveling down the runway together" -- a thrilling process!

As we continue the "meta-process" of HOW to move forward together, we are simultaneously getting started by doing!  Sunday's Open Space event at the conference gave participants the opportunity to collaborate with individuals throughtout the state and nation!  We invite you to join these projects, as their momentum and potential grows!  

Imagine!  

A Glass Classroom!  Based on the Model that Dr. Montessori presented at the World’s Fair in 1915, imagine hosting a glass classroom in Ohio for the public to view and learn about the Montessori Pedagogy!

Ohio Montessori History Project!  Ohio's history is long and full of Montessori individuals and organizations who have pioneered great change! Imagine documenting this history for the future -- individual oral histories, school histories, AND a timeline!

Regulation Relief! Imagine there was a way for accountability to be self-regulated in a way that would build recognition for Montessori education and the Montessori teaching credential, as well as educate and protect parents!  Join the conversation about the MF Validation Model!

Special Education: Cultivating Capacity and Community!  Imagine if there were ongoing conversations, learning, and support related to special education; if Montessori-relevant special education resources were aggregated!

Spreading the Word! Public Awareness campaigns are being created, including a "WHY MONTESSORI" brochure that any school could use with their logo for marketing purposes!

And so much more!!!!  Email us to learn more and get involved in any of these collaborative initiatives!

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?

Creating A Montessori Community for ALL...

If you believe Montessori is a movement for real and lasting change in this world -- capable of transforming children and society -- we invite you to join us at the NAMTA/OMA 2014 Fall Conference, "Creating a Montessori Community For ALL" to explore what possibilities might unfold when presenters from both AMI and AMS, national leaders in the field of community and Montessori advocacy, and parents/families, guides of all levels, and administrators, join together.

Why Community?

Community and a sense of belonging are important... 

...for our children!  Alfred Adler, (an eminent psychologist and student of Maria Montessori) suggested the primary need of every child is to feel a sense of belonging and significance...many consider the psychological sense that one belongs, to be a necessary condition for successful learning experiences.

...for ourselves!  Community shapes our identity and bolsters our physical, mental, emotional, and economic health.

...for Dr. Montessori’s vision of peace!  Our capacity to contribute to the creation of a world that works for all is intimately tied to the vitality and connectedness of our communities.

Why Collective Impact?

The potential for the Montessori community to create real and lasting change for children and society grows exponentially as more and more Montessorians begin to work collaboratively to protect high quality Montessori education and ensure it becomes an option available for all children. But how might we orient ourselves to be successful?  One model to consider is Collective Impact -- a powerful paradigm for social progress that enables diverse organizations to create lasting large-scale change.

The power of Collective Impact lies in the heightened vigilance that comes from multiple organizations looking for resources and innovations through the same lens, the rapid learning that comes from continuous feedback loops, and the immediacy of action that comes from a unified and simultaneous response among all participants. (SSIR) [Click here to learn more about Collective Impact.]

Why Paul Born?

Holding the intention that whatever results we are hoping to accomplish in the world, community needs to be at the center of our thinking has enabled Paul Born and the Tamarack Institute to leverage the power of Collective Impact and transform how social issues like poverty are being addressed across Canada -- changing more than fifty government policies, supporting over two hundred social innovations, and reducing poverty for more than two hundred thousand people.  Paul is a Montessori Dad who believes “that we do have the time, the money, and all the tools necessary to solve any challenge, by coming together in community.” (Deepening Community, Pg XIV)

Work Harder or Work Together?

These are chaotic times! The pace and scale of change -- as well as the number of issues that impact our ability to optimally serve children -- continues to grow. As a result, we often find ourselves working harder -- running full-speed, deeply immersed in our isolated spheres...What else can we do? 

Paul Born (keynote speaker for the 2014 Fall Conference) suggests that there is indeed another way to navigate through these chaotic times, which will not only quench our thirst for belonging, but bolster our physical, mental, emotional, and economic health, as well -- by working together and deepening our experience of community! 

In his book, Deepening Community, Paul suggests that "community has the power to change everything". Rather than trying to survive in chaos, community can help us thrive by "finding joy together in chaotic times". Through his immense experience, Paul has found that "people can learn and make choices to work together and to care together. That no matter how difficult the task, through community engagement and collaboration we can create a positive vision, organize ourselves to achieve it, and realize a better future for all...The deeper the community, the easier and better the outcome."

The OMA and NAMTA are partnering to host a Fall Conference which warmly welcomes ALL members of the Montessori community -- family members, admins, and guides of all levels, from all settings (private and public), training, and regions -- to gather together in community to:

(1) share information and develop relationships and skills to help us work more effectively together
(2) earn professional development credits
(3) appreciate the significant part each of us plays in the whole of our community,

We hope you join us in Columbus, September 26 - 28, 2014, to consider the possibilities of what we might create together -- for our children and the world!

"Light A Candle for Peace"*: A Story About the Power of Conversation & Networks

Montessorians are becoming increasingly concerned by the growing number of issues and regulations constricting our ability to effectively serve the developmental needs of children.  What can we do to affect change?  Do any of us really have time to work with others on these issues, when too often it feels that it is more talk than action? 

But the power of conversation is becoming increasingly recognized in a variety of fields (including Politics, Information Technology, Executive Development, and Evolutionary Biology).  In fact, some scientists suggest that,"because we live in language -- and in the sophisticated coordination of actions that language makes possible -- we 'bring forth a world' through the networks of conversation in which we participate." (Maturana & Vaela, as described in The World Cafe)

In The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations that Matter, the authors relate a story describing how a dinner conversation among four friends evolved into one of the largest mass movements in Germany since the end of WWII: 

"Over dinner, 4 friends decided it was time for them to step out from the 'silent majority' and show their repudiation of the rising number of neo-Nazi attacks on foreigners.  By the time dessert was over, each agreed to call several friends and colleagues and share the idea of creating a silent candlelight vigil to bear witness to these injustices.  Their first gathering drew 100 friends to a popular downtown bar, each of whom agreed to call 10 others to encourage a larger turnout for a second event.  Within days the "candlelight conversation" spread across the city through circles of acquaintances in businesses, schools, churches, and civic groups.  The original group of friends -- and the nation as a whole -- were stunned when 400,000 people turned out in Munich for the vigil.  Inspired by the Munich gathering, citizens in other cities held conversations and created vigils over the following weeks...The seemingly endless chains of flickering candlelight became a powerful symbol of the nation's collective commitment, born in conversation, to turn the tide against such behavior." (Pg 20)

When viewed from this perspective, "conversations ARE action -- the very lifeblood and heartbeat of social systems like organizations, communities, and societies.  As new meanings and the coordinated actions based on them begin to spread through wider networks, the future comes into being."(Pg 18)

If, before the internet, 400,000 people can rally to action within days, imagine what we could do together to defend the developmental rights of children, given the current technology and our community's passion! 

Here are 3 ways to leverage the power of conversation and networks:

• Save the date! Saturday, September 27, 2014 for the OMA/NAMTA Conference: "Building A Community For All", to gather as a statewide community and engage in conversations that matter.
• Join in conversations!  To facilitate conversations amongst Ohio Montessorians, the OMA has created virtual forums for Montessori families, administrators, guides serving all planes of development, and Montessorians in public schools.  Contact us to get connected!
• Widen the network! Talk to those within your networks and encourage them to engage in the conversation by joining the OMA mailing list and virtual forums.

*May this song that Montessorians around the globe sing remind us of the power of conversations and networks to affect change and spread peace around the world.

A Call to Action (by Jill Wilson)

I often think of the old proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.  The second-best time is now.”  The same holds true for so many things in my life, and especially for advocacy of Montessori.  I just returned from the AMS National Conference in Dallas, Texas and I have been spurred into action.   It became overwhelmingly obvious to me that our children need more Montessori programs.  But at the same time, Montessori programs are struggling when it comes to legislative and regulatory challenges at the federal, state and local levels.  Many of these policies are weighted against and adversely affect Montessori classrooms and practices.  For instance, in many Quality Rating and Improvement Systems, quality Montessori programs are given low scores due to the lack of building blocks, stuffed animals and toys in the classroom.  It is up to us to educate legislators to what is a quality Montessori program.  The best time to begin grassroots advocacy was 20 years ago.  The second best time is NOW!

Big movements are happening in the Montessori circles.   The circles are beginning to overlap and they are big enough to include everyone.  In order to impact policy, we need everyone from the large national organizations to the smallest local schools and classrooms.   Montessori Forward andThe National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector are two websites that are bringing together multiple Montessori organizations to collaborate and disseminate valuable information. AMS and AMI/USA have joined forces to support state organizations in developing their voice, strengthening their platform and providing them with the necessary tools needed to succeed.  

The Ohio Montessori Alliance is the state organization created to do these things (and more!) for children and Montessori schools in Ohio.  As they state on their website, “The OMA is a call to action and a commitment to community.”  I have been called to action and now I am calling on you, too.

So, what can you as a parent, teacher or administrator do?

1.  Invite your state representative and senator to your school.  No agenda, no issues to discuss, and no speeches, but just a casual visit as an introduction to some Montessori constituents.  Not only does this provide an opportunity for the politician to be awed by the Montessori environment and touched by the children working, but also it aides in raising an awareness of just how many Montessori schools may be in the district.  Contact your state representatives here:  www.ohiohouse.gov andwww.ohiosenate.gov/senate/index

2. Be Counted!  At the CMS and/or AMS conference, you may have seen and heard people talking about the 2013-14 USA Montessori Census.  This is a collaborative project to strengthen the US Montessori Community.  The information gathered through the census can be used by the general public and researchers, as well as federal, state, and local governments, in making important decisions about education reform and the proper role of Montessori in that reform effort.

Currently, there are only 30 schools listed in the state of Ohio – a small fraction of what is really out there. There is strength in numbers and every Montessori school along with every Montessori student must be counted.  With current accurate numbers of schools and students, we can make a greater impact on policymakers!

Please do your part to add your school right now!  Go to www.MontessoriCensus.org  You will be asked to create an account.  The census has 30 questions and will take you less than 15 minutes to complete. Questions are asked on four broad areas:

• Demographic Information
• Leadership
• Affiliations and Accreditations
• Program

You will also have the opportunity to provide a brief overview of your school and to provide a photo of your school. The ideal size for the photo is 220px by 220px, and photos must be less than 1 MB in size.

At the very least, just add the name and address of your school to get it on the map today and do the rest later.

3.  Get Connected!  In addition to showing the SIZE of our community, our CONNECTIVITY to one another is equally crucial!  The more we can link together, the more capable we'll become!  Reach out to other schools, organizations, and communities, linking your networks together.  Our power would grow exponentially if each of us shared this newsletter with 5 people in our network, and asked them to forward it to 5 people in their network, and so on.

If all of those reading this do these three things, here is what I envision would happen:  The next time a piece of legislation comes up, the question is asked by many legislators, “How does this affect the 45 Montessori schools, 5000 students and 10,000+ voting parents in my district?”  That is powerful.

If you find yourself called into action and want to do more than these three things, please email the Ohio Montessori Alliance president, Laureen Golden.

There is not a moment to spare.  Change is going to happen and it is up to us, individually and collectively, to ensure that it changes to our benefit, not detriment.