Workshops
The Michigan Montessori Society strives to conduct two educational workshops each year. Traditionally, these are scheduled on the first Saturday of November and the second Saturday of March. However, the specific dates are set each year according to the availability of the guest speakers. The workshops are designed to meet the needs of both teachers and parents.
"Unsettled Children in an Unsettled World"
Janet Wolfe Engel and P. Donohue ShortridgeSaturday, November 8, 2008
Experienced Montessori teachers express concern that "children have changed." Undeniable factors of modern society indeed contribute to the cause. Yet, aspects of the true nature of the child remain constant. In this session, the speakers will examine what unsettled children look like and how our culture unsettles them. We will explore what we as Montessori educators can do to help children feel settled and reconnect with the “new child” within. Our day together will include lecture, discussion and reflection.
Janet Wolfe Engel, AMS, M.Ed
Janet has been a Montessori Educator for over 30 years. She has worked as a classroom teacher, education director, workshop presenter, teacher trainer, and AMS consultant. She is philosophy instructor and field supervisor at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (MECR) and presents at local, regional, and national conferences. She conducts teacher in-service and parent education sessions and is a consultant for Montessori educators. Janet is AMS certified at the early childhood level.P. Donohue Shortridge, AMS, MH
Donohue speaks and writes about children and their families within American culture. A Montessorian since 1980, she holds AMS credentials at the Infant/Toddler and Early Childhood levels and has worked as a Montessori guide, a teacher mentor, and philosophy instructor. Donohue is a frequent contributor to Montessori publications and sits on the editorial board of Infants and Toddlers Magazine. She presents at local, regional and national conferences. She works with families on parenting issues, conducts parent education sessions and is the creator of Aidan’s Muddy Adventure, a DVD showcasing the importance of nature for children.Together, Janet and Donohue have presented AMS conferences, workshops, school in-services and parent night sessions. They were part of the AMS 2006-2007 Touring Symposium presenting the topic, “Revisiting Montessori Philosophy.”
MMS thanks our spring workshop vendors!
Montessori Records Express The Lord Company Lakeview Montessori Motivating Solutions Hello Wood Cambridge Insurance Kaybee Montessori Laughing Star
Previous Spring Workshop:
"Every Day Is Earth Day"
Duna Strachan & Sharon Duncan
Saturday, April 12, 2008
What would Maria do? If she were here today, how would Maria Montessori respond to the state of our planet's health? How would she integrate environmental awareness into her philosophy of equipping the child to be a peaceful and productive adult? Duna Strachan will review the interconnectedness of the traditional Montessori curriculum and explore ways to include Earth-conscious activities expand your students' awareness of their role as caretakes of the Earth. Ideas for songs, games and extensions will be included.
Sharon Duncan will present elements of the Waseca curriculum. This curriculum encourages independent learning through manipulative materials that are patterned on Montessori principles. Among the areas to be covered are a peaceful approach to geography that uses natural rather than political boundaries. Geography is integrated with the sciences and language to help children make connections and see the world as interdependent. Concepts to be addressed include:
- Energy comes from the sun and moves in cycles.
- Everything in nature is connected to everything else.
- Plants and animals are especially adapted to their natural environment.
Duna Strachan has been trying to save the Earth since childhood. It started with making insect hospitals and providing homes for wild animals. While a graduate student in Environmental Zoology, Duna became a parent to a fascinating new specimen, her daughter Lina. She followed Lina into their first Montessori experience together and became so absorbed in the method that she took the Early Childhood training and taught at schools in Utah and California before founding Soaring Wings Montessori School in Park City, Utah in 1987. Duna has conducted teacher training for the Utah Montessori Teacher Education Program and consulted for the San Francisco Bay Area Montessori Teacher Education Center and the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. She founded the Utah Montessori Council in 2004 and completed the AMS Infant and Toddler credential in 2006. Duna continues as Executive Director at Soaring Wings, where she takes delight in reminding everyone to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost!
Sharon Duncan has Montessori certification in primary and 6-9 elementary and a Masters in early childhood. She has taught for 25 years and 15 years ago founded a non-profit Montessori school in Athens, Georgia with 30% low-income enrollment. She developed the Waseca biome curriculum and language program, sold nationally to Montessori schools.
Dearborn Heights Montessori Center
466 N. John Daly Rd.
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127-3703
(313) 359-3000
(click here to jump to map)
Click here to download the workshop registration form.
Seminar Fees (lunch included):
MMS school affiliates will be allowed three registrations at the member rate.
Registration by 4/4/08 after 4/4/08 MMS Members $45 $55 Non-members $60 $70 Interns $40 $50
