Michigan Montessori Society Spring Gathering
Guiding Neurodivergent Children Toward Regulation
Saturday, April 26, 2025
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Presenter: Jessica Ravineala, MS, OTRL
Live in-person presentation
Workshop Location:
Children's Place Montessori (map).
Cost:
Members and Adult Learners: $25
Non-Members: $30
Affiliate Schools: $25 (unlimited number of attendees each at $25/attendee)
Member Schools: $25 (receive one registration at the member price of $25)
MiRegistry:
If including your MiRegistry number, please register for the workshop with your name exactly as it appears in MiRegistry.
Four hours of professional development time will be added to MiRegistry for those who register with their MiRegistry number.
Schedule of Events
8:30 - 9:00 - Registration, tea / coffee / light selection of pastries, networking
During Registration and Transition times (8:30 – 9:00, 10:15 – 10:30, 11:15 – 11:30) please look over the bulletin boards displaying activities highlighting various cultural holidays.
9:00- 10:15 - Keynote Speaker - Guiding Neurodivergent Children Toward Regulation
Jessica Ravineala, MS, OTRL, is an occupational therapist and owner of The Therapy SPOT. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, after studying psychology, human development, and art at Central Michigan University. She has experience treating autistic children/young adults, children who have sensory processing and regulation issues, feeding and oral motor difficulties, visual processing and perceptual issues, as well as other physical and neurological impairments. She also has experience working with children who struggle with anxiety and mood disorders. Her continuing education has focused on a variety of areas, including visual development and perceptual skills, the vestibular system, neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), Therapeutic Listening, Myofascial Release, Visceral Manipulation, feeding & oral motor, Social Thinking strategies, DIR/Floortime, the Collaborative Proactive Solutions model (CPS) and responsive parenting. She is passionate about following a child’s interests and learning neurodivergent affirming approaches. Her favorite part about working with kids is being able to affect the entire family’s ability to function by helping children overcome their challenges and realize their potential.
Session 1 10:30 – 11:15
1) Q&A following keynote on helping neurodivergent students regulate -Jessica Ravineala
2) Helping students with language delays - Barb Barnes, Owner of North Star Montessori
3) Classroom Management - Denise Van Pelt, Lower El Teacher, Grand Rapids Montessori Program
Session 2 11:30 – 12:15
1) School Culture and Difficult Conversations (with students, parents and co-workers) - Maggie Bishoff, Program Director, Brookview School
2) Helping students with language delays - Barb Barnes
3) Classroom Management - Denise Van Pelt
Closing - 12:15 - 12:30
Tour classrooms, visit cultural displays, closing remarks, pass out certificates.
Register
The Spring Gathering is closed for registrations.
For questions please contact kathy@mmsoc.org.