Michigan Montessori Society Spring Gathering
History of Montessori in America
Saturday, May 02, 2026
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Presenter: Prof. Carol Williams
Hybrid Gathering
In-person Gathering Location:
Ann Arbor Children's House (map).
Remote Gathering Location:
Grand Rapids Montessori School (map).
Zoom:
Link will be provided by email before the gathering.
Cost:
Members and Adult Learners: $35
Non-Members: $40
Affiliate Schools: $35 (unlimited number of attendees each at $35/attendee)
Member Schools: $35 (unlimited number of attendees each at $35/attendee)
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.
In-person: Join us at Ann Arbor Children’s House
Four (4) hours of PD - You must provide your MiRegistry number to receive 4 hours of professional development credit.
Keynote - History of Montessori in America - Join Prof. Carol Williams as she shares the path Montessori education has traveled in the United States from early enthusiasm, through a period of disfavor by American educators, to the widespread acceptance today.
Q & A with Carol - Our keynote presenter will be available to answer questions you may have.
Attention - What promotes and What Prevents - Jessica Ravineala will share some ideas on how to improve environments to encourage children's attention, how to recognize attention in neurodivergent children, and other observations on attention from her years as an occupational therapist.
Creating Bridges Between Home & School - Barb Barnes will provide some suggestions for sharing what we do with parents and host a discussion group on the topic. Handout provided.
Sharing Music Without a Piano - Karen Lumsden will share some ideas on bringing music into the classroom. Handout provided.
Make & Take - Allison (director of Ann Arbor Children’s House) will share an activity and provide materials for each participant to create.
Take & Make – You may choose one of two works MMS will share that you can take home, cut and laminate for your own classrooms. Must submit request by April 29.
Free “Treasure Table” – Bring things you no longer want but just can’t bring yourself to throw away. Others may be happy to take it!
Virtual Vendors – You may preorder items from our virtual vendors and pick them up at the Gathering.
Bulletin Boards – Enjoy several bulletin boards with displays focusing on Montessori.
Classroom Tour – Explore this lovely school and visit their other location a few blocks away.
Refreshments – Enjoy coffee, tea, or water and a selection of light pastries and snacks.
Address – 2309 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor MI, 48104
Agenda:
- Check-in: 8:30-9:00
- Keynote: 9:00 - 10:30
- First Discussion Session: 10:40 - 11:30
- Second Discussion Session: 11:40 - 12:30
- Make & Take / Take & Make /Classroom Tour: 12:30 - 12:45
Remote: Join us at Grand Rapids Montessori School
Four (4) hours of PD - You must provide your MiRegistry number to receive 4 hours of professional development credit.
Keynote via Zoom - History of Montessori in America - Join Prof. Carol Williams as she shares the path Montessori education has traveled in the United States from early enthusiasm, through a period of disfavor by American educators, to the widespread acceptance today.
Attention - What Promotes and What Prevents via Zoom - Jessica Ravineala will share some ideas on how to improve environments to encourage children's attention, how to recognize attention in neurodivergent children, and other observations on attention from her years as an occupational therapist.
Creating Bridges Between Home & School - Denise Van Pelt will provide some suggestions for sharing what we do with parents and host a discussion group on the topic. Handout provided.
Take & Make – You may choose one of two works MMS will share that you can take home, cut and laminate for your own classroom. Must submit request by April 22.
Free “Treasure Table” – Bring things you no longer want but just can’t bring yourself to throw away. Others may be happy to take it!
Virtual Vendors – You may preorder items from Teaching Timbers and pick them up at the Gathering.
Bulletin Boards – Enjoy several bulletin boards with displays focusing on Montessori.
Classroom Tour – Explore this lovely school.
Refreshments – Enjoy coffee, tea, or water and a selection of light pastries and snacks.
Address – 159 College Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI, 49503
Agenda:
- Check-in: 8:30-9:00
- Keynote: 9:00 - 10:30
- First Discussion Session: 10:40 - 11:30
- Second Discussion Session: 11:40 - 12:30
- Take & Make / Classroom Tour: 12:30 - 12:45
Join us from home via Zoom
Four (4) hours of PD - You must provide your MiRegistry number to receive 4 hours of professional development in (name category that the hours will apply to.)
Keynote via Zoom - History of Montessori in America - Join Prof. Carol Williams as she shares the path Montessori education has traveled in the United States from early enthusiasm, through a period of disfavor by American educators, to the widespread acceptance today.
Attention - What Promotes and What Prevents via Zoom - Jessica Ravineala will share some ideas on how to improve environments to encourage children's attention, how to recognize attention in neurodivergent children, and other observations on attention from her years as an occupational therapist.
Creating Bridges Between Home & School via Zoom - Barb Barnes will provide some suggestions for sharing what we do with parents and host a discussion group on the topic.
Agenda:
- Check-in: 8:30-9:00
- Keynote: 9:00 - 10:30
- First Discussion Session: 10:40 - 11:30
- Second Discussion Session: 11:40 - 12:30