Michigan Montessori Society Zoom Workshop

About the Workshop

This workshop is appropriate for teachers, administrators, and parents at all levels.

Considering the events and protests of the past year, it is evident that as a society we have more work to do in preparing children for the real world, teaching everyone’s history, and modeling for them how to be accepting of all people. Montessori grace and courtesy lessons are a beginning, but there is more awareness that we can incorporate into our daily lessons and the Montessori curriculum throughout the year. This workshop will address the preparation of the teacher, and explore classroom activities and stories that promote acceptance. There will be video footage and the shared wisdom of Montessorians of color as well as interactive content.

In this workshop you will:

• Learn how and when children develop bias, and the implications for us as Montessori educators.
• Become aware of the history of structural racism and how it affects children and families of color who attend our schools—or who cannot attend them.
• Continue Montessori’s spiritual preparation of ourselves as guides for the children by becoming aware of our own bias.
• Become familiar with micro-aggressions, how to guard against them, and how to help children respond effectively.
• Come away with considerations, resources, and suggestions for classroom activities.

Sue Fitzpatrick has more than 40 years experience in Montessori primary, elementary, and Middle School environments, and 12 years as a Parent Education and Community Outreach coordinator. Her special interest is in communication between humans of all ages. She has been a trainer at MMTEC and at workshops in Michigan. She is also a Montessori parent and grandparent!