CCMA 2024 National Fall Conference

This year's conference will be a transformative experience for Montessori educators and leaders.

Dr. Stacey L. MacKinnon will explore how integrating curiosity and inquiry with Montessori’s principles can transform challenges into opportunities, fostering an environment of joy and innovation.

Jonathan Wolff will discuss strategies that Montessori educators and school leaders can use to stay true to the Montessori mission of “Follow the child,” while seeking to understand and respond to the needs of parents and other outside pressures.

Attendance: In-person and virtual tickets are available

Table Reservations: Available for groups of 10+, contact [email protected] for details

After the event, each attendee will receive a virtual goodie bag and professional development certificate by email.

“Nurturing Curiosity & Inquiry: Embracing Montessori Principles in Times of Uncertainty”

In an era where uncertainty and rapid change are constants, curiosity and inquiry are essential for thriving—not just for Montessori children, but for the educators guiding them. Rather than relying solely on the past, let’s channel Maria Montessori’s spirit of scientific exploration and innovation to uncover new possibilities in the post-pandemic world. By integrating curiosity and inquiry with Montessori’s principles of observation and innovation, we can embark on unprecedented experimentation and growth, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Montessori education’s rich history.

Join Dr. Stacey MacKinnon to explore how fostering an environment that celebrates curiosity and experimentation can transform challenges into opportunities and bring more joy to ourselves and our colleagues. We’ll discuss prioritizing principles and people over rigid adherence to pedagogy, the impact of role modeling curiosity and positive experimentation, and how to think “beyond the binders” to create new opportunities for ourselves, our colleagues, and our learners.

About Dr. Stacey MacKinnon

Dr. Stacey MacKinnon is a full professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown and co-author of the recently released book, Reigniting Curiosity and Inquiry in Higher Education: A Realist’s Guide to Getting Started with Inquiry-Based Learning. She is the designer/coordinator of First Year Inquiry Studies and a graduate supervisor in the Faculty of Education. She has received the Atlantic Association of Universities Educational Leadership Award, the Hessian Award, and UPEI President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the UPEI Student Union Professor of the Year.

Dr. MacKinnon's interest in Montessori education stems from her experience as a "Montessori Mom" when her daughter Ireland attended Island Montessori Academy from ages 15 months to five years. This led her to teach as an adjunct with the adolescent program at The Montessori School of Charlottetown and to supervise projects with the NewGate Montessori School Global Campus when her daughter began attending online in grade 7. Dr MacKinnon completed the AMI Montessori 12-18 Workshop under the guidance of Jenny Marie Hoglund and offers talks and workshops to Montessori guides and heads of school worldwide in partnership with Jonathan Wolff.

"Staying Curious and Connected…Without Compromise: Adhering to Montessori Principles Amid Pressures from Within and Without"

As Montessori educators and school leaders we are exposed to influences and forces that may tempt us to compromise what we know to be true about human development and learning. Parents sometimes pressure us to drill and skill their child in ways that are antithetical to the spirit of self-directed, hands-on learning. At times, enrollment competition with nearby schools may cause Montessori administrators to ask teachers to do things in the classroom, or participate in school events, in ways that are not compatible with Montessori learning, and tend to divert teacher energy and attention away from their key classroom responsibilities.

Join Jonathan Wolff to learn how Montessori educators and school leaders can stay true to the Montessori mission of “Follow the child,” while seeking to understand and respond to the needs of the school community.

About Jonathan Wolff:

Jonathan is a consultant, trainer, speaker and author who infuses his work in leadership development with 30 years experience as an educator and administrator.

After earning his B.A. degree in Secondary Education from Temple University, Jonathan began teaching at-risk youth in Philadelphia. Early in his career, he read several books on the Montessori philosophy and quickly recognized the power her work in human development had to effect transformation not only within the young child, but within adults as well. He went on to study with Mother Isabelle Eugenie, one of Dr. Montessori’s first students, earned his Early Childhood Credential through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and began his career as a Montessori educator at one of the first Head Start Montessori Centers in the United States. Jonathan’s incisive ability to apply Dr. Montessori’s educational constructs to training adults led him to positions as a teacher trainer, as the director of education and training for various education and business organizations, and as the administrator for several nationally recognized schools. Thirty years in the field have provided him with solid first-hand experience in leading and managing rapidly growing for-profit and not-for-profit schools, education institutions and business organizations.

Today, the primary focus of his consulting practice is on leadership development – designing best practices and writing books and articles that enhance individual and organizational performance. His creative, interactive programs, his humorous and inspiring teaching style, and his deep insight into the needs of people and organizations are in demand by organizations around the world.

Host or Publisher The Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators