Registration

Saturday, February 16th

OPTION 1  

An Introduction to the Montessori Method; 9:00 am – 11:30 am

After 100 years of educating children in thousands of schools worldwide, the Montessori Method finds relevance today and into the future.  If you are interested in learning about Montessori as a parent, or you are thinking about Montessori as a career, this workshop explores the questions:  Why become a Montessori professional? Why send your child to Montessori School? What are the concepts and principles of the Montessori Method?  What is the current research supporting Montessori Education?  How do the Montessori Curriculum and materials teach children?   Presenters: Janet Gallagher, Mary MacIntosh and Michele Mohar; Janet Gallagher, M.S. is the Founder and Head of School at West End Montessori School and co-founded the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies.  She has many years of leadership experience in the local Montessori Community.  Mary MacIntosh, M.Ed. has an AMI Early Childhood certification and over 25 years classroom teaching and adult education experience.  She is a regular presenter at AMS conferences and local Montessori schools.  She is currently Co-Director of VCMS.  Michele Mohar, M.Ed., has AMS Early Childhood and Infant/Toddler certificates.  She is currently Co-Director of VCMS and is the Assistant Head of School at West End Montessori School.  She is a regular presenter at AMS conferences.  

OPEN HOUSE for Prospective Adult Learners; 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (lunch provided)

Current VCMS Interns will discuss their Montessori education experiences during lunch with perspective adult learners.  Afterwards, tour toddler, early childhood and elementary classrooms.  Meet certified Montessori teachers and explore curriculum materials.  Cost:  Complimentary

OPTION 2

Culture in Every Corner of Your Classroom:  Bringing culture to all of the curriculum areas; 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

The cultural curriculum is an important foundation of the Montessori classroom.  This workshop presents fresh ideas for culturally transforming your classroom and integrating cultural experiences into Practical Life, Sensorial, Language and Mathematics. Emphasis will be placed on preparing recipes for end-of-unit cultural celebrations, and will address cooking with children who have allergies and food sensitivities.    Presenter:  Suzanne Trottier; Suzanne became increasingly interested in following Maria Montessori's educational/peace philosophy when her son began attending Montessori School.  Suzanne has a BA in Liberal Studies and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. She completed her Montessori Early Childhood Certification at VCMS and started teaching at West End Montessori School in 2010.   Cost:  $50 per person

Make It and Take It Cultural Food Preparation; 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Highlight your cultural units with food preparation from the continent that you are studying.  Take home lesson plans for food preparation works from each continent (including Antarctica!) that the children can do independently. Participants will also make and take home the materials for one complete food preparation lesson.   Presenter:  Kelley Granger; Kelley Granger is a Certified Montessori Teacher with over 15 years of experience in the classroom.   Food preparation is a weekly activity in her class and she developed a summer program for cooking in a Montessori environment.    Cost:  $70 per person (includes materials)