A Weekend of
Professional Development
Workshops
Register now for our Late February Workshops!
Saturday February27th, 2016 - Workshops and Presenters
Introduction to Montessori Philosophy –P. Donohue Shortridge
Observation: The Key to Meeting the Needs of Children – Betsy Hoke
Neuroscience Connections to the Montessori Journey – Dr. Dee Joy Coulter
The Montessori Bells – Ann Massengill
Montessori and the Marshmallows: Understanding the Latest Brain Research – P. Donohue Shortridge
The Joys of the Montessori Full Day Program – Nancy Ahlstrand (All Day)
Sunday February28th, 2016 - Workshops and Presenters
Becoming a Dynamic Montessori Assistant Teacher– Betsy Hoke
The Voice of Therapists: Resources for Montessori Teachers – Sara Hill and Colleagues
Inside the Spiral of Time – Stories of Special Places in Colorado and Where You Fit In – Karen Kudebeh
Dance for Children – Libby Broughton
Self-regulation in the Montessori Classroom – Maria Arias
How the Peace Rose Grows – Devon Warn and Hannah Ebner
Location:Montessori Education Center of the Rockies
4745 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80301 303-494-3002
Directions: From Denver to Boulder on Rte 36 or Hwy 93: Exit & Go East on Baseline.
Turn left and go North on 30th Street. Turn right and go East on Walnut St
Go under the bridge and MECR is the 3rd building on the left side (north).
Registration: Complete the registration by Friday, February19, 2016:
No walk-in registration.
10% discount for 2 or more teachers from the same school (on one check or card)
Limited space availability.
Participants receive Certificates of Attendance for up to 10 hours of professional development
Montessori Education Center of the Rockies – Professional Development Workshops - 2016
SATURDAY February 27, 2016
SATURDAY February27 - MORNING SESSIONS 3 Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Fee: $85
Workshop A: Introduction to Montessori Philosophy - P. Donohue Shortridge
This introductory session includes a brief sketch of Dr. Montessori’s life, her insights into the nature of the child and the resulting Montessori educational curriculum; what is the role of the child, the prepared environment and the aware adult? This session works for assistants, non-teaching staff and as a refresher for all.
Donohue Shortridge, a Littleton Colorado-based Montessori consultant, conducts staff development workshops and parent talks around the US and Canada. Donohue holds AMS credentials from MECR at both the infant/toddler and early childhood levels. She is published in Montessori journals and is a frequent presenter at Montessori conferences.
Workshop B: Observation: The Key to Meeting the Needs of Children – Betsy Hoke
Observation is the cornerstone of our work as we aid the developing child. This workshop will take you on a journey to much deeper, more revealing, and effective observations that will empower your work with the children that you guide each year. Learn new tools for observing and recording what you see and how you use that information. Betsy will share the groundbreaking ideas of Maria Montessori on observation and the enrichment of that work by Hilla Patell, Betsy's trainer from the Maria Montessori Institute in London.
The workshop will discuss the crucial reasons why teachers must take time each day to observe their students and develop the art of spiritual and scientific observation. It will present the work curves that Maria Montessori shared in Spontaneous Activity in Education. It will emphasize that teachers need to gather data patiently and objectively, reflect on the information and then arrive at conclusions on what steps to take with each child and the class as a whole. Teachers will learn what to look for when observing and tools to record this information in an organized and helpful fashion. It is my hope that by inspiring the participants to see observation as the cornerstone of our work, they will put much more attention toward observation on a daily basis.
Betsy Hoke is the current early childhood and elementary philosophy instructor and early childhood classroom leadership instructor and is an instructor for the new Administrator Course. She served as Head of School of Montessori School of Evergreen for 29 years and taught at the early childhood level for 20 years. She established a Montessori program in Tanzania and currently spends eight weeks each year assisting schools with Montessori programs there. Her consulting business, Mentoring Montessori and More provides staff development, parent programs, classroom observations and evaluations, supporting special needs children and coaching administrators.
Workshop AD1: The Joys of the Montessori Full Day Program – Nancy Ahlstrand
All Day Fee:$135
We will be discussing the joys and challenges of teaching a Full Day Montessori program. This includes early morning and late afternoon strategies, cultural extensions, practical life materials, daily logistics, staffing needs, parent and student needs, and the exhilaration to be had from running a great classroom!!
Come join us to discuss breathing new life into your enthusiasm and to examine any ruts we've let ourselves settle into. We will discuss at length the needs of the Full day environment and staff, but more importantly, how to breathe fire and excitement back into your teaching style. Full Day programs are the perfect canvas to unleash your creativity on!!! So many beautiful Montessori extensions and variations make for a rich and stimulating day. We will discuss the logistics, philosophy, staff care, community service, parent involvement, and alumni devotion building. This is not just for Full Day teachers, but for anyone looking to reawaken their passion about teaching Montessori!!!
Nancy is the director and founder of Countryside Montessori School in Boulder, Colorado. Countryside is a Full Day Montessori Program open from 7am to 6pm and has been operating for 28 years. Nancy is AMS trained at MECR and has functioned as a MECR trainer for practical life, year-long projects, and full day Montessori. Nancy is an enthusiastic advocate for full day Montessori programs across the country.
SATURDAY –February27 - AFTERNOON SESSIONS 2 Hours: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fee: $65
Workshop C: Neuroscience Connections to the Montessori Journey – Dr. Dee Joy Coulter
The more we learn from brain research, the more brilliant the Montessori program appears. In this session, we will explore leading edge neuroscience findings, then revisit the deeper patterns hidden within daily life in the Montessori classroom and discover how they are connected. Finally we will get very practical and examine how the Montessori approach cultivates self regulation, the key to success in school and in life.
This workshop will include an overview of current trends in neuroscience research connected to learning, and then explore the core dynamics of the Montessori approach. The ways neuroscience supports these dynamics will be discussed. Finally the workshop will examine the critical elements for cultivating self regulation in children and discover the many ways the Montessori approach succeeds in guiding children to learn to regulate their impulses so they can be successful learners and take their place in life with ease.
Dee Joy Coulter, EdD, is a neuroscience educator and author with a background in special education. Her doctorate is in neurological studies and holistic education and she was a faculty member for 20 years at Naropa University. She has been a favorite presenter at Montessori conferences and workshops for over 20 years. Dee is the author of Original Mind - Uncovering Your Natural Brilliance, published in 2014.
Workshop D: The Montessori Bells – Ann Massengill
Let's review the Montessori bells and how to integrate them into the classroom as both a Sensorial and a musical lesson. Experience the fun of group lessons and how students can work individually in the context of the Montessori work cycle. Be prepared to have lots of fun in this active, hands on workshop!
Ann has been involved with Montessori since 1980, when she was trained at the primary level at MECR in Boulder. She is also certified in Lower and Upper Elementary and has worked at all levels in both private and charter schools. She has a BFA with a concentration in music and a M.Ed that focused on the integration of the arts into curriculum. Currently, she is the Chief Academic Officer at Monarch Montessori of Denver Charter. Ann has taught music for MECR since 1982, at either the primary or elementary level.
Workshop E: Montessori and the Marshmallows: Understanding the Latest Brain Research – P. Donohue Shortridge
This session will review some of the latest brain research on development and how the Montessorian can apply it in practice. We'll look at executive function, will development, plus social and emotional learning. We'll consider the parallels between Dr. Montessori's thinking over 100 years ago and the latest discoveries in brain research including the now-famous marshmallow test. Participants will receive links to the research cited, plus ideas for implementation, as well as suggestions for communicating with parents, colleagues and community members about Montessori and the brain.
Donohue Shortridge, a Littleton Colorado-based Montessori consultant conducts staff development workshops and parent talks around the US and Canada. Donohue holds AMS credentials from MECR at both the infant/toddler and early childhood levels. She is published in Montessori journals and is a frequent presenter at Montessori conferences.
SUNDAY February28, 2016
SUNDAY February28 - MORNING SESSIONS 3 Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Fee: $85
Workshop F: Becoming a Dynamic Montessori Assistant Teacher – Betsy Hoke
Discover how to support the teacher and students you work with by acquiring a deeper understanding of Montessori philosophy and how to work with children within a Montessori Environment. Topics include giving quality individual presentations and small group lessons, redirecting children who need guidance, observing and preparing the environment. Common traps for assistants will be discussed. Bring your questions!
Betsy Hoke is the current early childhood and elementary philosophy instructor and early childhood classroom leadership instructor and is an instructor for the new Administrator's Course. She served as Head of School of Montessori School of Evergreen for 29 years and taught at the early childhood level for 20 years. She established a Montessori program in Tanzania and currently spends eight weeks each year assisting schools with Montessori programs there. Her consulting business, Mentoring Montessori and More provides staff development, parent programs, classroom observations and evaluations, supporting special needs children and coaching administrators.
Workshop G: The Voice of Therapists: Resources for Montessori Teachers – Sara Hill and colleagues from KidSPOT Pediatric Therapies in Louisville, CO
Learn how to assist children in your classroom more effectively by gaining knowledge about their development, need for movement, ability to attend, and basics to sensory processing in the classroom. Hear from experienced pediatric therapists (Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, and Speech Language Pathologist) as they provide information and simple classroom tools to facilitate a child's optimal learning state. Information presented will target children ages 2-6.
This workshop will define each therapy discipline (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy) as it relates to children ages 2-6. Child development in each area will be quickly reviewed as well as how that development should look in the classroom. These areas include fine motor development, sensory processing, attention, gross motor development, and speech/language development. Common challenges children face in each area will be discussed as well as simple tools teachers can use to help a child within their classroom. Brief case studies will be presented to illustrate a child struggling in a particular area with tools to help that child. Teachers will walk away from this workshop having gained easy tools to use in their classroom to further facilitate a child's ability to learn.
Sara earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Colorado State University in 2007, with a major in Psychology. She went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in 2009. Sara has worked in a variety of pediatric practice settings. Sara worked for Denver Public Schools where she provided school based therapy and evaluations in several preschools and elementary schools. She then worked for Solace Healthcare providing in-home pediatric therapy services across the Denver Metro area. Sara currently works in private practice at KidSPOT Pediatric Therapies located in Louisville. She also works with Adam’s Camp during the summer to provide intensive transdisciplinary therapy in the Colorado mountains. Sara has extensive background working with children of all ages (0-18) and has experience with a variety of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, and genetic disorders. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Astronaut Training for Vestibular Processing, and Handwriting without Tears. Sara enjoys working closely with families to develop treatment strategies and uses a child-directed approach to therapy sessions.
Workshop H: Inside the Spiral of Time – Stories of Special Places in Colorado and Where You Fit In! – Karen Kudebeh
Karen will demonstrate how learning Deep Time stories of a particular location enlivens Cosmic Education. Every place on the planet has a unique combination of geology, paleontology and history, and the Front Range of Colorado has some of the most intriguing combinations. Hearing these in the context of Cosmic Ed helps us to feel At Home, knowing that -- wherever we are-- We Belong INSIDE the larger narrative of the Universe. We will also learn how visual representations of our genealogies can reinforce a deep sense of belonging with All Life, and engage us in imaging a future of Possibility.
Karen creates spiral timelines and offers programs illustrating how We Belong INSIDE the magnificent 13.8 billion year cosmic story. She emphasizes Place and Placement as crucial elements in teaching Cosmic Education, so that the child knows WHERE s/he belongs in the story of the Universe. Karen has presented many seminars -- recently at the National AMS conference (Philadelphia 2015) and at both International Big History conferences (2012 and 2014.)
SUNDAY–February 28 - AFTERNOON SESSIONS 2 Hours: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fee: $65
Workshop I: Dance for Children – Libby Broughton
Dance is a fun way to engage students and introduce them to new ways of moving, thinking and expressing themselves. During this 2 hour workshop, we will dance, working with different dance styles, group sizes, and movement activities. We will then have a brief discussion on the value of having dance in the classroom and what that looks like in any Montessori school setting. Lessons will be provided by that teachers can incorporate into any classroom setting and tools and materials use in their classroom.
Libby Broughton found her passion for dancing at the early age of five years old. She danced everything from modern, to jazz, to ballet, but currently enjoys free-form movement. She grew up as a Montessori child and has worked in multiple Montessori settings, the most recent being a Lower Elementary Guide at St.Vrain Community Montessori School. She finds that dance is more than moving your body to merge with the rhythm of the music; it is about finding the joy in how your body, mind, and spirit express themselves through these movements. She believes that there is no right way to dance and that dance is one of the many ways a child can express themselves, as well as connect to self and others.
Workshop J: Self-regulation in the Montessori Classroom – Maria Aria
Learn the necessary steps to self-regulation and how to successfully empower children to use them in the Montessori classroom. The workshop presents brain research based social-emotional skills with hands on tools to use in the classroom immediately. These tools are presented in a friendly and easy going way. Find out the "why's" and the "how's" of impulse control and problem-solving through conflict. Workshop tools align beautifully with the Montessori goal of Education for Peace.
Based on Dr. Becky Bailey's Conscious Discipline program, Maria presents practical and effective classroom techniques to bring the principles of self-regulation to life. The 5-steps to self-regulation are presented as they apply to the adults and the children in the environment. Based on the principle of "discipline yourself first" then the child, these tools go beyond a prescriptive approach to misbehavior and are applied at a personal transformation level. The adult can then model real discipline; which is the ability to self-regulate and in turn offer the best of ourselves to the present moment. Find out how to empower real conflict resolution, bypassing rewards and punishments. Learn concrete ways to encourage more kindness and empower children to set healthy boundaries. Furthermore, there are techniques to focus on compassion and unity, through the principle of "we're all in this together".
The presentation offers Maria's real world experience in inner city public schools and working with parents and educators in many settings. These tools give us a glimpse into the inner workings of the brain, in the context of the stressful times many adults and children are facing. This presentation is fun and interactive, as the tools presented are experienced first-hand in the present moment.