Participants will have the opportunity to interact with one another through reflection, exercises, and activities including use of the Inquiry Observation and Individual Support Plan that guides
our work with these learners in concrete ways as we help them gain greater independence and success with emotional regulation, social skills, and learning.

Handouts will include Powerful Practices for Inclusive Montessori Classrooms and an Inclusive Education Reading List.

The IMC’s newest book, The Path Beyond Diversity is the tool needed to incorporate historical accuracy within cultural celebrations, circle, timelines, appropriate music, and classroom legacies. Meet with, and be taught using this book, by its author, Dr. Cindy Acker. Practice presentations, question new information regarding the truth of Juneteenth, digging deeply for accurate history, and how to educate your parents in appropriate ways.

We will discuss schedules, lessons, transitions, toileting, and snacks and meals.

Are you aware of the transformative impact this collaboration can have on enrollment, student retention, faculty/parent relationships, and overall family satisfaction?

Join us in an enlightening exploration on how to foster mindful engagement and partnership with parents in your school community. Together, let’s witness the profound benefits of intertwining the family experience with the child’s educational journey.
Maria Montessori, the visionary educator, emphasized the indispensable role of the school-family partnership in unlocking each child’s full potential. She advocated for a seamless integration of home and school environments, recognizing that this synergy is pivotal for holistic child development. She believed it was essential to develop partnerships with parents.

“Let us place the school in the home; not only that, but let us place it there as collective property, and let us place under the eyes of parents the entire life of the teacher, in the accomplishment of her mission.” – Maria Montessori
As we embark on this journey, it’s crucial to dispel any misconception that prioritizing family -school partnerships equates to compromising the school’s authority. Our approach is not about changing policies to appease parents but rather about examining our school programs through a parental lens and identifying opportunities to enhance the family school partnership. We understand that maintaining a balance between meeting parental needs and upholding the integrity of our educational programs is paramount.

Recent research underscores the overwhelmingly positive impact on students, faculty and families when they feel a genuine sense of belonging within the school community. This is particularly crucial in today’s educational landscape, where parents have an array of choices and are navigating the aftermath of the pandemic and teachers need to be supported. Additionally, our research indicates that families do desire to be active participants in their child’s educational journey while also seeking opportunities for personal growth and learning.

Our workshop will delve into evidence-based research and insights from Montessori schools about the parent experience in educational settings, including:
Understanding the evolving needs and expectations of parents.
Unveiling the top priorities and desires of parents regarding their child’s education. (Voice of the Parent)
Exploring the Dual Experience of parents within the school environment.
Embracing a customer-centric approach to parent engagement.
Supporting teachers to develop strong family partnerships
Recognizing the value of School-Family Partnerships (SFP) and its correlation with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
Crafting tailored strategies to effectively implement parent engagement initiatives.
Furthermore, we will discuss opportunities to foster collaboration among colleagues, encouraging dialogue on how to infuse a Parent Experience Programming mindset into your school’s ethos. Let’s collectively assess our current practices and identify avenues for enhancement, with a focus on nurturing parents’ personal growth and confidence in their parenting journey.
As we emerge from the pandemic, there’s never been a more opportune moment to fortify the bonds between parents and schools. This proactive approach not only aligns with the evolving needs of parents and faculty, but also positions schools as beacons of support and understanding in a rapidly changing world.
Ultimately, prioritizing family school partnerships isn’t just about enhancing enrollment and retention—it’s about creating a harmonious ecosystem where every child and teacher can flourish. Let’s embrace this imperative with a leadership mindset and unwavering faculty support.
We invite you to embark on this transformative journey with us. Bring your team along, and let’s co-create a future where parental engagement is at the heart of every school’s educational experience.

​He was requested some 30+ years ago to travel to a small Georgia town to create a way to heal a community suffering from a racial killing that tore everyone apart. His method for healing was created by him from his knowledge of theater and using it to tell the real stories among people that could generate healing, deep connection and acknowledgment of one another’s dignity. This small town had a great time doing this and have continued to do it to this day each year. And this process has been used now throughout the world.

The process of Story Bridge begins between partners in an activity that is meaningful and engaging using story to deeply connect. It can easily be used on its own as a way to start the school year at our staff opening retreat.

The next step is a collaboration among 2 to 4 sets of partners as a small group coming together. They are assigned a way to see the common threads among their stories.

The last step, if one has time to complete the whole process, is to create from each group something they create and perform for everyone as a final step in their stories. The last step is the final “bridge” made of the meaningful stories a staff shares in common together. Story Bridge process includes and concludes with celebration and leads to a deeper embodied sense of one’s community.

Kathy Minardi will take us through a real Story Bridge process so that we can bring it back to our school community as a means of deeper connection and understanding among us. We will do it and celebrate it – our Story Bridge!