UMC Conference Registration Packet

Utah Montessori Council
utahmontessori.org
November 2009
Dear Montessorians;
We are pleased to present your registration materials for our 7th Annual Conference, “Best Practices in the
Classroom and Beyond” to be held at the Montessori Community School in Salt Lake City February 5 - 6, 2010.
This year’s conference features keynote speaker, Jonathan Wolff, Founder and Director of Learning for Life
and Montessori Leadership, and member of the International Montessori Council Board of Directors. We hope
you and your faculty will plan to attend.
The volunteer efforts of our members and friends help us to keep costs low while offering a professional
conference experience with something to interest everyone from parents to administrators. Early Bird
registration is still just $50 per person until December 15th, and $60 thereafter. This year we’ve added the
option of registering for Friday or Saturday only. Registration includes appetizers and school tour on Friday
evening and lunch on Saturday. There is also a $25 UMC membership fee per school, or $5 per individual for the
2010-2011 school year. Membership entitles your school to be listed on the UMC website and to be eligible for
UMC school certification.
We welcome school exhibits featuring student work from your classrooms or photo displays of your school.
Come prepared to shop since our vendors often offer special conference discounts. Vendors who have
confirmed so far include Waseca, Insta-Learn, Priority Montessori, Discovery Toys and Educational Sounds and
Images.
Following is information on some Salt Lake City hotels. Please book your rooms early and inquire about group
rates for your school.
Homestead Studio Suites-1220 E. 2100 S., 1.8 miles, 801-474-0771, $85 /2 queen beds - in Sugarhouse
Marriott University Park–480 Wakara Way, 1.8 miles, 801-581-1000, $86 /2 doubles, pool-near Red
Butte Gardens
Scenic Motel– 1345 Foothill Drive, 1 mile, 801-582-1527, $56 /2 queens - family owned - no frills
Wildflowers Bed & Breakfast-936 E. 1700 S, 1 mile, 801-466-0600, $85/1 queen - quaint, historic home
Complete the enclosed registration forms and return with registration fees (checks payable to UMC) no later
than January 15th. Please pass this on to other Montessorians. See you in February!
Sincerely,
Duna Strachan, UMC Conference Coordinator
[email protected]
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“Best Practices in the Classroom and Beyond”
Utah M ontessori Council
7 th Annual C onf erence
Friday and Saturday, February 5th - 6th, 2010
Montessori Community School
2416 East 1700 South
Salt Lake City
Friday
4:00 pm Registration, Tour of School, Munch & Mingle
5:00 pm Round Table Discussions:
Toddler Level: Vivian C. Hill, Infant and Toddler Trainer
Early Childhood Level: Kelly Webster, Elizabeth Academy
Elementary & Middle School Level: Jeff Whitehead, Montessori at Riverton
General: Jonathan Wolff, IMC Board of Directors
Sat urday
8:30 am Registration
9:00 – 10:30 am Keynote Address:
Creating a Collaborative, Montessori "Best Practice" Program - Establishing and
Maintaining Authenticity and Consistency Through All Program Levels
Jonathan Wolff
Via a process called the “Montessori Best Practice Matrix” based on Dr. Montessori’s scientific
pedagogy, explore the standards and benchmarks for developing and maintaining authentic
Montessori instructional programs and prepared environments. Jonathan studied with Mother
Isabelle Eugenie, one of Maria Montessori’s first students, earning an AMI credential at the
Early Childhood level and began his career as a Montessori educator at one of the first Head
Start Montessori Centers in the US. Thirty years later he works with parents, educators and
leaders around the globe focusing on best practices and leadership development.
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Saturday Morning Workshop S es sion
10:45 am – 12:15 pm
A. Toddler Environment: Classroom and Material Design
Leah Linebarger
An interactive workshop where you can share your thoughts and experiences on creating and placing materials in the
Toddler Classroom. A brief overview will be provided on how we facilitate the needs of the toddler in the Montessori
Classroom. Participants are asked to bring one work or activity to share. Leah Linebarger holds a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Social Science from Westminster College. She received her AMS IT/Toddler teaching credential
from Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and has been with Soaring Wings Montessori School for 5 years.
(Toddler)
B. The World According to Biomes
Sharon Duncan
Learn how you can present the world to children through biomes and integrate the Montessori Curriculum by
weaving geography with science and language to show how everything is connected and nothing exists in isolation.
Get ideas on how to present the parts of a biome (air, water, soil, plants, animals, and energy from the sun) with
experiments, art, drama, and language activities. Sharon is certified in both Montessori primary and elementary
(6-9) with 25 years of classroom experience. She is a founder of a small school in Athens, Ga and the author
and illustrator of the biome materials from Waseca.(Early Childhood, Lower and Upper Elementary)
C. Fostering Relationship Intelligence: A Peace-making Curriculum for Montessori
Schools
Sura Hart
Increase mutual understanding, respect and cooperation in your classroom and school with this hands-on
exploration of a dynamic curriculum integrating the teachings of Maria Montessori and Nonviolent Communication
developed by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD. Use disagreements and conflict as opportunities for students to learn
valuable relationship and peacemaking skills. Sura Hart is co-author of The Compassionate Classroom, Respectful
Parents, Respectful Kids and The No-Fault Classroom. Ms. Hart has over 23 years experience in elementary and
secondary education in the private and public sector. Hart is a CNVC (Center for NonViolent Communication)
certified trainer, an experienced presenter and worldwide leader in the incorporation of NVC in schools. (All)
D. Bringing the Elementary Cultural Subjects to Life
Debbie Price
The natural world holds a special fascination for children, and they are born scientists. Come discover the
richness of the cosmic curriculum and discuss how to bring the cultural subjects to life. The challenges of our
future will require innovative thinkers who understand the cosmic approach which Montessori embraces. Debbie
Price has a B.A. degree in Chemistry from Whitman College, and has worked in forensic and environmental
chemistry. She is MEPI certified at the Elementary One level and has been teaching since 2004 at Montessori
at Riverton. (Lower Elementary)
E. Get Parents on Your Education Team
Souzzann Zink
Your students are with you less than half their waking hours. For the magic of Montessori to bring about the
internal motivation, independence, and peaceful nature it promises, get everyone on board. Learn practical ways to
give parents the support they need to use the principles at home. When parents really get it, families stay with
your program. After 25 years teaching children and adults of all ages, including 15 years in Montessori classrooms,
Souzzann now consults with and trains educators and administrators and promotes Montessori education through her
company, Montessori for Everybody. (All)
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F. Rapid Renewal for Children and Teachers: Rejuvenating and Balancing Our
Personal Energy When Stress, Fatigue, and Overwhelm Visit Us
Jonathan Wolff
Help children and adults to be calm, collected and self-directed by overcoming stress, anger, hyperactivity and
inattentiveness. Jonathan Wolff is Founder and Director of Learning for Life and Montessori Leadership, and a member of the
International Montessori Council Board of Directors. (All)
Luncheon a nd Door Prizes
12:15 pm
Saturday Af ternoon Works hop S ession
1:15 – 2:45 pm
G. Finding Peace, Making Peace, Living Peace: Families, Classrooms, Communities
of Adults and Children Working Together
Lois Bobo, PhD
Our peace curriculum should be as ever-present as the air we breathe, so how do we make it happen? This
workshop will offer practical solutions, provide hands-on experiences, and offer a chance to share ideas and best
practices for creating classrooms, schools, communities and beyond that are committed to peace. Dr. Bobo has
been a Montessori parent, teacher, administrator and director of teacher training. She holds Montessori
credentials at the Early Childhood, Lower and Upper Elementary levels and has taught Montessori Middle School
as well. She currently works as Field Experiences Coordinator at Western Governors University in Salt Lake
City. (All)
H. Environmental Awareness
Stacy Schmidt
Environmental awareness can be practiced in the daily curriculum of a Montessori classroom. The children can
participate in sustainable activities that will create a sense of environmental responsibility. In this workshop we
will discuss school composting, recycling, gardening and conservation. Stacy holds a BS degree in Environmental
Science/Geography from Southern Oregon University. She received her Montessori credential from Montessori
Education Center of the Rockies ad has been an early education teacher at Little Miners Montessori since 2005.
(All)
I. Building Opportunities for Toddler Independence
Vivian C. Hill
In this workshop we will discuss how to develop an environment for independence. We will examine how your
program is working, the role of the adult and what changes would make it more child-directed. We will explore
the cornerstones of a true Montessori toddler program: independent snack, stand-up diapering and circle. Vivian
C. Hill is a Montessori Infant and Toddler trainer and consultant. She was Head of the Toddler Department at
Children’s Garden Montessori in Washington for seven years before moving to Utah. She is degreed in Child
Development and is AMS credentialed at the Infant/Toddler level. Her 27 years of experience include teaching,
administration and teacher education. (Toddler)
J. The Art Experience
Ali Clark and Julie Finnegan
The primary goal of a Montessori art program is to discover and nurture joy in the art experience with focus on
the process. Using this approach to art education, we will discuss classroom set-up and offer participants the
chance to learn through making art. Ali received a BFA from the University of Delaware. Her background as an
artist and her interest in working with children led her to an MA in Art Therapy from the School of Art institute
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in Chicago. Ali is currently the lead art teacher at Little Miners Montessori School in Park City. Julie received a
BFA from Michigan State University. She developed the art curriculum at Little Miners Montessori School and
teaches workshops for elementary children and women. Her focus is on teaching joy in the art process in
expectation of building authentic creativity. (Early Childhood)
K. Why Some Kids Can’t Read – Understanding Dyslexia
Mary K. Hales
This workshop will combine hands-on demonstration along with lecture and discussion to help attendees better
understand what the term “dyslexia” really means, and how this disorder affects not only reading, but spelling
and writing abilities. Information regarding the best ways to assist children with reading disabilities will also be
presented. Dr. Hales is a neuropsychologist whose work focuses on brain functioning and how it impacts cognitive
abilities, learning and behavior. She has specialized for several years in the evaluation of children and
adolescents with learning disabilities of all types. She completed a PhD at the University of Utah. (Early
Childhood, Lower and Upper Elementary)
L. Fostering Relationship intelligence: A Peace-making Curriculum for Montessori
Schools
Sura Hart
Increase mutual understanding, respect and cooperation in your classroom and school with this hands-on
exploration of a dynamic curriculum integrating the teachings of Maria Montessori and Nonviolent Communication
developed by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD. Use disagreements and conflict as opportunities for students to learn
valuable relationship and peacemaking skills. Sura Hart is co-author of The Compassionate Classroom, Respectful
Parents, Respectful Kids and The No-Fault Classroom. Ms. Hart has over 23 years experience in elementary and
secondary education in the private and public sector. Hart is a CNVC (Center for NonViolent Communication)
certified trainer, an experienced presenter and worldwide leader in the incorporation of NVC in schools. (All)
M. Heads of Schools: Adaptive Leadership - 6 Principles for Piloting Montessori
Schools Through the Winds of Change
Jonathan Wolff
Adaptive leadership, an approach developed by Heifetz at Harvard offers leaders an opportunity to understand
their organizational communities in a systemic and developmental way. Due to staff and time constraints,
Montessori leaders too often take on the role of chief cook and bottle washer with little time and energy left
over to think strategically or plan the future of their school community. Especially during times of economic
stress, budgetary constraints and enrollment challenges, Montessori leaders need ways to increase their
effectiveness, not their workload. Jonathan Wolff is Founder and Director of Learning for Life and Montessori Leadership,
and a member of the International Montessori Council Board of Directors. (Heads of Schools)
Annua l UMC General Meeting
3:00 – 4:00 pm
We invite representatives of each school to join us to review the year’s highlights and plan for future UMC
events. If you have an item for the agenda please contact UMC President Valerie Whitehead at
[email protected]. The general membership of the UMC normally only meets once each year
so if you have ideas or comments on building a better UMC, please join us.
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Utah Montessori Council
7th Annual Conference
“Best Practices in the Classroom and Beyond”
Registration includes appetizers Friday evening & lunch Saturday. Presenters attend free of charge.
Friday Evening Ev ents
Number attending:
Munch & Mingle 4:00 – 5:00 pm _________
Round Table Discussions 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Toddler Level led by Vivian C. Hill_______
Early Childhood Level led by Kelly Webster_______
Elementary/Middle School Level led by Jeff Whitehead ________
General Discussion led by Jonathan Wolff________
Saturday Workshops
Name and Title
(please print)
Morning Session
(circle one)
V = vegetarian
GF = gluten
free
DF = dairy free
Afternoon Session
(circle one)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Please attach a separate sheet of paper to list additional participants.
School Name _____________________________________________________________
Mailing address___________________________________________________________
Phone_________________________E-mail_____________________________________
Number of people attending full conference = ______ X $50 ($60 after Dec. 15th) = _________
Number attending Friday evening only = _____ X $20 ($25 after December 15th) =
_________
Number attending Saturday workshops only = ______ X $40 ($45 after Dec. 15th) = _________
Annual UMC membership fee ($25 per school, $5 per individual)
+_________
Total enclosed (please make checks payable to UMC)
$__________
Please list anyone in your school who has been working in Montessori education for 20 years or longer:
_________________________________ ___________________________________
Name
Title
Years in Montessori
Name
Title
Years in Montessori
Please mail registration and payment no later than January 15th to:
Duna Strachan, 2083 Equestrian Ct, Park City, UT 84060
Questions? Contact Duna at [email protected] or 435-640-4858. Thank you!
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