MEPI Open Forum Newsletter Spring 2014

OPEN FORUM
MEPI Newsletter
Spring Issue: May 2014
MEPI School Accreditation
MEPI is proud to announce that MindTech Montessori
School of Markham, Ontario, Canada, has the
distinction to be the first MEPI accredited school.
Accreditation of a school by MEP) confirms publicly that
it demonstrates and promotes authentic Montessori
philosophy and educational practice for the benefit of
children, families, and the global professional
community.
Congratulations are in order for MindTech Montessori
School for providing an authentic Montessori approach
to education while agreeing to continue to be, with full
responsibility, a model of best Montessori practices.
Discovery Montessori School, Port Orchard, Washington,
has completed the Accreditation process and has the
distinction of being the first
MEPI Accredited School in the USA! Starla
Franks, principal, has worked tirelessly
throughout the process and has been sent
our special Accreditation plaque to hang
proudly in her school.
In This Issue
Some other Montessori schools are currently in the progression of
completion of the MEPI International School Accreditation process:
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The Montessori School of Camden, Camden, South Carolina
Mountain Montessori, Avon, Colorado
National Nursery Montessori, Qurum, Muscat, Oman
Brackendale Montessori School, Ajax, Ontario
Montessori Kidz, Overland Park, Kansas
Interested in becoming a MEPI International Accredited School?
please follow the link: http://www.mepiforum.org/IMSA
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President’s Message
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Recent Graduates
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“Hands For Peace”
Conference
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Board Updates
President’s Message
Dr. John Moncure
President’s Message
I was struck, this past February at the MEPI conference at Litchfield, by the balance of the two keynote
speakers. André Roberfroid, nearing the end of a lifetime of service to children—first with UNICEF and now with
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)—gave us a global perspective of Montessori, the daunting challenges
that face us as well as the opportunity presented in many countries for Montessorians to participate in the
educational debate and demonstrate the validity of the Montessori Method. The following day we listened to Allie
Rogers, a student at Clemson University (and immediate past Miss South Carolina) who spent ten years in
Montessori classrooms in Laurens County public schools. She showed a degree of poise uncommon for her age
and shared insights from the perspective of someone coming out of years of Montessori influence about the
importance of self worth: “You is kind.” “You is smart.” “You is important.” On the first day we saw Wisdom in
reflection and on the second Youthful Optimism tempered by lessons learned in our classrooms.
I was genuinely humbled by both presentations, and they set me to reflection. These two presentations,
juxtaposed so nicely (and I wish I could say “by design”) in the same weekend is almost a perfect microcosm of the
MEPI community. With their years of experience that allow them uncommon understanding of our profession, our
Elders—Sheryl Sweet-Miller, Beti Wyn Holcombe, Marianne Bivins, Marguerite Richardt and Nouha Batshon—
guide us behind the scenes. Newly-minted teachers from our teacher education programs sparkle with enthusiasm
and awe at the instrument lovingly placed at their disposal by their teacher trainers. Our leaders and newest
members are united in a love of children and a will to help them develop into a force, from birth to maturity, and
become transforming elements of society leading to a harmonious and peaceful world.
I suppose it is fair to imagine that many organizations function in this way. But I have not experienced them in
quite the way I see in MEPI. I hope you, dear reader, have experienced the same nurturing of your spirit that I
enjoy—not only at our conferences but also whenever I pick up the phone to call a colleague or visit another of our
schools. Our challenge in assuring this kind of familial connection is, of course, our geographical separation. The
conference at the South Carolina shore certainly contributes to this cohesion, but for some people the annual trek to
the beach is difficult and, I can imagine they may feel some level of isolation at not being able to attend. The Board
is looking at other alternatives and will be discussing solutions at its retreat this summer.
Best wishes for a peaceful conclusion of your school year.
John Moncure, Ph.D.
President
“Hands for Peace”
Conference News
MEPI Prepares to Celebrate
20th Anniversary!
Plan now to attend our 20th anniversary celebration conference
Feb. 20 - 22, 2015, Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort
Pawley's Island, South Carolina.
MEPI began in 1995 when group of dedicated Montessorians saw a need for an
organization which had Peace education as its base. The very first Open Forum
was published just less than 3 months later. The following is excerpted from the first
President's Message of that publication by Dr Sheryl Sweet Miller, one of MEPI’s
Founders, a valued MEPI Elder and continued supporter.
Open Forum, 1995
"My mama had lots of genteel "pearls of wisdom" as I was growing up, most of
which have increasing worth with my own year of maturity. She once told me,
‘Sherry, mind now, cause you're judged by the company you keep.’ If she could
see me now, she's be mighty proud to see the ‘company I keep’ - individuals,
focused on respect and unity in Montessori, individuals who are making a
difference in the world! How exhilarating to stand among our MEPI Board
members, Course Directors, School Directors, and Classroom Directors. What a
fine, fine group of individuals - I am awed by the trust placed in the MEPI
leadership and touched by the visionary spirit coupled with a willingness to
stretch, move and shake, to accomplish a great amount of work in a short
amount of time!
Dr Billings once told me, "Honey, when life presents you with a challenge, take it
and turn it, turn it and turn it until it works!" MEPI is a
fine example of her advice in action!
So in the words of John Denver, "Come and stand
beside us, we will find a better way."
“Hands for Peace”
Conference News
2014 “Hands For Peace” Conference Update
With nearly 270 conference attendees, this year’s conference was full of energy and excitement. Our special guests,
Andrew Kutt, André Roberfroid, and Ali Rogers contributed greatly to the ambience of the MEPI conference. MEPI
chooses to be an inclusive welcoming group, and an example of that is how we embrace those from other organizations
and the community. This year we had attendees from these Montessori affiliations and organizations: MEPI, AMS, AMI,
PAMS, IMC, NAMTA, and MACTE.
Andrew Kutt, a well-known Montessorian who also writes songs for peace, education, and global awareness entertained
and enchanted us with his song, “Montessori Child” during the first plenary session following the opening ceremony. Mr.
Roberfroid, our keynote speaker on Friday evening, spoke passionately about being a part of the global Montessori
community, and how he persisted in reaching out to other organizations with like-minded goals of supporting Montessori
education. Ali Rogers, a Montessori child from primary through eighth grade was a wonderful reminder on Saturday of
why we have chosen to be a part of the Montessori community—so that we can have more adults growing up like her—
having had the opportunity of a Montessori education—and who are now competent, balanced, compassionate, and
eager to help the world become a better place. Comments from the evaluations showed these three special guests
affected our participants in ways that warmed our souls, opened our hearts and gave true validation to the work that is
ours.
This conference was MEPI’s 18th annual conference, and with much thought and
deliberation, we revamped our use of the facilities and the schedule to include
space for having sit-down lunches so we could eat comfortably and in
community. This made us reduce the number of exhibitors to the number that was
comfortable in the Tara Registration area. Comments were all in favor of the meals
served this way, although we have taken note that the sandwich bread should all be
nice rolls or croissants. Also new in the schedule was the mini plenary session that
kept everyone together after the opening ceremony and started the conference off
in a joyful and mindful way. We will continue to tweak our schedule to make the
most of our available time together. The school tours were well attended and the
comments we received asked for more they were so well worth the time. Our
Sunday Bonus at Brookgreen Gardens had more participants than ever and we’re
glad to see so many people choosing to extend their stay to enjoy this lovely gift of
time and space for our minds, bodies, and spirits.
A few comments: Best food ever and so many great workshops! School tours awesome, well worth the time! Some
wonderful ideas, positive guidance, very encouraging. I enjoyed starting my day with an uplifting ceremony followed by
music. Very moving, many ideas to improve my spirit to become a better guide. Superb way to raise our awareness
about how to grow Montessori. Very refreshing-inspired me to connect to the global Montessori. Delicious! I enjoyed
sitting and visiting with others. Beautiful work—so excited to use this in the classroom. Good food, great fun, crazy
people! (about the Munch-n-Mingle hilarity) Very dynamic-great to hear from the student perspective. Excellent, she was
passionate about keeping Dr. M’s beliefs about preparing the environment. Nice and calming as always-it’s great to have
that room. (Reflection Room) Wonderful to hear from a former Montessori child what Montessori means to them. Thank
you for the gift of this workshop, what a joyous session it was, with much to take back to the classroom.
Make plans now to attend the 19th annual conference; a celebration of the 20th anniversary of MEPI!
Teacher Trainers & Training Sites
Interns & Internship Sites
Original Project - Use, Reuse, Recycle!
Congratulations,
Graduates!
Sarah Howard—Kansas City
Language
MEPI graduates granted
certification by the Board of
Directors, February 2014:
Materials: Basket with “use, reuse, recycle” labels and pictures of paper, glass and plastic items.
Aims: Awareness of the different uses of everyday items and their effect on the Earth; sequence and
Age: 3+
language skills.
Pre-requisite: none
Presentation:
Early Childhood
Kate Bernhart Reeves
Mario Franko
Viviane Ret
Davina Sampson
Claudia Guzman
Margareta Tussie
Dijana Corak
Adela Soljan
Andrea Hranilovic
Marina Igrec
Elizabeta Rakidzija
Sandra Marusic
Marina Cosic Surlin
Meri Zuljevic
Ivana Tandara
Dijana Dumanic
Simona Salej
Ana Santic
Early ChildhoodAcademic Only
Stephanie Fagan
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Take the basket off the shelf to the rug.
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Pick out the three labels and the pictures and place randomly on rug.
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Explain to the child about using everyday items, then reusing them, and then recycling
them and its impact on the Earth.
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Pick the first label, “use” and place at top left corner of rug. Explain, “This word means
how we use an item for the first time.”
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Pick the second label, “reuse” and place it to the right of the “use” label. Explain to the
child, “This word means ways we can use an item again but in a different way.”
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Pick the third label, “recycle” and place it to the right of the “reuse” label. Explain to the
child, “This word means, when we are finished using the item, we will place it in a bin for
the trash company to pick up. Then they will reuse it again.”
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Next place the first picture of the sequence item under the “use” label. Talk about how we
use the item.
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Pick up the “reuse” picture of the same item and place under the “reuse” label. Talk about
how we are reusing the item.
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Pick up the “recycle” picture of the same item and place under the “recycle” label. Talk
about how we recycle the item.
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Continue the above 3 steps for each item.
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Place labels and pictures back in basket and return to shelf. Roll rug and put away.
Point of Interest:
Learning different uses of items and then applying this lesson with daily classroom items.
Elementary 6-9
Eliza Dalton
Karen Mangham
Leila O'Neal
Control of Error:
Logical sequence of the use of the item.
Variations & Extensions:
Add more “use, reuse, recycle” items such as, cardboard, newspaper, cans, or
food.
Infant Toddler
Ivonne Lathan
Before
After
Teachers, Parents & Students
Open Forum: Redesigned...
One of the benefits of being a part of the MEPI Community is Open Forum, our newsletter. Open Forum is MEPI’s
primary publication and one of the tools that is used to connect with members and the Montessori community. The
newsletter summarizes the latest news and developments from the Montessori community and provides information
about MEPI events, trainings, public policies and much more. The new layout was designed to make it
easier for current readers to navigate; it is divided into broader subtitles such as our "Hands for Peace"
Conference, Trainers and Interns, and "Teachers, Parents & Students" to name a few. In addition, the new
structure spotlights our multi-faceted activities and events.
Open Forum is distributed quarterly to the MEPI Community (February, May, August &
November). We are pleased to present to you the redesigned Open Forum and we hope
you enjoy the new content and look!
Possibilities….
Want a chance to contribute to Open Forum? This page is dedicated to parents, teachers and students. Are you a
teacher trainer or an intern? You can send updates about your work, school, experiences and much more! Have an
original project you want to share with the community? Send it along. Are you in the realm of the Public School
spectrum? Share your strategies to make Montessori successful! If you or someone you know would like to publish your
work here, please send it to the editor, Jen Fuller [email protected].
Submission Guidelines:
Text format: word doc or text file
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All images submitted must be in .jpg format, and should include a caption of 10-12 words.
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Submissions can be sent directly over the internet as attachments to email messages. The body of the email
message should include all authors’ names, school associations, addresses, telephone numbers and email
addresses. Send to: [email protected]
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Deadlines for Submission:
Winter Edition (February) - January 10th
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Spring Edition (May) - April 10th
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Summer Edition (August) - July 10th
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Fall Edition (November) - October 10th
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Questions about where or how to submit to Open Forum can be addressed to:
Jen Fuller
Editor, Open Forum
[email protected]
MEPI Board News
Update to the Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Dr. John Moncure - President
Congratulations to our newly elected Board members:
Nathalie Hunt
Camden, SC - [email protected]
Martha Teien
Martha Teien - Vice President
Avon, CO - [email protected]
Susan Putnam - Secretary
Laurens, SC - [email protected]
Kacee Weaver
They will be taking their positions on the Board of Directors at our
annual July Board retreat.
Kitty Degler - Treasurer
Overland Park, KS - [email protected]
Mary Cusack - Executive Director
Smithville, IN - [email protected]
812-824-6366 – MEPI office
Mary Helen Cline
Newton, NC -
Many, Many Thanks!
Many, many thanks to our outgoing Board member, Susan
Putnam, for her wonderful service as MEPI Secretary and her
dedication to this organization in many capacities!
[email protected]
Leila O'Neal
Summerville, SC [email protected]
Kacee Weaver
Liberty, UT -
Become
Involved!
[email protected]
Tina Childress
Laurens, SC - [email protected]
Nicole Householder
Eden, UT [email protected]
Beth Langley
Rembert, SC - [email protected]
Sandra Pokos
Zagreb, Croatia - [email protected]
Do you want to have more of a
role in your Montessori Society?
Has the possibility of joining a
committee crossed your mind?
Look back here in the
next issue of Open
Forum for a detailed list
of committees!
Contact Us...
MEPI
PO BOX 6
Smithville, IN 47458
(812) 824-6366
fax: (888) 708-2470
[email protected]
Visit us on the web at
www.mepiforum.org
and
Facebook at MEPI, Inc