Registration Packet

 Utah Montessori Council
www.utahmontessori.org
September 2015
Dear Montessorians:
We are pleased to present your registration materials for our 13th Annual Conference, “The Power of
One,” to be held at Westminster College in Salt Lake City January 29th – 30th, 2016.
This year’s conference features AMS Living Legacy, Dr. John Chattin-McNichols. In addition we will
offer workshops by presenters from across the continent as well as our local talent. On Friday we
provide a choice of schools to tour – or all three! In addition we will host a special luncheon for heads
of schools on Saturday.
Peruse the offerings and register early. Winter is always busy in Salt Lake City so make your hotel
reservations early, too. There are lots of very nice hotels in downtown Salt Lake City only a few miles
from Westminster College.
We are grateful to Westminster College and the more than 60 volunteer organizers and presenters
who make this event possible every year. Only with your gracious support are we able to offer a
professional and affordable conference for Utah and surrounding states.
See you in January!
Namaste’
Duna Strachan, MEd
UMC Conference Coordinator
1 “The Power of One”
13 th Annual Conference of the Utah Montessori Council
Friday and Saturday, January 29th – 30th, 2016
Westminster College
1840 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City
Campus Map: http://www.westminstercollege.edu/campus_map/
Friday
1:00 – 4:00pm School Tours
•
Maria Montessori Academy – 2505 N 200 E, North Ogden mariamontessoriacademy.org
•
Elizabeth Academy – 2870 Connor Street, Salt Lake City elizabethacademy.org
•
American International School of Utah – 4998 S 360 W, Murray aisu.org
Check the websites for directions!
4:00 – 5:00pm Registration, Shopping Opportunity, Munch & Mingle - Jewett Center, Westminster College
5:00 – 6:00pm Round Table Discussions
•
•
•
•
•
Infant/Toddler Level: Bethany Shinault, Elizabeth Academy, Salt Lake City
Early Childhood Level: Lauren Bornschein, MEd, Montessori Community School, Salt Lake City
Lower Elementary Level: Piper Nuetzel, MEd, Elizabeth Academy, Salt Lake City
Upper Elementary Level: Aron Weiss, MEd, Elizabeth Academy, Salt Lake City
Middle School/High School Level: Marta Donohoe, MEd, Cincinnati
Saturday
8:00am Registration, Shopping Opportunity, Continental Breakfast – Jewett Center
8:45 – 10:30am Welcome and Keynote Address – Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Jewett Center
What’s Next for Montessori? - John Chattin-McNichols, PhD
What can we do to take Montessori to the next level? Seven big ideas of what we can do as individuals and groups to make high quality
Montessori more available to all, including research, full implementation of Montessori, and parent education. John Chattin-McNichols.
Ph.D. received his 6-12 training at the Bergamo AMI course in 1970-71, where one of his trainers and his final examiner was Mario
Montessori. His doctorate is from the Child Development and Early Education program at Stanford. He is an Associate Professor of
Education and heads the E.M. Standing Center for Montessori Studies in the College of Education at Seattle University. He is a past
President of the American Montessori Society, ran the American Montessori Society teacher education program in Seattle for 25 years,
and is the author of a number of articles and the book, The Montessori Controversy. He was awarded the American Montessori Society
Living Legacy Award in 2014.
10:45 – 12:00 W orkshop Session A (I)
1. The Importance of Independence from Birth - David Shelton-Dodge
Beauty, love, movement, routine, interesting activities, and continuity are all-important for children from birth. Just as important in
building a sense of competence and confidence is the opportunity for the child to make independent choices to meet her needs. The
environment of a Montessori Infant-Toddler Community and the attitude of the adults must be well thought out to allow this freedom to
the child. The results are exploration, activity, discovery, and meeting one’s own needs. These form the basis for a joyful life of
curiosity, investigation and competence. David Shelton-Dodge, AGC, AMS 0-3, has been the director of and taught at Hope Montessori
Infant-Toddler Community for the past 35 years. He teaches the observation course for Hope Montessori Educational Institute and is
the practicum coordinator. (Infant/Toddler, Administrators)
2 2. To Curve or Not to Curve - Teresa Noble, M Ed
The controversy surrounding whether or not pre-school children should be introduced to print or cursive will be investigated during the
workshop. Pros & Cons for each, as well as research on the topic of handwriting instruction will be presented. Teresa has a BA in
Early Childhood Education, an MEd in Special Education from the University of South Carolina and a Montessori Early Childhood
credential from MEPI. She is retired from SC public schools, with 28 years of service, 10 as a Montessori Guide. She continues her
Montessori journey as a teacher educator for IGS, Elizabeth Academy and other institutions as well as consulting and serving on the
MACTE board. (Early Childhood)
3. Dealing Creatively with Roving Packs of 5-year-olds - John Chattin-McNichols, PhD
We want our five year olds to be leaders and tackle new, more challenging work. But some of them are more interested in socializing
and looking out the window! Get some new perspectives. John received his 6-12 training at the Bergamo AMI course in 1970-71, where
one of his trainers and his final examiner was Mario Montessori. His doctorate is from the Child Development and Early Education
program at Stanford. He is an Associate Professor of Education and heads the E.M. Standing Center for Montessori Studies in the
College of Education at Seattle University. He is a past President of the American Montessori Society, ran the American Montessori
Society teacher education program in Seattle for 25 years, and is the author of a number of articles and the book, The Montessori
Controversy. He was awarded the American Montessori Society Living Legacy Award in 2014. (Early Childhood)
4. Community M eetings - Aja Staniszweski, PhD
Community meetings are a great way to introduce key concepts, grace and courtesy lessons and conflict resolution. We will outline
different ways to hold community meetings as well as do some small group work to brainstorm on ways to incorporate community
meetings into the school day. Aja Staniszewski has been working in Montessori classrooms since 1999 and certified in Infant and
Toddler, Early Childhood and Elementary 1. She is currently the Head of School at Mountain Heights Montessori in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Early Childhood, Lower Elementary)
5. Team Building - Stephanie Speicher, MEd
Classroom Alive! is an opportunity to experience building classroom communities in action. Participants will discover and participate in
an assortment of experiential activities to build and enhance class cohesion, trust, and problem-solving ability (especially during the
normalization period). This workshop will focus on ideas that span from early childhood to adolescent programs. The concepts of
experiential learning, interdisciplinary cohesion, and critical thinking will be discussed in relation to an “active” classroom. Activities will
be taught that focus on how to utilize what tools are already present within the school (i.e. minimal cost). Stephanie Speicher is the
Director at Maria Montessori Academy. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Sciences/Secondary Education from
Towson University and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine. At this time, she is
currently working on her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Utah State University. Areas of expertise include educational
methodology, outdoor/experiential education and mentoring new teachers. (All)
6. Essential Elements of Montessori Secondary - Marta Donahoe, MEd & Barb Sholtz, MEd
The best progressive education for adolescents may have elements of a Montessori secondary program, however, there are specific
philosophical underpinnings that differentiate Montessori education at the Secondary Level. This workshop will deepen your
understanding of Montessori curriculum design that is developmentally responsive to the needs of the adolescent. Marta is the
executive director of CMStep. She was the founder of and program coordinator for Clark Montessori Jr & Sr High School. For 18 years
Marta coordinated the development and implementation of the middle and high school Montessori program at Clark Montessori. She
consults with Montessori schools all over the country. Marta has a master’s degree in Education from Xavier University. For 34 years
she has taught ages 6-Adult and holds AMS credentials for ages 6-18. She is on the editorial board of Montessori Life and serves on
the board of the Montessori Charter Management Organization. She is a frequent presenter at Montessori conferences and has
published a dozen articles in Montessori journals. Barb Scholtz taught middle school in urban schools for 33 years, the last eleven at
Clark Montessori where she was a lead teacher. She now works for CMStep as instructor, field supervisor and Practicum Director. She
is an adjunct at Xavier University, serves on Clark’s Local School Decision Making Committee and the Clark Montessori Foundation,
and is a commissioner with AMS’s Teacher Education Action Commission (TEAC). Barb holds a Secondary I-II credential from AMS.
(Middle School, High School, Heads of Schools)
11:00 – 12:15 W orkshop Session A(II)
.
The Best of Both W orlds: Infusing the Arts in the Cultural Curriculum - Larry Schanker,
PhD & Laurie M oreno, M Arch
Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” Maria Montessori would have agreed.
Artistic experimentation cultivates sensorial exploration of people and places throughout time and across continents. Music, Visual Art,
Storytelling, Creative Writing, and Dance can transport children to another culture and deepen their understanding. Add to this the
critical thinking that involvement with arts inspires, and we have the perfect equation for global studies. This workshop will consist of 3
rich, hands-on arts activities, each spotlighting a different culture of the world, and integrating more than one art-form. By participating
in these mini-units of study, you will leave with ideas for enhancing cultural studies and the arts curriculum, and you will renew your own
creative fearlessness. Laurie Stockton-Moreno, MArch, is a Lower Elementary lead teacher and Middle School curriculum
coordinator at Brookview School in Benton Harbor, MI. She is a member of the board of directors of Brookview School and teaches Arts
Infusion, Arithmetic and Geometry at the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. (Early Childhood,
Elementary I). Larry Schanker, PhD, is the Executive Director, music director, and a former middle school teacher at Brookview School
in Benton Harbor, MI. He teaches Early Childhood and Elementary music training and co-designed a course in infusing the arts into the
Elementary curriculum at the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. He is also a composer and
silent film accompanist. (Early Childhood, Lower and Upper Elementary, Middle School)
7.
3 8. Building Positive Relationships with Our Students - Andrew Kutt
This workshop will explore the key elements of building and sustaining positive relationships with students, based upon Montessori
principles. A special focus will be on how teachers communicate verbally and non-verbally with students and how they maintain a
connection of gentleness and inspiration in the midst of the hectic day to day. This requires working on one's inner and outer
preparation as a teacher as well as a proper understanding of the unique needs and interests of each one of the students in the
classroom. Teachers will be invited to reflect upon their own patterns of classroom management - with the goal being to become a
reflective rather than a reactive teacher. The workshop will reference the body of research about happiness described in Daniel Pink's
book Drive, as well as other recent brain research. Teachers will come away with rubrics for building and sustaining positive
relationships with all students in their classes. Founder of the Oneness-Family School in Chevy Chase MD, Andrew Kutt has nearly 30
years of experience as a Montessori teacher, administrator, teacher trainer and consultant. Andrew is the author of Living in Harmony,
curriculum materials for extensions to the Montessori classroom and is an accomplished poet and songwriter, with 4 CDs and hundreds
of songs to his credit. His latest children’s CD is entitled Earth Songs and his new song Montessori Child is dedicated to the mission of
Maria Montessori. (All)
9. Music You Can Touch - Stephanie Harper & Darlene Huntington
Music You Can Touch is a workshop that brings music into a non-intimidating form anyone can manage. With this step-by-step method
you and your students can understand and learn to read rhythms and the beginnings of note reading. Darlene Huntington has taught
violin, viola, cello, and piano for more than 40 years. She has written a violin method book which is in current use. She holds the patent
on Note Blocks. (All)
10. Strategies for W orking with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders - Shamby
Polychronis, PhD
This presentation will include an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as simple strategies that can be implemented in the
classroom. Ideas for enriching a sensory diet within a school setting will be discussed, and participants will leave with a list of additional
resources. Shamby Polychronis is an Associate Professor in the Special Education program at Westminster College, and has
experience teaching students with severe disabilities and advocating for the individual rights of students with disabilities. (All)
11. Parents: How to Get Them and Keep Them! - Ali Dances
Parents seek information as to the type of educational experience they want for their child – you can set them up for success at your
school while giving them the information they need with a school tour. Then nurture their love for your school while going over
philosophy, policies and procedures during the orientation. Ali Dances trained through St Nicholas of London, England in 1977, Little
Way Montessori in Utah in 1981 and AMS in California in 1988. She has continued to teach, train and direct Montessori Learning
Center in Lindon to the present. (Heads of Schools)
12:00 – 1:15pm Lunch – Shaw Student Center
H eads of Schools Luncheon – A lum ni H ouse
1:15 – 1:30pm D oor Prize D rawing – Jewett Center
1:45 – 3:00pm W orkshop Session B
1. The Importance of Independence from Birth - David Shelton-Dodge
Beauty, love, movement, routine, interesting activities, and continuity are all-important for children from birth. Just as important in
building a sense of competence and confidence is the opportunity for the child to make independent choices to meet her needs. The
environment of a Montessori Infant-Toddler Community and the attitude of the adults must be well thought out to allow this freedom to
the child. The results are exploration, activity, discovery, and meeting one’s own needs. These form the basis for a joyful life of
curiosity, investigation and competence. David Shelton-Dodge, AGC, AMS 0-3, has been the director of and taught at Hope Montessori
Infant-Toddler Community for the past 35 years. He teaches the observation course for Hope Montessori Educational Institute and is
the practicum coordinator. (Infant/Toddler, Administrators)
2. To Curve or Not to Curve - Teresa Noble, M Ed
The controversy surrounding whether or not pre-school children should be introduced to print or cursive will be investigated during the
workshop. Pros & Cons for each, as well as research on the topic of handwriting instruction will be presented. Teresa has a BA in
Early Childhood Education, an MEd in Special Education from the University of South Carolina and a Montessori Early Childhood
credential from MEPI. She is retired from SC public schools, with 28 years of service, 10 as a Montessori Guide. She continues her
Montessori journey as a teacher educator for IGS, Elizabeth Academy and other institutions as well as consulting and serving on the
MACTE board. (Early Childhood)
3.
Extensions with the Sensorial Materials - Charlotte W ood-Wilson, MEd, Kim Quinn, MEd &
Kathy Carey, M AT
Explore how the knobbed and colored cylinders help children move into the concrete operational stage, as described by Jean Piaget. A
packet with patterns & instructions will be provided, as well as a chance for hands-on experience. Charlotte Wood-Wilson is the director
of the Oklahoma City University Montessori Teacher Education Program. She recently retired from teaching 3-6 year olds at
Westminster School. She holds an MEd in Early Childhood Education from OCU, and an AMS credential for ages 3-6. She has taught
4 the Sensorial, Math and a Materials class in the OCU MTEP. Kim Quinn has her MEd in Early Childhood Education from OCU and her
AMS 3-6. She also has a Bachelors in Nursing and Health Education. Kim taught at Westminster School in the 3-6 year old program.
She currently works at the Oklahoma Health Department Warm Line. She also helps coordinate a weekly Nature Play Group at City
Park. Kathy is the Co-Editor of Montessori Life. She holds a MAT from Oklahoma City University and an AMS 3-6 credential. Kathy
taught at Casady School in the 3-6 year old program. She currently teaches Practical Life and Math in the OCU MTEP. Kathy most
recently was invited to Taiwan to do an overview of Montessori Education. (Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Administrators)
4. Creating Community M eetings - Aja Staniszewski, EdD
Community meetings are a great way to introduce key concepts, grace and courtesy lessons and conflict resolution. We will outline
different ways to hold community meetings as well as do some small group work to brainstorm on ways to incorporate community
meetings into the school day. Aja Staniszewski has been working in Montessori classrooms since 1999 and certified in Infant and
Toddler, Early Childhood and Elementary I. She is currently the Head of School at Mountain Heights Montessori in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Early Childhood, Lower Elementary)
5. Essential Elements of Montessori Secondary - Marta Donahoe, MEd & Barb Sholtz, MEd
The best progressive education for adolescents may have elements of a Montessori secondary program, however, there are specific
philosophical underpinnings that differentiate Montessori education at the Secondary Level. This workshop will deepen your
understanding of Montessori curriculum design that is developmentally responsive to the needs of the adolescent. Marta is the
executive director of CMStep. She was the founder of and program coordinator for Clark Montessori Jr & Sr High School. For 18 years
Marta coordinated the development and implementation of the middle and high school Montessori program at Clark Montessori. She
consults with Montessori schools all over the country. Marta has a master’s degree in Education from Xavier University. For 34 years
she has taught ages 6-Adult and holds AMS credentials for ages 6-18. She is on the editorial board of Montessori Life and serves on
the board of the Montessori Charter Management Organization. She is a frequent presenter at Montessori conferences and has
published a dozen articles in Montessori journals. Barb Scholtz taught middle school in urban schools for 33 years, the last eleven at
Clark Montessori where she was a lead teacher. She now works for CMStep as instructor, field supervisor and Practicum Director. She
is an adjunct at Xavier University, serves on Clark’s Local School Decision Making Committee and the Clark Montessori Foundation,
and is a commissioner with AMS’s Teacher Education Action Commission (TEAC). Barb holds a Secondary I-II credential from AMS.
(Middle School, High School, Heads of Schools)
6. Montessori Environments: Meeting Human Needs - John Chattin-McNichols, PhD
What can we do to take Montessori to the next level? Seven big ideas of what we can do as individuals and groups to make high quality
Montessori more available to all, including research, full implementation of Montessori, and parent education. John received his 6-12
training at the Bergamo AMI course in 1970-71, where one of his trainers and his final examiner was Mario Montessori. His doctorate is
from the Child Development and Early Education program at Stanford. He is an Associate Professor of Education and heads the E.M.
Standing Center for Montessori Studies in the College of Education at Seattle University. He is a past President of the American
Montessori Society, ran the American Montessori Society teacher education program in Seattle for 25 years, and is the author of a
number of articles and the book, The Montessori Controversy. He was awarded the American Montessori Society Living Legacy Award
in 2014. (All)
7. Nurturing Visual Arts and Cultivating Creativity - Spramani Elaun
Join us to understand a visual arts program can integrate into your existing curriculum and the importance to creative discovery art
making for young children. Topics will include: how teachers can help shape a child’s creative development, how cultivating creativity is
st
key to 21 century success in becoming an innovator, what nurturing visual arts means and project planning framework that works with
all visual art making projects for the teacher. Spramani Elaun has home educated her children since birth. She has nurtured visual art
lessons to thousands of children in San Diego. She is a designer, mommy, homeschooler, art teacher, art supplier, author and founder
of Nature Arts for Kids, an Earth-friendly art supplier and art school. Learn about her book, Nurturing Children in the Visual Arts
Naturally at www.EcoKidsArt.com. (Infant, Toddler, Early Childhood, Lower Elementary)
8. Science Fun at Every Level - Amy W arren
Come and experience hands-on science activities at the toddler, early childhood and elementary levels. Have fun and take away some
fresh ideas on what to put on your science shelf or how to plan for group activities for your classrooms. Amy Warren has been in
education for seven years, teaching at a variety of levels in California, Oregon and Utah. She holds an AMS credential in lower
elementary. She designed an extra-curricular science class which has been wildly popular for the past two years at Soaring Wings
International Montessori School in Park City. (Toddler, Early Childhood, Lower Elementary)
9. Building Positive Relationships with Our Students - Andrew Kutt
This workshop will explore the key elements of building and sustaining positive relationships with students, based upon Montessori
principles. A special focus will be on how teachers communicate verbally and non-verbally with students and how they maintain a
connection of gentleness and inspiration in the midst of the hectic day to day. This requires working on one's inner and outer
preparation as a teacher as well as a proper understanding of the unique needs and interests of each one of the students in the
classroom. Teachers will be invited to reflect upon their own patterns of classroom management - with the goal being to become a
reflective rather than a reactive teacher. The workshop will reference the body of research about happiness described in Daniel Pink's
book Drive, as well as other recent brain research. Teachers will come away with rubrics for building and sustaining positive
relationships with all students in their classes. Founder of the Oneness-Family School in Chevy Chase MD, Andrew Kutt has nearly 30
years of experience as a Montessori teacher, administrator, teacher trainer and consultant. Andrew is the author of Living in Harmony,
curriculum materials for extensions to the Montessori classroom and is an accomplished poet and songwriter, with 4 CDs and hundreds
of songs to his credit. His latest children’s CD is entitled Earth Songs and his new song Montessori Child is dedicated to the mission of
Maria Montessori. (All)
5 10. Strategies for W orking with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders - Shamby
Polychronis, PhD
This presentation will include an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as simple strategies that can be implemented in the
classroom. Ideas for enriching a sensory diet within a school setting will be discussed, and participants will leave with a list of additional
resources. Shamby Polychronis is an Associate Professor in the Special Education program at Westminster College, and has
experience teaching students with severe disabilities and advocating for the individual rights of students with disabilities. (All)
11. Parents: How to Get Them and Keep Them! - Ali Dances
Parents seek information as to the type of educational experience they want for their child – you can set them up for success at your
school while giving them the information they need with a school tour. Then nurture their love for your school while going over
philosophy, policies and procedures during the orientation. Ali Dances trained through St Nicholas of London, England in 1977, Little
Way Montessori in Utah in 1981 and AMS in California in 1988. She has continued to teach, train and direct Montessori Learning
Center in Lindon to the present. (Heads of Schools)
3:00 – 3:15pm Coffee, Tea and Chocolate – Jewett Center
3:30 – 4:45pm W orkshop Session C
1. Through a Toddler’s Eyes - Tama D’Angelo, M Ed & Ari Alba
Join us to explore toddler classroom management strategies utilizing video footage and hands-on activities. We will discuss procedures
to address non-purposeful classroom behavior by first looking at ways to change the environment and yourself to alter behavior before
looking to the child. Observation techniques, documentation and simple classroom modifications will also be examined. We welcome a
sharing of ideas on specific situations and solutions. Tama D’Angelo holds a masters degree in Montessori education, an AMS infant
and toddler credential along with more than five years experience in the classroom at Soaring Wings International Montessori School in
Park City. Ari Alba holds a bachelors degree in Biology and Psychology and has had ten years of experience in applied behavioral
analysis as a primary therapist, starting the Bridges Program for Autism at Kids on the Move in Orem, Utah and becoming certified in
several intervention models. Ari holds an AMS credential in infant and toddler education and has practiced Montessori at Soaring Wings
International Montessori School in Park City for the past three years. (Toddler)
2.
Extensions with the Sensorial Materials - Charlotte W ood-Wilson, MEd, Kim Quinn, MEd &
Kathy Carey, M AT
Explore how the knobbed and colored cylinders help children move into the concrete operational stage, as described by Jean Piaget. A
packet with patterns & instructions will be provided, as well as a chance for hands-on experience. Charlotte Wood-Wilson is the director
of the Oklahoma City University Montessori Teacher Education Program. She recently retired from teaching 3-6 year olds at
Westminster School. She holds an MEd in Early Childhood Education from OCU, and an AMS credential for ages 3-6. She has taught
the Sensorial, Math and a Materials class in the OCU MTEP. Kim Quinn has her MEd in Early Childhood Education from OCU and her
AMS 3-6. She also has a Bachelors in Nursing and Health Education. Kim taught at Westminster School in the 3-6 year old program.
She currently works at the Oklahoma Health Department Warm Line. She also helps coordinate a weekly Nature Play Group at City
Park. Kathy is the Co-Editor of Montessori Life. She holds a MAT from Oklahoma City University and an AMS 3-6 credential. Kathy
taught at Casady School in the 3-6 year old program. She currently teaches Practical Life and Math in the OCU MTEP. Kathy most
recently was invited to Taiwan to do an overview of Montessori Education. (Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Administrators)
3. Meeting the Child’s Needs - Bethany Shinault & Corrine Bellinger, MEd
Sometimes it is hard to look at the whole child when challenging behaviors are present. Learn how to handle difficult classroom
situations such as defiance from students as well as how to adapt materials to meet the child’s needs. With the whole child in mind we
will discuss ways to foster growth and independence. Bethany holds Montessori credentials at the infant and toddler and early
childhood levels. She has taught for 13 years including the past 5 years in the emerging classroom at Elizabeth Academy in Salt Lake
City. Corrine holds an MEd in Severe Special Education. She worked in early intervention for 10 years with Jordan Child Development
Center and now works as a Special Educator at Elizabeth Academy. (Toddler and Early Childhood)
4. Kids are Natural W onders: A Child is Like a Geological Landform - Annie Bolander &
Juliana Johnson
How is a child like a canyon? They are similar in the way that they develop – slowly over time. This comparison can remind us that
children need and deserve patience from those helping them to grow. We will explore characteristics of Earth’s geological structures
and how they compare to the structure of a growing person. Annie holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Montessori
certification in early childhood. She has been teaching for eight years and loves it! Juliana holds a bachelor’s degree in Family Life with
an emphasis on Human Development. She recently completed Montessori certification in early childhood and loves working with
children at Dancing Moose Montessori School in South Jordan. (All)
5.
As the W orld Turns: Implementing an Integrated 3-year Continent Rotation Study Across
the Curriculum - Jennifer Spikner, MEd & Laurie M oreno, MArch
Learn how to integrate the cultural studies throughout all aspects of your curriculum. When you add richness and depth to your cultural
studies, your students will be excited about geography as they travel the world with you. You will leave this workshop with a toolkit for
6 making learning visible in your classroom. Jennifer Spikner holds AMS credentials in Elementary (6-12) and Administration. She has
been involved in Montessori education for fifteen years. Jennifer is the Head of School of Elizabeth Academy and is on the Faculty of
the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College. A 20- year veteran Montessorian, Laurie Moreno holds AMS credentials
at both the Early Childhood and Elementary Levels. Laurie currently teaches Lower Elementary students at Brookview School in Benton
Harbor, Michigan and is on the Faculty of the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College. (Lower Elementary)
6. Classroom Alive! - Stephanie Speicher, MEd
Classroom Alive! is an opportunity to experience building classroom communities in action. Participants will discover and participate in
an assortment of experiential activities to build and enhance class cohesion, trust, and problem-solving ability (especially during the
normalization period). This workshop will focus on ideas that span from early childhood to adolescent programs. The concepts of
experiential learning, interdisciplinary cohesion, and critical thinking will be discussed in relation to an “active” classroom. Activities will
be taught that focus on how to utilize what tools are already present within the school (i.e. minimal cost). Stephanie Speicher is the
Director at Maria Montessori Academy. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Sciences/Secondary Education from
Towson University and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine. At this time, she is
currently working on her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Utah State University. Areas of expertise include educational
methodology, outdoor/experiential education and mentoring new teachers. (All)
7. Building and Walking a Temporary Labyrinth - M. E. (Beth) Langley
Temporary Labyrinths are fun and easy to make. We’ll use a variety of materials to make several labyrinths. We’ll walk them and
discuss ways to incorporate labyrinth ceremonies and rituals in the class and school setting. We may even create a labyrinth for all the
conference participants to enjoy walking together at the end of the conference! M.E. (Beth) Langley has a BA from Columbia College, a
MEPI credential at the Primary Level, is a Veriditas trained labyrinth facilitator, and has a love of art—all things creative. Beth truly
enjoys sharing her love of labyrinths with anyone who is interested to know more and has presented at various conferences in the US,
Mexico, Canada, and Croatia for Montessori teachers, gardeners, art educators, and labyrinth enthusiasts. She has designed and
installed over a dozen permanent labyrinths. Recent installations are a Chartres-style medieval labyrinth at Christ Church Episcopal
School in Greenville, SC, and “Wisdom of the Heart” at Little Heart Montessori School in Zagreb, Croatia. (All)
8. Nurturing Visual Arts and Cultivating Creativity - Spramani Elaun
Join us to understand a visual arts program can integrate into your existing curriculum and the importance to creative discovery art
making for young children. Topics will include: how teachers can help shape a child’s creative development, how cultivating creativity is
st
key to 21 century success in becoming an innovator, what nurturing visual arts means and project planning framework that works with
all visual art making projects for the teacher. Spramani Elaun has home educated her children since birth. She has nurtured visual art
lessons to thousands of children in San Diego. She is a designer, mommy, homeschooler, art teacher, art supplier, author and founder
of Nature Arts for Kids, an Earth-friendly art supplier and art school. Learn about her book, Nurturing Children in the Visual Arts
Naturally at www.EcoKidsArt.com. (Infant, Toddler, Early Childhood, Lower Elementary)
9. Music You Can Touch - Stephanie Harper & Darlene Huntington
Music You Can Touch is a workshop that brings music into a non-intimidating form anyone can manage. With this step-by-step method
you and your students can understand and learn to read rhythms and the beginnings of note reading. Darlene Huntington has taught
violin, viola, cello, and piano for more than 40 years. She has written a violin method book which is in current use. She holds the patent
on Note Blocks. (All)
10. Science Fun at Every Level - Amy W arren
Come and experience hands-on science activities at the toddler, early childhood and elementary levels. Have fun and take away some
fresh ideas on what to put on your science shelf or how to plan for group activities for your classrooms. Amy Warren has been in
education for seven years, teaching at a variety of levels in California, Oregon and Utah. She holds an AMS credential in lower
elementary. She designed an extra-curricular science class which has been wildly popular for the past two years at Soaring Wings
International Montessori School in Park City. (Toddler, Early Childhood, Lower Elementary)
11. UM C Annual M eeting
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
th
for the agenda please contact Duna Strachan at [email protected] by January 15 . The general membership of the UMC
normally only meets once each year so if you have comments on building a better UMC please join us!
Just like the Whos down in Whoville, you have the power to spread the word about Montessori education!
7 UMC Annual Conference Registration
January 29 – 30, 2016
Westminster College, Salt Lake City
Registration includes appetizers Friday evening, continental breakfast, lunch and dessert Saturday.
Presenters attend free of charge.
Friday Events (please indicate how many will attend each event)
School Tours – 1:00 – 4:00pm
______Maria Montessori Academy – 2505 N 200 E, North Ogden mariamontessoriacademy.org
______Elizabeth Academy – 2870 Connor Street, Salt Lake City elizabethacademy.org
______American International School of Utah – 4998 S 360 W, Murray aisu.org
_______Munch and Mingle – 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Jewett Center, Westminster College
Round Table Discussions – 5:00 – 6:00 pm, Westminster College
_____Infant/Toddler Level: Bethany Shinault, Elizabeth Academy, Salt Lake City
_____Early Childhood Level: Lauren Bornschein, MEd, Montessori Community School, Salt Lake City
_____Lower Elementary Level: Piper Nuetzel, MEd, Elizabeth Academy, Salt Lake City
_____Upper Elementary Level: Aron Weiss, MEd, Elizabeth Academy, Salt Lake City
_____Middle School/High School Level: Marta Donohoe, MEd, Cincinnati
Saturday W orkshops
Name
Title
Session A
Session B
Session C
Diet Preference
Please print
As you wish it to
appear on your name
tag
Choose from
workshops 1 - 11
Choose from
workshops 1 - 11
Choose from
workshops 1 - 11
V = vegetarian
GF = gluten-free
DF = dairy-free
VN = vegan
NF = nut-free
P = Paleo
Please attach a separate sheet of paper to list additional participants.
School Name:
Phone:
Number attending full conference:
Number attending Friday only:
Number attending Saturday only:
Total enclosed
Mailing Address:
Email:
x $75 ($90 after November 13 t h ) = $
X $35 ( $50 after November 13 t h ) = $
X $65 ($80 after November 13 t h ) = $
$
Please make checks payable to UMC.
Large schools, please tally registrations and write one check to UMC.
To become a member of the UMC please download the membership application from www.utahmontessori.org. Membership is free and
entitles each school to a vote at general meetings, a membership certificate, eligibility for UMC certifications, publications and materials
that may become available and advance notice of events.
Please list anyone in your school who has been working in Montessori education for 20 years or longer for nomination to the
UMC Council of Elders:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name
Title
Years in Montessori
Due to our tight budgeting, which allows us to bring you a professional conference at very low rates we cannot
provide refunds.
Please mail registration and payment no later than December 11th to:
UMC
2083 Equestrian Ct
Park City, UT 84060
8