Ginni Sackett joins the Voices in Montessori podcast to discuss the important of meeting each child without expectations that they conform to a particular profile for success. (And then doing the same for ourselves and our classrooms!) She reminds us that Montessori method was designed for the child that doesn't necessarily "fit the mold." We must allow ourselves to break free of what the "ideal" Montessori child, Guide, and classroom "should" look like, to actually meet the children where they are. Yet focusing on the needs and interests of each particular child, as well as the group as a whole, can sometimes be a creative challenge for the Montessori Guide. Ginni shares guidance from her long career as a Montessori Guide, trainer, and consultant.

A culture of self-driven work among Elementary students doesn't emerge spontaneously. It needs to be carefully cultivated and maintained by the adults in the classroom. This takes intentional planning and effort, especially at the beginning of the school year. And the culture must be defended vigorously.

Jamie Rue joins the Voices in Montessori podcast to talk about ways to establish the expectations to support the cultivation of a strong work culture in the Elementary environment.

Andrée Rolfe joins the Voices in Montessori podcast to share what she has come to understand to be essential truths about successful inclusion based on her 50 years of experience as a special educator and 13 years of experience as a Montessorian. Andrée suggests that rather than thinking of these guidelines as new set of “tools for your toolbox,” they are better viewed as broader beliefs that inform what you do and how you do it. In other words, these guidelines enable the adult to transform in a way that enables us to serve more children well.