How It Works
First, My Approach
There is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ Montessori anything. By letting go of ideals of perfection while simultaneously tapping into the foundations of the Montessori approach, guides can learn to trust themselves in being able to adapt and refine their Montessori practices anywhere.
I love working with Montessori teachers and staff, watching the process unfold as they find their own Montessori strengths in their work with the children and each other. Through a process of observing, listening and reflecting, I provide customized guidance and coaching based on my experiences in a range of socioeconomic and cultural Montessori settings. I have worked extensively with staff with very little English. I have collaborated with teams on Montessori in a range of religious, cultural, and social contexts, and tapping into the transcultural, human-centered work of Montessori.
Whether it means creating a mini-training to address specific Montessori practices, strategizing about classroom management methods, sharing resources and ideas, or adapting materials to the local context, my deep commitment is to high-fidelity Montessori practice applied with flexibility and adaptability.
Modalities and Structure
I offer on-site support anywhere, as well as remote support.
Once we have discussed your needs and decided upon the mode of support (on-site, remote, or both) we will put together a plan outlining the tasks and needs to be focused on, and general desired outcomes.
We’ll put together a contract outlining the fee structure and schedule.
Regarding fees: It is very important to me that support be accessible and affordable for anyone anywhere. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your situation, even if you are concerned about a limited budget.
On-Site Support Options
When a Montessori program needs more than a workshop but less than a new staff member…
I offer long-term on-site coaching and support for up to two months at a time, whether a Montessori program is emerging or established, under-resourced or well-resourced.
Being on-site for extended time makes it possible for me to deeply observe, to understand culture and style and rhythm, and to work alongside teachers and staff to fortify a Montessori program. Follow-up visits can also be helpful for maintaining progress, or follow-up can also be done remotely.
On-site Support Structure
Requirements:
- Transportation, lodging, and visa fees (if applicable). (I am a US citizen and have EU permanent residency and work permit.)
- Fees can be a monthly or weekly flat fee. Fees are negotiated and reasonable, varying according to circumstances.
For more information, please contact me.
When an on-site visit is not possible, or for follow-up work after an on-site visit…
Remote Support Options
If an on-site visit is not viable, remote support can substitute as an extremely flexible mode of coaching. It can mean holding brainstorming sessions with teachers or administrators, or meeting with teachers to discuss challenges and specific Montessori topics. Classroom observations, room configurations and design, and planning sessions also can all be done remotely.
Regular conferrals and sharing can be very helpful in getting an objective opinion, both for newly emerging schools that are still designing their programs, as well as established schools that need a fresh outside perspective.
Follow-up to an On-site Visit After an on-site visit, there can be a need for follow-up work to continue supporting staff or administration to build on the work done during the visit. A remote support plan can be put in place for this process for conferring, strategizing, offering additional training and resource support, and following up on progress.
Remote Support Structure Options
- “Retainer” option: a flat monthly or weekly fee that includes scheduled accessibility via phone calls, video chats, or emails. Fees are negotiated according to circumstances and expectations.
- “Hourly” option: an hourly fee covers phone calls, video chats, and time spent on emails or other written work (ie, assessments, reports, materials development, etc)
For more information, please contact me.