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Our Keynote Speaker

Embracing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Everyday Practice

Dr. Montessori wrote that “This is education, understood as a help to life; an education from birth, which feeds a peaceful revolution and unites all in a common aim, attracting them to a single center. Mothers, fathers, politicians: all must combine in their respect and help for this delicate work of formation…”. Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, p. 15

As we embark on The 2026 Montessori Experience: Refresher Courses & More!, we echo her words by recognizing the work of Montessorians is to balance this commitment by acknowledging and integrating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in our daily professional practices.

Paradise Point, a resort hotel in San Diego, is on a 44-acre island tucked away in gentle Mission Bay, minutes from the heart of downtown San Diego. Perfect for families, weddings, groups and conferences, this beach resort in San Diego features over 462 guest rooms, including everything from spacious suites to lanai patio and garden rooms.

Whether your pastime of choice is lounging by the pool, an exhilarating Jet Ski adventure, or a bike ride along the bay, this beach resort in San Diego offers a multitude of recreational activities for all ages.


Payment Plans Available!

MEx26 Schedule

FRIDAY SESSIONS
Time Session Speakers
8:30 – 6:30Registration
9:00 am
HRSJ-Human Rights and Social Justice
Open Space Available
9:00 – 11:45Consultants Session, Part 1 (by invitation only)Molly O'Shaughnessy & Lynne Lawrence
10:00 – 10:50
HRSJ
Welcome to the “Prepared Environment for the Inner Voice”
10:00 – 10:50Adennill Information Session (Administrators)Jessica Hayes, Missan Eido, Blair Neville
10:00 – 6:00Exhibit Hall OpenVarious Vendors
11:00 – 11:50Indigenous Presentation – KumeyaaySeth Dolton
12:00 – 1:20 World Café Kickoff performance by Andrew Kutt Lynne Lawrence, Kathleen Dzura, Susan Stephenson, MPPI Special Guest
1:30 – 3:00 Research - Presentations Paige Bray & Isabella Cai
1:30 – 2:45
HRSJ
Joyful Engagement: Reclaiming Play, Presence, and Possibility in Montessori Practice 		Lisa Thauvette
1:30 – 4:30Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI) AdvocacyDenise Monnier & Vyju Kadambi
2:00 – 4:00Consultants Session, Part 2 (by invitation only)Leveled Breakout Groups
3:00 – 4:30 Research - Poster Presentations Various Researchers TBD
3:00 – 4:15
HRSJ
Joyful Engagement: Reclaiming Play, Presence, and Possibility in Montessori Practice 		Lisa Thauvette
4:20 – 4:30
HRSJ
Journaling with Jessica Moore 		Jessica Moore
4:30 – 5:30 Black Montessori Education Fund (BMEF) & Montessori for Social Justice (MSJ) Information Session Meisha Perrin & Regina Dyson
6:15 – 7:50Opening General Session and Keynote AddressDr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow, Donna Hicks & Andrew Kutt
7:50 – 8:15Keynote Book SigningDonna Hicks
8:00 – 10:00 Montessori Moonlight Mixer Dance
SATURDAY SESSIONS
Time Session Speakers
7:30 – 8:30 Yoga Françoise Leger
7:30 – 8:45
HRSJ
Breakfast with a HRSJ Purpose
Strategic Partnerships: Montessori for Social Justice (MSJ) and the Black Montessori Education Fund (BMEF) BYOB- Bring Your Own Breakfast 		Regina Dyson & Kimberly Kendle Roberson
8:00 – 9:30Registration Open
8:00 – 5:00Exhibit Hall OpenVarious Vendors
9:00 – 4:30 Administrators – Protecting the Child, Holding the Adult: Montessori Leadership in Action Hannah Richardson & Kanetria Doolin
9:00 – 4:30 Assistants to Infancy Refresher – The Best for the Smallest: Heeding Montessori’s Call for Excellence in Our Work With Children From Birth to Three Erin Smith
9:00 – 4:30 Assistants to Infancy Caregiver – A Montessori Guide to the First Years: Nurturing the Child’s Natural Potential Ale Rosas
9:00 – 4:30 Primary Refresher– Spontaneous Reading: A Joyful Journey Gretchen Hall
9:00 – 4:30 Elementary Refresher-Our Common Home: Geography and the Interdependent Mindset in the Elementary Allan Nguyen
9:00 – 4:30 Adolescent Refresher – A Celebration of 30 Years of Adolescent Work: Where Have We Been? What Have We Accomplished? What Lies Ahead? John McNamara & Laurie Ewert-Krocker
9:00 – 4:30 Primary Math Workshop– The Power of the Pattern: Uncovering Your Innate Love of Math BethAnn Slater & Nia Seale
9:00 – 4:30 Elementary Workshop – Centering Climate Justice Within the Cosmic Story Judith Cunningham & Gabriel Forestieri
9:00 – 12:00 Neurodivergent Inclusion Workshop- Seeing Differently, Supporting Differently: Unlocking the Power of Possibility Paige Krabill
10:30 – 10:45
HRSJ
A Moment in the Sanctuary to Connect with your Inner Voice
12:45 – 1:25
HRSJ
Listening Circle ~ How do I make “Leading with Dignity” a part of my Journey? 		Kathy Minardi
1:30 – 4:30 Neurodivergent Autism Inclusion Workshop- Building Bridges-Autism Inclusion in Montessori Environments Melissa Droessler
4:35 – 4:55
HRSJ
Journaling with Jessica Moore 		Jessica Moore
5:00 – 6:30 Meet & Greet Fair Register here School Leaders and Training Centers
6:00
HRSJ
Listening Circle for the LGBTQ+ Community 		Stefan Linder & Jessica Moore
6:00 – 8:00 Black Montessori Education Fund (BMEF) & Montessori for Social Justice (MSJ) Social Meisha Perrin & Regina Dyson
6:30 – 8:30School Visits3 Participating Schools
SUNDAY SESSIONS
Time Session Speakers
7:30 – 8:30 Yoga Françoise Leger
8:00 – 8:45 Town Hall & Closing AMI/USA Leadership, Lynne Lawrence & Andrew Kutt
9:00 – 4:30 Administrators – Protecting the Child, Holding the Adult: Montessori Leadership in Action Hannah Richardson & Kanetria Doolin
9:00 – 4:30 Assistants to Infancy Refresher – The Best for the Smallest: Heeding Montessori’s Call for Excellence in Our Work With Children From Birth to Three Erin Smith
9:00 – 4:30 Assistants to Infancy Caregiver – A Montessori Guide to the First Years Ale Rosas
9:00 – 4:30 Primary Refresher– Spontaneous Reading: A Joyful Journey Gretchen Hall
9:00 – 4:30 Elementary Refresher-Our Common Home: Geography and the Interdependent Mindset in the Elementary Allan Nguyen
9:00 – 4:30 Adolescent Workshop – Revisiting the United Nations Rights of the Child With the Needs and Characteristics of Adolescents in Mind John McNamara, Laurie Ewert-Krocker
9:00 – 4:30 Primary Workshop– The Power of the Pattern: Uncovering Your Innate Love of Math BethAnn Slater & Nia Seale
9:00 – 4:30 Elementary Workshop – Centering Climate Justice Within the Cosmic Story Judith Cunningham & Gabriel Forestieri
9:00 – 12:00 Neurodivergent Inclusion Workshop- Seeing Differently, Supporting Differently: Unlocking the Power of Possibility Paige Krabill
1:30 – 4:30 Neurodivergent Autism Inclusion Workshop- Building Bridges-Autism Inclusion in Montessori Environments Melissa Droessler
10:30 – 10:45
HRSJ
A Moment in the Sanctuary ~ Inner Voice Check-in ~ What do I need to feel grounded at this moment?
12:45 – 1:25
HRSJ
Journaling with Jessica Moore ~ Closing Prompt 		Jessica Moore
4:35 – 5:00
HRSJ
Listening Circle ~ Becoming More Comfortable with ‘Discomfort’ in Courageous Conversations 		Kelly Jarrell

  • "I’m grateful there is an annual event where I can make meaningful connections with other AMI practitioners. Like Dr. Cuevas said, community is essential."

  • "What I LOVED about the Admin workshop is the collaboration. Having more opportunities for brainstorming, collaborating, connecting and supporting is always welcome."

  • "I had a great time. I appreciate all of the hard work, time, energy and love that went into creating the weekend. Thank you. The February time is the right time in my school year when I need a boost of creativity and energy to be the best Guide I can be. It always helps to be with fellow Montessori believers!"

  • "The sessions were wonderful, in particular the Student support and neurodiversity session. The overall feeling of the event was welcoming and energized! Eder’s keynote was a highlight."

  • "Not only did the sessions give us the opportunity to feel less alone we walked away with practical and actionable resources and ideas. Not only am I inspired, I gained knowledge and strategies that I can really (and will really) use."

We heard you.

We took your MEx25 survey responses to heart. Here’s what you can expect at The 2026 Montessori Experience.

“Please choose a venue/city in the Sunbelt with a major airport. Additionally, choose an area with a large concentration of Montessori schools.”

San Diego offers the perfect mix of accessibility, sunny weather, and a strong Montessori presence for our 2026 event.

“Please bring back the school tours.”

School tours are back this year—stay tuned for details!

“Discussing neurodiversity needs to be a continued topic as there is so much more to learn.”

Absolutely—this will be included again, along with workshops on trauma-informed practices. We agree that neurodiversity is an essential, ongoing conversation, and we’re committed to creating space for deeper learning in this area.

“It might help to have a rotation of lecturers to break up the main course. I think that it is time to rethink having two days with one trainer during the refresher course.”

This year, we’re incorporating a World Cafe-style offering on Friday and additional weekend workshop sessions beyond the refreshers, covering topics specifically requested by MEx25 attendees. The original refreshers will still be an option for those who prefer that format.

“The hotel was very expensive! It was a lovely stay, but I couldn't help but think how the cost might have been prohibitive for some people.”

This year’s hotel is not only more cost-effective, but its location also offers access to more direct and affordable flight options, helping reduce the overall cost of attendance.

Learn more