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.
A look at what’s coming…
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 – 9:00 | Beach Cleanup | |
| 9:00 – 11:45 | Consultants Session, Part 1 (by invitation only) | Molly O'Shaughnessy & Lynne Lawrence |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Adennill Information Session (Administrators) | Jessica Hayes, Missan Eido, Blair Neville |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Indigenous Presentation– Kumeyaay | Seth Dolton |
| 12:00 – 1:30 | World Café | Lynne Lawrence & More! |
| 1:00 – 4:30 | Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI) Advocacy | Denise Monnier & Vyju Kadambi |
| 1:30 – 4:30 | Human Rights & Social Justice (HRSJ)– Voices for Children: Crafting Impactful Montessori Talks for Change | Lisa Thauvette |
| 1:30 – 3:00 | Research- Presentations | Various Researchers TBD |
| 2:00 – 4:00 | Consultants Session, Part 2 (by invitation only) | Leveled Breakout Groups |
| 3:00 – 4:30 | Research- Poster Presentations | Various Researchers TBD |
| 4:30 – 5:30 | Black Montessori Education Fund (BMEF) & Montessori for Social Justice (MSJ) Information Session | Meisha Perrin & Regina Dyson |
| 6:15 – 6:45 | Opening: Welcome & Performance | Dr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow & Andrew Kutt |
| 6:45 – 7:45 | Keynote | Donna Hicks |
| 7:45 – 8:00 | Keynote Q&A | Donna Hicks |
| 8:15 – 9:00 | Book Signing | Donna Hicks |
| 8:00 – 10:00 | Montessori Moonlight Mixer | Dance |
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:30 | Yoga | Françoise Leger |
| 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 Assistants Workshop | Zoe Paul |
| 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 | TBD |
| 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 |
| 1:30 – 4:30 | Neurodivergent Autism Inclusion Workshop- Building Bridges-Autism Inclusion in Montessori Environments | Melissa Droessler |
| 5:00 – 6:00 | Meet & Greet Fair Registration info coming soon | School Leaders and Training Centers |
| 6:00 – 8:00 | Black Montessori Education Fund (BMEF) & Montessori for Social Justice (MSJ) Social | Meisha Perrin & Regina Dyson |
| 6:30 – 8:30 | School Visits | 4 Participating Schools |
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:30 | Yoga | Françoise Leger |
| 8:00 – 8:45 | Town Hall & Closing | AMI/USA Leadership & Lynne Lawrence |
| 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 Assistants Workshop | Zoe Paul |
| 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 | TBD |
| 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 |
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.
