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Inspiring new thinking about education and the nature of childhood. Any false or misleading information will be removed from our page.

10/27/2026

Thinking about a career in Montessori? Listen to those who have walked the path.

We asked our graduates who should enroll at Montessori Northwest, and their stories highlight the power of a supportive community and high-quality training. Whether you are already working in early childhood or looking for a brand new career path, our AMI programs provide the tools you need to thrive.

Our 2026 blended training allows you to balance your current life with your future goals. Start online this May and gain the compassion and skill needed to become an educator of the highest quality.

✨ 0-3 Infant & Toddler Program: Starts May 13, 2027 with Elise Arevalo
✨ 3-6 Primary Program: Starts May 2027 with Sarah Werner Andrews
✨ 6-12 Elementary Program: Starts April 2027 with Ellen Lebitz

Learn more: https://montessori-nw.org/teacher-preparation

10/26/2026

How do we weave historical context, artistic expression, and anti-bias principles into children's literature?

Continuing our ABAR book recommendation series, we are featuring the timeless, award-winning classic Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold.

Set in Harlem in 1939, eight-year-old Cassie dreams of soaring above the city from her apartment rooftop. As she flies over the George Washington Bridge, she "claims" the city for her family, transforming systemic limitations into a vision of freedom and empowerment. Ringgold’s iconic story quilting technique brings the narrative to life with warmth, texture, and deep cultural pride.

✨ Educational & ABAR Value:
✔️ Identity & Justice Framework: Supports Dr. Louise Derman-Sparks' Anti-Bias Education goals by framing historical realities through themes of agency, justice, and family strength.
✔️ Interdisciplinary Learning: Connects storytelling, fine art (story quilts), social studies, and geography seamlessly within a Montessori prepared environment.
✔️ Cultivates Empathy & Resilience: Invites children to reflect on community, dignity, and overcoming obstacles together.

Building a classroom library that acts as both a mirror and a window requires intentionality. Share this post with an educator or parent looking to expand their diverse literature collection!

We have many ways to support you in this work. Check out our workshops and events for both online and in person events at Montessori Northwest:

https://montessori-nw.org/workshops-events

10/25/2026

"The teacher, in this first period, before concentration has shown itself, must be like the flame which heartens all by its warmth, enlivens and invites." — Dr. Maria Montessori

Creating a calm, focused classroom doesn't happen by accident—it begins with the warmth, posture, and invitation of the guide.

At Montessori Northwest, our Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) training gives you the tools to meet children right where they are. Learn how to design a prepared environment that draws children in, handle normalized classroom transitions with grace, and cultivate deep concentration from the ground up.

✨ Why Train with Montessori Northwest?
✔️ Internationally recognized AMI credential trusted worldwide.
✔️ Deep grounding in child psychology, emotional environment, and material presentation.
✔️ Flexible Blended training options tailored to your life.

Save this post for your career journey, and discover how to ignite young minds: https://montessori-nw.org/teacher-preparation

10/24/2026

How do we guide 6–12 learners from concrete sensory exploration of shape to abstract geometric proof? It all comes down to the depth of our equivalence presentations.

Join Montessori Northwest for a specialized professional development session designed to expand your math practice: 6–12 Zoom In...Further Work with Equivalence.

Facilitated by experienced AMI 6–12 Trainer Ellen Lebitz, this 2-hour interactive workshop focuses on equivalence materials beyond the divided squares—helping you guide students toward deep spatial understanding and preparation for area formulas.

✨ Key Session Focus Areas:
✔️ Deep-dive review of varied equivalence polygons (triangles, rhombi, trapezoids, pentagons, and decagons).
✔️ Practical walk-through of materials exploring the Theorems of Pythagoras and Euclid.
✔️ Master key presentation patterns, language, and "points of interest" that spark student-led exploration.

🗓️ When: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST
📍 Where: Live Online (Zoom)
🎓 Credit: 2 ORO Hours (Learning Environments and Curriculum)
🎟️ Investment: $75

Tag a fellow 6–12 Elementary guide who loves geometry, and register today:
https://montessori-nw.org/workshops-events #6-12-zoom

10/23/2026

Generation Alpha elementary learners bring adolescent topics, complex language, and big social questions into our classrooms every day. But how do we respond in ways that build critical thinking rather than just "shutting things down"?

Join Britt Hawthorne live at Montessori Northwest for an elementary-focused Foundations of Justice workshop! Whether you're new to ABAR or seeking a deeper refresher, you'll walk away with actionable strategies for storytelling, conflict resolution, and inclusive routines.

Workshop Details:
🗓️ Date: Sunday, 12/06/2026

🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST

📍 Location: Live In-Person at Montessori Northwest

💵 Cost: $199

🎓 Clock Hours / Credits: 6 WA School Age Core Competencies Hours (Racial Equity, Families & Communities, Learning Environment)

Save this post to keep these ABAR strategies in mind, and register to join us in person: https://montessori-nw.org/workshops-events -6-12

10/22/2026

What are the long-term developmental effects of a Montessori education?

The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Research Thread on the Effects of Montessori Education on Development brings together peer-reviewed research tracking student outcomes across multiple age groups.

The findings show that children in high-fidelity Montessori programs consistently demonstrate stronger executive function, enhanced social problem-solving skills, and sustained intrinsic motivation compared to traditional education models.

✨ Key Findings Summarized:
✔️ Executive Functioning: Elevated performance in focus, task switching, and self-regulation.
✔️ Social Maturity: Greater empathy, collaborative problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
✔️ Academic Readiness: Equivalent or superior academic achievements without reliance on standardized testing.

Save this post to share with parents and colleagues, and read the complete AMI Research Thread here: https://montessori-ami.org/resource-library/research-thread/effects-montessori-education-development

Learn to guide child-led development with scientific precision at Montessori Northwest: https://montessori-nw.org/teacher-preparation

10/21/2026

Slow down today. Every deliberate gesture, soft word, and precise movement serves as a model for the developing child. Practice grace in your physical presence.

Find more inspiration at our Continuing Education Events curated with our community in mind. We have a wide spectrum of workshops this year. Whether you are new to Montessori or have many years of experience we hope to see you soon.

👉 Learn more about our upcoming events here:
https://montessori-nw.org/workshops-events

10/20/2026

Can you train to be a teacher without hitting pause on your life? The answer is yes. We caught up with Lauren, a Montessori Northwest graduate, to ask who should take the leap into AMI training.

She shared that the program is perfect for anyone with a heart for children, and that the format made it possible to continue with normal life while gaining high-level professional skills.

If you’ve been dreaming of a career that offers more purpose and joy, our blended 2026 programs are designed for you.

🗓️ 0-3 Infant/Toddler Program: Starts May 13, 2027
🗓️ 3-6 Early Childhood Program: Starts May 2027
🗓️ 6-12 Elementary Program: Starts April 27, 2027

Both programs offer the gold standard in Montessori preparation with the flexibility you need.

Learn more and join our next cohort: https://montessori-nw.org/teacher-preparation

10/19/2026

How do we weave cultural appreciation, music, and joyful diversity into our early childhood environments?

Continuing our ABAR book recommendation series, we are featuring the delightful, rhythmic picture book Jazz Baby by Carole Boston Weatherford.

This story celebrates the natural inclination of infants and young children to move, clap, and dance to music. With bouncy, syncopated rhymes and expressive art, Jazz Baby introduces young learners to the roots of jazz while celebrating family warmth and multi-generational connection.

✨ Educational & ABAR Value:
✔️ Identity & Cultural Joy: Aligns with Anti-Bias Education goals by offering authentic, joyful representation of Black families and musical heritage.
✔️ Auditory & Language Development: Syncopated rhyme structures enhance phonological awareness, rhythm comprehension, and vocabulary in early learners.
✔️ Encourages Movement & Expression: Supports the Montessori principle of purposeful movement by inviting children to clap, sway, and explore musical rhythm physically.

Creating an inclusive prepared environment means ensuring our books reflect joy, culture, and community. Share this post with a parent or teacher looking to add rhythm and representation to their library!

Discover how we integrate equity and culture into early childhood preparation at Montessori Northwest:
https://montessori-nw.org/workshops-events

10/18/2026

"Through concentration, important qualities of character develop." — Dr. Maria Montessori

Have you ever watched a child completely lost in meaningful work? That deep concentration is where character, confidence, and critical thinking take root.

Guiding children toward this state of flow requires more than good intentions—it requires specialized, research-backed training. At Montessori Northwest, our Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teacher preparation equips you with the exact strategies needed to foster sustained focus, independent problem-solving, and emotional growth in young learners.

✨ Why Train with Montessori Northwest?
✔️ Earn a globally recognized AMI certification.
✔️ Learn to design environments that naturally encourage long focus cycles.
✔️ Gain hands-on practice with dedicated faculty mentorship

Save this post for your career planning, and take the first step toward becoming an AMI guide: https://montessori-nw.org/teacher-preparation

Address

610 SW Alder Street Suite 721
Portland, OR
97214

Website

http://www.montessori-nw.org/

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