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Maria Montessori spoke about the child as both a hope and a promise for humanity. She said, “Everyone talks about peace, but no one educates for peace. People educate for competition and this is the beginning of any war. When we educate to cooperate and be in solidarity with one another, that day we will be educating for peace.”
World events in the past few years have highlighted how Montessori’s words still ring true for us today. As administrators and educators dedicated to Montessori education—an education for peace—we hold both a hope for the future and a promise to all children in our schools and early learning centres: to work together in solidarity, to work in cooperation rather than competition, and to care for our environment as well as the individuals within it.
The 2024 MSCA Grassroots Conference aims to unpack the meaning of what Montessori described as an Education for Peace and what is required of us, including our preparation as adults. Maria Montessori’s vision for education might feel unachievable and lofty, but as Montessorians, there’s nothing more worthwhile than this. After all, Dr Montessori herself said, “Education is the best weapon for peace.”
As we review the abstracts received so far, we would like to invite ***FINAL SUBMISSIONS*** by midday this Friday, May 3rd, based on themes related or adjacent to peace education, global citizenship, and restorative practice.
Congratulations to Julia Hilson, Director of Training for 0-3 at Sydney Montessori Training Centre (SMTC), who has been elected to the board of AMI.
Julia commenced studies toward her 3–6 AMI Diploma in London in 1985. In the years following, she established and ran classes in the UK and Australia. She completed her 6–12 Diploma in Bergamo, Italy, and her 0-3 AMI Diploma in Australia; she was an EsF pioneer, having attended the first Educateurs sans Frontières gathering at Città di Castello in 1999. Julia also holds a Bachelor in Education and a Masters in Educational Practice.
She is an AMI Scientific Pedagogy Group member, an International Examiner for AMI and a 0–6 Montessori Mentor. She lives on the Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, where she supports the Montessori programs across the Islands and Aboriginal Community in between her training commitments.
Kath, a pioneer Montessori teacher in Australia and revered Directress, passed away in early April. Trained by Pat Hilson, she excelled in nurturing young minds at ISMS, Cameragal, and Elizabeth MacArthur School. Known for her humility and dedication, Kath’s career began in public education before she embarked on Montessori teaching. After her initial training at SMTC in 1983-84, she enriched lives at Inner City Montessori and as the beloved Directress of the Pademelons at Cameragal Montessori School. She later sought serenity in Menangle, continuing her passion at Maria Montessori School. Kath’s classrooms were havens of calm and engagement, embodying the essence of Montessori education. Her legacy as a transformative educator endures in the hearts of many.
Thanks to Jenny Williams and Fiona Campbell for sharing information about Kath’s dedicated Montessori career.
Dr. Michael James Dorer, a luminary in Montessori education, passed away in February at 76. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Michael’s Montessori journey began unexpectedly in 1969, leading to a profound career spanning over 45 years. A master storyteller, Michael authored several influential works, such as “The Deep Well of Time: The Transformative Influence of Storytelling in Education” (2016), “Hatching the Cosmic Egg” (2019), and “Grammar Tells a Story” (2022). His leadership in the American Montessori Society and his commitment to the principles of peace and justice have left a lasting impact on educators and students worldwide. Michael’s legacy continues to inspire through every story and lesson taught in the Montessori community.
MSCA is the Australian Affiliated Society for the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
