"Building Back Better" presented by Mary Flewelling-Pinchen

BUILDING BACK BETTER

While much progress has been made on the COVID front, there is still uncertainty in the air as September approaches.    This has only increased the level of stress that many Montessori guides feel at this time of year.  While there will always be a few surprises along the way,  being - and feeling prepared is the key factor in helping your students settle and thrive in the classroom.

This workshop will prompt Montessori guides to think about the significance of human needs and tendencies as they prepare the Children’s House environment for the beginning of a new school year.    Elements that provide a warm and welcoming ambience to soothe first-day jitters will be reviewed.   Strategies for maintaining engagement while the necessary protocols and routines that support normalization are established will also be examined.   Time for questions will be offered and participants will receive a handout that includes fingerplays, songs and  stories that are sure to charm away fears.  If you have any uncertainty as to how well prepared you are for the first, critical weeks of school, then this workshop is for you!

MARY FLEWELLING-PINCHEN

Mary is a long-time Canadian A.M.I. primary directress, speaker and the author of “At Home in the Montessori Children’s House” – volumes 1 & 2. She earned her A.M.I. primary diploma in 1984 at the Toronto Montessori Institute under the direction of Renilde Montessori.   After sharing her days with delightful and inspiring children since 1980,  Mary has now stepped away from her classroom duties.   She continues to support Montessori education by providing consulting services and professional development opportunities to schools and teachers.

Mary has been a regular attendee and presenter at many Montessori events during the past 15 years.  Mary also acted as the program director for the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers.  In that role, she worked to provide excellent professional development opportunities for Canadian Montessori educators.  Other highlights in Mary’s career include attendance at two A.M.I. international congresses (Portland -2013), (Prague -2017), and time spent establishing a new Montessori primary class in Chengdu, China (2014).  Mary  had the opportunity to provide in-person training to prospective Montessori teachers in the Philippines and Vietnam  in 2019.   This work continues online providing Mary with fresh inspiration for the future growth of Montessori education.

Mary is a passionate advocate for Montessori education and is committed to supporting Montessori educators, parents and organizations all around the world in their transformative work.