Friday Afternoon Keynote: 4:30-6:00 PM

Dee Coulter: "Montessori's Special Gift for our Technological Age"

AMS and Missouri Continuing Education Credit Available

We will reflect on how brilliantly the Montessori Approach helps children cultivate calmness, concentration and impulse control. But in the tech driven age, children must also learn to cope with increasing distractions, resist overstimulation and avoid addiction to tech devices. We will explore how the Montessori approach can rise to this new challenge as well.

Saturday Morning Keynote: 8:15-9:15 AM

P. Donohue Shortridge: “The Purpose of our Work”

AMS and Missouri Continuing Education Credit Available

Dr. Montessori’s revolutionary education philosophy resonates now just as it did in her day, thus it is vital that we anchor her visionary message to the daily practices in the prepared environment and beyond. In this keynote, “The Purpose of Our Work” we’ll return to her message as a hope and inspiration for the work we do on behalf of the children and families we serve.

Saturday Afternoon Keynote: 3:10-4:25 PM

Frank Leto: “Method to Music”

and reception entertainment

AMS and Missouri Continuing Education Credit Available

Frank shares his popular handcrafted approach to music education. Through an ongoing series of interactive songs, echoes and rhythmic exercises, children develop a foundation in music. This curriculum is designed for non-musicians with hope of returning to their classrooms with a new sense of confidence with which to enrich the children’s musical environments.