🗓 2025-06-09 – Weekly Montessori News & Trends: What You Missed!

:toolbox: Montessori Weekly Brief: June 3–9, 2025

From pivotal advancements in professional support and organizational transparency to localized school initiatives and significant policy shifts, here’s the most relevant Montessori industry news from the past week:

  1. :handshake: AMI/USA Launches New Teacher Mentoring Program
    The American Montessori International/USA (AMI/USA) officially launched a new mentorship program on June 3, 2025, specifically designed to support first-year Montessori teachers. This crucial initiative aims to provide essential guidance and resources, helping new educators successfully navigate the initial challenges of their teaching careers. By offering personalized support and fostering professional growth, the program seeks to enhance pedagogical skills and ensure the sustained quality of Montessori instruction. This proactive investment in new talent demonstrates a commitment to strengthening the foundation of the Montessori workforce.
    :date: Published: June 3, 2025
    :link: New Teacher Montessori Mentoring - Association Montessori International/USA

  2. :houses: Montessori School of Silicon Valley Fosters Strong Community Ties
    The Montessori School of Silicon Valley (MSOSV) demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement this week through various local updates. On June 3, Peak Ave Montessori highlighted its vibrant community events, including an engaging “Montessori in the Park” initiative. This was followed on June 4 by Cantera Hawthorne’s “Community Parent Spotlight” on the Day Family, emphasizing the vital role of parent partnerships in the school’s ecosystem. Concluding these local highlights, Cabrillo Montessori featured a “Staff Spotlight” on Ms. Alyssa on June 5, celebrating the dedication of its educators. These collective updates underscore MSOSV’s ongoing efforts to build a thriving, interconnected school community.
    :date: Published: June 3, 2025
    :link: https://msosv.com/2025/06/04/cantera-hawthorne-community-parent-spotlight-the-day-family/

  3. :bar_chart: American Montessori Society Releases Comprehensive 2025 Impact Report
    The American Montessori Society (AMS) officially released its 2025 Community Impact Report on June 6, 2025, providing a transparent overview of its significant contributions to the Montessori movement. This comprehensive publication details AMS’s activities and accomplishments from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and includes financial information from the previous fiscal year. The report is accessible to all members and stakeholders, reinforcing AMS’s pivotal role as a leading advocate and partner in expanding access to high-fidelity Montessori education worldwide. It also serves as a celebration of 65 years of the Montessori movement’s enduring legacy.
    :date: Published: June 6, 2025
    :link: AMS 2025 Letter & Community Impact Report

  4. :warning: Kingston City Schools Discontinues Public Montessori Program
    In a significant development for public Montessori education, the Kingston City School District’s Board of Education voted 8-1 on June 4, 2025, to discontinue the Montessori program at George Washington Elementary School, effective the 2025-2026 school year. The decision, reported on June 6, 2025, was primarily attributed to the high costs associated with specialized faculty, curriculum, materials, and consultants, which reportedly created “significant inequity among our schools”. This move highlights the ongoing financial and logistical challenges of integrating specialized programs within public school systems. The district has committed to working closely with affected families and staff to ensure a smooth transition.
    :date: Published: June 6, 2025
    :link: Montessori Program Update | District News Details


:hammer_and_wrench: Tools & Tips

  • :chart_increasing: DERS App and Training: Enhancing Classroom Observation and Improvement The Public Montessori in Action International (PMIAI) continues to offer and update resources for its DERS (Developmental Environmental Rating Scale) app, a valuable tool for systematic classroom observation and continuous improvement. As confirmed by updates in June 2025, DERS provides a structured approach for educators to identify, evaluate, and record classroom indicators that directly support child development. Available training courses, including certification and orientation, empower Montessori professionals to effectively utilize this iPad-only app for data-driven insights. This fosters a culture of ongoing quality enhancement in their prepared environments, aligning with professional, evidence-based educational practices.
    :link: Professional Learning - National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

:bulb: Fun Fact

Did you know that Maria Montessori, the visionary behind our educational method, was one of the very first female doctors in Italy? She achieved this monumental feat in 1896, graduating from the University of Rome with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Her groundbreaking accomplishment not only challenged prevailing gender stereotypes but also paved the way for women in higher education and professional fields. Her dedication, intellect, and early work with children with intellectual disabilities profoundly shaped her later educational theories, emphasizing observation and individualized learning.
:link: 10 Fascinating Facts About the Life of Maria Montessori | Montessori Parenting


:ear: We’d love to hear from you!

Have you participated in any Montessori events or utilized new Montessori tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.