President's Message: October 7th, 2008

Dear Members,

Having spent a most exhilarating and yet exhausting summer retreat with fellow Montessorians in Toronto, I must confess that it left me feeling more inspired and energized than going into the gathering. The following MSC Board Member’s schedules permitted them to participate this time around: Riza Weinstein, Leigh Remington, Marty Collins, France Carisse, Laurie Wilson Forbes and Felix Bednarski who also graciously hosted us at Humberside Montessori School. We were also graced with the presence of Canadian Trainers, Sandra Girlato and Eduardo Cuevas and Trainer in Training at the Primary level, Lynn Woodward.

The goal of the gathering was to create communication and dialogue around the new AMI Strategic Plan and in particular the National Affiliates Guidelines. We also wanted to seek ways that we could develop and streamline a more supportive working relationship between our groups that would further develop the underlying strength and integrity that lies inherent in our Montessori work for the child.

Over the course of the two days it became apparent that this was indeed a special historic moment in time. As we collaboratively brainstormed over twenty sheets and generated ideas, we also looked at our strengths, weaknesses and threats as organizations. The Call to Action is to really create some positive change for future generations of children, Montessori practitioners and parents. We hope we can count on you to help us in this campaign of Self-Improvement. We have never lost site of the strong AMI principles and standards that form the foundation of our work but we are now shifting the lens somewhat to shine on other important issues that Dr. Montessori held dear to her heart: Child Advocacy, Social Reform and Peace Initiatives. All of us can work together on these issues in a united way because they touch on fundamental vital needs at the core of our work.

Following up on this meeting two wonderful initiatives have come to light. One is the AMI approval for an Assistance to Infancy summer Course to be held in Vancouver at MTC-BC and the possibility of the Elementary Summer training to be held in Toronto over the next three summers! This is indeed wonderful news for the AMI Montessori Community. Please spread the word to all who might be interested in taking the courses and have them get in contact with the Training Centre for further information.

We hope you will ask others to join us in this movement and start a Canadian Campaign for the Child by supporting us through membership in the Society. Membership in AMI is and always has been open to everyone. Support our Conferences, workshops, seminars and fundraisers! The momentum felt at the Centenary Conference in Ottawa will only be magnified by our national conference for March 13-15, 2009 in Vancouver. Our Second Language Workshop promises to be a not to be missed event as well. We have opened it up to Administrators, Heads of Schools, Assistants, and Montessori staff to hear from experts in the field and you, the expert in the class. Details are outlined elsewhere on our site. Spaces are limited so register early!

Another aspect of the visit to Toronto that made it very special was a guided tour of the Foundation for Montessori Education. It is definitely a must see destination. The serenity, care, precision, order and beauty in this environment says volumes in an unspoken way. You just feel it as you enter. It was inspiring to just see all the creative ways to display the materials and bring in a sense of culture into the environment. Our Training Centres are the centre of our work here in Canada. Let’s be sure to support them!

We should all be aware of the Pilot Project that is being conducted in BC with an exemption from the Community Care Facilities Licensing Branch of the Ministry of Health in which 28 children are permitted to work with two adults. The Project is for five years and is currently in its third year of operation. It is a unique intergenerational programme, housed in a seniors residence. We need to share more news of such programmes for this is Child Advocacy at the grassroots level. Perhaps if other municipal and provincial governments were aware that others were taking a chance to try different models we would meet with more success overall.

As we embark on a new academic year I wish you a joyful journey with the students and parents in your midst. Remember that it is the journey that counts and not the destination. As Montessori said it is the process and not the product. Enjoy that journey and also take time for your own space and time outside the class. We often forget to take care of ourselves in the process of caring for others.

Warm regards,
Beth Mackay

President

Montessori Society of Canada