Newton Montessori School Teachers to Present at National Conference on Saturday

Newton, MA – Three of Newton Montessori School’s faculty members were selected to present at the annual American Montessori Society (AMS) national conference to be held this week in San Diego, CA. Rebecca Alukonis of Waltham, Krissy Canastar of Hopkinton, and Ruth Clifford of Norwood will speak to an audience of Montessori professionals from around the country.

The teachers developed presentations based on topics that prove significant in their day-to-day work in the classroom. They educate children at Newton Montessori School (NMS), a progressive independent school located in Newton Centre.

Rebecca Alukonis specializes in Montessori education for toddlers and serves as Beginners Division Leader at NMS. She and Megan Pentz, former NMS teacher and current Head of School at Snowdrop Montessori, will deliver a presentation titled “Creative Movement for Toddlers” on Saturday, March 11. Alukonis and Pentz invite conference attendees to discover creative movement activities that will meet students’ motor needs; the activities are “inexpensive, easy to make, and integrated across several curricular areas” including Language, Art, and Sensorial. At times, students’ unmet motor needs may manifest as undesirable behavior toward other students or staff. Alukonis and Pentz will address movement-based strategies “to redirect undesirable behaviors such as hitting and kicking.”

Also on March 11, NMS faculty members Krissy Canastar and Ruth Clifford will discuss “Strategies for Teaching Race, Gender, Class, and Difference.” Krissy Canastar is Diversity Coordinator and Primary Drama Specialist at NMS, and Ruth Clifford teaches in the Upper Elementary classroom. Their presentation will “offer ways to navigate children’s observations and create an inclusive, appreciative, respectful classroom culture.”

Clifford says this is the message that she and Canastar hope will resonate with attendees: “It’s important to have conversations about difference in your classroom with children of any age. A good way to foster these conversations is with stories like the ones we’re presenting. We want to encourage children to have multiple stories.” (Clifford is referencing the Ted Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “The Danger of a Single Story,” about the consequences of any assumption that people of one place or culture are all static, or the same). Clifford says, “We want kids to know that other stories exist beside their own.”

For NMS teachers who present at the AMS conference, the trip is made possible by the school’s Annual Fund, which is generated by the donations of families, staff, and friends of the school. This year funds made it possible for one additional staff member to attend alongside Alukonis, Canastar, and Clifford. Priya Venkateswaran, a Primary teacher at Newton Montessori School, wrote the essay that was selected from a pool of applications by NMS teachers.

All four NMS staff members will benefit from meeting and listening to other Montessori professionals, and are sure to bring back stimulating ideas and conversation to share with their colleagues. This exchange of ideas is a process familiar to the school; NMS teachers Ashley Epstein and Katie Quann recently presented at a regional conference organized by the Montessori Schools of Massachusetts (MSM), and they will share their presentations with their colleagues this Friday on Professional Development Day.

The school has found that an investment in professional development helps teachers to grow and gain fresh perspective throughout their careers, as they constantly learn new ways to provide children the best possible education. For this reason, the school invests $500 in each employee’s professional development annually.

NMS staff members congratulate their colleagues and wish them the best of luck on their presentations this weekend.

About Newton Montessori School (NMS)

Newton Montessori School (www.newtonmontessori.org), is an independent, coeducational school serving over 175 families and 210 children ages 15 months through grade 6. It comprises a dynamic community of learners, where a diverse group of children, families, faculty and staff are united by their common goal of empowering children to explore, learn and grow.

Rooted in Montessori philosophy and supported by experiential learning, NMS exhibits a deep respect for the individuality of each child and a strong belief in their potential. The Montessori classroom provides the foundation for learning, while enhanced learning opportunities and specials—from music and Spanish to art and design lab—supplement the learning experience. This whole-child, individualized approach to learning, combined with a close-knit community, forms the basis for student success. NMS is proud to be celebrating its 10th year educating children and serving families in the Greater Boston area.

About American Montessori Society (AMS)

The American Montessori Society (https://amshq.org) is the foremost advocate for quality Montessori education, an innovative, child-centered approach to learning. AMS sets the high professional standards that inform Montessori education as practiced in AMS-accredited schools and taught in AMS-affiliated teacher education programs.

A not-for-profit organization based in New York City, with nearly 13,000 members worldwide, AMS is also a hub of all things Montessori: an information center for its members, the media, and the public; a voice in the public policy arena; and a mobilizing force for the global Montessori community, through support services, research, and professional development events.

For all coverage requests, please contact Newton Montessori School Director of Marketing, Enrollment and Parent Engagement, Mason Sand at mason.sand@newtonmontessori.org.