Letter from the IMC Executive Director By Kathy Leitch

Dear IMC Members...

As you receive this issue of Montessori Leadership, many of you will be preparing for and looking forward to spring break. Spring in the northern hemisphere represents new life and an opportunity for fresh perspectives. This is the time to consider how we, our staff, students, and families are doing. It is a season of commitment and recommitment. Re-enrollment and staff contract renewals represent families and staff members’ commitment to continue with our schools. Commitment is a living partnership.

Now is the time to re-evaluate our leadership practices and priorities, our commitment to renewal, and to continued professional development. In this issue, you will find thought-provoking articles that inspire our commitment, purpose, and passion. Noteworthy is Charlie Biggs’ article which challenges us to Flip our organizational charts! What does our current hierarchy reflect about our values? As we say at IMC, we “a circle of equals”. Reading Christine Lapierre’s and Bonnie Caldwell’s thoughts on Implementing Servant-Leadership in a Montessori School enhances understanding of our own “inner teacher.” Both of these articles may encourage a new perspective on aligning your leadership practices with your Montessori values.

Kelly Johnson provides a philosophical and practical roadmap for developing Creativity, Ecological Intelligence, and Cultivating the Cosmic Task at Home and School. In her article, Johnson reminds us that Montessori is essentially “systemsbased and ecologically literate.” She provides us with practical steps for nurturing Ecological Intelligence and Cognitive Creativity through Montessori’s interdisciplinary cosmic curriculum. Montessori illuminated our understanding of children’s imagination and curiosity; Johnson helps us make the connections necessary to expand our students’ understanding of the world in which they live.

As I write this letter, Andrew Kutt, IMC Board Secretary, and I are attending AMIUSA’s “The Montessori Experience” Conference in Orlando, FL. I thank Dr. Ayize Sabater for inviting IMC to celebrate AMIUSA’s 50th anniversary. I was honored to attend and appreciated the sessions on climate change, creative expression, and working with parents. I enjoyed the many conversations, connections, and happy to-be-together opportunities throughout the weekend.

Tim Seldin (President Montessori foundation), Kathy Leitch (ED IMC) and Munir Shivji(ED AMS) Andrew Kutt (IMC Board member), Dr Ayize Sabater (AMI ED), Kathy Leitch (IMC ED)

By joining AMS’ “The Montessori Event” Conference in Nashville, TN, the Montessori Foundation was happy to exhibit and support Montessorians around the country. We were honored to sponsor the Springtime Fancy.

In the spirit of collaboration and unity, many Montessori Organizations are working together to create a soon-to-bereleased statement, An Open Address and Collective Position Statement on Critical Race Theory. We intend to make clear our values and provide support to schools and educators so that “Teaching with Historial Integrity” (Acker, 2021) becomes the norm.

In closing, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to the first group of graduates with the International Montessori Council (IMC), Vietnam Montessori Advisory Training (VMAT), and Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) Early Childhood Credential. The adult learners’ and instructors’ persistence throughout the pandemic challenges is inspiring! Congratulations to all!

I invite you to share your thoughts and insights about the articles in this issue. Please feel free to email me at kathyleitch@ montessori.org.

In service to the Montessori community,

Kathy Leitch, Executive Director International Montessori Council