Press & Publications
On Saturday, January 28, 2012, The Institute of Montessori Education welcomed the legendary Ella Jenkins to its annual Montessori New Year's Conference at St. John the Divine Church in River Oaks. Educators from across Texas including Austin, San Antonio and Dallas joined TIME for a weekend of inspiration. Jenkins, the best-selling artist in the history of the Smithsonian Folkways label, shared the power of words through music and singing. She performed classics like "Did You Feed My Cow?," "Miss Mary Mack," and dozens more, including songs from her new 29th album, "A Life of Song." Conference participants felt the Ella Jenkins' experience live as she turned everyone in the audience into a performer.
Munir Shivji and Kathryn Miller from TIME also organized a choir for Jenkins represented by students from local Montessori schools including, The Innovative School, Smaller Scholars, Sherwood Forest, Garden Oaks Elementary, Armand Bayou Montessori and First Steps. Students sang Jenkins' 1966 celebrated recording of "You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song", the same song that was placed in the National Recording Registry by The Library of Congress. At age 87, the "First Lady of Children's Music," still beautifully brought out everyone's inner child, leaving the audience with laughter and excitement.
Photos by: Gary Fountain
The Institute of Montessori Education was pleased to sponsor a two-day workshop with Dr. Jane Nelsen, author of the many Positive Discipline Book series this weekend June 11 and 12, 2011. Workshop participants spent hours brainstorming, role playing, discussing, documenting, writing and learning how to facilitate and teach parenting the positive discipline way workshops. Everyone laughed, networked, played, learned and experienced a well planned and organized session by Dr. Jane Nelsen. What a wonderful weekend.
City, group celebrate launch of new Montessori magazine
Posted by Michael Golden
March 17, 2010 01:10 PM
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Photo submitted: Kemny Kim / LastNightPics.com
From a press release:
The City of Houston honored the launch of Houston-based Montessori FOCUS, the new magazine of The Institute of Montessori Education (TIME), by naming February 4th Montessori FOCUS Day. TIME celebrated with a stylish Red Carpet Affair party that treated guests to a four-star celebrity experience.
According to TIME's Executive Director Munir Shivji, "Montessori FOCUS will increase awareness and understanding of the Montessori approach to education, and demonstrate in action why Montessori students are more competent, responsible and self-motivated."
The Party
Photo submitted: Kemny Kim / LastNightPics.com
Over 300 guests arrived at 7 pm for The Red Carpet Affair party at the Historic Heights Theater. My Fairytale Events transformed the location into an Oscars-like gala event - complete with red carpet, velvet ropes and limousines - where every guest could feel like a star. A giant sculpture of old-style Hollywood movie equipment greeted the guests as they were ushered toward a logo wall, where a pack of paparazzi clamored for their photos. Afterward, guests noshed on wine and hors d'oeuvres courtesy of George's Farm to Market, while a DJ and live band filled the air with classic tunes. Those guests who could pull themselves from the dance floor browsed through two full aisles of silent auction items and admired the talents of a captivating belly dancer.
Photo submitted: Kemny Kim / LastNightPics.com
Munir Shivji (Executive Director of the Institute of Montessori Education), speaks during the party
Mr. Shivji welcomed the guests with a heartfelt speech thanking those who support the Montessori approach to education and introducing his out-of-town guests. Special guests to the Houston event included two dignitaries from the American Montessori Society headquarters in New York: Marie Conti M.Ed., Senior Director of School Accreditation and Member Programs, and Marcy Krever, AMS Director of Communication and Marketing. Additional VIPs included Marie Dugan, 2009 AMS Living Legacy; Betsy Coe, 2008 AMS Living Legacy; Kathy Roemer Ph.D., AMS Vice President; Heidi Larson M.Ed., AMS Teacher's Section Chair and Board Member; and Marge Ellison, AMS Head's Section Chair and Board. The Kid's Directory and Houston Family Magazine also attended to show their support.
The magazine
TIME launched the quarterly Montessori FOCUS with the mission of illustrating why the evidence-based Montessori approach to education offers an unparalleled learning experience to students. Designed to be an innovative and cutting-edge resource for parents, Mr. Dhivji explained, "Montessori FOCUS will offer information, guidance and tips to parents demonstrating the value of Montessori education in raising independent, morally aware leaders of tomorrow, not to mention lifelong learners."
Montessori education follows the philosophy of Dr. Montessori's Four Planes of Development. The launch party featured an inspiration presentation on this concept created by Montessori Country Day School, First Steps Montessori School, Smaller Scholars Montessori School, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Riverbend Montessori School, St. Stephen's Episcopal School, School of the Woods and Houston Montessori Center.
The Luncheon
The following day (Friday, February 5th), TIME hosted a leadership forum called Sound Box Luncheon to further celebrate the launch and first edition of Montessori FOCUS. The luncheon assembled high-level Montessori representatives, leaders of Montessori organizations and parents to share ideas and discuss forward-looking current thoughts and perspectives on Montessori education. For more info, please visit www.montessoriedu.org.
On February 4, 2010, The Institute of Montessori Education launched its new publication, Montessori Focus Magazine, at the Historic Heights Theatre in Houston, Texas. The Institute is pleased to share that Houston's Mayor Annise Parker and The City of Houston proclaimed February 4th as Montessori Focus Magazine Day--a recognition that all Montessorians can be proud of!
We would like to extend our warm gratitude toward Betsy Coe (Houston Montessori Center); Carolyn Edgar and Marcia Sureau (Riverbend Montessori School); Marge Ellison (Montessori Country Day School); Suzanne Jennete Gusemano (First Steps Montessori); Sherry Herron (School of the Woods); Janet Mathews (St. Andrew’s Episcopal School); Noreen Martin (Smaller Scholars Montessori); and Betty Sierra (St. Stephen’s Episcopal School) for helping us develop the Four Planes of Development Presentation.
The magazine launch has been published in many social community periodicals and newsletters; including Papercity, Absolutely in the Loop, Kid's Directory, Houston Family, Mikel Newsletter, American Montessori Society's March/April 2010 newsletter and other fine publications. TIME has also been requested to appear on a special TV segment in April 2010. Details about this will be shared on a later date.
More information about The Red Carpet Affair can be found inside March's Montessori Scoop.
On February 5, 2010, local Montessorians were treated to our Sound Box Luncheon--the first event in our Montessori Leadership Forum series--with panelists from across the United States including: Amy Henderson, Betsy Coe Ph.D., Heidi Larson M.Ed., Kathy Roemer Ph.D., Marcy Krever, Marie Conti M.Ed., and Marie Dugan.
More information about the Montessori Leadership Forum can be found insideMarch's Montessori Scoop.
Testimonials about the Forum:
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“The Leadership Forum was a wonderful event! I so enjoyed the opportunity to hear from national and local experts on the panel. The lunch was great and the table discussions stimulating. I can’t wait for the next one!” “I just wanted to comment and tell you how much I enjoyed the Leadership Forum! What a great format and so informative! Kudos to you all.” “What a source of knowledge for Houston area Montessorians! I appreciated the panel sharing their insight and personal experiences with the audience. Thank you TIME for putting on such an informative luncheon.” “On Friday February 5, I attended the Montessori Leadership Forum and I was honored to be surround by people who are so passionate about children and also honored to be a part of an historical moment. I thought the forum was informative but I wish it could have lasted longer and there had been more time to take questions.” “As Head of School, with time constraints, I tend to get caught up in school management and miss some of the current thoughts and trends in Montessori administration. The Leadership Forum sponsored by The Institute of Montessori Education offered more valuable information than I imagined could be presented in such a short time. The forum was composed of knowledgeable and well spoken leaders in Montessori. The moderator introduced timely and well asked questions that related to the group’s interests. Well done! I would be delighted to attend more forums presented by T.I.M.E.” “I attended the Montessori Leadership Forum Luncheon this morning. I am enriched and inspired!! Thank you T.I.M.E. for the thought and time that went into today’s presentation.” |
On January 30, 2010, Munir Shivji and Kathryn Miller visited Riddle Street Montessori School, a new Montessori school in McKinney, Texas. Head of School, Dr. Bhooma Srinivasan requested TIME to create a presentation for families and teachers on Brain Development and Montessori. The presentation highlighted current brain research, learning, taking care of the brain, Dr. Montessori's four planes of development, process of normalization and fundamentals of a prepared environment. A detailed description of the presentation outline will be highlighted in March's SCOOP for Heads!
"That was a wonderful seminar on Saturday. For a neuroscientist, it was a homecoming experience..... Although most Montessorian’s know the methodology, it is always good to revisit the basics. I really enjoyed the presentation."
Dr. Bhooma Srinivasan - President, Riddle Street Montessori School
Pictures courtesy of Riddle Street Montessori.
Munir Shivji and Kathryn Miller
Munir Shivji, Dr. Bhooma Srinivasan and Kathryn Miller
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Munir Shivji, Executive Director
The Institute of Montessori Education
munirshivji@aol.com
www.montessoriedu.org
Current Research proves Century old Educational Pedagogy remains Upfront and Advanced
Hollywood style, Velvet Rope, Launch of a new Magazine, Montessori FOCUS!
Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman physician in Italy, opened a school in January of 1907, in the slums of Rome, to test new theories she had about children’s learning and development. More than a century later, psychology studies indicate that her educational theories were ahead of her time. Current research reveals that science is finally catching up with Dr. Maria Montessori and is now providing astounding support for her groundbreaking insights.
The Institute of Montessori Education (TIME) is launching a new magazine – Montessori FOCUS to proliferate its methodology to families and illustrate why this evidence-based education is the premier type of education necessary for all students. Montessori FOCUS Magazine -- a new, cutting edge, innovative resource-- will allow parents to understand why Montessori students are more competent, independent, responsible, self motivated, morally aware, lifelong learners, and socially responsible leaders of tomorrow.
On February 4, 2010, The Institute of Montessori Education will host The Red Carpet Affair, a Hollywood, velvet rope style celebration of the first edition at the historical Heights Theater at 339 W. 19th Street, Houston. The launch will feature a presentation on Dr. Montessori's Four Planes of Development, put together by the following schools and organizations: Montessori Country Day School, First Steps Montessori School, Smaller Scholars Montessori School, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Riverbend Montessori School, St. Stephen's Episcopal School, School of the Woods and Houston Montessori Center.
VIP guests will be brought to the event by limousines, greeted by paparazzi, fans and media! Guests will enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres, sponsored by Georgia’s Farm to Market, as well as take home a swag bag with a special inaugural edition of Montessori FOCUS! Our promotional partner, Mikel Marketing LLC, and two local family oriented publications, The Kid’s Directory and Houston Family Magazine are media sponsors of the event.
Special guests from the American Montessori Society, Headquarters in New York include Marie Conti M.Ed., Senior Director of School Accreditation and Member Programs and Marcy Krever, AMS Director of Communication and Marketing. Other out of town guests include, Marie Dugan, 2009 AMS Living Legacy, Kathy Roemer Ph.D., AMS Vice President and Heidi Larson M.Ed., AMS Teacher’s Section Chair and Board Member.
In addition, TIME has organized a Montessori Leadership Forum Luncheon on Friday, February 5th at 11:30am, hosted by First Steps Montessori School, located at 2450 River Oaks Blvd, Houston. This “Sound Box Luncheon” seeks to be a catalyst for action on topics that foster the achievement of Montessori development. This event is a unique opportunity for parents, heads from various educational institutions and Montessori representatives to engage in stimulating, forward looking, dialogue on and to shape current thoughts and perspectives of Montessori Education.
ABOUT TIME – TIME was established to support the Montessori community, specifically educators, parents, schools and organizations. We are a community that shares knowledge and best practices among its members, and outreaches with the mainstream. We offer a wide array of services and have a staff of highly skilled and experienced professionals in the Montessori discipline. For more information visit our website www.montessoriedu.org.
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Former Houston school head launches initiative
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Houston-based Montessori educator Munir Shivji has launched an initiative that promises both strong regional support for Montessori education and a national presence.
Shivji, who formerly headed Houston’s Innovative Montessori School, has started The Institute of Montessori Education (TIME), which reaches out to representatives from more than 200 Montessori schools in the Houston area, offering assistants training, workshops, social events, The Scoop (a monthly electronic newsletter for educators and heads of schools), and, beginning in February, Montessori Focus, a national magazine.
Shivji said he plans to open an online discussion forum in early 2010 and launch Montessori Focus on Feb. 4.
TIME provides support for educators, parents and early childhood schools and organizations with a focus on encouraging and using research.
“A major focus is parenting, educating families,” he said. “There are 236 Montessori schools in the Houston area, but only 25 are affiliated with a Montessori organization.”
Montessori Focus, he said, will highlight “best practices in Montessori classrooms and at home—whole family development.”
Shivji started Innovative Montessori School in 1996. “In January we sold the school and put our energies into establishing the Institute” he said. “It’s been underway for two years. We’ve recruited some staff. It’s a group that focuses on quality continuing education and collecting best practices. There’s not another organization that does that.”
Shivji has received strong support from the Houston Montessori Center, especially from Katherine Miller, who writes an advice column for the online newsletter.
“The Montessori community is growing here in Texas. We are looking at conferences, areas where parents get together. Montessori is a huge topic of interest.” He said he has received requests to help organize similar groups in Austin and Dallas.
“We are looking for people who would like to contribute to the magazine, to the Scoop. Teachers, in general, have great ideas,” he said.
INFO: http://montessoriedu.org
An annual subscription for four issues of Montessori Focus will be $20.
All my Montessorians - Now Put your Hands Up!!
October 17, 2009
Garden Grove, California
The staff of The Institute of Montessori Education honored the faculty, board and staff of the American Montessori Society by creating and performing our version of Beyonce's HIT song, Single Ladies. It is called, All my Montessorians, now put your hands up!
Kathryn Miller, Marge Ellison, Munir Shivji
& Shelli Caldwell
With AMS 2010 Living Legacy Judy Bauerlein,
Munir Shivji, Kathryn Miller & Shelli Caldwell
