Sarasota University

May Colloquium w/ Jonathan Wolff (FREE)
2023-05-17 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
How Appreciation, Celebration, and Encouragement Supports Learning and Transformation – in Children and Adults.

Current research in the fields of psychology, education, and leadership strongly suggest that learning communities – classrooms and schools – function better when there is a high level of expressed appreciation, celebration, acknowledgment, and encouragement – among students, staff, families, and school leaders. In this colloquia, Jonathan Wolff, international Montessori consultant and leadership coach will discuss the many wonderful forms positive feedback can take in the Montessori classroom and school community.

There is no fee to attend this event. Please register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcOmuqzksHtX-JeuDHy8o9xMCmnij4GjD
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

About Jonathan:

Jonathan is a consultant, trainer, speaker and author who infuses his work in leadership development with 30 years experience as an educator and administrator.
Jonathan provides retreats, workshops, and consultations, along with coaching for parents, educators, leaders, Boards of Directors, community organizations, and learning communities around the globe.
The best-practice leadership retreats and workshops he leads facilitate community building, strategic planning and improved organizational effectiveness.
After earning his B.A. degree in Secondary Education from Temple University, Jonathan began teaching at-risk youth in Philadelphia. Early in his career, he read several books on the Montessori philosophy and quickly recognized the power her work in human development had to effect transformation not only within the young child, but within adults as well. He went on to study with Mother Isabelle Eugenie, one of Dr. Montessori’s first students, earned his Early Childhood Credential through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and began his career as a Montessori educator at one of the first Head Start Montessori Centers in the United States.
Jonathan’s incisive ability to apply Dr. Montessori’s educational constructs to training adults led him to positions as a teacher trainer, as the director of education and training for various education and business organizations, and as the administrator for several nationally recognized schools. Thirty years in the field have provided him with solid first-hand experience in leading and managing rapidly growing for-profit and not-for-profit schools, education institutions and business organizations.
Today, the primary focus of his consulting practice is on leadership development – designing best practices and writing books and articles that enhance individual and organizational performance. His creative, interactive programs, his humorous and inspiring teaching style, and his deep insight into the needs of people and organizations are in demand by organizations around the world.

Summer Term Classes Begin
2023-05-02

April Colloquium w/ Ann Winkler (FREE)
2023-04-19 19:00 - 20:00
Join Ann Winkler on Wednesday, 4/19 at 7pm ET for a discussion of the role of Cosmic Education in the Montessori elementary classroom. We will examine how and why Cosmic Education is the foundation of the elementary curriculum. We’ll focus on the chart of interdependencies and the relationships and connections that are evident within it. We can see how these relationships can lead us to plan creative impressionistic lessons that meet the needs of our learners. Projects, collaborative learning and unit study development will be part of the discussion.
There is no fee to attend this event. Please register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcOmuqzksHtX-JeuDHy8o9xMCmnij4GjD
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About Ann Winkler
Ann has worked in Montessori education for over forty years. She began the journey when her children enrolled at the Barrie School in Maryland and she became the Registered Nurse there.
Ann has been the director and developer of CGMS Elementary since inception and has been a residential instructor at every residency since 2009. As the owner of Beach Park School in Tampa, Florida, Ann taught the EL 2 (9-12) level, and continues now as Director of Education at the school. Ann holds a Montessori credential in Primary (3–6) and Elementary (6-12) through AMS. She has an R.N. degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Masters in Education.
Ann enjoys making Montessori materials and books in her spare time.

Graduate Program Information Session
2023-04-13 20:00 - 21:00
Sarasota University, a true Montessori-focused institution of higher education, is reshaping the direction of Montessori higher education. We invite you join us on April 13 at 8pm ET to find out about the school’s Masters programs designed for Montessori Educators!

Our Director of College, Dr. Robin Howe, will lead the meeting and discuss:

The history of Sarasota University.

Our current program offerings and how to pick the best one for you based on your current position and future goals.

What strengths-based learning is, and how we incorporate this philosophy into our curriculum to ensure each student has the opportunity to develop their skills based on their own strengths.

Our faculty and staff, who bring research, experience, and passion into the virtual classroom.

The application process and the next steps on enrolling.

To register for the info session, register HERE!
You will receive an email with additional information. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don’t receive a message.
Questions? Please reach out to info@sarasotauniversity.edu!

FREE Montessori Colloquium
2023-03-15 19:00 - 20:00
We are excited to share that Ms. Lorna McGrath will be the month of March’s speaker for the Sarasota University Montessori Colloquium on March 15th @7PM EDT. Lorna McGrath, M.Ed. is the Program Director for the Montessori Family Alliance at the Montessori Foundation as well as the host of the Montessori Family Life Webinar Series. She creates online courses for parents and teachers and presents workshops in North America and Asia.

Lorna has been in the field of education since 1974. She has taught children from 18 months through 6 years old and from 12 through 18 years old in both public and independent schools. She holds an AMS Early Childhood teacher credential as well as RIE Infant certification and INCAF Parenting Instructor Certification.
Lorna has spent many years as an adult educator, working with Montessori teachers in Training.

Her latest accomplishment is as a co-author with Tim Seldin in their recently published book – Montessori for Every Family: a practical guide to living, loving, and learning.

During this month’s discussion, Ms. Lorna will be addressing three Important topics for adults working with children at home or at school – 1. A “go-to” place for reliable information concerning relationships with children, 2. A Montessori-inspired environment for children, and 3. A reference book for all ages.

During this discussion, attendees will get a compressed version of each which will include the following:

The Montessori Family Alliance – resources you can count on,
Refocusing Power Struggles – building respectful relationships,
Montessori for Every Family: a practical parenting guide for living, loving, and learning – a book for home life during the parenting years.

This is a great discussion for parents, teachers, and administrators. I would strongly suggest sharing this with your school communities as a possible way to learn more about Montessori and how to implement Montessori practices outside of the classroom as well as inside the classroom.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcOmuqzksHtX-JeuDHy8o9xMCmnij4GjD

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Spring Term 2 Classes Begin!
2023-02-28

Spring Term 1 Classes Begin!
2023-01-03
