Professional learning is an essential part of who we are at Wilmington Montessori School. As a fully accredited Montessori school, WMS prioritizes ongoing professional development for our teachers and administrators, providing opportunities to deepen their practice, reflect on their work and stay connected to the broader Montessori community.
In March, WMS faculty and staff traveled together to Washington, D.C., to attend The Montessori Event, the American Montessori Society’s annual conference and one of the largest gatherings of Montessori educators in the world.
The day began with a high-energy keynote from speaker and musician Clint Pulver, who combined music and storytelling to explore the impact educators can have when they recognize and nurture each child’s unique strengths. Drawing from his own childhood, Pulver shared how an educator reframed a quality others had considered “annoying” as a strength — ultimately helping set him on a path that shaped his future. His message resonated strongly with our Montessori approach to seeing, knowing and supporting each child as an individual.
Throughout the conference, WMS faculty and staff selected sessions based on their roles and interests, exploring topics ranging from curriculum, child development and communication to inclusive practices, neurodiversity and Montessori principles such as the human tendencies. The experience offered practical strategies to bring back to WMS while also providing time to exchange ideas with Montessori educators from across the country.
One WMS staff member reflected on the experience:
“From hearing Clint Pulver rock out on a drum set during the keynote to sessions on branding, inclusive holiday practices and supporting neurodivergent learners, I walked away with new ideas and a fresh perspective.”
Across roles — from classroom teachers to administrative staff — our team returned to WMS with new ideas, questions and perspectives to inform their work with students, families and one another.
Opportunities like The Montessori Event are an important part of WMS’s commitment to continuous learning. By investing in the growth of our educators, we strengthen our classrooms and deepen the Montessori experiences we provide for our students.
We are grateful to the WMS families, board members, alumni, alumni families and other community members whose generous support made it possible for our entire team to participate. Their investment in our educators is ultimately an investment in every child at WMS.