The key to introducing the principles of the Montessori Method as a parent or caregiver is to first prepare oneself and their environment. Join this session to learn more about how you can introduce Montessori principles into your home and create a mindset and environment to aid your child's development. Shawn Edwards from ToolHows will be sharing her years of parenting and teaching experiences and strategies with parents and caregivers who attend this session. Learn practical tips, engaging activities, and discover the joy of incorporating Montessori principles into your home and daily parenting routine.

Shawn Edwards has been teaching and leading Montessori schools for over three decades. She is a Positive Discipline trainer and holds a master's degree in Transformational Leadership and Coaching.

She is currently the Head of School at Mariposa Montessori School in Austin, Texas and is the founder of ToolHows – "How To" tools for parents and schools. Shawn loves working with parents and educators. She is the mother of three and grandmother of two.

Join us for an enlightening parenting class that delves into the fascinating world of Montessori Sensitive Periods. Led by Heather Pratt-White, this session aims to empower parents with a deep understanding of the critical developmental phases their children undergo. Learn how to recognize and support your child during these sensitive periods, and foster an environment that nurtures their growth, independence, and a lifelong love for learning.

Heather White, Ed.S., M.Ed., NCSP, is a Montessori educational consultant and content creator. She guides classroom educators, administrators, parents, and caregivers to better understand the Montessori Method in an effort to continue utilizing its wonder in their work with children. 

Heather is a Content Creator for many Montessori organizations including the American Montessori Society (AMS), Guide & Grow, and Mirus Toys, and a Montessori educator for adult learners through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS). She volunteers as an administrator and is a Facebook Manager for the Montessori at Home (0 to 3 Years) Facebook group. Formerly, she was a Montessori guide (Early Childhood 3-6 and Elementary I 6-9) and assistant (Elementary II 9-12), Lower Elementary Coordinator, and Associate Head of School for Lake Mary Montessori Academy for more than 12 years. She also has worked as a Montessori nanny and in-home educator for toddlers and has experience as a School Psychologist intern. 

Heather is AMS credentialed (Early Childhood, Elementary I), holds her National Certification of School Psychology (NCSP), and has also obtained a Masters in Education with a Concentration in Montessori Studies in addition to her School Psychology degree. You can contact Heather at hpratt@stetson.edu.

Tailored for Montessori parents and caregivers, this session offers practical tools and insights to overcome common parenting challenges while fostering a healthy home dynamic. Join us for an enriching experience where you'll gain applicable strategies inspired by Montessori principles, empowering you to nurture a harmonious and thriving family life. Our speaker, Dolores Vazquez, will be sharing her parenting tools and answering your questions. 

Dolores was introduced to the Montessori community at thirteen through volunteering, where she quickly discovered a passion for this educational approach. Despite not experiencing Montessori as a child, the impact was profound. After pursuing psychology and education, Dolores worked as an assistant at Kendall Montessori in Miami Florida, setting the stage for a transformative journey.

In 1996, she chose to pursue Montessori training over a psychology master's. The year-long course deepened her love for the method. With her AMI diploma in 1998, she became a guide at Kendall Montessori later relocating to Houston in 1999. She found solace at Northwood Montessori, where her children thrived. In 2006, she joined Northwood as a guide and, in 2009, took on administrative responsibilities. Through her years as a guide and school administrator. She has helped both students and parents in her community find a love for learning through Montessori education. 

For Dolores, every day is a privilege to contribute to something she believes can make a difference in the world.