Montessori Elementary Teachers

Join us later this month with the delightful and brilliant Anna Rinaldi Discenzo!

What a Wednesday! We enjoyed a lovely boat ride along the Mississippi River. What a treat to learn so much about this significant body of water— and with the very best company!

Our afternoon session led by Gina Polly Applegate filled us with so many ideas and tools to support young writers! Thank you, Gina!

As AMI-EAA gathers in the Twin Cities to deepen our practice, we’re also committed to supporting the community that is welcoming us.

Today’s churros came from Habanero Tacos in St. Paul, generously donated by Sunny Hollow Montessori. Habanero Tacos is one of many cherished local businesses impacted by the recent ICE enforcement surge, and we’re honored to support them as part of our conference.

Thank you, Sunny Hollow Montessori , and thank you, Habanero Tacos , for this delicious reminder that community is strengthened through acts of care and solidarity. ❤️

A joyful, inspiring and nature-filled first full day at the AMI-EAA SC in St. Paul, Minnesota!

A HUGE thank you to Sunny Hollow Montessori for hosting our breakfast and morning session. We LOVED your beautiful space! Justine McGee’s presentation on maps left us inspired and full of specific ideas for our classrooms.

Throughout the day, we enjoyed stunning views of the Mighty Mississippi. The early afternoon gave us an opportunity for lots of hands-on work. The late afternoon was our level sharing sessions which are always a hit— plenty of camaraderie and practical advice!

The late night hours provided another crafting opportunity with silk screening! So fun to see all the different items people brought in from home to use! Thank you to Becca Peters for all of your crafting expertise throughout the day!

Life is good in Minnesota!

AMI-EAA Summer Conference fun has begun! And we are thrilled to have our largest summer conference turnout since Covid!

Everyone is registered, settled in, and had a fabulous time getting to know each other during Human Bingo at our opening event!

We are so ready to be in community and to enjoy all that beautiful Minnesota has to offer!

Looking for meaningful books to share with your lower and upper elementary children this Juneteenth? We’ve gathered a few recommendations to help spark learning, reflection, and important conversations in your community.

What do you recommend?!

From First Words to Great Stories: Creativity, Imagination, and Human Development in Montessori

The 2027 Montessori Advanced Studies Conference explores creativity as a vital force in human development.

AMI-EAA is honored to welcome Angus Fletcher as our keynote speaker. A Professor of Story Science at The Ohio State University, Fletcher is a leading voice in the study of creativity, imagination, and human flourishing. Drawing from neuroscience, literature, and psychology, his work challenges conventional views of intelligence and offers new insights into how human beings learn, adapt, and create.

Central to Fletcher’s work is the concept of Primal Intelligence—the uniquely human capacity to use imagination, story, emotion, and curiosity to navigate an uncertain world. Unlike artificial intelligence, which relies on prediction and existing patterns, primal intelligence enables people to envision possibilities, create meaning, and innovate. Fletcher argues that these capacities can be nurtured and developed throughout life.

This perspective resonates deeply with Montessori education. Dr. Montessori understood that children are active constructors of knowledge, driven by an innate desire to explore, imagine, and understand their world. Across the planes of development, creativity emerges as a fundamental aspect of human growth.
Throughout this conference, we will examine how creativity unfolds across the first two planes of development and how Montessori environments cultivate imagination, empathy, storytelling, collaboration, innovation, and meaning-making. Together, we will explore creativity not simply as artistic expression, but as a foundational human capacity that empowers children and adults alike to respond thoughtfully, adapt courageously, and contribute purposefully to the world.

In an age increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, this work invites us to recommit to what is most profoundly human: the ability to imagine what could be, connect through story, and create a future that has never existed before.

More of our awesome lineup of presenters at this year’s summer conference!

Have you been hoping to get your students better acquainted with maps? Justina Megee will make that wish come true!

Follow the QR code to our website for details and registration!