Montessori pedagogy places a large emphasis on becoming the “Prepared Adult.” Montessorians are expected to undergo physical, intellectual, and spiritual preparation for their role as classroom guides, supporting children along their journeys to make the world a better place. The spiritual preparation urges Montessori educators to connect with their hearts, finding deep meaning in themselves in order to cultivate this same sense of meaning and peace within their classrooms.

For Montessorians who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), however, this practice may sometimes feel particularly challenging in situations within which they feel misunderstood, misrepresented, or disconnected.

The Montessorians of Color (MoC) Affinity Group was designed to amplify the work and lives of Montessorians of Color. It is a critically conscious virtual gathering where Montessorians who identify as BIPOC come together in a place where their voices and experiences are centered.

According to Candy Proctor, facilitator of MoC Affinity Group, the group was originally designed to serve “as a place for BIPOC Montessorians to connect with one another, celebrating and affirming our individual and collective identities, reflecting on our lived experiences within our classrooms and schools, providing on-going social, emotional, and intellectual support, and identifying and sharing anti-bias/anti-racist resources.”

Proctor is happy to say that in the 2 ½ years since the MoC Affinity Group was founded, they have accomplished their original goals and so much more! The group provides a space where members can celebrate their successes and work through their challenges. Proctor passionately states:

The value in having the group is in sending a message to the Montessori community as a whole that AMS sees each member as an individual. Having a space that honors such an important part of our identities assures that our lived experiences are not erased by platitudes like “I don’t see color;” and our desire for a racially just world isn’t minimized by those who believe it can be found over a lotus flower on a peace table. Our AMS-backed affinity space gives us room to honor and celebrate how much our Montessori practices reflect our identities.

Their group includes teachers, school owners and leaders, teacher educators, and educational consultants from all over the world who enjoy and appreciate the sense of community and support they receive from one another. Proctor shares, “More than all our professional roles, we are a community of cheerleaders and supporters, innovators and creators, allies and interrogators… We are a community that cares deeply for one another and our collective impact on the greater Montessori community.” Proctor and other members share a passion and commitment to the intimate community they have created. In fact, one of the group’s members, Courtney Davis, remarks that the support she receives from the group represents true connections where one can be seen and appreciated for their true self.

BIPOC Montessorians are invited to join Proctor and the rest of the group members as the MoC Affinity Group continues to grow and thrive. Proctor notes that the group’s plan for the future is “rooted in our shared commitment to maintaining a safe, authentic space filled with uncompromising compassion, fierce support for our community members, and a dedication to using our voices and presence to infuse diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice into the tapestry that is Montessori.” BIPOC Montessorians are welcomed to join the space, to “have their identities and any intersections of their identities affirmed, [to] listen, [to] learn, [to] seek and offer support, and [to] know that AMS sees them and appreciates what they bring to Montessori as a whole, especially as we offer the same to our children.”

The AMS Montessorians of Color Affinity Group allows BIPOC to experience personal and professional affirmation and support as they develop meaningful connections with other Montessorians. The type of support members offer one another in finding the deep personal meaning that embodies spiritual preparation is crucial. After all, as Maria Montessori (2007, 6) said, “We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are a part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”

AMS Affinity Groups

If you are interested in joining this inspirational community, please register or email AffinityGroups@amshq.org. The group respectfully requests that this space be reserved for people of color.

Register

About the Author

Heather White, EdS, is a Montessori in-home teacher and nanny, a Montessori educational consultant for the Andrew’s Institute, a Montessori educator for adult learners, and a volunteer moderator for the Montessori at Home 0 – 3 Facebook page. Formerly, she was a Montessori teacher, Lower Elementary coordinator, and associate head of school. She also has experience as a School Psychologist intern. She is AMS credentialed (Early Childhood, Elementary I). Contact her at hpratt@stetson.edu.

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The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.