The Montessori Event has always been the largest gathering of Montessori minds in the world. Beginning in 1962, the annual conference has brought together the Montessori community to grow, learn, and network for many years.

Like so many of their fellow Montessorians, the faculty of Tuskawilla Montessori Academy (TMA) has attended the event year after year, relishing in the memories they make and the knowledge they gain. They value the experience so much, in fact, that they have sent at least one of their faculty members every year since 1987!

When asked about their longstanding history with attending the annual event, Ansley DeLaney, TMA’s director of culture and events, shared, “We’ve been attending for so long, it’s become a tradition that we all look forward to!”

Whether they are attending for the very first time or have been going year after year, TMA teachers find TME to be an enriching and exciting experience. They remark on the inspirational nature of workshops and presentations that allow them to engage with new ideas, methodologies, and stories. Although one might believe that there is not much new to see (or hear) for veteran Montessorians who have attended TME in the past, Ansley disagrees. When asked about the value of regular attendance at the conference, she shared, “Attending regularly offers insights into changes and developments within the Montessori approach, helping our administration and teachers adapt our practices to meet the evolving needs of the students. Education is an evolving field and we continue to use the conference as a way to provide our teachers with ongoing professional development.”

The pursuit of continued education is highly valued at TMA. They encourage their teachers to attend conferences each year to extend their learning. The school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) sponsors one teacher each year in their pursuit of professional development, making attendance at larger conferences like TME accessible to all staff.

For TMA faculty members, the experience extends beyond learning and networking with other Montessori professionals, though. They enjoy exploring new cities, visiting landmarks, and seeing other Montessori schools across the country. In fact, they have even begun bringing their spouses and children along, making family trips out of the conferences! As they enjoy quality time spent together with their family exploring new cities, the experience of TME extends beyond the learning that takes place in the workshop–it becomes a memory to cherish for years to come.

In fact, one of the memories that stuck out in the minds of many folks at TMA was the Montessori conference in New York City post 9/11. The group had a firefighter named Mickey as their guide on a tour of the Twin Towers Memorial. During the tour, Mickey mentioned his retirement party was that night and invited them to come join in the celebration—so they did! They all remember what a great night they had celebrating Mickey, hearing his amazing stories surrounding all of his years spent in the Marines and serving for the police and fire departments. They say Mickey was a truly unforgettable man and that was a truly unforgettable night! It is memories like this that remind us that TME is much more than just a conference–it is truly an experience.

TMA encourages other schools, teachers, and administrators to attend TME to enrich their own educational practices, build community with peers from around the country, and offer a platform for continuous education for their teachers. As Ansley notes, “This allows us all to contribute to the advocacy and promotion of Montessori education! Engaging in these events strengthens our collective voice, promoting awareness and understanding of Montessori.”

Register now to join TMA and other Montessorians from all over the globe in March as we continue growing, learning, networking, exploring, and making memories together!

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Be sure to visit The Montessori Event 2025 page to learn more and secure your place online or in-person!