April 20, 2010 — The final stop of the We the Peacemakers tour was at Children’s Garden Montessori School, a toddler and early childhood program in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. This school provides care for around ninety students age 18 months to 6 years during the academic year in half-day and full-day programs.

While discussing my visit with Head of School Kathryn Ross, she suggested recording an interview about peace with the staff as a whole group. I am very grateful to the thirteen teachers and administrators at Children’s Garden for taking part in a group interview following a busy day of teaching. (On school picture day, no less!) This group of educators is truly generous, gracious and, as the interview reveals, passionate and articulate about Montessori.  What resulted was an amazing conversation about how everyday life in a Montessori classroom teaches peace.

We the Peacemakers strives to celebrate innovation and best practices in Montessori. Though not the main topic of the interview, Children’s Garden Montessori School is taking a unique approach to art education.  Over a number of years, Children’s Garden has been working to incorporate the Reggio Emilia approach to arts into the fabric of the school. There is an art studio known as Zach’s Place in the center of the school where children may visit to make art throughout the Montessori work cycle. A full-time art teacher guides and instructs in the studio.

To learn much, much more about this innovation you can read Head of School Kathryn Ross’s thesis on the topic. Her thesis, “Montessori and Reggio Together: Exploring Possibilities,” was awarded first place in the American Montessori Society’s 2010 Master’s Thesis Award. Congratulations! Here is a link to the full-text thesis and a link to the American Montessori Society’s Thesis and Dissertation Award page.