9th Annual Treasure Valley Montessori Conference
We strive to provide outstanding Montessori workshops that are informative, innovative and up to date with the most current research. We also strive to make the workshops applicable in the daily Montessori classroom.
The Treasure Valley Montessori Conference is sponsored by four local schools that want to reach out to the community. These schools share the following goals:
- To provide opportunities for the community to learn more about Montessori education
- To offer professional resources to Montessori and early childhood educators
- To expose parents to Montessori philosophy
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To help unify Montessori schools in the Northwest and learn from each other
In addition to this conference providing excellent information for your work in the classroom, your attendance will count towards most city licensing requirements. The conference offers Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) Professional credits and/or could be used towards Idaho STARS hours.
Eagle Montessori, Montessori Academy, Parkcenter Montessori and Rosehill Montessori are proud to sponsor the 9th Annual Treasure Valley Montessori Conference. Thank you for your interest and ongoing support.
View Eastwind Community Church in a larger map
While this conference is for teachers, we welcome parents who are eager to learn more about Montessori education. In addition to the two day workshop, this year we are pleased to be able to offer a Parent Workshop with information presented from Michael Dorer, see his bio below, this workshop is open to all parents. We hope that you will join us and bring friends and family.
The 2011 Treasure Valley Montessori Conference will once again be an exciting one. We have some really special presenters this year.
For any questions please email, Amanda Neill or call Eagle Montessori, (208) 938-0100 or Montessori Academy (208) 939-6333
Conference Presentors
Michael Dorer
Michael Dorer is an internationally trained Montessori educator, specializing in Montessori curriculum and materials, and Montessori teacher education. He has worked with children from toddlers to middle schoolers in Montessori education beginning in 1969, and with adults in Montessori education since 1978.
Dr. Dorer’s educational background includes a doctorate in Instructional Leadership, primary and elementary level certifications from the American Montessori Society and elementary level certification from the Association Montessori Internationale. He is a licensed teacher with experience in both public and private Montessori schools. In 1991, he was responsible for writing the charter and gaining approval for the nation’s first charter school. Michael is a frequent presenter and consultant at Montessori schools and conferences.
Dr. Dorer is a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Montessori Society, Immediate Past President of AMS and is also Past President of the International Association of Montessori Educators. Presently he is Professor and Director of the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs at Saint Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. He is also Director of the Montessori Leadership Group, a Montessori teacher support and consultation firm.
Dr. Dorer grew up on a wildlife refuge near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He began his Montessori adventure in a public Montessori school in Minneapolis. A few years later he met his wife, Rose, when she was assigned to his class as an intern in 1972, they were married a year later. Together they have three accomplished children, Jacob, Ben and Margaret. They also have a black lab named Coco, whom they all love.
Diana Butler
Diana Butler has taught in both public and private Montessori programs in Washington, Illinois and Maryland. She has directed classes for Toddlers, 3 to 6 year olds, 6 to 9 year olds, and 9 to 12 year olds.
Diana is the Learning Specialist at Eton School in Bellevue, Washington. She is on the faculty of the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest in Woodinville, Washington, as a presenter in Philosophy and Language and as a field consultant for interns.
She is in the Master of Education program at the University of Washington, specializing in literacy. Diana holds Early Childhood and Elementary I and II certificates from the American Montessori Society. She is the founding Educational Director of Council Oak Montessori School in Chicago.
Her own four children have fond memories of attending Montessori schools through third grade.
Renee Knappenberger
Renee Knappenberger has been with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (ISF) as the Director of Education for the past four years. Renee oversees all the educational programming that happens at the Festival including directing the Idaho Theater for Youth touring productions.
Renee has served as the Theater and Arts Education Director for a Chicago public school and she worked closely with the Chicago Shakespeare Festival, The Children’s Theatre and Another Chicago Theatre Company as an actor and teacher. Renee has also worked with Seattle’s Children’s Theatre, Company of Fools (Hailey, ID), Boise Contemporary Theater, Alley Repertory Theatre as an actor and teacher.
In addition to her work with the ISF, Renee has taught workshops on children’s theatre at the University of Wyoming and is a proud member of Theater for Young Audiences. She currently teaches Intro to Theatre at Boise State University and oversees the International Baccalaureate Theatre Arts Program at Riverstone International School.
Renee holds a BA in Theater Arts from Willamette University.
In whatever free time she can find she perfects her cupcake recipes, puts miles and miles on her running shoes and laughs with her two Petey's.
Hotel Information
The best place to find and reserve a hotel is near the airport or Micron. For more information on hotels please contact Amanda Neill, (208) 938-0100.Cost
Parent Night
$20 for individual or $35 for any 2 people concerned for the well being of the same child(ren)
Workshop Cost
$160 for both Thursday and Friday
$100 for one day, either Thursday or Friday
Lunch
Each day our lunch break will be from 12pm-1pm. We are pleased and excited to be offering a delicious healthy lunch from Open Table, www.opentableboise.com. The lunch will be vegetarian friendly, please let us know if you have other dietary concerns.
Registration Information
While we can not offer online registration we have a downloadable registration available here.
Please send your completed registration form to Eagle Montessori ATTN: Amanda Neill 533 S. Rivershore Lane Eagle, ID 83616
Please contact Amanda Neill with any questions.
Each year we are pleased to welcome local and national vendors to our conference. If you are a vendor interested in having a table at our conference please contact Amanda Neill, (208) 938-0100.
Cancellation Policy:
Requests for refunds must be made by Sept. 23, 2011. A $25 cancellation fee will be taken out of your refund check. Please direct all questions and refund requests to Amanda Neill with Eagle Montessori (208) 938-0100 or amanda@boisemontessori.com.
Sponsor
We are pleased to have Treasure Valley Family Magazine sponsor the Annual Treasure Valley Montessori Conference. We look to Treasure Valley Family Magazine as a great local parent and education resource. Check out their website, www.treasurevalleyfamily.com.
Vendors
www.montessoriservices.com
A resource for Preparing the Child’s Environment!
www.childrens-store.com
A great store for fun educational games, toys and more!
www.rdbooks.com
A great independent local bookstore, with new ideas arriving daily!
www.myersmusicstudio.com
Music Together of Treasure Valley will have available a wide variety of musical instruments perfect for use in the classroom. They will also provide information and a sneak peek of the materials used in the Montessori compatible core curriculum music program.
www.teresabevens.simplyfun.com
Making learning fun & easy for kids and help families connect through the power of play!
Thank you for your interest, we hope to see you at this years Treasure Valley Montessori Conference.
Wednesday October 5th 2011
Parent Night 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Top Principles of Montessori Education and Common Misconceptions
Presenter: Dr. Michael Dorer
Have you every heard that Montessori Education is too rigid and lacks creativity? Or, that it has no structure and the students do whatever they want? There are many common misperceptions about Montessori education. Invite your parents to come and enjoy learning about the basic principles of a Montessori classroom. Not only will they walk away feeling great about the educational choices they have make for their children, but they are also likely to want to tell their friends! This workshop will be great for both currently enrolled families, but also for families considering Montessori education.
Thursday October 6th 2011
8:30am - 4:00pm break from 12-1
A Montessori Refresher Everyone Will Love
Presenter: Dr. Michael Dorer
An inspiring, interactive and reflective oppurtunity to revisit Montessori Theory with Dr. Dorer as your guide. This workshop will both recharge and refresh all that you do as Montessori educators. First, we will start with the big picture looking at the 4 planes, cosmic education, etc., and then move on to discussing the obstacles and temptations that might steer us away from our goals in the Montessori classroom. This workshop will be held all day long with no half day option. After this class you will go back to work on Monday morning excited and re-energized.
Friday October 7th 2011
8:30am - 12:00pm
Strike the Imagination Stories to Enhance your Presentations
Presenter: Dr. Michael Dorer
A workshop full of Dr. Dorer's stories and how they fit into classroom presentations and the importance of using stories to begin presentations. Dr. Dorer is in the middle of finalizing the publication of a book focused on the stories in this workshop. Consider this an amazing preview of what will prove to be an exceptionally helpful book in the Montessori Elementary classroom.
8:30am - 12:00pm
Early Readers - Early Literacy (3-6) Workshop
Presenter: Diana Butler
How can we most effectively assist our early language learners? This workshop will look at the developmental continuum of speaking, drawing, writing and reading and ways to support children as they move through the stages. Highlighting the critical role of oral langauge and phonemic awareness in emergent literacy and learning how to use easy observation tools including a short, predictive test for phonemic awareness. Return to your classroom energized by research validating the Montessori approach, with fresh activities to support you and your students as you begin a new school year.
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Elementary Literacy Workshop- Readers Theatre
Presenter: Diana Butler
What are the critical literacy skills our elementary students need and how do we fit them all in? Learn to use a workshop format for mini lessons on writing and reading and writing-to-learn activities that will deepen your students thinking. Skills and strategies for working with elementary students as well as observation and assessment tools for teacher will be presented. Experience peer support for your new goals!
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Story Theater for the 3-6 year old Classroom
Presenter: Renee Knappenberger
Participants will gain the tools necessary to use drama as a form of expanding literacy in the classroom. We will discuss different books to use as a theatrical device, as well as games to play and support different lessons. Teachers will walk away from this workshop with a packet of games, at least one complete lesson plan, and a CD of music to use for their own Story Theater classes
Regional Conferences
Our conference is held annually, in addition to our Annual Montessori Conference we are pleased to inform you that the Utah Montessori Council hosts workshops and conferences throughout the year that you may be interested in attending.
UMC Fall Workshop
September 24, 2011
Soaring Wings Montessori School
Park City
Featuring Dr. Joyce Pickering, Montessorian and Learning Disabilities Specialist
Teach for Life! Educator's Institute by Sura Hart
July 26 - 31, 2011
Seattle, WA
UMC Annual Conference
January 27 - 28, 2012
Maria Montessori Academy - North Ogden
For more information about the Utah Montessori Council or these workshops please contact Duna Strachan at duna@soaringwings.org or check out their website, www.utahmontessori.org.