March 3, 2026

From Birth to Adolescence with Trisha Thompson-Willingham and Dr. Susan Zoll

This month host Jess Davis discusses the breadth of Montessori education across the ages with co-authors of the new book Implementing the Montessori Method: Learner Centered Education from Birth through Adolescence, Trisha Thompson-Willingham and Dr. Susan Zoll. This includes discussion of how differnt the environment, goals, and roles of the adults are in the different planes of development, highlighting how the Montessori method evolves with the child. The panel deep-dives into one thread throughout Montessori education: character development, including its importance, ways of framing character development in the classroom, and strategies for creating a classroom culture that nurtures strong character.key topicsMontessori developmental continuum from birth to adolescenceThe role of character development in Montessori educationSupporting teachers through high-quality training and ongoing supportPolicy challenges and opportunities for Montessori schoolsCreating a Montessori culture that meets developmental needsThe Complete Montessori Continuum: From Birth to AdolescenceBuilding a Montessori Culture: Support for Teachers “Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education.””Montessori education is more than the sum of its parts.”ResourcesCharacter Labhttps://www.implementingthemontessorimethod.org/https://www.dr-susan-zoll.com/https://www.trishathompson-willingham.com/

This month host Jess Davis discusses the breadth of Montessori education across the ages with co-authors of the new book Implementing the Montessori Method: Learner Centered Education from Birth through Adolescence, Trisha Thompson-Willingham and Dr. Susan Zoll. This includes discussion of how differnt the environment, goals, and roles of the adults are in the different planes of development, highlighting how the Montessori method evolves with the child. The panel deep-dives into one thread throughout Montessori education: character development, including its importance, ways of framing character development in the classroom, and strategies for creating a classroom culture that nurtures strong character.

key topics

  • Montessori developmental continuum from birth to adolescence
  • The role of character development in Montessori education
  • Supporting teachers through high-quality training and ongoing support
  • Policy challenges and opportunities for Montessori schools
  • Creating a Montessori culture that meets developmental needs
  • The Complete Montessori Continuum: From Birth to Adolescence
  • Building a Montessori Culture: Support for Teachers
  • “Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education.”
  • “Montessori education is more than the sum of its parts.”

Resources

  • https://www.dr-susan-zoll.com/
  • https://www.trishathompson-willingham.com/

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