Montessori Schools of Connecticut
Annual Professional Development Conference 2026
Montessori for Every Child: The Tools to Build Inclusive, Connected, and Compassionate Communities
October 30, 2026
Keynote Speaker
Chip DeLorenzo, M.Ed.
Positive Discipline in the Montessori Community: Cultivating Respect, Resilience, and
Responsibility at School and Home
Montessori education is a joyful journey of nurturing compassionate, interconnected citizens. This inspiring keynote presentation explores how Positive Discipline principles strengthen this mission by fostering respect, resilience, and responsibility in children—both in the classroom and at home.
By equipping educators and families with a shared, consistent approach, we can deepen children’s social-emotional development and empower them to contribute peacefully to society.
What You Will Learn
This interactive session goes beyond theory to provide real-life examples, live demonstrations, and engaging group discussions.
Three Actionable Tools: Practical strategies for fostering cooperation, independence, and critical thinking without falling into power struggles.
Respectful Boundaries: Techniques for setting limits that protect the learning environment while honoring the child.
Stronger Partnerships: Insights into building effective educator-family communication to support children's development consistently across both environments.
About Chip DeLorenzo, M.Ed.
Chip DeLorenzo has been a Montessori educator since 1995. Chip is the co-author, with Jane Nelsen, of Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom. As a teacher trainer and school consultant, Chip has worked with thousands of Montessori teachers and parents in teaching the principles and practices of Positive Discipline through various workshops and lectures. He is the former Head of School of the Damariscotta Montessori School, where he spent 20 years as a school leader and teacher. Chip holds Early Childhood, Lower and Upper Elementary AMS certifications, and has worked extensively with Montessori Adolescent students. He is the father of five Montessori children, and he and his wife, Kathy, live in Loveland, Ohio.
Keynote Speaker
Julia Volkman
The Neuroscience of Montessori
Drawing from cutting-edge research, this interactive session bridges Montessori philosophy with contemporary brain science, offering practical strategies for creating environments that support optimal development. We’ll explore the developmental potentials that shape human learning, including how experience drives brain development, why development is dynamic and context-dependent, the role of meaning and purpose in brain growth, and how relationships and emotions influence learning. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of why Montessori works, actionable insights for supporting students and families, and renewed inspiration for human-centered, brain-based education. Perfect for Montessori teachers, administrators, mentors, parents, and anyone interested in understanding the neuroscience behind effective learning.
About Julia Volkman
Julia Volkman has been teaching children and mentoring teachers in private and public schools since 1997. She is a Faculty Member of the Brain Health Initiative, guest lecturer for Harvard University’s Neuroscience of Learning course, an educational researcher, a teacher mentor, and the founder and president of the educational project Maitri Learning. Among other things, she has worked as a primary consultant for the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS), a columnist for the Public School Montessorian (now Montessori Public), and as the teacher’s representative on the Advisory Panel for the Annenberg Foundation's course Neuroscience & the Classroom (developed in conjunction with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics). Ms. Volkman earned her AMI 3 to 6+ diploma from the Montreal Montessori Training Centre (a bilingual program) and her Master’s degree from Harvard University. Her graduate research on early literacy (the Montessori movable alphabet) won the Harvard Dean’s prize for outstanding research. Her work focuses on transforming education into a transdisciplinary, scientific pedagogy grounded in mind, brain, and education.
The conference registration is opening on September 15, 2026!
Conference Schedule
Registration and Coffee Social
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Pick up your name tag and conference packet and enjoy some refreshments while you reconnect with colleagues.
Session I: Positive Discipline in the Montessori Community: Cultivating Respect, Resilience, and Responsibility at School and Home
Chip DeLorenzo, M.Ed.9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Montessori education is a joyful journey of nurturing compassionate, interconnected citizens. This inspiring keynote presentation explores how Positive Discipline principles strengthen this mission by fostering respect, resilience, and responsibility in children—both in the classroom and at home.
By equipping educators and families with a shared, consistent approach, we can deepen children’s social-emotional development and empower them to contribute peacefully to society.
Break
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions by Level
10:30 am - 12:15 p.m.
Our breakout sessions are thoughtfully designed refresher courses to foster connection, collaboration, and professional growth among educators. These sessions are grouped by developmental level of Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Adolescent to ensure relevance and depth of discussion. Each session is facilitated by experienced breakout educators who specialize in that specific level, guiding meaningful conversations and the exchange of best practices.
In addition to the level-based sessions, MSC will offer specialized breakouts focused on critical roles and topics in education. Click here for a more in-depth session description.
- Chip DeLorenzo, M.Ed. – From Conflict to Collaboration: Tools for Difficult Parent Conversations
Learn practical strategies to confidently navigate challenging parent conversations, build trust, and establish healthy professional boundaries. - Julia Volkman – Science of Reading in Montessori
Explore how authentic Montessori language instruction aligns with the Science of Reading and identify opportunities to strengthen literacy practices. - Rick Branson (CAIS) – The Burnout Toolkit: Listening, Self-Management, and Reframing for Educators
Discover practical communication and self-management techniques to reduce burnout and foster more productive interactions with colleagues and families.
- Beth Hamilton – Turning Vision into Action: Building a Strategic Plan That Lives
Is your Strategic Plan a living document or a bookend in the office? A plan that isn't grounded in your mission, aspirations for students, and actively used by the community is just a document. Our job is to make it operational and a tool for ongoing school improvement.
- Toko Odorczuk – Infant/Toddler Refresher Course
Revisit the essential principles, environments, and teaching practices that support independence and joyful learning in Montessori toddler communities. - Gretchen Hall – Primary Refresher Course
Refresh your understanding of Montessori Primary philosophy, materials, and teaching practices while collaborating with colleagues and sharing ideas. - Lisbeth Harrison – Elementary 6–12 Refresher Course
Reconnect with the Montessori Elementary philosophy, curriculum, and best practices that inspire independence, collaboration, and lifelong learning. - Caren Ross – Adolescent Refresher Course
Revisit the core principles and practices of Montessori adolescent education, with opportunities for reflection, discussion, and professional growth. - Matilda Giampetrio – Special/Enrichment
Explore creative enrichment topics that enhance the Montessori experience and support the development of the whole child and educator.
Session II
- Julia Volkman – The Neuroscience of Montessori
Discover how current neuroscience supports Montessori philosophy and gain practical, brain-based strategies to enhance learning and child development.
Whether you're an educator, administrator, or support specialist, these sessions offer a valuable opportunity to learn from peers, share experiences, and grow together in a supportive professional community.
Lunch
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Session II: Session II: 1:15 - 2:30 p.m. The Neuroscience of Montessori
JuliaVolkman
Drawing from cutting-edge research, this interactive session bridges Montessori philosophy with contemporary brain science, offering practical strategies for creating environments that support optimal development. We’ll explore the developmental potentials that shape human learning, including how experience drives brain development, why development is dynamic and context-dependent, the role of meaning and purpose in brain growth, and how relationships and emotions influence learning. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of why Montessori works, actionable insights for supporting students and families, and renewed inspiration for human-centered, brain-based education. Perfect for Montessori teachers, administrators, mentors, parents, and anyone interested in understanding the neuroscience behind effective learning.
Conference Details
Fees:
Morning refreshments (during registration) and lunch (vegan/gluten free option available upon request) are included in the fee. Faculty will select their dietary preferences when they register and choose their breakout sessions.
- MSC member schools: $75 pp
- Non-member schools and individuals: $85 pp
Conference Registration Return Policy:
Conference registration may close early if the conference reaches maximum capacity. Refunds are available upon request only. Fees will be refunded in full (less processing fees) if canceled prior to 10/10/2026. If cancellation occurs after 10/10/26 and up to 10/15/26, the school or registrant will receive a 50% refund of the registration fee.
*After 10/15/26, the school or registrant is fully responsible for payment, and no refunds will be issued. If utilizing district funding, there will be no reimbursement once an invoice has been submitted to Montessori Schools of Connecticut.
Conference Requests, Directions, & Parking:
Montessori Training Center Northeast is excited to host theAnnual Professional Development Conference 2026 Montessori for Every Child: The Tools to Build Inclusive, Connected, and Compassionate Communities.
Address:
CREC MTCNE @ The Atrium
1300 Hall Blvd, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Click here to view or navigate via Google Maps
Participants will be directed where to park via email through their MSC conference registration confirmation. Carpooling is encouraged, and parking will be clearly marked. If you are carpooling to the conference, please drop off your participants at the MTCNE entrance and then head to parking.
Seeking Conference Vendors
Are you interested in reaching a broad audience of Montessori teachers and administrators? Submit an application to have materials available at our Annual Conference. To learn more, click the button below.
"The adult’s idea that freedom consists in minimizing duties and obligations must be rejected…The freedom that is given to the child is not liberation from parents and teachers; it is not freedom from the laws of Nature or of the state or of society; but the utmost freedom for self-development and self-realization compatible with service to society."
– Maria Montessori –
