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“One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.”
• Maria Montessori •
Montessori Approach + Wellbeing Focus = Happier School Communities
Welcome!
If you are a Montessori educator or administrator looking to build a joyful, thriving learning environment, you have come in the right place!
At Montessori Wellness, we are passionate about fostering happiness and wellbeing for everyone in our school communities.
Imagine a place where students, teachers, staff, and families feel supported, uplifted, and ready to thrive. We are here to help you make that vision a reality, bringing joy and inspiration into your Montessori practice.
By blending Montessori wisdom with the latest research on happiness and wellbeing, we create experiences that nurture the whole community. Our mission is to help individuals and schools embrace joy and flourish, the Montessori way!
"Be the change you want to see in the world"
• Mahatma Gandhi •
The Story Behind
Hello, I’m Barbara, the heart behind Montessori Wellness.
My journey into education began with a love for learning and a PhD from Northwestern University, followed by a Montessori certificate from CGMS.
The Montessori spark ignited when I became a mother in Milan, Italy. It was there that I first discovered the Montessori philosophy and instantly fell in love with it.
When my family and I moved to Miami, Florida, I decided to turn my passion into a mission. Montessori Wellness was born from my desire to blend Montessori principles with the science of happiness and wellbeing. I wanted to bring more joy to schools, helping create environments where children—and everyone involved in their education—can flourish in a truly holistic way.
Dr. Maria Montessori's emphasis on preparing the whole child for life resonates deeply with me. I believe that a strong foundation in self-care and wellness is crucial for everyone. That is why I have dedicated myself to studying how Montessori education and wellbeing intersect, creating learning experiences that support holistic wellness for educators, students, and the whole school community.
You might have seen me speaking at Montessori conferences across the USA and around the world. Here are some of the places where I have had the pleasure of sharing my passion: AMS The Montessori Event, AMI-USA Montessori Experience, Montessori Foundation/IMC, Cincinnati Montessori Society, Florida Montessori Coalition, Virginia Montessori Association, Montessori Association of North Carolina, Wisconsin Montessori Association, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Montessori Schools of Massachusetts, Association of Illinois Montessori Schools, Utah Montessori Council, New York State Montessori Association, Montessori Alliance of Tennessee, South Carolina Montessori Alliance, Michigan Montessori Society, Southeast Montessori Collective, Hope Montessori Educational Institute, Children Change the World in Canada and Childhood Potential.
We can help you create your Montessori happy place!
Making It Happen
Discover how our unique approach can empower you to build a school community infused with joy and wellbeing.
Let's build happier schools together!
“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.”
• Anne Frank •
“Happy teachers will change the world.”
• Thich Nhat Hanh •
Teacher Self-Care Sessions
Imagine the possibility of nurturing your own wellbeing while staying true to your Montessori principles.
Our self-care sessions are designed to help the prepared adult manage stress and prevent burnout.
Through self-observation and reconnecting with your inner child, we explore organic ways to integrate wellness habits into your daily routine.
These sessions will help you stay energized, inspired, and positively impact those around you.
What you'll get:
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A 2-hour session (virtual or in-person) tailored to your school’s teachers and support staff
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Tools for stress management and burnout prevention, grounded in Montessori principles
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An uplifting and restorative experience that leaves educators feeling refreshed
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A focus on self-observation and integrating wellness habits into daily routines
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Interactive exercises and ideas to support ongoing self-care
These sessions are perfect for schools that want to show their teachers and assistants some extra love and support during staff retreats, in-service days or teacher appreciation week. If you are an individual educator interested in joining, just reach out and let us know. We’ll keep you updated when we have an open session available for teachers from different schools to come together!
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”
• Mother Teresa •
Parent Education Talks
Bridge the gap between home and school with our wellbeing-focused parent education talks.
These presentations are designed to strengthen connections within your broader school community, foster a culture of wellness among families, and highlight the positive impact of Montessori education on children’s holistic development.
What you'll get:
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A 60-90 minute presentation (virtual or in-person) for parents and families in your school community
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Engaging content on the intersection of Montessori education and wellbeing, tailored to your school’s needs
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An inspiring and thought-provoking experience for parents to explore how Montessori prepares children for life and supports wellbeing through education
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Ideas for families to bring wellbeing practices into their daily lives, strengthening the partnership between home and school
This talk is designed to build stronger relationships with current families and attract and engage prospective parents, helping you build a happier, more connected school community.
“The greatest gift you have to give is that of your own transformation.”
• Lao Tzu •
Professional Development
Embark on a learning journey towards wellness with our inaugural course: Montessori Movement.
Our online professional development combines Montessori authenticity with innovative design, providing impactful insights that connect theory and practice.
Explore how movement plays a key role in Montessori education and discover how to integrate it into your practice to enhance your students' development and wellbeing.
What you'll get:
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A self-paced online course with 6 modules on Montessori Movement
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A clear understanding of how movement supports Montessori education and promotes holistic child development
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Practical strategies for incorporating movement into your classroom and P.E. activities, together with ideas for creating an inclusive environment for all students
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Insights into the mind-body connection, Montessori’s approach to motor learning, and how these concepts align with core Montessori principles
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Certificate of completion and professional development hours
The course is available for both individual educators and schools, with special discount rates available for groups!
“If you are facing in the right direction, all you need to do is keep on walking.”
• Buddha •
Consulting Services
Looking for tailored support? We offer customized consulting to meet the unique needs of your school, organization, or family—focused on nurturing wellbeing, the Montessori way.
By popular demand, we are bringing back our Montessori Gym program as a consulting service. We will assist you in creating the ideal movement experience for your students, from selecting materials to designing environments and planning lessons.
Have other needs or ideas? Contact us, and we will help you bring your vision to life!
What you'll get:
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Consulting tailored to your school’s unique needs.
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Creative guidance for weaving wellbeing into your Montessori practices
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With Montessori Gym reimagined: Expert advice to help you create movement spaces and programs that truly reflect Montessori principles
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Dedicated support every step of the way to bring your vision to life
Consulting is available for schools, organizations, and families. Contact us to explore how we can work together to meet your needs!
What Other Montessorians Are Saying About Our Work
“I attended your presentation at the AMI Refresher and was thoroughly impressed. It struck me deeply and I want to share your work with my staff and parents. Another participant commented on her desire to share this information, connecting Montessori pedagogy to wellbeing, with her school district administrators. When I arrived last night to this conference I was feeling emotionally drained. There has been a plethora of negative energy surrounding me in the past few weeks and your presentation lifted me up and gave me a new focus. The cultural phrases you introduced are inspiring, a reminder to consider the bigger picture and get out of the microcosm we find ourselves so often stuck in. Your presentation was so fantastic.”
• Tracy Theisen, Head of School, North Shore Montessori School, Wisconsin •
"Barbara was a guest speaker in our Mentoring program. Our mentees are still talking about movement and what they learned from their time with her. I really appreciate the deep research Barbara offered on the history of Dr. Montessori's work in this area. It put everything into such a rich context. May her teachings reach far and wide.”
• Julia Volkman, ALM (Harvard), AMI (3 to 6+), Founder - Maitri Learning, Faculty - Brain Health Initiative •
“The Montessori Wellness training has been very helpful for our AMI teachers in understanding the importance of movement in the first years of life. This well-structured training consists of two parts: a theoretical and a practical component. In the theoretical part, the training effectively conveys the significance of movement within the Montessori method for children's motor development. In practical terms, we truly enjoyed putting concepts into practice. All in all, it is a very comprehensive, high-quality, and recommendable training for Montessori centers. Thank you!"
• Isis Lopez, AMI 3-6 Guide, Montessori Jeronimos, Spain •
“This curriculum is terrific! I think you truly captured the essence of Montessori and movement. Here are a few components that stood out for me:
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Your graphics are very clear - good idea to use a minimalist approach with full text of your narrative.
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I appreciate your on-going connection with Practical Life, as well as some references to language and cognitive development.
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Great to see such a clear explanation of Montessori's use of the term "gymnastics", particularly from a functional perspective.
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I love that you brought in both community and nature.
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Really wonderful to see Barbara Luborsky (occupational therapist and frequent Montessori conference presenter) in your module addressing children who have disabilities.
It is a powerful curriculum that could support all Montessorians (regardless of how long they have been teaching) learn more about movement. I am so glad you are sharing it!”
• Ann Epstein, Ph.D., Professor and former Children's House guide, Early Childhood Education Program Director, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse •
“Exceptional in content and delivery. Should be required training for those in education..."
• Elizabeth R., Lead Toddler Teacher, Sun Grove Montessori, Florida •
Let's Connect!
Can't wait to meet you!
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our offerings or to explore how we can support you.
You can email us at hello@montessoriwellness.com or complete the form below.
Look forward to hearing from you!
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Wellbeing Workshops
Transform your school environment with our engaging workshops, designed for the entire school staff.
These sessions blend Montessori principles with the latest wellbeing research, offering practical ideas to create a supportive, joyful environment for both educators and students.
By providing tools that encourage wellness-informed practices, we help foster a positive atmosphere where everyone—teachers, administrators, support staff and students alike—can thrive.
What you'll get:
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A dynamic 2-hour workshop (virtual or in-person) for your school’s staff
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Practical strategies for integrating wellbeing into Montessori classrooms and school practices
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An inspirational and energizing experience to motivate your staff
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Interactive exercises and ideas to support ongoing implementation
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A presentation tailored to the specific needs of your school community
This workshop is designed with whole schools in mind and can be adapted to include your entire team or focus on specific groups of educators and staff.
Our Partners
We are better together!
