It’s a familiar conversation among teachers across the nation: “Sophie’s mom did her homework, again” . . . “Jack’s dad yelled at the soccer coach because Jack sat the second period out” . . . “Jordan’s mom left me an irate voicemail protesting his final exam grade before the test was even over.” Educators, child [...]

Last week, my phone rang again with a common question that so many parents are asking this time of the year. Should they push their child with a summer birthday ahead to the next grade (typically kindergarten or first), or should they give him an extra year to mature? As anyone who has wrestled with [...]

On a recent beautiful autumn morning, I was greeted with contented smiles and twinkling excitement. The methodical sound of the airplane’s engine inspired animated conversations amongst the six 8th grade students I was taking to New York for the Global Citizenship Action Program, a conference for 12-14 year old Montessori students from three countries and [...]

My husband’s birthday was last Sunday. In preparation, I took my young daughter to purchase the celebratory present. When we returned, my husband asked me if we had gotten him anything. In the name of surprises, I looked directly at him and replied, “No.” I turned toward my child, hoping she would keep the secret. [...]