I Thought I Would Change the World.

 

I have spent most of my adult life believing that I would change the world.

Not in a loud way.
Not in a platform-building, headline-making way.
But in the kind of way where you find the right organization, the right team, the right shared mission — and together you build something that shifts the culture.

I have chased that feeling more than once.

You join a school.
You believe in the philosophy.
You see what could be.
You imagine that if everyone just aligned — if everyone just held the same standard — something extraordinary would happen.

And then you get inside.

And there are competing agendas.
Competing personalities.
Competing tolerances for chaos.
Competing definitions of excellence.

You realize that systems are not built on shared ideals.
They are built on compromise.

And if you are someone who feels called — deeply called — to the work, compromise can feel like erosion.

This year I am 58.

I have been in enough classrooms now to know the pattern.
I have trained assistants.
I have built environments from scratch.
I have walked into rooms that were not Montessori and quietly shifted them toward something more respectful, more ordered, more intentional.

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Are you needing some support with how to structure your classroom? As a Montessori teacher, I understand that feeling of overwhelm! I have created a detailed lesson plan to 'hold your hand' through each day.  These lesson plans can either be used to jump start how to create the rhythm of the classroom (monthly) or I have a full year plan that can then be used for a 3 year cycle.

Montessori Daily Lesson Plans 

Montessori INSPIRED Lesson Plans 

 

LOOKING FOR ART LESSONS FEATURING DIFFERENT ARTISTS? 

Link to my FREEBIES

 

 

Spring Reset as a Montessori Teacher | Classroom Materials, Peace Table & Letting Go of Side Hustles

 

In this video, I’m sharing a real-life look at my spring reset—both at home and in the classroom.

During spring break, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to live and work more intentionally as a Montessori teacher.

From refreshing a space in my home to rethinking classroom systems, this week has been about clearing out what no longer works and making room for what does.

Inside this video:

-How I’m saturating the week with focused letter work (AMT approach)

-Simple ways I’m pairing hands-on materials with handwriting practice

-A walkthrough of my classroom thrift finds and Dollar Tree materials

-Why I’m reintroducing the peace table (and how it differs from a calming corner)

-A peek into my Montessori-inspired home reset

-And an honest reflection on why I’m stepping away from reselling as a side business

This is a mix of classroom strategy, teacher life, and real decisions behind the scenes—especially if you’re navigating growth, burnout, or figuring out your next step in education.

If you’re a Montessori teacher, early childhood educator, or someone building a more intentional life, I hope this gives you something to think about.

🌿 Let me know in the comments: Are you in a season of adding… or letting go?

✨ I write more deeply about Montessori leadership and teacher sustainability on Substack: 👉 https://creativityandwonder.substack....

Are you needing some support with how to structure your classroom? As a Montessori teacher, I understand that feeling of overwhelm! I have created a detailed lesson plan to 'hold your hand' through each day.  These lesson plans can either be used to jump start how to create the rhythm of the classroom (monthly) or I have a full year plan that can then be used for a 3 year cycle.

Montessori Daily Lesson Plans 

Montessori INSPIRED Lesson Plans 

 

LOOKING FOR ART LESSONS FEATURING DIFFERENT ARTISTS? 

Link to my FREEBIES

 

Why I Laminate at Home

 

This morning I was laminating alphabet cards at my kitchen table before work.

Not because I had to.
Not because someone told me to.
And not because I believe teachers should martyr themselves on the altar of preparation.

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I did it because I have learned something about friction.

There are certain things that will not change right now.

I do not have unlimited prep time at school.
I do not have long stretches of observation built into my day.
I do not have an assistant who automatically anticipates what needs to be done next.

I have one work cycle.

And if the materials are not ready when the children arrive, then the work does not unfold the way it could.

So instead of fighting that reality — I laminate at home.

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Are you needing some support with how to structure your classroom? As a Montessori teacher, I understand that feeling of overwhelm! I have created a detailed lesson plan to 'hold your hand' through each day.  These lesson plans can either be used to jump start how to create the rhythm of the classroom (monthly) or I have a full year plan that can then be used for a 3 year cycle.

Montessori Daily Lesson Plans 

Montessori INSPIRED Lesson Plans 

 

LOOKING FOR ART LESSONS FEATURING DIFFERENT ARTISTS? 

Link to my FREEBIES