Friday Programme
Friday Morning, 9 May 2025
School Visits
On Friday morning, as part of the Montessori Europe 2025 Congress, attendees have the unique opportunity to visit some of Norway’s most inspiring Montessori schools. These school visits will allow you to observe Montessori pedagogy in action, across various age groups and learning environments, from toddler programs to adolescent classes. School visits must be booked together with your Congress registration, and spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ages served: 6-16 years (Elementary & Adolescent Programme)
Located just outside of Oslo, Bærum Montessori School is one of Norway’s oldest Montessori schools, founded in 1995. It operates as a non-profit foundation and is rooted in Montessori Norway’s curriculum, approved by the Norwegian Directorate of Education.
Ages served: 10 months – 6 years (Toddler & Early Childhood)
Bambini Montessoribarnehage is a private Montessori kindergarten located in Hamar. The school consists of five different departments, serving children from around 10 months to 6 years.
Ages served: 1-16 years (Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary & Adolescent Programme)
Founded in 1991, Drøbak Montessori School offers a comprehensive Montessori program for children aged 1 to 16 years. The school is located in the picturesque town of Drøbak, 35 km south of Oslo on the east coast of the Oslo Fjord.
Ages served: 6-16 years (Elementary & Adolescent Programme)
Hamar Montessori School is a modern, purpose-built school located between Hedmarktoppen and Frøensberget. Established in 2001, it serves students from grades 1 through 10.
Ages served: 1-12 years (Toddler, Kindergarten & Elementary Programme)
Holmestrand International Montessori offers both a kindergarten and an elementary school programme, focusing on the Montessori method, closeness to nature, and sustainable operation.
Ages served: 6-16 years (Elementary & Adolescent Programme)
Lyse Montessori School, established in 1993, is one of Norway’s oldest Montessori schools and serves children from grades 1 to 10. The school emphasises interdisciplinary and project-based learning.
Ages served: 6-15 years (Elementary & Adolescent Programme)
Oslo Montessori School is the largest Montessori school in Norway, serving 217 students. Ideally located in Skådalen, near nature, the school integrates outdoor learning into its curriculum.
09 May 2025
Welcome to the Montessori Europe 2025 Sustainability Workshops
As part of the Montessori Europe Sustainability Pillar, these workshops are designed to empower educators with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to incorporate sustainable practices into their classrooms and school communities. Focusing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these sessions aim to deepen your understanding of environmental stewardship within the Montessori framework, ensuring that sustainability is woven into the fabric of education at every stage of development.
09:00 – 12:00 – Workshop 1
Integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the Montessori Curriculum
This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of how Montessori educators can align the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with Montessori principles, creating sustainability-focused learning experiences that are both practical and deeply impactful. Participants will first be introduced to the SDGs and how they intersect with key Montessori values like cosmic education, respect for the environment, and the interconnectedness of life.
The Montessori Europe Sustainability Working Group is in the process of developing a comprehensive Sustainability Handbook, which will be available to support this workshop. Attendees will have access to this valuable resource, which provides additional guidance on integrating the SDGs into each phase of Montessori education. The handbook will offer practical activities, case studies, and frameworks to ensure that sustainability is woven into everyday classroom life.
During the session, participants will engage in hands-on activities designed to transform the global SDGs into meaningful, child-centred lessons. These activities will cover different Montessori age groups, from teaching waste reduction and recycling practices to young children to engaging older students in more complex, project-based learning focused on local sustainability initiatives.
Group discussions will provide opportunities to collaborate with fellow educators, exchanging ideas on how to infuse sustainability into existing curricula and classroom culture. By the end of the workshop, attendees will leave with actionable plans and resources, ready to implement sustainable practices in their Montessori environments.
14:00 – 15:30 Workshop 2
Practical Examples of Sustainability in Montessori Schools
In collaboration with Montessori Norway
This workshop highlights inspiring real-world sustainability projects from Montessori schools around the world and offers practical ideas for how you can implement similar initiatives in your own school environment. From permaculture gardens to waste management programmes, participants will explore a variety of examples that demonstrate how Montessori education can seamlessly integrate sustainability into its core principles.
Presented in collaboration with Montessori Norway, this session will also feature successful projects from Norwegian Montessori schools, emphasising local applications of global sustainability practices. Through case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will learn how these initiatives were developed and how they can adapt these ideas to their own contexts.
The workshop will guide participants in designing their own sustainability-focused projects using Montessori principles such as self-directed learning and hands-on exploration. Small group collaborations will provide the opportunity to brainstorm and create actionable project plans that are both feasible and transformative.
Carola Lång Howard
Heidi van Staden
Nina Johansen
09 May 2025
Research: Advancing Montessori Education through Rigorous Inquiry
Montessori Europe is committed to advancing research as a vital part of the Montessori movement. Research interrogates the Montessori approach, exploring its continued relevance and accessibility for modern educational needs. Through rigorous studies, we gain a deeper understanding of the Montessori method’s impact on learners of all ages and encourage ongoing reflection and innovation within the Montessori community.
The Montessori Europe Research Day on Friday, 09 May 2025, offers a unique platform to share and discuss recent research findings, methodologies, and educational insights. By bringing together researchers, educators, and advocates, this day serves as a catalyst for growth in Montessori practices that align with global educational challenges. Participants will leave with new perspectives, inspired to apply evidence-based practices in their own settings.
09:00 – 12:00 Morning Research Sessions
Chairs: Dr Jarosław Jendza and Dr Jayne Osgood
The morning of the Research Day is dedicated to two insightful sessions, each presenting valuable research that addresses themes critical to early childhood and adolescent education within the Montessori context. Each session will feature presentations by researchers who have conducted in-depth studies on various aspects of Montessori education, highlighting the role of research in shaping best practices.
Provisional Programme
Session 1: Fostering Early Childhood Development - Language, Social Competence, and Nature
- Opening the Montessori box of words: Reporting on and evaluating the trial implementation of a Montessori-inspired approach to language development from birth to six
Presenter: Helen Prochazka, PhD
Affiliation: Montessori Partnership, Scotland
- Social Competence of 5-6 Year Olds in Montessori and Mainstream Kindergartens in Bulgaria (Comparative Study)
Presenter: Desislava Stoeva, PhD
Affiliation: Faculty of Pedagogy, Sofia University, Bulgaria
- Facilitating the Development of Nature Connectedness
Presenter: Michaela Geytenbeek
Affiliation: The Kinship Programme NPC, Durban, South Africa
- From a nationwide study on the professional identity of Montessori teachers. A sense of success in an educational context
Presenter: Professor Beata Bednarczuk
Affiliation: Faculty of Pedagogy, Lublin University, Poland
Session 2: Adolescence, Technology, and Global Citizenship in Montessori Education
- Exploring the Implementation of Erdkinder in Modern Montessori Schools
Presenters: Bryn W. Martinsen, PhD; Jarosław Jendza, PhD
Affiliations: Principal, Halden Montessori School, Norway; Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Didactics, University of Gdansk, Poland
- Montessori, digital, and pre-adolescent practices, challenges and opportunities in the 21st Century era
Presenter: Iliana Morelli
Affiliation: PhD Student, Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, Rome, Italy
- Integrating Montessori Method and Maker Education to Foster Social Inclusion and Equity in Montessori Schools
Presenters: Sarah Kennedy-Berge, Dr. Jordi Freixenet
Affiliations: Waterpark Montessori International, Norway; University of Girona, Spain
- Cosmopolitan Peace Education: Looking in and out of the Montessori Approach
Presenter: Judith Neff, PhD
Affiliation: Montessori-Studio, Educational Science, University of Education, Weingarten, Germany
These sessions offer a comprehensive exploration of contemporary research topics in Montessori education, providing fresh insights and practical applications to enhance educational practices. Attendees are encouraged to engage with these findings, fostering a shared commitment to quality and innovation in Montessori education.
14:00 – 15:30 Afternoon Workshop
Action Research: The Teacher as a Scientist
Presenter: Dr. Jarosław Jendza
This engaging workshop, led by Dr. Jarosław Jendza, invites teachers to explore the vital role of research in Montessori education through the lens of scientific inquiry. Montessori firmly believed that pedagogy should be “scientific,” encouraging educators to approach their practice with both curiosity and rigor, always with the goal of better understanding and following each child’s unique developmental journey.
In this session, Dr. Jendza will guide participants through four types of in-class research that can be seamlessly integrated into daily practice: quantitative, qualitative, hybrid, and auto-transformative. Each method offers unique insights, from measurable data to reflective self-assessment, equipping educators with practical tools to observe, document, and respond to the needs of the children in their care.
Teachers will not only learn how to apply these research methods but also gain a foundational understanding of their application in refining professional competencies and enhancing the Montessori approach to observation. Dr. Jendza will provide resources and guidance on how to carry out these forms of research effectively, empowering teachers to become reflective practitioners in their classrooms.
To support participants beyond the congress, Dr. Jendza will also host a follow-up webinar focused on analysing the data collected through these methods. This additional session will delve into practical applications, demonstrating how educators can use research insights to adapt their approach and deepen their understanding of each child, ultimately enriching the Montessori environment and its outcomes.
This workshop is an invaluable opportunity for teachers to embrace the role of the “scientist in the classroom,” fostering a culture of continuous learning and purposeful observation that lies at the heart of Montessori education.
Dr. Jarosław Jendza, PhD
Dr. Jayne Osgood, PhD
PRE-CONGRESS FREE RESEARCH WEBINARS
To provide additional support for educators in developing their classroom observation skills, Dr. Jarosław Jendza will be leading a series of free, pre-congress webinars open to all teachers interested in action research. These webinars are designed to introduce educators to various research methods that can be applied in Montessori environments, building a foundation for the in-depth workshop to be held at the congress.
Webinar Series Schedule:
Webinar 1: Qualitative Reflection Strategies
- Date: 18 December 2024 19:00 CET
- Overview: This session will delve into techniques for qualitative observation, including clinical and “thick” description, naturalistic and focused observation, and the features of effective field notes. Educators will gain insights into non-judgmental, affirmative writing that supports a reflective practice in the classroom.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcO6oqDojGtATgf2174MfwnSADw1pPVUe
Webinar 2: Quantitative and Hybrid Reflection Strategies
- Date: 05 February 2025 19:00 CET
- Overview: This webinar introduces quantitative and hybrid methods, exploring the benefits and limitations of using numbers, scales, and codes in classroom observation. Attendees will learn how to construct a hybrid observation grid and understand when and why these tools can be valuable for capturing classroom dynamics in a structured way.
- Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUudOCtqTosH9fFPJzImbgflZNFmMuFJhKu
Webinar 3: Auto-transformative Observation and Re-learning as a Montessori Guide
- Date: 26 March 2025 19:00 CET
- Overview: Focusing on the auto-transformative approach, this session will address how educators can use reflective research to manage professional challenges and prevent burnout. Topics include ethical considerations, the therapeutic aspects of research, and auto-transformative writing as a method of personal and professional growth.
- Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkdOuqqTspGNBaFYDvRIDDam6u5uuijJ_2
Each webinar is designed to give teachers practical strategies they can implement immediately, setting the stage for more robust observational practices in their Montessori settings.
A follow-up webinar post-congress will also be offered to guide educators in analysing and applying the data collected through these methods in day-to-day classroom activities.
Register now to take advantage of this unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of Montessori research and reflective practice.
09 May 2025
Montessori Europe Adolescent Working Group Workshop
The Montessori Europe Adolescent Working Group is committed to supporting educators in guiding adolescents through this transformative period of growth. Adolescence is a critical time when young people begin to explore their roles in society, develop a deeper sense of responsibility, and engage in real-world challenges. Our working group aims to equip Montessori teachers with the tools, strategies, and resources they need to nurture adolescents’ independence, creativity, and sense of global citizenship.
Through our collaboration with educators and researchers across Europe, we focus on creating environments that promote adolescent agency, community involvement, and personal development. As part of the Agenda 2030 focus, we place a particular emphasis on sustainable development, social justice, and empowering adolescents to become active contributors to the world around them.
This workshop is designed for teachers involved in supporting students in Adolescent Forum projects. We invite you to engage deeply with the themes of mentorship, student agency, and real-world problem-solving as we collectively work to provide the most meaningful learning experiences for our adolescents.
14:00 – 15:00 Workshop
The Missing Link to Successful Student Projects – Mentorship
In working with teachers and students on project development, it has become evident that while students are often able to design projects that align with academic and earth-stewardship goals, they struggle in the crucial execution phase. This workshop focuses on the vital role of mentorship in bridging that gap, ensuring that student projects are not only launched but also successfully completed.
Presented by Judith Cunningham and Gabriel Forestieri, the workshop introduces a framework for building effective mentor-mentee relationships. Drawing from real-world examples and case studies of successful mentorship programmes, participants will explore the essential qualities of a good mentor, how mentorship can benefit students, and strategies for supporting both mentors and mentees throughout the project development process.
Teachers will also learn how to identify and connect with experienced mentors who can guide their students through the challenges of project execution. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical toolkit for fostering strong, supportive mentor-mentee dynamics that help students turn their ideas into reality.
This workshop is a must for teachers involved in the Adolescent Forum projects and those looking to strengthen their mentoring practices within a Montessori framework.
Judith Cunningham
Gabriel Forestieri
09 May 2025
Keynote Address: AI AI Captain: The promise and pitfalls of AI in education
The launch of ChatGPT in the fall of 2022 took the world by storm, and education by surprise. Generative AI technology provides a fantastic potential for learning, but it also has a massive potential for being detrimental for learning. As educators, how can we release the potential of the technology and avoid the pitfalls? The short answer: we need to think outside of the box with AI.
The launch of ChatGPT in the fall of 2022 took the world by storm, and education by surprise. Generative AI technology provides a fantastic potential for learning, but it also has a massive potential for being detrimental for learning. As educators, how can we release the potential of the technology and avoid the pitfalls? The short answer: we need to think outside of the box with AI.
Keynote Presenters
Eirik Sjåholm Knudsen and his son, Theis
Eirik Sjåholm Knudsen and his son, Theis
Eirik Sjåholm Knudsen is a Professor of Strategy at NHH Norwegian School of Economics, where he is also the Academic Director for the EMBA in Strategy. He does research at the intersection of strategy, innovation and technology, and teaches these subjects at undergraduate, graduate and executive programmes at NHH and abroad. Beyond academia, he is a co-founder of OAO, a German tech firm that helps multinational companies accelerating progress with data and AI, and is a board member of the Business cluster NCE Finance Innovation. He will be accompanied on stage by his son Theis, who is currently a 3rd grader at DaVinci Montessori, in Bergen, Norway.
Judith Cunningham
Judith Cunningham is the founder of Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN), which brings Montessori values to global citizenship education by engaging students in diplomacy and international affairs. Judith’s leadership has been instrumental in helping students worldwide understand the power of their voice in addressing global issues through the MMUN programme.
Gabriel Forestieri
Gabriel Forestieri holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA from New York University. He is also credentialed with the AMI Adolescent Diploma. Gabriel has been involved with MMUN since its first conference in 2006 and currently serves as the Chief Operating & Education Officer for the organisation, overseeing its educational initiatives and global outreach.
Dr. Jarosław Jendza, PhD
Dr. Jarosław Jendza, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Institute of Education at the Social Sciences Faculty (Gdańsk University, Poland). He specialises in alternative, engaging and non-traditional approaches to education, Montessori in particular. Awarded the Distinguished PhD Dissertation Award, Dr Jendza has published around 80 scientific articles, a large part of them on Montessori pedagogy focusing mostly on the issue of the teachers’ education. He holds a master’s degree in early childhood education and teaching English as a foreign language (University of Gdańsk, Poland) as well as master’s degree in Montessori 6-12 education awarded by University of Girona (Catalonia) and AMI. In his professional career he has worked as a kindergarten and primary school teacher as well as a principal of a Montessori school. He has been involved in various Montessori teacher training programmes and supported Montessori educational institutions as an external consultant. Dr Jendza believes that education can create a better world for all the human beings, especially the education that promotes self-confidence, self-reliance and active participation based on mutual respect and peaceful relations. In 2019 he was elected as a member of Montessori Europe Board where he is mostly responsible for bridging academic and practitioners’ worlds by leading the Montessori Europe Research working group.
Dr. Jayne Osgood, PhD
Dr. Jayne Osgood, PhD is Professor of Childhood Studies at the Centre for Education Research & Scholarship, Middlesex University, UK. She also holds a Professor II post at Hogskolen i Innlandet, Norway. Her feminist approach to research is framed by critical posthumanism and an enduring commitment to address inequities of all kinds. She has published extensively in the post-paradigms with over 100 publications in the form of papers, chapters and books. Jayne also has various editorial roles including the journals Reconceptualizing Educational Research Methodology and Gender & Education; and two book series for Bloomsbury (Feminist Thought in Childhood Research; and Postdevelopmental Approaches to Childhood) and a further series for Springer (Key Thinkers in Education).
Carola Lång Howard
Originally from Sweden and now residing in Cyprus, Carola Lång-Howard brings over 30 years of experience in Montessori education, having lived and worked in various countries throughout Europe and the Middle East. Her extensive international experience has given her a rich understanding of diverse cultures. A devoted mother and grandmother, Carola is deeply passionate about environmental stewardship, particularly in fostering a sense of responsibility for the planet in young children.
Since 2020, Carola has served on the board of Montessori Europe, where she leads the Sustainability Working Group. She is eagerly looking forward to connecting with everyone in Oslo in May 2025!
Heidi van Staden
Heidi van Staden is the co-founder, co-owner, and principal of Montessori Academy and College in Pretoria, South Africa, a school serving children from toddler age through to A-level. She is also a founding director of Montessori Centre South Africa, which offers Montessori teacher training throughout Southern Africa.
Heidi has played a significant role in the South African Montessori Association, having served as both President and Trustee, and she continues to represent Montessori interests at the government level through the Independent Schools Association.
Alongside a BA in Psychology and Communications and a PGCE from the University of South Africa, Heidi also holds Montessori diplomas from St. Nicholas London (ages 2½ – 9) and Mercy Montessori Africa (ages 9-12). In 2010, she completed the Montessori Orientation to Adolescence program with NAMTA/AMI in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2022, she earned her Master’s Degree in Montessori Education from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.
A passionate advocate for quality education and the training of exceptional Montessori teachers, Heidi sees each child as a beacon of humanity’s future potential. She believes that the world is in urgent need of recalibration and that the foundational respect at the core of Montessori education could spark vital conversations to foster a more sustainable future.
Nina Johansen
Nina Johansen has served as the Executive Director of Montessori Norway, the national membership and advocacy organisation for Montessori programmes in Norway, since 2015. With a solid foundation in Montessori education, Nina has worked both as a teacher and in management within Montessori schools. She holds an AMI 6-12 diploma from the University of Southeastern Norway and a formal teaching degree from Oslo Metropolitan University. Nina is also a dedicated Montessori parent to two children, aged 9 and 11.
In her role, Nina acts as a bridge between the Montessori community, national authorities, and other educational stakeholders, working tirelessly to amplify Montessori’s voice within the education sector and society. She is particularly passionate about how Montessori programmes can serve as comprehensive models for Education for Sustainable Development. Nina was instrumental in establishing a partnership between Montessori programmes in Norway and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (often called the Sustainability University) to create sustainable gardening programs
Nina has been a speaker on sustainability and Montessori at the AMI’s Annual General Meeting in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, she presented at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, delivering a talk titled “Montessori Climate Education in Action.” Additionally, through a collaboration with the University of Southeastern Norway, Nina has contributed to professional development for public school teachers, focusing on how the food and lunch experience in schools can become a valuable opportunity to engage with sustainability.