The Montessori Mindset, a podcast by Waterfront Academy

My First Book is HERE! 📚 Nurturing Global Citizens + Big Announcement

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548436/fan_mail/new] It’s finally here… my first book, Nurturing Global Citizens, is officially published and available for purchase! 📚 This book has been a labor of love—bringing together Montessori philosophy, dual-language education, and a vision for forming children who are thoughtful, capable, and rooted in both identity and global awareness. But this is just the beginning. In this video, I’m also sharing some exciting next steps: ✨ WA Publishing is officially underway More titles are already in the works to support parents, educators, and schools looking for authentic Montessori and dual-language resources. https://www.waterfrontacademy.org/wapublishing 🎓 Professional Development Opportunities If your school or team is interested in a workshop based on Nurturing Global Citizens, I’d love to work with you. These sessions are designed to bring the book to life in a practical, actionable way for your classroom. https://www.waterfrontacademy.org/teachertrainingpackages  🌱 Montessori Mindset Membership is now open Join a growing community of parents and educators who want to go deeper. Membership includes: -Weekly Q&A sessions -Book club discussions -Classroom and home resources -20% off the book …and more. https://www.waterfrontacademy.org/membership  This is an exciting new chapter—not just for me, but for the broader mission of supporting children, families, and educators in a more intentional way. 👉 Get your copy of Nurturing Global Citizens 👉 Join Montessori Mindset Membership 👉 Schedule a workshop for your school If this resonates with you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who cares about education. #Montessori #DualLanguage #Education #Parenting #Homeschool #Teachers #MontessoriEducation #BilingualEducation

Q&A with Melissa Rohan | Episode 8: The Montessori Advantage

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548436/fan_mail/new] Join Melissa Rohan, Founder and President of Waterfront Academy in Washington, D.C., as she dives into the core values of Montessori education. From navigating religious sacraments to the "no-homework" philosophy, Melissa answers the most pressing questions from parents today. 🕒 Video Chapters: 00:09 – Welcome & Overview: An introduction to Waterfront Academy. 01:48 – Faith & Sacraments: Balancing the role of parents and the parish. 11:10 – Family Dynamics: Insights on birth gaps and sibling order. 12:18 – Beyond the Grade: Why we skip traditional tests and homework. 17:30 – Standardized Success: How Montessori kids prepare for future exams. 24:50 – Preserving the Home: The real impact of homework on family life. 30:03 – The Next Step: Transitioning from Montessori to traditional high schools. ✨ About Waterfront Academy Located in the heart of D.C., Waterfront Academy is a unique dual-language (Spanish/English) Montessori school rooted in the Catholic tradition. We serve children from age three through 8th grade, prioritizing holistic development and academic excellence without the stress of conventional grading. 🛒 Looking for more Montessori-aligned activities? Check out our full collection of printable resources here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/waterfront-academy 👇 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Montessori activities you can do at home! 📱 Follow Us on Social Media: ➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterfrontAcademy ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterfrontacademy/ ➡️ Pinterest: https://pin.it/4MNtyF4kq ➡️ Twitter: https://x.com/WaterfrontAcad #MontessoriEducation #WaterfrontAcademy #NoHomework #BilingualEducation #CatholicEducation #MelissaRohan #SchoolChoice #AlternativeEducation #DCEducation #ParentingTips #DualLanguage #childledlearning

Montessori Mindset: A Conversation with Jennifer Daniels on Forming Faithful Citizens

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548436/fan_mail/new] Join host Melissa Rohan, founder and head of school at Waterfront Academy, for a deep dive into the future of education, faith, and civic engagement. In this episode, Jennifer Daniels, founder of the Faithful Citizenship Institute, shares her journey from teaching in Texas to advocating for school choice on Capitol Hill Resources Mentioned: Faithful Citizenship Institute: https://faithfulcitizenshipinstitute.org/ Federal Scholarships Information: https://federalscholarships.com/ American Federation for Children: The nation's largest school choice advocacy organization. Timestamps: 00:09 - Introduction of guest Jennifer Daniels and the Faithful Citizenship Institute 01:34 - Professional background and the path to founding the Faithful Citizenship Institute 04:24 - Mission and work of the Faithful Citizenship Institute in forming leaders in Catholic social teaching 06:03 - Demographics and backgrounds of participants in the Institute’s programs 08:07 - Detailed overview of the Education Freedom Tax Credit.5 11:17 - Explanation of Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) and how they function 13:06 - The role of state governors in opting into the federal tax credit program 14:36 - Comparing vouchers, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), and tax-credit scholarships 16:17 - Timeline for the implementation of the Education Freedom Tax Credit through 2027 20:52 - Post-COVID education trends, including the rise of micro-schooling and homeschooling 23:04 - Eligibility of homeschooling and micro-schools for federal programs 24:52 - Future goals for the Institute, including online programs and a Catholic policy leader network. 29:04 - Guidance for Catholic engagement in politics and policy. 31:01 - Practical steps for advocacy and using resources like federalscholarships.com. 32:42 - How to contact Jennifer Daniels and learn more about the Faithful Citizenship Institute.

Montessori Mindset: A Conversation with Catholic Montessori Institute on Merging Faith & Pedagogy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548436/fan_mail/new] How do we harmonize the deep traditions of the Catholic faith with the brilliance of Montessori education? In this episode of the Montessori Mindset, host Melissa Rohan sits down with Joanne Schultzenberg, Executive Director of the Catholic Montessori Institute at the University of Mary. Together, they explore how the Institute is becoming a national hub for fellowship, professional training, and spiritual renewal. Whether you are a Montessori guide, a parent, or a member of the clergy, this conversation offers a roadmap for integrating the "Education of the Human Potential" with a life of faith. In This Episode, We Cover: The providential "origin story" of the Institute. The launch of a centralized portal for schools, parents, and clergy. Details on the first-ever AMI primary training cohort at a Catholic university. Vocational renewal through summer retreats and prayer. Integrating the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) into Montessori formation. 📍 Episode Timestamps 00:09 – Introduction to Joanne Schultzenberg 01:55 – The providential origin story of the Catholic Montessori Institute 06:39 – Building a centralized hub for schools, parents, and clergy 09:40 – Establishing a national job board for Montessori guides 11:47 – The spiritual focus of the Catholic Montessori Conference 14:50 – Details on the AMI primary training cohort 21:54 – What to expect during summer in-person training 23:18 – Summer Retreat (June 9–11): Silence, prayer, and renewal 25:51 – The role of Father Nick Schneider as spiritual guide 28:06 – Integrating the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 36:54 – Future visions: Podcasts and European pilgrimages 39:10 – How to connect, join the portal, and register 🔗 Resource Links The Catholic Montessori Institute (Main Page): https://online.umary.edu/catholic-montessori-institute Catholic Montessori Training Information: https://online.umary.edu/catholic-montessori-institute/catholic-montessori-training-mary Master of Education in Catholic Montessori: https://online.umary.edu/academics/masters-doctoral-programs/master-education-catholic-montessori Summer Retreat (June 9–11): https://online.umary.edu/catholic-montessori-institute/catholic-montessori-training-mary/catholic-montessori-retreat National Catholic Montessori Hub: https://www.umary.edu/academics/schools/liffrig-family-school-education-and-behavioral-sciences/national-catholic 🛒 Looking for more Montessori-aligned activities? Check out our full collection of printable resources here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/waterfront-academy 👇 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Montessori activities you can do at home! 📱 Follow Us on Social Media: ➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterfrontAcademy ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterfrontacademy/ ➡️ Pinterest: https://pin.it/4MNtyF4kq ➡️ Twitter: https://x.com/WaterfrontAcad #Montessori #CatholicEducation #MontessoriMindset #AMI #CGS #TeacherTraining #CatholicMontessori #UniversityOfMary

Montessori Mindset: A Conversation with Divine Mercy Academy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548436/fan_mail/new] Dr. Maria Montessori began her revolutionary work with children labeled "unteachable." In this episode of The Montessori Mindset, we return to those roots to explore how the Montessori method provides a uniquely therapeutic and dignifying environment for students with neurodivergence and learning differences. Host Melissa Rohan is joined by Becca Rouleau and Katie Haun from Divine Mercy Academy in Verona, Wisconsin. Together, they discuss their "rights without labels" philosophy, the intersection of Catholic faith and Montessori, and how the prepared environment acts as a tool for healing and growth. In This Episode, We Discuss: -The Origins of Montessori: How Dr. Montessori’s work with children with disabilities informs modern practice. -Rights Without Labels: Moving beyond diagnoses to focus on the inherent dignity of every student. -The Prepared Environment: How sensory-friendly classrooms support neurodivergent learners. -Observation vs. Testing: Using scientific observation to identify needs earlier and more accurately than traditional methods. -Accessibility in Education: Exploring Divine Mercy’s unique funding model to support families burdened by the costs of specialized education. Connect With Our Guests Learn more about the incredible work being done at Divine Mercy Academy: Website: https://divinemercyacademywi.org/ About The Montessori Mindset Produced by Waterfront Academy, this podcast explores the transformative power of Montessori philosophy in today’s world. 🛒 Looking for more Montessori-aligned activities? Check out our full collection of printable resources here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/waterfront-academy 👇 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Montessori activities you can do at home! 📱 Follow Us on Social Media: ➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterfrontAcademy ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterfrontacademy/ ➡️ Pinterest: https://pin.it/4MNtyF4kq ➡️ Twitter: https://x.com/WaterfrontAcad