Join Our 2025 Conference

Meet our keynote speaker, school sponsors, and exhibitors. Register today!

We can't wait to see you!

Montessori Education Days Conference 2025 is taking place on Friday, 24th & Saturday, 25th, January 2025.

We will meet in-person at Barry University for two days of curated topics exposed by our expert guest speakers and plenty of opportunities to learn.

This event is designed to bring together educators, administrators, parents, and schools in Florida.

Registration is open! Get your event tickets now:

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Montessori Education Days Conference,

Join us on January 24th and 25th, 2025

Letting the Child Lead Us

Dr. Montessori taught us to “Follow the Child” and in order to do that, we must let go of our own expectations, and allow the child to lead us based on their particular individual needs. We can then truly guide the child based on what the student is revealing to us. The child’s inner wisdom will always guide us in the right direction if we take the time to observe the unique individuals in our care. Let us be their guides and partners on this journey.

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Download our 2025 Conference Program

Click the button below to download our 2025 Conference Program and presentations schedule.

Meet your Friday Keynote Speaker

Geoffrey Bishop, Founder and Executive Director of the Nature's Classroom Institute (NCI)

Geoffrey Bishop grew up in Australia completing his education and then decided to educate himself on the world. He backpacked around the world for the next five years visiting mainly rural and off the beaten track places, discovering cultures and the uniqueness of the global planet. He settled in Wisconsin opening an environmental education program, Nature’s Classroom Institute (NCI).

NCI now serves students from over 100 Montessori schools and across the US. To better understand the child Geoffrey opened a Montessori school on 140 acres in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, blending his expertise in Environmental Education with the Montessori philosophy creating a beautiful school that serves students from three through high school.

Geoffrey is passionate about traveling and supporting the AMS global initiative. He is currently the Executive Director and Founder of Nature’s Classroom Institute and Montessori School as well as serving on the AMS Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Chairing the Global Committee and sits on Finance, Executive Committee.

Geoffrey Loves gardening, reading and spending time with his dog Zoey, working on his farm and for those few extra hours a day, working on completing his first book.

Nature, the First and Essential Environment

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, the natural environment often takes a backseat in mainstream education, despite its proven benefits for child development. Numerous studies have shown that a child's connection to nature enhances their ability to focus, concentrate, create, and imagine. Additionally, nature provides far-reaching health benefits, impacting social and emotional well-being as well as physical health. This workshop aims to energize and revitalize teachers, helping them reconnect their students with nature and incorporate the natural world into their curriculum.

Friday, January 24th, 2025

An interactive workshop for educators

Meet your Saturday Keynote Speaker

Gina Lofquist

Senior Director at American Montessori Society

Gina Lofquist, MEd, serves as the Senior Director of Education and Strategic Initiatives at the
American Montessori Society (AMS). In her role, she leads AMS's teacher education initiatives
and professional development and, while also driving strategic efforts in research, global
outreach, and growth. Gina is deeply committed to building a well-connected and strong
Montessori community worldwide. She’s all about crafting transformative programs, sparking
connections that fuel advocacy and expand Montessori education, and bringing her insights to
life through engaging keynotes and presentations.

Her extensive experience includes roles as an early childhood teacher, head of school, teacher
educator, university-based program director, and global consultant for public and private
schools. Gina’s passion lies in expanding Montessori’s impact for the benefit of young learners
and their communities.

To Honor the Child

In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore the essential Montessori principle of following the
child—observing, listening, learning, and responding to each child’s unique needs and
developmental path. Participants will reflect on how they support a child’s innate drive for self-
construction within the Montessori ecosystem. Using a critical lens we will explore how all
elements of this ecosystem work together both at the micro and macro levels to meet the needs
of children and fulfill the vision of Dr. Montessori.

Saturday, January 25th, 2025
An interactive workshop for educators