Voices in Montessori Podcast

About Voices in Montessori Podcast

Voices in Montessori podcast shares interviews with seasoned Montessori educators and leaders, as well as learning specialists, and other experts to inspire and support you. Our podcast is a resource for Montessori educators and leaders packed with actionable ideas to elevate and support your practice. Hear from Montessori elders about real-world classroom tools and school management strategies. How do I offer positive discipline in my Montessori classroom? How do I get the support that I need as a first year Montessori teacher? How do I change the culture of my Montessori school community? We will explore these questions and more on the Voices in Montessori podcast. Topics include supporting learning differences in the Montessori classroom, positive discipline strategies, the neuroscience of learning, creating school cultures of belonging, and Montessori for elders and dementia. Tune in and subscribe to deepen your Montessori practice and join a revolutionary community of Montessori educators and leaders who are shaping the future of education. View the show notes at https://greenspringcenter.org/podcast/ Join the conversation on our Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/greenspringcenter Learn more when you follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/greenspringcenter/

Publisher

Greenspring Center for Lifelong Learning

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Nov 2022

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

80 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Reclaiming the Essence of Montessori’s Vision: Centering the Spirituality of the Child and the Adult with Catherine McTamaney

   Dr. Catherine McTamaney joins the Voices in Montessori podcast to talk about reclaiming the essence of Montessori’s vision: centering the spirituality of both the child and the adult. With all the pressures Montessori Guides face—from state regulations and accreditation standards to parental expectations—Catherine challenges us to hold those pressures at bay rather than allowing them to determine what we do with the child in front of us. Centering curiosity over judgement affects the way we prepare ourselves, the way we prepare the environment, the way we observe children, and the way we interact with our colleagues. She describes the commitment to authentic Montessori practice as an “act of civil disobedience”—albeit one of the most peaceful kinds. It is an invitation to pause, return to Montessori’s deepest principles, and trust what we know about the child rather than allowing external pressures to dictate our practice.

2. 

   2 Jul 2026

   Cultivating the Prepared Adult with Anna Perry

   Anna Perry joins the Voices in Montessori podcast to discuss what it really means to be a prepared adult in Montessori education. In this thoughtful conversation, our host, Tamara Sheesley Balis, and Anna discuss how self-awareness, humility, and reflection transform not only our teaching, but our relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Anna shares practical stories from the classroom that illustrate how letting go of the ego allows us to respond with empathy instead of defensiveness. The conversation explores why conflict is not something to avoid, but an opportunity for growth, connection, and deeper understanding. They also examine the common misconception that "education for peace" means the absence of conflict, when in reality, peace is cultivated through honest communication, courageous conversations, and learning to resolve disagreements with grace. Whether you're a classroom guide, school leader, assistant, or parent, this episode offers practical strategies for developing emotional intelligence, navigating difficult conversations, fostering healthy school cultures, and embracing the ongoing work of personal transformation.

3. 

   21 Apr 2026

   The Science of Getting Stuff Done: Explicitly Teaching Executive Function with Jess Davis

   Jess Davis joins the Voices in Montessori podcast, hosted by Tamara Sheesley Balis, to discuss the need for explicit instruction on executive functioning for Elementary and Adolescent students in order to set them up for success. Executive functioning skills are cognitive (thinking) skills that support the processes needed to thrive in all areas of life- socially, physically, and academically. They help us plan, organize, and complete the tasks for basic needs and self-actualization. They help us control our emotions (vs. be controlled by them), actively engage in activities, make good decisions, and complete tasks. Without strong EF skills, students will struggle to attend to lessons, follow directions, keep track of materials, retain content, and complete tasks. In addition, low EF can mimic a lack of motivation, comprehension, or memory and can be misinterpreted as intentional misbehavior or refusal. If these challenges sound familiar when thinking of certain students in your classroom, you are not alone. In recent years, executive functioning skills have been an increasing concern for classroom teachers. Jess walks us through what to look for in the classroom, how to address EF deficits, and ways to work EF practice into daily routines. She explains the three categories of executive function, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control, and how these link to innumerable daily tasks. This is a great introduction to Executive Function and systematic ways to support the children in our care who need extra EF support.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact Voices in Montessori Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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