The following article was written by Glenn Goodfellow, the Administrator for the Congress, and employee of Montessori NW. It was composed with the expressed interest to provide attendees and schools with content for newsletters and other summary publications. You are encouraged to use it, or sections of it, for your own needs. Photos can be found here.
On July 31st, 2013 the 27th International Montessori Congress began, marking the world’s largest international gathering of Montessorians. Nearly 2500 people from over 55 countries convened in Portland, Oregon to explore the universal aspects and unique facets of Montessori.
Dr. Maria Montessori established the International Montessori Congress in 1929 to raise awareness and understanding of Montessori education. Since then, 25 subsequent Congresses have followed around the world, with one held approximately every four years. It has been nearly 40 years since the Congress was last held in the United States, and its return built much excitement.
The International Montessori Congress is a tradition maintained by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and remains open to anyone interested in Montessori education. This year’s Congress was unique with its broad support from so many national and local Montessori membership organizations, as well as endorsements from educational foundations, universities, and local schools. The Congress was organized and administrated by Montessori Northwest, formerly the Montessori Institute Northwest, Portland’s AMI teacher training center.
Portland, Oregon, nestled within the American Pacific Northwest, is a region known for both its rich biodiversity and vibrant Montessori community. Here the study of volcanoes and old growth trees runs in tandem with Dr. Montessori’s teachings of a child’s capacity to explore and study nature.
The 2013 International Montessori Congress allowed participants to look more closely at how Montessori education is guided by children’s natural development and how that growth fosters a respectful relationship with the environment. The Congress theme, “Montessori: Guided By Nature,” took root in that dynamic relationship and celebrated the ways in which we are all uniquely tied to the physical and ecological makeup of our surroundings.
An initial component that made Congress attendees feel truly welcome in Portland was the attention paid by conference organizers to broadcasting the event, as well as general messages about Montessori education, throughout the city. As delegates arrived at the airport, their trains featured large ads for Montessori. Street banners hung around town advertised the Congress, and interviews with prominent Montessorians were heard on the radio.
The very first event most attendees participated in was “Montessori in the Square,” a public glass-classroom event held in the heart of downtown Portland. Pioneer Courthouse Square is a large public plaza in the center of the city which regularly plays host to various events such as music festivals and vocational fairs. Organizers knew that it would be the perfect venue for an event intended to attract both Montessorians and non-Montessorians alike.
This celebration of Montessori education featured three large interactive classrooms: Assistants to Infancy (ages 0-3), Primary (3-6), and Elementary (6-12), and included activities for children and information for parents. Montessori in the Square was the ideal, highly-visible platform for Montessori to shine.
Thousands of people passed by the model classrooms to watch the children work in their beautifully-prepared environments, and were in disbelief that even in such a public venue children were focused and working as normal! Trainers and guides were on hand to assist viewers with questions.
Concurrently, 550 conference attendees boarded buses to visit local Montessori schools throughout the city. Fifteen schools opened their doors to Congress visitors to walk them through their learning environments, explain how the school was established, and answer questions. In a twist of efficiency, conference-goers didn’t know which three schools they would be attending until they boarded their bus. Many people commented on how much they enjoyed visiting learning communities that featured classrooms for ages at which they themselves did not teach.
The 2013 Congress daily schedule included 5 time-blocks, each allowing up to 6-10 simultaneous “breakout” programs, for a total of 70 programs with varying numbers of attendees in each. Conference-goers gathered each day to hear moving keynote addresses from both a Montessorian and a non-Montessorian. Together these co-presenters led attendees to look at meaningful subjects through different lenses. Keynote speakers included cosmologist Dr. Brian Swimme, naturalist Paul Hawken, disability advocate Judith Snow, and eco-feminist Dr. Vandana Shiva.
Conference-goers were allowed to establish their own breakout programming tract, giving them more choice to craft a uniquely personal Congress program.
Other components of the Congress, for which there is not adequate descriptive space in this article, were: an afternoon of parent education workshops, interactive art displays, a vendor fair featuring nearly 100 exhibitors, a museum dedicated to the role of nature in Montessori, excursions into the beautiful wilds surrounding Portland, and a glamorous closing gala party.
The closing address of the conference heard André Roberfroid, AMI President, announce Prague, Czech Republic as the location of the next Congress in 2017.
Montessorians from around the world, many from diverse backgrounds and trainings, came together at the Congress and shared their commonalities with each other. That spirit of unity and empowerment is still in the air. Closer to home, employees of Montessori Northwest have an increased awareness of their ability to achieve great goals together and with broad community volunteer support.
In a way, the individual memories of a Congress attendee are a bit of a dreamscape. With so many moving pieces, it was impossible to witness every component. One’s mind recalls the thrill of seeing busloads of colleagues from Japan and Thailand arrive, hearing the applause for the fabulous keynote speakers, the smell of Earth filling the massive exhibit halls from the interactive nature displays, the delicious food at the closing Gala Portlandia, on and on and on…
The staff at Montessori Northwest extend their appreciation to the many people who helped make the 27th International Montessori Congress a great success, attendees and volunteers alike. Your hard work created something truly special and unique for us all.
Until this event reconvenes in four years, we Montessorians can look forward to seeing where the spirit of this year’s Congress take the movement next.
See you in Prague!
Glenn Goodfellow
