IMC Accreditation Spotlight By Sheila Linville

What has been your most treasured experience?

Nargees Jumahan My most treasured general experience is sparking curiosity in my students. However, an individual treasured experience involved a student in my class, who recently immigrated to the US and spoke very little English. I shared with her my story of immigration and my struggle with English and the challenge of slowly overcoming it. It completely changed her attitude towards the language. She began to express herself verbally and in writing. In the school, she opened up and connected with other students.

Tiffani Battle My most treasured experience has been to attend a Montessori Conference in Denver a few years back. It was the first time I went to a community event with the Montessorians of Color. It was the best experience to be in a space with others who are just like me. There is something to be said about what happens when one of few becomes one of many.

What is your advice to adults of color who are considering Montessori as their calling?

Raina Ford My advice to an adult of color considering Montessori as their calling, would be to go for it! We need you in our classrooms because we are underrepresented. Do it - and put your whole heart into it because once you enter into the world of Montessori, it really does change you. Taking the Montessori training helped me become more peaceful, and it widened my perspective. It can only add to your life and your qualifications. So if you have the opportunity to take Montessori training, reach out and grab that opportunity.

Nargees Jumahan I think my advice to adults of color seeking Montessori as their career would be to find other Montessorians of colors and build a support system to help them thrive.

Tiffani Battle I would advise this: Come. Join our Montessori world. We are making the world a better place, one student at a time.

If we truly believe that people of color have and are making a contribution to our worldwide tapestry, then we will fully commit to supporting the voice, access, structure, and equitable needs of children, families, and teachers of color. It is then that we can truly make the invitation, as Montessorian Tiffani Battle so aptly put it: “Come. Join our Montessori world. We are making the world a better place one student at a time.”

Dr. Cindy Acker holds degrees in human development, culture and spirituality and a doctorate in educational leadership from UC Berkeley. She is former VP of the National Child Care Association and has served as a public policy adviser for Montessori schools and school associations. She is a five-time award winner in areas of social justice, and has created platforms for school social justice and protocols for school re-entry post covid-19. She was trained by Ursula Thrush and is head of The Child Unique Montessori School and Montessori Elementary School in Alameda.

SPOTLIGHT ON IMC SCHOOLS

BY SHEILA LINVILLE

Sheila Linville Director of Accreditation & Affiliation, International Montessori Council (IMC) Sheila is passionate about Montessori Education and has three decades of experience as a Head of School, Classroom Guide on the Primary and Lower Elementary levels, and Leadership/Teacher Coach and Consultant. She currently serves as Director of School Accreditation and Affiliation with the International Montessori Council (IMC). She receives great satisfaction from helping schools organize a Guidance Program for their students and families. She is the Executive Director of The Andrews Educational Institute, a foundation for supporting Montessori and Progressive schools. Sheila has two sons, both who are Montessori graduates, and works alongside her dedicated and loving 20 ©MONTESSORI LEADERSHIP husband Scott. | WWW.MONTESSORI.ORG/IMC | VOLUME 24 ISSUE 1 • 2022

I am delighted to be sharing our work in Accreditation. Firstly, let me share the exciting News that IMC has 17 fully Accredited schools. We have 12 Schools in the Self Study process from all over the United States, including Poland, Qatar, and the Cayman Islands. These schools are small, medium, and large public, charter, private, or affiliated with a religious organization. Last year, we conducted an OnSite Visit for Accreditation in the Virtual World. Starting in January, we will be back into our wonderful schools, celebrating and validating all of the great work happening. This Winter/Spring, we will be busy with visits to all of these schools who are first-time accreditations OR re-accreditation with IMC: Ghent School, VA; New Gate School, FL; Montessori Community School Salt Lake City, UT; Leap Montessori, NM; Innovation Montessori School, FL. We updated the Accreditation Handbook and all forms that relate to the process. We have attracted over ----new volunteers to our Volunteer Corps to assist with accreditation visits. Additionally, we are working on teams for joint Accreditation Organizations, ie. AMS, Cognia. Working with Regional, State, National, and International Organizations strengthens our relationships to support fully implemented Montessori Schools. It is my privilege to spend time creating a personal relationship with schools, leaders, and teachers. If you would like to become a part of the Accreditation Volunteer Teams, kindly reach out. We have opportunities to read self-studies and become a part of OnSite Verifying Teams. At IMC, we are grateful for our community of IMC volunteers. I am looking forward to building strong and lasting relationships within our community. Sheila Linville sheilalinville@montessori.org