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Certificates of Membership
A Certificate of MAC membership will be forwarded to all members. Schools/Centres will be able to access the MAC logo for any promotional materials. Schools/Centres will be able to use these for the duration of their membership.
As all MAC members will automatically become IMC members the IMC will also provide a Certificate of IMC School membership signifying your membership and/or accreditation status in the International Montessori Council. International Montessori Council school membership logos for brochures, ads, and stationary, and other promotional materials will also be provided for the duration of membership.
Publications
The Montessori Australia Council supports Montessori Education in Australia in a number of ways.
Montessori Discovered is a tri-fold colour A4 pamphlet that is available to all financial member educational institutions. This pamphlet is aimed at the general public, with the ability to overprint contact information with individual institution details and logos. Each member institution will receive 100 of these pamphlets free on joining the MAC. Our feedback has supported our belief that this is a useful resource allowing many schools and centres the opportunity to have a high quality colour pamphlet as part of their own public relations. These pamphlets are also used at expos and conferences. The Montessori Discovered pamphlet is reviewed annually.
MAC Benefits brochure is a colour brochure outlining the benefits to members. These will be available at cost to members for use in their own advertising.
The MAC will give members 2 high quality magazines per year for distribution to the staff and families of our educational institutions and our other members.
Montessori Matters
The aim of this magazine is not only to provide information through articles on Montessori philosophy and practice but also ones that support that philosophy in other fields of child development, family support and philosophical focus; as well as regular features of interest. It is also a means to provide communication between states on events, practices and ideas for staff and families. Montessori matters will incorporate articles from the IMC magazine Tomorrow’s Child. Individual members will also receive one copy.
Tomorrow’s Child
Our second magazine will be the IMC’s very popular magazine Tomorrow’s Child. This will include Australian content in addition to giving readers a more international perspective.
Montessori Leadership is a magazine produced by The International Montessori Foundation (the IMC’s administrative arm). One copy will go to each member school/centre and individual members will receive a copy via email. Montessori Leadership is a quarterly journal aimed at Montessori educators, administrators, teacher trainers, board members, and parent leaders. It has been praised as the most useful journal of its kind in the Montessori community. School members may reprint articles for internal use.
Montessori Leadership focuses on current "best practices" in Montessori curriculum and instruction, classroom management, the prepared environment, organizational leadership, school development, and teacher training. Articles are well researched, yet easily readable. The emphasis is on practical applications of things that are working in classrooms and schools around the world. New ideas will be examined in relation to the fundamentals of Montessori practice. Each issue explores a wide-range of topics, such as retaining students; peace education and character development; techniques for daily renewal; prepared environments that foster calmness, concentration, and cooperation; board development; the science of school expansion; fund raising; working with challenging children, parents, teachers, and boards; re-establishing harmony, trust, and teamwork; curriculum development; children and computers; and specific exploration of ideas such as new Practical Life and Sensorial exercises for 21st Century children. Submissions from members will be welcomed.
The National Directory
This will be available to members via the member login on the MAC website.
MAC e-News.
The MAC will forward MAC e-News via email on a regular basis to all members outlining current events and topics and keeping members informed of the MAC’s activities. All members are encouraged to contribute dates, articles, anecdotes and information.
Professional Development.
The Montessori Australia Council continues to seek opportunities to expand professional development opportunities for Montessori educators, teaching assistants, parents, school administrators and board members.
At the Local Level there will be four opportunities per year for professional development. Times and venues will be discussed with members and these will be advertised. Possible topics will be provided but local interest will be taken into account. Professional development may take the form of guest speakers, lectures on DVD’s, discussion groups, networking days etc. The MAC will be guided by its members and endeavour to address the needs and interests of Montessori educators, board members and administrators. It is hoped that interested members join our PD taskforce.
*Support Networks
*Teacher Network
MAC will introduce and develop with members a teacher on-line “toolbox” for sharing of ideas and opportunities. This will be available through the member login.
Parents
The MAC will develop guidelines for parents in choosing Montessori for their family. A parent Q&A will also be available on both the MAC and IMC websites.
MAC member families will have access to the IMC’s Online Centre for Montessori Families. This password protected area will offer families not only past issues, how to bring Montessori into the home, a Montessori approach to parenting but will also provide a virtual tour around classrooms using video presentations to introduce the foundations of the Montessori education.
Students
There will be an array of resources and forums for students to access.
Taskforces
A variety of taskforces will be set up online to gather information and also allow members to contribute. Many members have special interests and talents that they may like to share from time to time. All members are encouraged to join the different taskforces as and when they wish.
Some examples of taskforce groups may include:
Age specific groups
State based group
Parent groups
Curriculum interest groups
Heads of schools groups
Board member groups
Peace education network group
An example of how this may work is a state group may login and make suggestions for professional development.
Joining a taskforce group is not a compulsory component of membership it is simply a means for members to contribute and be heard.
Community Meetings
Community meetings are to ensure that the wider membership has an avenue for discussion of matters relating to the MAC. This gives our membership an opportunity to participate in the development of the MAC. It is used to build trust, partnership and communication.
These meeting will be the official voice of the membership as a whole.
Through Community Meetings members can put recommendations or formal questions to the Board. Community meetings are voluntary.
These meeting will be held at a regular time using whatever technology is possible (chat rooms, Skype). Opportunities for community meetings will also be offered at conferences and workshops held throughout the year.
Guidelines for Community Meetings and dates will be on the website and advertised on the MAC calendar and in the MAC e-News.
Representation
The MAC will continue the MAA’s long history of representing its members on national, local and state levels. The MAA has been represented at and made representations on behalf of its members at many forums throughout Australia. It has also partnered with other peak bodies and individuals in South Africa and the Unites States to increase our level of understanding and offer input on an international level to the Montessori community at large. Submissions to local, state and federal government agencies continue to be made to assist in the growth of awareness of the Montessori sector in Australia, to communicate on behalf of our members their needs and concerns and provide information and advocacy.
Ethics and Grievance Resolution
The Montessori Australia Council will promote the standards of practices among schools and educators as found in the IMC Code of Ethics. The MAC will assist the IMC in helping members to understand and accept the importance of following such principles of ethical practice.
The Montessori Australia Council has a Peaceful Grievance Resolution process, consistent with the values of Montessori peace education to which members can voluntarily turn for assistance in attempting to peacefully resolving professional conflicts. It is not suggested that the MAC or the IMC serves as a court of law to which disputes may be arbitrated. Rather, it is intended that as a community of peace educators we be prepared to offer third party assistance to parties who are in conflict.
Peace Education
Peace education in its many forms is a strategic priority of both the MAC and the IMC. In order to promote this the MAC will promote awareness of the importance of teaching peace to its members through its website resources.
It will also offer the opportunity for a Peace Education network which may organize workshops and other experiences in peace education for teachers, parents, and school administrators. It will also provide opportunities for dissemination of programmes and resources for peace education to be shared with members.
For example these could include IMC initiated programmes:
• Peace education curriculum and teaching strategies
• Community service programs
• Conflict resolution skill development for children and adults
• Building harmonious, family-friendly school communities
• The Peace-Keepers Montessori Youth Leadership Program
• Seeds of Peace Initiatives
• Programs designed to encourage international friendships among Montessori students around the world
• Earth Stewardship Programs in Environmental Education for Youth
International Montessori Council benefits.
The MAC’s affiliation with the IMC provides many additional benefits. A particular strength of the IMC is its proven ability to focus on topics of concern to Montessori school leaders, such as administration, curriculum development, recruitment and hiring, supervising teachers and staff, insurance, finance, facilities, working with boards, building community, fund raising, public relations, and so forth.
Video Conferencing and Workshops by Video
With members in more than 45 countries, The International Montessori Council has made a major commitment to facilitating communication and distance learning for its entire membership.
Today, many people are beginning to use the Internet to make world-wide phone calls for little or no cost. Video conferencing involves the use of the Internet to send voice and video images between two, three, or more people who are involved in a secure on line meeting area. Once configured, all you will need is an inexpensive webcam and a microphone.
New Montessori Schools Assistance
Along with its normal consulting services, the IMC provides specific advice and assistance to new Montessori schools or to groups that are in the process of opening new schools.
Documents and Resources
When a member requires an example of a particular policy or document, such as a sample enrolment agreement, budget, or parent handbook, they will generally be in our online library. If difficulties are being experienced the IMC will endeavour to find it in their archives or from their worldwide resource network.
Montessori Online - Fast Access to Montessori Specialists, Resources, and Research
Montessori Online (http://www.montessori.org) is an invaluable Montessori resource centre and offers a series of private member-only discussion groups, providing a host of services and resources to members. These include access to a library of articles and documents for Montessori leaders, the ability to tremendously expand your school's information provided in the International Directory of Montessori schools, calendars of professional conferences and symposia, a job-line, and an Online Montessori Helpline that provides fast access to specialists, references, and research whenever members need information and assistance in a timely manner. Additional features include:
• Live discussion forums conducted by leading Montessori educators
• On-line forums focused on the needs and interests of specific groups within the Montessori Community, such as:
Parents and teachers of infants and toddlers
Parents and teachers of preschool-age children
Parents and teachers of Elementary school children
Parents and teachers of secondary school students
Forum for heads of schools and board members
News of international and national Montessori organizations
Online seminars on Montessori Leadership
International Montessori Council School Assessment and Accreditation
The International Montessori Council offers a user-friendly program of school assessment and accreditation for the international Montessori school community. The program enables Montessori schools, large and small, to evaluate program quality, instructional effectiveness, operational and financial health, facilities and site utilization, and future growth potential.
Features of International Montessori Council School Accreditation include:
* Access to the community of the world's leading Montessori schools
* A practical approach to Montessori school accreditation, with a dynamic self-study process that will help your school grow even stronger through the process
* IMC School Accreditation is specifically designed to recognize the diversity of excellence within the international Montessori community, rather than being a model dependent upon a faculty all holding one particular Montessori certification.
The IMC Seal of Recognition Programme offers schools a less extensive and less expensive method of providing prospective parents and the general public with assurance that they offer educational programs that are effective and consistent with the essential characteristics of Montessori best practice at each age level offered. The Seal of Recognition Program is not an accreditation, but rather recognition that the school meets certain specific standards associated with best practice in Montessori education
The MAC will be assisting with the implementation of these programmes.
Free telephone or Email Consultation
One of the most valuable benefits of School Membership in the IMC is telephone or email consultation to the school's administrative leadership and board provided by leading experts in Montessori school leadership, through the Montessori Help Line.
The school must cover the cost of the phone call, and be aware that a consultant may not be immediately available (although the IMC response time is normally remarkably fast).
School-To-School Peer Mentoring
The IMC helps new schools, and schools going through a period of challenge or transition, to work in collaboration with other IMC schools that have experience and insights into similar situations. Whenever possible, IMC member schools are encouraged to network to extend the IMC's support system. This is another aspect of the IMC's philosophy of Montessori schools working together.
Discounts
MAC members are entitled to discounts on Montessori Leadership Institute Courses, IMC conference registration and publications from the Montessori Foundation Publications Centre.
These will be available for financial members both individual and attending from a member school/centre.
Conflict Resolution Between or Within Montessori Schools
If requested the IMC is available to assist with conflict resolution using the strategies that we teach in our annual Peace Academy.
Promotional materials.
There are a range of materials that members can use and adapt. These include: print, radio, and TV ads, brochure and direct mail pieces, pamphlets and posters.
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