SERIES 3 - Exceptional Learners in our Montessori Environments

Meeting the Needs of Sensory Seeking Children (IT/EC)

Kelsey Burgoyne

 In the Montessori environment we’re able to expose the child to so many rich sensorial experiences. But what happens when certain sensorial experiences may be too much for a child with sensory aversions or not enough for a child that craves sensory input? How can we adapt the environment to support these children who are processing sensory input differently? Learn coping strategies, tips, management tools and more in this workshop!

Kelsey Burgoyne is a Primary Teacher at New Beginnings Montessori School in Mt. Crawford, VA. She completed her Early Childhood Credential in 2022 at VCMS. She has been in several school settings over the last decade and even homeschooled during the pandemic. Kelsey has a passion for supporting children in her classroom with learning differences and sensory needs and is also the parent of a child with special needs.

Exceptional Learners 101:  Understanding Learning Differences in Children (ALL)

Michele Mohar

 As Montessori teachers we are not always well-versed in the language of learning differences or understanding the exceptionalities that we see in children. The terminology is ever-changing and we do not always have a basic foundation.  This workshop will offer basic information about the exceptional learners in our classroom so that we can be better informed.

Michele Mohar, MEd, is the Director of Virginia Center for Montessori Studies in Richmond, VA. She has over 25 years of experience in both traditional and Montessori education.  Her first experiences as an educator were utilizing her master’s degree in Special Education to work with middle school and elementary-aged children.  This work allowed her to easily transition to preschool and the Montessori environment.   Michele is a former assistant head of school and lead teacher at West End Montessori School in Richmond, VA. She is also a current member of the AMS Teacher Education Action Commission. Michele is AMS credentialed in Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood.

Executive Function -- The Foundation of Student Success (ALL)

Michele Mohar

 Our Montessori environments are designed to encourage strong executive functioning.  However, we know also know that executive function is one of the primary challenges for children who learn differently.  This workshop will provide some of the basic information regarding executive function skills and how we can encourage the development of these skills in our Montessori environments.