Welcome to The Montessori Education Podcast with Jesse McCarthy, where we talk raising children and educating students while bettering ourselves alongside them.
A few popular episodes:
About Jesse McCarthy, host of the Montessori Education Podcast
For over 20 years, Jesse McCarthy has worked with thousands of children, parents, teachers and administrators — as a principal for infants to 8th graders, an executive with a nationwide group of private schools, an elementary & junior-high teacher, and a parent-and-teacher mentor.
Jesse received his B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and his Montessori teacher's diploma for ages 2.5 to 6+ from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori.
Jesse has spoken on education, parenting and child development around the globe, from Midwest America to the Middle East, as well as at popular organizations in and outside of the Montessori community: from AMI/Canada to old-school Twitter. Jesse now lives with his family in South Florida where he heads MontessoriEducation.com and, alongside his wife (and young son), runs La Casa, The Schoolhouse.
Episodes in order (newest to oldest):
Ways to aid the children in our lives from birth to age 3 | Gaby Velazquez, AMI Montessori trainer
Lose your cool on your child? Disagree with your significant other? Concerns about Montessori?
“You don't have to go Instagram worthy to raise a child. That is a lie.” A Montessori OG, Claudia Alvarez, speaks to today’s moms and dads
One child is "too independent," the other has "high anxiety." What to do? Clip from a parent Q&A at live event..
“I always thought I’d send my kids to public school… But I’m probably not going to do that now.”
“The Montessori child is a constructor, not a consumer … he’s not waiting to be told things.”
Two examples of when things didn’t go so well with children, and one when they did. (And a secret.)
Montessori infants, Montessori babies, Montessori toddlers | “[This] is the foundation of who we are as an adult.”
“[Normalization] is the most important single result of our whole work.” Maria Montessori
“We must open our eyes.” Maria Montessori | a look into a fascinating material in the Montessori classroom
“Before I had my own children I was always saying, ‘I will never do that!’ … But of course life plans it a different way.” Lucie Tamasova
“I had this goal: I wanted my kids to be independent.” Esther Wojcicki, star teacher and mom of three girls: the CEO of YouTube, the CEO/Cofounder of 23andMe, and a professor
The talented and sweet-hearted Sanford Jones shares his 50+ years of musical experience with children
A conversation with father-of-two Troy Rivas about exploring nature, parenting with purpose, expressing our emotions around children, gaining from Montessori and more
Back in 1915, Maria Montessori shared a short but powerful experience that reminds us to take a moment to focus on what’s important.
“Grit beats IQ every time.” Jeff Sandefer, co-founder of the Acton network of 270+ schools
“Having a routine saves your life.” Daniela Monteiro, Montessori teacher & parent of two
“We just completed our ninth week of school closures…” Meet Karin Ann, co-founder of a group of Montessori schools in Hong Kong with ~1,000 children from ages 2 to 12
Going beyond the headlines with Johns Hopkins’ Dr. Amesh Adalja, an expert on infectious diseases and pandemics who has recently been making the rounds on all the major news networks, from CNN to MSNBC to FOX
With school closed and social distancing in effect, students share their experience and advice.
A discussion on the Coronavirus with children’s science idol and Montessori parent, Doug Peltz | What is coronavirus in simple terms? How do I talk with children about it? What do I do at home given schools are closed?
Stories and guidance from Simone’s 15+ years as a Montessori parent of two and teacher of thousands
Alessandra Aristimuño offers a peek into her mixed-age Montessori classroom, with children from ~3 to 6 years old, and shares some guidance for parents and fellow Montessori teachers.
Four suggestions on being more Montessori at home (without turning your living room into a classroom)
Dealing with daily issues that come up with children while also helping to instill values that last
“I haven’t made a school lunch since they were 6,” says Heike Larson, parent of now 10-year-old Henrik and 12-year-old Karina.
This is for all the independent, hard-working mothers out there — like my wonderful and loving own mom. ❤
A discussion about transitioning out of Montessori into public school and the larger world
What do all these strange Montessori terms like “Practical Life” and “Prepared Environment” actually mean?
An interview with Stacey Dee, experienced infant & toddler teacher who offers new parents (and all of us) some tips on attachment
An interview with Ben Messelbeck, a thoughtful & no-nonsense father who asks the tough questions on many parents’ minds
Understanding Montessori education as a parent — and applying some of it in the home — is not always so simple. In this episode, we speak with Erin and Andrew Ranallo about their experimental journey from basically zero knowledge about Montessori, to effectively using Montessori ideas and practices with their own children, Steggie (age 4) and Elon (18 months).
Discussion with Berenice Saint-Saens, a Montessori educator of children from birth to 3 years, in both the classroom and the home
The Montessori Education Podcast, beginnings … Join in for our first conversation about Montessori teaching and parenting, with longtime educator Jesse McCarthy of MontessoriEducation.com and guest Alessandra Aristimuño, teacher in a Montessori Casa classroom of children ages 3 to 6 years
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Former head of elite $50k/yr. Sage Hill high school talks education & parenting