Talks that keep families enrolled, teachers energized, and leaders sharp
For over 20 years, Jesse McCarthy has helped schools do one of the hardest parts of Montessori: getting the adults on board — as a teacher, principal, executive, school owner and host of The Montessori Education Podcast.
“Your speech was one of the times I’ve felt the most inspired in my whole life.”
Join these and other schools and organizations in bringing Jesse McCarthy to your community.
“Thank you for everything! This was a tremendous experience for our entire community — parents and staff. I know I won’t be alone today in thinking I have been very fortunate to meet you and have you speak here in person!”
“THANK YOU for your visit last week! There were so many good takeaways from the talk on Thursday night, and many more the next day when we got to chat with you. We’ve been spending this week doing more observations and trying to keep the ‘altitude’ when things feel rocky. I also spoke with a couple of parents this week who were so appreciative of your insights. ... We’re so grateful to you!”
“Your workshop was profoundly uplifting. Thank you.”
“Jesse is an incredible speaker.
I had him at our school to give a parent talk on the importance of staying for the “kindergarten” year and on the value of Montessori elementary. His presentation was informative and inspiring for our parents, and just a pleasure to attend.
We had at least four families re-evaluate their decision to move their children to public school. I highly recommend Jesse to anyone wishing to communicate the benefit of a Montessori education to their school community.”
Sample Talks & Workshops
tailored to your community
For Parents
Montessori in Action — At School & Home
What your child is really doing all day, and how to bring the same calm and independence home. Parents leave with a deeper understanding of Montessori and appreciation for their child’s school.
The Kindergarten Year (and Beyond)
Why families who stay see the biggest payoff. Valuable any time of year; strongest when parents hear it early.
For Teachers and Staff
Handling Strong Emotions — The Child's & Our Own
Practical tools for our hardest moments, inside and out of the classroom. A favorite for in-service days and the midyear recharge.
Parent Communication & Connection
For staff who want to master parent communication — from explaining Montessori with confidence to being at ease in even the hardest conversations.
For Heads of School and Leadership
Leadership Roundtables
Small-group working sessions on enrollment, parent communication and staff culture.
“Thanks to Jesse’s talents as a speaker, I was able to enroll many students into my new school and turn my dream of offering Montessori elementary in San Francisco into a reality.
Jesse knows how to get parents excited about their child’s education, and he has an especially effective way of communicating what is so unique about Montessori.
He’s an engaging, fun, and authentic speaker. I *highly* recommend him.”
“We hosted Jesse as a keynote speaker at a seminar for a group of Acton Academy school owners and educators. Jesse’s speech was the highlight of the week!
Jesse’s talk was on Montessori and the heroic things children are capable of. It was both insightful and inspiring. He brought several attendees to tears. I was especially impressed that Jesse had given so much thought to our unique audience. He designed his talk specifically for us. (Some attendees knew a lot about Montessori, while others knew very little.) At dinner the night after his presentation, the first thing I said to him — and what I genuinely felt — was “Wow!””
Host Your Own Event
To inquire about having Jesse McCarthy speak to your community, send an email or complete the form below.
Jesse does in-person events and select virtuals for schools and organizations — from parent coffee chats and Q&As to multi-day workshops for teachers and leadership. His fee is based on format and time commitment, with limited dates each season.
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 and parenting 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.