Preparing the Environment: A Collaboration to Support AMI/USA Member Schools
Montessori education is a byproduct of a philosophy that balances allowing children to explore and learn, while also helping them become the person they are meant to be. The importance of the prepared environment to both the child’s education and their growth cannot be understated. Dr. Montessori wrote – “The teacher must not content herself with merely providing her school with an attractive environment; she must continuously think about this environment, because a large part of the result depends on it.” (Maria Montessori, Some Words of Advice to Teachers, AMI Communications, 1995, p. 4, 14)
Montessorians know that a prepared environment is more than just the shelves and materials in a classroom – it is the entire ecosystem that supports the wellbeing of children and the adults who guide them. Preparation also extends to ensuring the school itself has considered the challenges that might come its way – whether they are predictable or unexpected.
To assist you with preparing your school environment, AMI/USA is collaborating with Adennill to bring their decades of combined experience in assisting schools with evolving a culture of preparedness and Montessori school leadership to AMI/USA Member Schools – offering support that feels like an extension of the Montessori philosophy: calm, thoughtful, and proactive.
Through this collaboration, member schools have access to a range of resources that help strengthen safety and preparedness at every level. Leadership teams can reflect on how ready their school is – physically, digitally, and administratively – through guided self-assessments designed to bring awareness to strengths and uncover opportunities for growth. In the digital realm, that means ensuring that people have the knowledge to navigate the cyber and AI world safely and avoid existing and emerging risks and threats; in the administrative sphere, it’s about aligning day-to-day operations with Montessori values and best practices; and in school safety, it’s about thinking ahead so the community feels confident, secure, and supported.
When faced with an adverse event, there is also peace of mind in knowing AMI/USA sponsored assistance is readily available for member schools. A dedicated, round-the-clock crisis line means that school leaders can reach an experienced professional at any hour to assist member schools as they manage the response, communicate effectively, rally support, and guide recovery. And for schools looking to make sure their current plans are truly ready for action, Adennill offers a collaborative review of existing emergency response procedures – helping refine them so they are both practical and true to the school’s mission and vision.
In a crisis, the decisions you make, the actions you take, the words you say can make all the difference. The beauty of this collaboration is that it’s not about imposing a one-size-fits-all plan, it’s about providing thoughtful tools and experienced guidance that schools can adapt to their own communities. With AMI/USA and Adennill working together, AMI/USA Member Schools can feel confident that their environments are not only beautifully prepared for learning, but also resilient, responsive, and safe for every child and adult who walks through their doors.
For more information on how to access Adennill services, reach out to Adennill at: meido@adennill.com or call (512) 507-6930.
