Ginni Sackett is an AMI Trainer, Consultant, and Examiner at the 3-6 level, with over forty years of experience in Montessori education. Ginni came to Montessori education with a Bachelor Degree in History and a Master of Arts Degree in Asian Studies, then achieved the AMI 3-6 Diploma in Portland Oregon USA in 1982. She worked for 12 years as a classroom teacher before taking a position as Course Assistant at Montessori Northwest in 1994, an experience which inspired her to become an AMI Trainer. She served as a 3-6 Director of Training at Montessori Northwest until 2017, and she served as the Director of Pedagogy at AMI from 2018–2021.

Ginni brings to her work a deep commitment to the value of Montessori Scientific Pedagogy and in particular to the transformative potentials of Montessori adult education. She frequently presents on a variety of topics at regional, national, and international workshops and conferences. Her articles have been published in AMI Communications, The NAMTA Journal, and other Montessori publications, and she is the author of two pamphlets published by AMI/USA.

Soraya Lallani serves as the Director of Pedagogy for AMI/USA, where she provides pedagogical leadership and guidance to the AMI community across the United States. In this role, she oversees the AMI Recognition Program and leads the implementation of AMI Global School Accreditation in the United States, supporting schools in upholding the highest standards of Montessori practice.

Soraya’s commitment to Montessori education as a catalyst for social change is deeply rooted in her personal experiences growing up in Africa. Having witnessed significant inequalities in rural communities, she decided to embark on a career in Montessori education over the span of the last 30 years as: Montessori guide, Montessori School founder, and Program Manager for Montessori projects in Africa with the Arthur Waser Foundation.  Her work has been grounded in the belief of Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision: that children, when supported by a specially prepared environment and guided with respect, have the capacity to contribute to lasting and meaningful change in society. Soraya views children as powerful agents of transformation and future change makers.  She is an AMI 3-6 Primary Auxiliary Trainer / M.Ed. in Montessori / B.A in Political Science/ AMI 3-6 & AMI 6-12 Diplomas.

Montessorians appropriately focus considerable attention, time, and effort on preparing their working environments. The physical environment is key to this work. But there are many other ingredients involved beyond the physical – vital elements of the Prepared Environment that cannot be seen by the eye. These can include preparation of the adult, preparation of the learner, collective activities, appropriate limits, and readiness for a particular activity, plus the psychological and emotional atmosphere establishing a sense of physical and psychological safety for all within the physical environment. These and other non-material elements contribute greatly to understanding and providing a “Full Learning Experience”.  

In this live Zoom session, Soraya and Ginni will explore the concepts of preparing beyond the physical aspects of the Montessori Prepared Environment.  This conversation will take place for an estimated 45 minutes, where Soraya will facilitate a discussion centered around this topic.  After their discussion, there will be an opportunity for a Q&A from the audience who will participate in this LIVE Zoom event.