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Frequently Asked Questions
About the Event
Q: Is this a lecture or interactive discussion?
A: This is a shared inquiry, not a traditional presentation. Cassi will facilitate interactive dialogue and guided reflection. You'll engage with pre-session materials to establish common ground, allowing your time together to focus on meaningful conversation, questions, and learning from each other. Come prepared to participate, share, and connect with fellow educators.
Q: Will this be recorded?
A: Yes! If you can't attend live, you'll receive access to the recording. You can also submit questions in advance that Cassi will address during the session.
Q: What platform will we use?
A: We'll be meeting via Zoom. Access links will be provided upon registration.
Q: What preparation is needed?
A: You'll receive a pre-session reading or short video upon registration. Engaging with it beforehand will enrich your experience and establish common understanding for our dialogue, though it's not required. If possible, bring your questions and real scenarios from your school context to inform the conversation.
Q: I'm right in the middle of navigating difficult staff dynamics. Is the timing right?
A: Perfect timing! This session is designed to help you build the skills and frameworks you need to navigate these situations with more clarity, courage, and care. The insights you gain could change how you approach the rest of the year.
About the Investment
Q: Why sliding scale pricing?
A: We believe every educator deserves access to excellent professional development, regardless of their school's budget. Choose the price that works for your situation—$10, $15, $25. This is about strengthening our community, not gatekeeping knowledge.
Q: How does this compare to other professional development?
A: Leadership development workshops typically run $200-500 plus travel. Academic conferences cost $300-800 plus hotels and flights. This is 90 minutes with an experienced Montessori leader, coach, and equity-focused educator for the cost of a lunch out.
Q: Is this CEU-eligible?
A: Please check with your specific licensing body. We provide certificates of attendance upon request.
About the Content
Q: We already have too many initiatives. Will this add more to our plate?
A: Absolutely not! This is about building the cultural foundation that makes all your other initiatives more effective. When your school has the skills for courageous conversation, everything else—curriculum implementation, equity work, community building—becomes more possible. Cassi will show you how to work with what you already have, not add another program.
Q: What if I've never facilitated a difficult conversation before?
A: Perfect! Cassi specializes in making these practices accessible and practical for educators at all experience levels. Courageous conversation is a skill, not a personality trait—it can be learned and practiced. No specialized background required.
Q: I'm new to Montessori leadership. Is this appropriate for me?
A: Yes! While the content is rooted in Montessori observation practices and principles, Cassi explains concepts clearly for anyone interested in building cultures of honest, respectful dialogue. Whether you're a new teacher, experienced administrator, or somewhere in between, you'll find value here.
Q: What if the tensions at my school feel too big or too complicated?
A: That's exactly why this session matters. Cassi has worked with schools navigating significant challenges across public, private, and charter settings. She understands complexity. This session will give you frameworks and starting points—you don't need to solve everything at once, but you do need to know where to begin. The community dialogue will also help you see you're not alone in facing difficult situations.
Q: Will this help with specific situations—like a conflict between staff members or tensions with parents?
A: Yes. While Cassi won't address individual situations during the session (to protect everyone's privacy), the frameworks and skills you'll explore apply directly to real conflicts and tensions. You'll learn how to prepare environments for these conversations, how to facilitate them, and how to preserve relationships through them. Many participants find that the session gives them clarity on situations they've been avoiding.
Q: How is this different from communication or conflict resolution training?
A: Cassi bridges Montessori observation and environmental preparation practices with equity-centered frameworks for dialogue. This isn't generic corporate training—it's grounded in Montessori philosophy while honoring the reality that our schools must navigate difficult conversations about race, equity, power, and belonging. It's both deeply Montessori and courageously contemporary.
Q: What if my school culture isn't ready for honest conversations?
A: Then this session is especially important for you. Culture doesn't change by accident—it changes when leaders decide to prepare the environment differently. You'll learn exactly how to start shifting your culture, even if it feels like you're starting from scratch. Small, intentional steps matter more than perfect conditions.
About Community & Participation
Q: Is this only for New Mexico educators?
A: While we're centering our New Mexico Montessori community, anyone is welcome to join! We believe the conversations will be enriched by diverse perspectives and contexts.
Q: Can I bring a colleague or share the link?
A: Each person needs their own registration and will receive their own link, but we strongly encourage learning teams to participate together. When leadership and classroom teachers have shared understanding of these practices, implementation is much stronger.
Q: Should administrators and teachers attend together?
A: Absolutely! When leadership and classroom educators engage with these frameworks together, everyone wins. You'll develop shared language, shared commitments, and shared courage for the work ahead. Consider registering your whole leadership team.
Q: What if I have a specific question for Cassi?
A: You can submit questions in advance when you register, and there will be Q&A time during the session. Cassi is also available for individual school coaching if you'd like deeper support—reach out to us for more information.
Q: Will I have opportunities to connect with other participants?
A: Yes! This is a shared inquiry, which means you'll engage in dialogue with fellow educators. Many participants report that the connections they make and the perspectives they hear from colleagues are some of the most valuable parts of the experience.
Technical Questions
Q: What if I have technical difficulties?
A: Technical support information will be provided with your registration confirmation. Plus, you'll have access to the recording if anything goes wrong during the live session.
Q: Can I access this from my phone or tablet?
A: Yes, though we recommend a computer or laptop for the best experience, especially if you want to engage fully in the dialogue and access any materials Cassi shares during the session.
Q: What if my internet connection is unreliable?
A: The recording will be available to all registrants, so you won't miss content due to connectivity issues. However, we encourage you to join live if at all possible—the real-time dialogue is where the magic happens.
Still Have Questions?
Email us at [info@nmmontessori.org] - we read and respond to every message.
Ready to Build a Braver School Culture?
Join fellow Montessori educators for this unique opportunity to develop the skills and courage your school needs.
The conversations your school isn't having? They're happening anyway—in parking lots, in people's heads as they drive home wondering if they should say something.
It's time to bring them into the light.
Cassi will show you how.
Montessori Network of New Mexico Reading Roundtable
Building courageous, visionary leaders for the children of today and the world of tomorrow.