It's mid-year—time to ensure every child is moving forward! Join Dr. Susan Zoll for a practical exploration of how to use our observations and other assessments to ensure equitable student outcomes and to personalize literacy learning. We'll examine Dr. Montessori's work curves, Learning Stories (New Zealand observation / documentation approach), and other tools used to capture snapshots of students' learning. Collectively, these data can be triangulated to create a robust view of the child so you can create meaningful next steps in your classroom. Perfect for teachers, administrators, and families interested in data-informed, child-centered instruction.
Who Should Attend: Teachers, Administrators, Families
What You'll Receive: Pre-session chapter from Dr. Zoll's book, sample assessment analysis frameworks
What You'll Leave With: A protocol for reviewing data to plan personalized instruction
Registration Fee (Sliding Scale): $10 - $25 We are offering a sliding scale fee to make this event accessible to all. Please pay what you are able to within the $10-$25 range.
About Dr. Susan Zoll
Dr. Susan Zoll brings a rare combination: deep Montessori roots, rigorous research credentials, and practical classroom wisdom.
Her Journey:
Montessori Educator - Former 3-6 teacher and head of school who remembers the daily reality of classroom life
Parent Perspective - Mother of two adult daughters who carry precious memories as Montessori students
Teacher Trainer - Montessori Language curriculum specialist
Academic Leadership - Tenured Associate Professor at Rhode Island College
Research Impact - Led multiple large-scale literacy projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education
AMS Recognition - Co-chaired the American Montessori Society's Research Committee and received the 2025 AMS Impact Award
Published Author - Co-authored three essential books:
Implementing the Montessori Method: Learner-Centered Education from Birth through Adolescence (2026)
Effective Literacy Assessment in the Montessori Classroom: Using Data to Inform Instruction (2025)
Powerful Literacy in the Montessori Classroom: Aligning Reading Research and Practice (2023)
Susan's mission is raising awareness of Montessori pedagogy within the wider education community while helping Montessori educators strengthen their practice with research-informed approaches—making her the perfect guide for this mid-year assessment exploration.
What Makes This Different
This isn't abstract assessment theory.
This is practical, actionable knowledge you can use immediately to plan the second half of your school year.
This isn't about adding more work to your plate.
It's about making the observations you're already doing more powerful and purposeful.
This isn't another talking-head lecture.
Susan facilitates lively, interactive discussions that honor your experience while deepening your assessment literacy.
This isn't gatekeeping knowledge.
Our sliding scale pricing ($10-25) ensures every Montessori educator can access this learning, regardless of their school's professional development budget.
Investment & Registration
Sliding Scale: $10-25
Choose the price point that works for your situation. We believe in making transformative professional learning accessible to all educators in our New Mexico Montessori community.
What's Included:
✓ 90-minute live virtual roundtable with Dr. Susan Zoll
✓ Pre-session chapter from Dr. Zoll's book
✓ Sample assessment analysis frameworks
✓ A practical protocol for data-informed instruction planning
✓ Interactive discussion and Q&A
✓ Recording access if you can't attend live
✓ Ability to submit questions in advance
✓ Connection with fellow New Mexico Montessori educators
Can't afford even $10? Email us. We don't let money keep great educators from great learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Event
Q: Is this a lecture or interactive discussion? A: Susan facilitates interactive roundtable discussions. Come prepared to engage, ask questions, 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 Susan 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 chapter from Dr. Zoll's book upon registration. Reading it beforehand will enrich your experience, though it's not required. If possible, bring examples of your current assessment data or observation notes to inform your thinking.
Q: I'm right in the middle of mid-year assessments. Is the timing right? A: Perfect timing! This session is designed to help you make sense of the data you're currently collecting and turn it into actionable plans for 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.
Q: How does this compare to other professional development? A: Assessment workshops typically run $200-500 plus travel. Academic conferences cost $300-800 plus hotels and flights. This is 90 minutes with an award-winning expert for the cost of a coffee shop lunch.
Q: Is this CEU-eligible? A: Please check with your specific licensing body. We provide certificates of attendance upon request.
About the Content
Q: I'm drowning in assessment requirements. Will this add more to my plate? A: Absolutely not! This is about making the observations and assessments you're already doing more meaningful and actionable. Susan will show you how to work smarter, not harder.
Q: What if I'm not trained in literacy assessment? A: Perfect! Susan specializes in making assessment approaches accessible and practical for educators. No specialized background required.
Q: I'm new to Montessori. Is this appropriate for me? A: Yes! While the content connects to Montessori observation practices, Susan explains concepts clearly for anyone interested in child-centered assessment.
Q: Will this help with students who aren't progressing as expected? A: Absolutely. One key focus is using data to ensure equitable outcomes—identifying and supporting students who need additional intervention.
Q: I teach older elementary students. Is this just for early childhood? A: While examples may draw from various age levels, the assessment principles and data analysis protocols apply across the elementary years.
Q: What's the difference between this and traditional literacy assessment PD? A: Susan bridges Montessori observation practices with research-based assessment approaches, showing you how to honor the child while ensuring accountability and progress.
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!.
Q: Can I bring a colleague or share the link? A: Each person needs their own registration and will receive a link of their own, but we encourage learning teams to participate together.
Q: Should administrators and teachers attend together? A: Yes! When leadership and classroom teachers have shared understanding of assessment approaches, everyone wins.
Q: What if I have a specific question for Susan? A: You can submit questions in advance when you register, and there will be Q&A time during the session.
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 reference assessment materials 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.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
We know life can throw you a curveball! If your plans change, here’s how we’ll work with you to make things right:
For Live & Virtual Courses
If you cancel 14+ days before your course starts: You’ll get your money back, minus a small admin fee to cover our processing costs.Cancel 7–13 days before: You’ll get half of your course fee refunded.Less than 7 days before: We can’t offer refunds — but you can request a credit to use on another course within one year. We’d love to see you at a future event!
Can’t Attend? Send a Friend!
Absolutely! If you can’t make it, send someone in your place at no extra cost. Just email us at least 48 hours before your course to let us know.
If You Don’t Show Up
If we don’t hear from you beforehand and you miss the class, we can’t offer refunds or credits. Please let us know if something comes up so we can help!
If We Need to Cancel
If we need to cancel a course (for example, due to low enrollment or an emergency), you’ll receive a full refund — or we’ll help you transfer your registration to another date that works for you.
📧 To cancel, request a refund, credit, or send a friend:Just email us at info@nmmontessori.org with your name, course info, and order number. We’re here to help!
Need special accommodations?
We're committed to making this roundtable accessible to everyone. Please contact us at info@nmmontessori.org to discuss any accommodations needed.
Questions?
Contact the Montessori Network of New Mexico at info@nmmontessori.org
It's mid-year—time to ensure every child is moving forward! Join Dr. Susan Zoll for a practical exploration of how to use our observations and other assessments to ensure equitable student outcomes and to personalize literacy learning. We'll examine Dr. Montessori's work curves, Learning Stories (New Zealand observation / documentation approach), and other tools used to capture snapshots of students' learning. Collectively, these data can be triangulated to create a robust view of the child so you can create meaningful next steps in your classroom. Perfect for teachers, administrators, and families interested in data-informed, child-centered instruction.
Who Should Attend: Teachers, Administrators, Families
What You'll Receive: Pre-session chapter from Dr. Zoll's book, sample assessment analysis frameworks
What You'll Leave With: A protocol for reviewing data to plan personalized instruction
Registration Fee (Sliding Scale): $10 - $25 We are offering a sliding scale fee to make this event accessible to all. Please pay what you are able to within the $10-$25 range.
About Dr. Susan Zoll
Dr. Susan Zoll brings a rare combination: deep Montessori roots, rigorous research credentials, and practical classroom wisdom.
Her Journey:
Montessori Educator - Former 3-6 teacher and head of school who remembers the daily reality of classroom life
Parent Perspective - Mother of two adult daughters who carry precious memories as Montessori students
Teacher Trainer - Montessori Language curriculum specialist
Academic Leadership - Tenured Associate Professor at Rhode Island College
Research Impact - Led multiple large-scale literacy projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education
AMS Recognition - Co-chaired the American Montessori Society's Research Committee and received the 2025 AMS Impact Award
Published Author - Co-authored three essential books:
Implementing the Montessori Method: Learner-Centered Education from Birth through Adolescence (2026)
Effective Literacy Assessment in the Montessori Classroom: Using Data to Inform Instruction (2025)
Powerful Literacy in the Montessori Classroom: Aligning Reading Research and Practice (2023)
Susan's mission is raising awareness of Montessori pedagogy within the wider education community while helping Montessori educators strengthen their practice with research-informed approaches—making her the perfect guide for this mid-year assessment exploration.
What Makes This Different
This isn't abstract assessment theory.
This is practical, actionable knowledge you can use immediately to plan the second half of your school year.
This isn't about adding more work to your plate.
It's about making the observations you're already doing more powerful and purposeful.
This isn't another talking-head lecture.
Susan facilitates lively, interactive discussions that honor your experience while deepening your assessment literacy.
This isn't gatekeeping knowledge.
Our sliding scale pricing ($10-25) ensures every Montessori educator can access this learning, regardless of their school's professional development budget.
Investment & Registration
Sliding Scale: $10-25
Choose the price point that works for your situation. We believe in making transformative professional learning accessible to all educators in our New Mexico Montessori community.
What's Included:
✓ 90-minute live virtual roundtable with Dr. Susan Zoll
✓ Pre-session chapter from Dr. Zoll's book
✓ Sample assessment analysis frameworks
✓ A practical protocol for data-informed instruction planning
✓ Interactive discussion and Q&A
✓ Recording access if you can't attend live
✓ Ability to submit questions in advance
✓ Connection with fellow New Mexico Montessori educators
Can't afford even $10? Email us. We don't let money keep great educators from great learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Event
Q: Is this a lecture or interactive discussion? A: Susan facilitates interactive roundtable discussions. Come prepared to engage, ask questions, 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 Susan 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 chapter from Dr. Zoll's book upon registration. Reading it beforehand will enrich your experience, though it's not required. If possible, bring examples of your current assessment data or observation notes to inform your thinking.
Q: I'm right in the middle of mid-year assessments. Is the timing right? A: Perfect timing! This session is designed to help you make sense of the data you're currently collecting and turn it into actionable plans for 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.
Q: How does this compare to other professional development? A: Assessment workshops typically run $200-500 plus travel. Academic conferences cost $300-800 plus hotels and flights. This is 90 minutes with an award-winning expert for the cost of a coffee shop lunch.
Q: Is this CEU-eligible? A: Please check with your specific licensing body. We provide certificates of attendance upon request.
About the Content
Q: I'm drowning in assessment requirements. Will this add more to my plate? A: Absolutely not! This is about making the observations and assessments you're already doing more meaningful and actionable. Susan will show you how to work smarter, not harder.
Q: What if I'm not trained in literacy assessment? A: Perfect! Susan specializes in making assessment approaches accessible and practical for educators. No specialized background required.
Q: I'm new to Montessori. Is this appropriate for me? A: Yes! While the content connects to Montessori observation practices, Susan explains concepts clearly for anyone interested in child-centered assessment.
Q: Will this help with students who aren't progressing as expected? A: Absolutely. One key focus is using data to ensure equitable outcomes—identifying and supporting students who need additional intervention.
Q: I teach older elementary students. Is this just for early childhood? A: While examples may draw from various age levels, the assessment principles and data analysis protocols apply across the elementary years.
Q: What's the difference between this and traditional literacy assessment PD? A: Susan bridges Montessori observation practices with research-based assessment approaches, showing you how to honor the child while ensuring accountability and progress.
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!.
Q: Can I bring a colleague or share the link? A: Each person needs their own registration and will receive a link of their own, but we encourage learning teams to participate together.
Q: Should administrators and teachers attend together? A: Yes! When leadership and classroom teachers have shared understanding of assessment approaches, everyone wins.
Q: What if I have a specific question for Susan? A: You can submit questions in advance when you register, and there will be Q&A time during the session.
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 reference assessment materials 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.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
We know life can throw you a curveball! If your plans change, here’s how we’ll work with you to make things right:
For Live & Virtual Courses
If you cancel 14+ days before your course starts: You’ll get your money back, minus a small admin fee to cover our processing costs.Cancel 7–13 days before: You’ll get half of your course fee refunded.Less than 7 days before: We can’t offer refunds — but you can request a credit to use on another course within one year. We’d love to see you at a future event!
Can’t Attend? Send a Friend!
Absolutely! If you can’t make it, send someone in your place at no extra cost. Just email us at least 48 hours before your course to let us know.
If You Don’t Show Up
If we don’t hear from you beforehand and you miss the class, we can’t offer refunds or credits. Please let us know if something comes up so we can help!
If We Need to Cancel
If we need to cancel a course (for example, due to low enrollment or an emergency), you’ll receive a full refund — or we’ll help you transfer your registration to another date that works for you.
📧 To cancel, request a refund, credit, or send a friend:Just email us at info@nmmontessori.org with your name, course info, and order number. We’re here to help!
Need special accommodations?
We're committed to making this roundtable accessible to everyone. Please contact us at info@nmmontessori.org to discuss any accommodations needed.
Questions?
Contact the Montessori Network of New Mexico at info@nmmontessori.org
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