Montessori Mindset: A Conversation with Cassandra Baker

In this episode of Montessori Mindset, Melissa Rohan, founder of Waterfront Academy, speaks with Cassandra Baker from the Catholic Montessori Conference at the University of Mary. Their conversation explores the intersection of Catholic identity and Montessori pedagogy, and the growing movement to unite Catholic Montessori educators worldwide.

The Catholic Montessori Conference

The Catholic Montessori Conference is a relatively new but rapidly growing event. The most recent gathering, held last fall, marked its second year and welcomed about 150 attendees from across the globe — including participants from as far as Portugal. With keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, the conference aims to become an annual tradition, with hopes of expanding to 300 or more attendees in the future.

At its heart, the mission of the conference is to connect Catholic Montessorians to learn from and with one another, building a community rooted in shared values and vision. Cassandra Baker, the organizer, described the conference’s success as providential, noting the unexpected breadth of participation.

The Importance of Catholic Montessori Education

Melissa and Cassandra reflected on the deep alignment between Catholic values and Montessori philosophy. Maria Montessori herself was Catholic, and her vision of education emphasized the dignity of the human person — a theme central to both Catholic teaching and Montessori practice.

• Montessori education forms the whole human person, meeting each child where they are.

• Catholic Montessori schools often incorporate the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, blending faith formation with Montessori principles.

• Lessons taught with respect, dignity, and grace embody Catholic values.

• Quality Catholic education nurtures not only the mind and body but also the soul.

Melissa expressed excitement that the conference represents a return to Montessori’s original vision, offering a space for Catholic Montessorians to connect and strengthen their shared mission.

Focus on Peace

The theme for the next Catholic Montessori Conference will be peace. Maria Montessori spoke extensively about peace — not as an abstract idea, but as a practical necessity for human development.

Peace is essential for learning: without it, children struggle with worry, anxiety, and depression. The conference will explore how Montessori education fosters both inner peace and peace within communities, continuing Montessori’s legacy as an advocate for harmony and human dignity.

Challenges and Future Plans for the Catholic Montessori Institute (CMI)

The University of Mary in North Dakota plays a key role in supporting the conference and the broader Catholic Montessori movement. The Catholic Montessori Institute (CMI) has ambitious goals:

• Establish the conference as a yearly event.

• Launch Catholic Montessori training in partnership with AMI, ensuring Montessori’s religious writings are included.

• Create a networking board for Catholic Montessori jobs.

• Offer retreats for Montessorians, focusing on adult preparation.

• Organize pilgrimages to sites in Italy and Europe where Maria Montessori lived and worked.

• Expand vendor participation, especially Catholic vendors.

• Grow the conference into a truly international gathering.

Staffing remains a major challenge, with Catholic Montessori schools seeking qualified guides and training opportunities. The CMI hopes to address this need by building stronger networks and resources.

How to Connect

To learn more about the Catholic Montessori Conference and Institute:

• Search for “Catholic Montessori Institute, University of Mary” online.

• Visit the CMI website or Facebook page.

• For vendor opportunities or breakout session proposals, contact Cassandra Baker or the CMI directly.

• Email: clbaker@umary.edu or cmi@umary.edu.

  
  

Final Thoughts

The Catholic Montessori Conference is more than an event — it is a movement to reclaim Montessori’s Catholic roots and to strengthen the future of Catholic education. By focusing on dignity, peace, and the holistic formation of the human person, Catholic Montessori schools are carrying forward Maria Montessori’s vision in ways that are both timeless and urgently needed today.