A Simple Question, a Bigger Reflection

Last week, my kids, Terry, and I were sitting around the table eating dinner - a pasta bake, if I remember correctly. We were talking about Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, stepping down. It’s a big deal for our country, but in the grand scheme of world events, it's probably a small deal elsewhere. O, my oldest, asked who would be Prime Minister next, sparking a discussion about the process - internal voting, elections, and so on. They asked if anyone could be Prime Minister, and I explained, “Of course. You just have to be 18 and a Canadian citizen.” At which point, Z, my youngest, chimed in, “Well, why don’t you just do it then, Mom?”

Living Within Our Circles

We all live in our circles. These circles - our work lives, personal lives, and the communities we build around us - shape who we are. For me, my Montessori circle has been central for the last 20 years. It’s filled with people who are passionate about creating opportunities for children to grow and develop. I’ve spent countless hours in this community, speaking with educators and families who share this vision. Yet, as meaningful as this work is, our circle can feel small and inaccessible to those outside of it. And like so many circles, it’s limiting.

Growing Beyond the Familiar

After two decades in the Montessori world, I’m ready for my circle to grow. I want to engage with people who hold different beliefs and experiences. I want to see how they can shape me and, perhaps, how I might influence them. That’s part of why Gather Montessori exists - to bring people together, to foster connection, and to recognize each other’s capacity and possibility.

The Power of Being Seen

I’ll never forget a moment years ago with O at a doctor’s appointment. The specialist, a stranger to us, sat at the end of the patient bench, speaking directly to O. He showed them how to apply medication, explained how to clean the infected area, and answered their questions. I watched as he engaged with them fully, only addressing me to thank me before leaving. On the way home, O said, “That doctor was really nice.” When I asked why, they replied, “Because he talked to me and not just to you.”

This experience reminded me how rare and profound it is to be truly seen - to be acknowledged as a whole person. It’s something I’ve noticed in other spaces, too. When a waiting room has chairs for all sizes, people feel seen. When a child is asked what they want to order at a restaurant, they feel seen. When a senior in a care home is invited to choose their juice at dinner, they feel seen. These small acts of recognition make a difference, but they’re often missing because we’ve stopped looking at each other - really looking. We’ve become isolated in our circles.

Building Connection Through Montessori

I want to help change that. I want us to see each other again. To build communities where everyone - from the youngest child to the oldest adult - feels valued and connected. Imagine if every space invited moments of connection. If we stopped to acknowledge one another, if we built environments that celebrated our shared humanity.

This is where Montessori can help. Yes, I’m biased, but Montessori offers a framework for seeing people as whole, capable, and resilient. It’s about identifying what someone needs to thrive and helping them get there. It’s about community- creating spaces where everyone feels seen and supported. Montessori principles aren’t just for children; they’re for all of us. They’re simple to implement and can transform how we interact and connect.

Seeing Each Other, Growing Together

When O sat in that doctor’s chair, they felt seen. When we include people in decision-making, when we design spaces that accommodate everyone, when we listen - we show others that they matter. It’s not a lot to ask, but it can make a world of difference.

So, when Z asked me why I don’t just become Prime Minister, I told them, “I don’t have time!” My time, and Gather Montessori’s time, is dedicated to this mission. To seeing you - all of you. To helping us step beyond our circles and connect. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to start, we’re here to help. Together, we can create spaces and systems that make connection not only possible but inevitable.

Montessori is for everyone.
It’s a way to rediscover connection in a fractured world, to grow our circles a little bigger, and to see - and be seen - in the process.