FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 7, 2016
CONTACT:
Monique OGrady, mogradeeva@gmail.com, 703-582-8550

Educators Launch the Virginia Montessori Association

VMA supports Montessori education through advocacy, teacher training and
public awareness
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA Montessori educators across the Commonwealth are
entering 2016 with the support of the newly formed Virginia Montessori Association
(VMA), which is poised to advance and expand Montessori education throughout the
state.
Montessori-trained educators and leaders launched the nonprofit organization
December 9, 2015 to help support Virginias more than 130 private and public
Montessori schools and their teachers, administrators, students, and families.
The Virginia Montessori Associations goals include supporting high-quality Montessori
education for Virginia students from all economic backgrounds, expanding Montessori
teacher training and professional development, and promoting understanding of the
more than 100-year-old pedagogy, said Virginia Montessori Association President Jean
Peters. Every person with an interest in the well-being of children is welcome to
become a member and participate in VMAs activities regardless of age, affiliation,
experience, or knowledge of Montessori education.
VMAs first event will be held in the spring in Charlottesville at Mountaintop Montessori
School. VMA members from across the state are invited to hear from Dan Willingham,
University of Virginia psychology professor and author of Why Don't Students Like
School and Raising Kids Who Read: What Parents and Teachers Can Do. Willingham
will share his research into what teaching practices resonate with children to create
academic and personal success.
Too many Virginia educators and parents either dont know about the Montessori
method or are misinformed about it, said Willingham. Im delighted that the Virginia
Montessori Association will educate the people of our state about Montessori education
and the scientific support backing it, while also supporting Montessori educators in their
efforts to help children grow.
The majority of Virginias Montessori students are three year olds, four year olds and
kindergarteners in multi-age primary classrooms, but Montessori is not just for Virginias
preschoolers. Virginia Montessori students are enjoying the more than 100-year-old

educational model through eighth grade in private schools across the state and in
Arlington County pubic schools where there are more than 700 public Montessori
students three years old through eighth grade. Experts are taking notice.
The Virginia Montessori Association is poised to support Montessorians in their
common goal of helping children flourish in their work of self-construction, said Dr.
Angeline Lillard, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and author of the
popular book Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius.
Even though VMA was officially launched in December, important work to establish the
organization was underway leading up to the announcement. Last November, VMA
founding board members attended a national advocacy conference in Washington, D.C.
and learned from veteran state organizations how lobbying lawmakers and state boards
of education has helped children across the country benefit from Montessori education.
To learn more about the Virginia Montessori Association visit
www.virginiamontessoriassociation.org or follow VMA on Facebook at
Virginia Montessori Association.
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About Virginia Montessori Association

The Virginia Montessori Association (VMA) is a membership nonprofit with 501(C)3
status. VMAs mission is to establish a unified voice for the advancement of the Virginia
Montessori community through advocacy, networking, professional development, and
coordination of resources. A governing board directs the organization with members of
various skills and expertise dedicated to expanding and improving Montessori
education in Virginia. All people interested in the well being of children are welcome to
join VMA regardless of their Montessori knowledge or affiliation.