Roots and Wings Montessori Podcast From Birth to Adolescence with Trisha Thompson-Willingham and Dr. Susan Zoll
16 snips
Mar 3, 2026 
Trisha Thompson-Willingham, seasoned Montessori teacher and administrator, and Dr. Susan Zoll, Montessori researcher and author, discuss Montessori across the full developmental continuum. They explore how environments, adult roles, and goals shift from birth to adolescence. They focus on character development, teacher preparation, and building Montessori culture to meet developmental needs.
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Add Early Childhood When Building K–6 Montessori
- If districts add Montessori K–6, also invest in the three-to-six program so elementary teachers inherit children with the proper foundations.
- Susan Zoll recommends holistic planning across grades to improve later reading outcomes.
Montessori As An Ecosystem Not Just Classrooms
- The Montessori ecosystem includes training programs, materials, research, advocacy, and unique organizations beyond schools.
- Trisha describes a nested 'constellation' model (based on Bronfenbrenner) to show supports that sustain Montessori practice.
Teach The Continuum With Real Vignettes
- Use real classroom vignettes to teach the continuum: observe children, identify characteristics, then align environment and adult role.
- Trisha says each chapter in their book starts with real observations followed by physical, cognitive, and character analysis.
