International
Christian Montessori
Institute
Transforming the world by sharing the Gospel through Christian Montessori Education.
TRAINING
Our transformational training curriculum is designed to produce maximum results in minimal time. We support you in developing and refining the skills you need to succeed.
CONFERENCES
Connect with Christian Montessori Fellowship, and get tools and inspiration at an upcoming conference.
MEMBERSHIP
As a member, you are part of a community of educators and school leaders who are after God's own heart.
Barbara Fidellow
Specialist
Barbara and Edward Fidellow started a Christian Montessori School in 1972 in the middle of Dallas, TX. It grew over the years to include toddlers up through twelfth grade with formal dining rooms, gardens, greenhouses and animals but most importantly, it included a commitment to sharing Jesus with the children.
Among the pioneers of Christian Montessori in America, early on they set about finding other Christians involved in Montessori.
Barbara Fidellow
Specialist
Barbara and Edward Fidellow started a Christian Montessori School in 1972 in the middle of Dallas, TX. It grew over the years to include toddlers up through twelfth grade with formal dining rooms, gardens, greenhouses and animals but most importantly, it included a commitment to sharing Jesus with the children.
Among the pioneers of Christian Montessori in America, early on they set about finding other Christians involved in Montessori.
In 1983, they held their first 3-day conference in San Antonio to support and encourage one another, and have run a conference each year since then, with attendees from around the world.
After nearly 30 years, their school closed, but God opened the door to concentrate full time on building the Christian Montessori Fellowship. Over these past 20 years, they have gathered a diverse assortment of Christian Montessorians not only in the United States but from Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia.
The expanded CMF ministry went on the road for local conferences, developed a much-needed directory of Christian Montessori schools, and penned a host of support resources for parents. Their guiding light in everything is Jesus. Barbara and Edward have worked for decades that His words, “Let the children come to Me” will be fulfilled. The administration of the Christian Montessori Fellowship is transitioning into new hands but shall always hold to its mission of, “Transforming the world one child at a time by sharing the Gospel through Christian Montessori Education.”
Here are the reasons you can depend on Christian Montessori Fellowship to help you transform the world one child at a time:
- REPUTABLE – Barbara Fidellow has been a respected leader in her field and community.
- EXPERIENCED – Our proudest accomplishment is the large number of long term clients who put their trust in us year after year.
- INTEGRITY – Building a reputation of integrity takes years, but it takes only a second to lose. We don’t believe in cutting corners. The foundation of our reputation is our commitment to do the right thing at all times, regardless of whether anyone is watching.
- RESOURCES – We offer a wide variety of development and training programs built on timeless principles that get results.
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE – We want you to be completely satisfied with our services. We will do whatever it takes to make you happy. No hassles, no problems.
The Vision of the Christian Montessori Fellowship
Transforming the world one child at a time by preaching the Gospel using Christian Montessori education.
The Past
When the Fellowship was started in 1983 its mission was to network Christians who were in Montessori schools. There were few Christian Montessori schools in those days and every time one was discovered it was as if a new relative was found. For years, “I thought we were the only one.” was a constant refrain.
We were all fledgling schools trying to navigate what made us both Christian and Montessori. My Montessori friends said, “You can’t be Montessori and Christian.” And my Christian friends said, “You can’t be Christian and Montessori.” We didn’t have friends in either camp – so we created our own.
We began an annual conference to gather together and to share. The 38th annual conference is coming up in January. The conference has always been about fellowship, learning and encouragement. That continues.
There is a lot of spiritual history both inside and out of the fellowship concerning Christian Montessori. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Godly Play have been great developments in hands on Bible instruction. The fellowship concentrated on doing regional conferences in addition to the national conference. CMF had conferences from Massachusetts to Hawaii, Washington to Georgia and in between. Slow growth as we discovered new brothers and sisters and Christian Montessori schools. We identified 25 then 50 Christian Montessori schools then 100. As more and more Christian Montessorians decided to start their own schools we found more and more family – 150 then 200. Today we probably can number about 350 schools that do some kind of Christian spiritual formation with their children. Our mailing list grew from maybe a hundred to about a thousand now. Even so, every time we go to a Montessori conference we find dozens of people who have never heard about Christian Montessori.
The Present
The cry of the Christian Montessori community for almost twenty years has been teacher training. We began our first efforts in 2009. We spent almost five years in the studio creating didactic videos of all the materials. We have videoed the philosophy lectures. We have gone from dvds to on-line access. We have inaugurated Zoom classes. We are establishing local training centers around the country and the world. We are in the midst of establishing a recognized MACTE certification for our program. (Important for our international training centers.)
The Future
What is the vision for Christian Montessori? To transform the world one child at a time through Christian Montessori education. Montessori transforms teachers, transforms children, transforms families. Christian Montessori education is not just about knowledge but about wisdom preparing us not just for time but for eternity.
To reach this goal we need thousands of schools and tens of thousands of classrooms and hundreds of thousands of teachers. Is it a reasonable goal? No, but it is a God given vision to bless the world with the Gospel. Transformed schools are only possible with transformed teachers and Christian Montessori training is a key. What is different about Christian Montessori training is that the training begins with the One who inspired Dr. Montessori. It begins with the theological base of God’s respect and love for the child. The Montessori philosophy of CMF explores her writing, book after book, teaching her Biblical and Christian spiritual values that animated and created this God-given way to teach and nurture children. This is Montessori teaching as it was intended to be.
The Focus
The training of Christian Montessori teachers is the defining legacy of the work of the fellowship. Helping schools to have, not only trained teachers, but spiritually transformed teachers is the needed step to proclaiming the Gospel all over the world through Christian Montessori education.
Every school is an important beacon. Every excellent program honors the calling that God has given each of us. Traditional Montessori is excellent; Christian Montessori is the fulfillment of the vison God gave to Dr. Montessori. More than once, she admitted to her biographer that “She was convinced that this new method was …placed in her hands for the advancement of the kingdom of God…”
We look to share this vision with you by meeting the needs for trained Christian Montessori teachers.
The mission of Christian Montessori Fellowship is to nurture
and support Spiritual Entrepreneurs.
What is Spiritual Entrepreneurship?
Spiritual Entrepreneurship is a concept that defines the reality for Christian Montessori teachers.
If you begin defining an entrepreneur as someone who takes responsibility for an enterprise, continue with someone who sees a vision of what could be, and add someone who creates a reality of what is not yet visible by meeting a need or filling a void and reaching a goal, you then have a broad definition of an entrepreneur.
A “spiritual entrepreneur” adds to this definition: one who, as a type of apostle, evangelist or ambassador, creates or authors a spiritual dynamic where there was not one before.
The creation and continuation of a Christian Montessori environment fulfills this dual definition.
By taking the inspiration from God’s own heart (that He revealed to Dr. Montessori) and creating a truly spiritual environment where we discover both God and His gloriously created universe, we fulfill not only the definition of Spiritual Entrepreneurship but fulfill the calling of sharing the Gospel through Christian Montessori education.
The goal of this Spiritual Entrepreneur is to aid the transformation of learners into full-hearted believers who marvel not only at the mystery of God’s love but at the awe of His creation, whether it is the majesty of science, the beauty of art, the order of math or the wonder of how words express our thoughts and emotions.
The Spiritual Entrepreneur lives in a world of both time and eternity – preparing children for now and for their forever future.
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Becoming A Montessori Parent by Barbara Fidellow
This is one of Edward Fidellow's most popular parent newsletters available as a free download. It explains how becoming a Montessori parent benefits your child (and overall family dynamic!).
DOWNLOAD NOWBarbara Fidellow
Specialist
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Are you sick and tired of being STUCK?
Christian Montessori Fellowship helps parents like you transform the world one child at a time.
Ignoring a problem never makes it go away… it only makes things worse, and ultimately harder to solve. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place to jumpstart your life! The difference between staying where you are indefinitely, and moving forward to realize your potential, is all about taking action.
Did you know there is a sequence to SUCCESS?
Success doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by choice. When you combine the right information with precise implementation you get rapid transformation!
Christian Montessori Fellowship has identified a formula that anyone, or any organization, can follow to achieve outstanding results.
In life there are always going to be ups and downs. What if you could learn how to make the up times last—and minimize or eliminate the down times? Christian Montessori Fellowship provides training solutions that do just that.
We can help you achieve greater success, faster, and with fewer setbacks. Don’t take our word for it… we’ll prove it to you!
We have the proven resources to transform your life. From on-site workshops to online courses, coaching, consulting and more, we create change from the inside out. We offer a wide array of development and training programs built on timeless principles that get results.
All The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Life & Business
The Christian Montessori Fellowship Training Program equips you with the knowledge, skills, philosophy and spiritual formation you need to build your school, continue your education, and bless your students and community with insists and inspiring learning.
With Training Centers being developed and/or already established in both El Salvador and the United States we are well placed to meet your needs. A comprehensive course delivered by leaders in their field. Our Training is ideal preparation for the Montessori Guides. Sign up now!
We offer: Regional Training Centers, School Management, 0-3 Training Programs, 3-6 Training Programs, 6-9 Training Programs, and Montessori Spiritual Training
Education for all Ages
Christian Montessori Fellowship believes deeply in the transformative power of education.
The more educated you are, the more influence, career options and stability you have. Education is imperative for a promising, secure future and a successful life. In this informative course you will discover:
- The 5 Imperatives of Education
- Increasing the Teacher-Student Dynamic
- Cutting-Edge Breakthroughs in Education
- Children Versus Adults: Effective Strategies
- 3 New and Innovative Teaching Methods
Spiritual Growth
The Apostle Peter encouraged all believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18).
In the Spiritual Growth Workshop you will get practical tools and training to take your spiritual life to the next level:
- Living Free from the Trap of Offense
- Training for Reigning: Release the Power of Your Potential
- How to “Hear” from God
- The Essential Elements of Spiritual Maturity
- How to Easily Incorporate Spiritual Disciplines into a Busy Life
Helping Kids Succeed
What do children need to thrive? What will give them the best possible chance at success? How can we instill positive values and shape solid citizens?
Rather than trying to “teach” skills like grit and self-control, this course focuses on creating the kinds of environments, both in the home and at school, in which those qualities are most likely to blossom.
You’ll learn the essential keys to helping kids succeed, including:
- How to Shape Values, Confidence and Self-Image
- The Hidden Secret of Character
- How Kids Learn Resilience
- The 5 Keys to Academic Success
- How to Help Kids Discover Their Passion and Purpose
The Annual Christian Montessori Fellowship Conference,
January 13th-15th 2023
Our conference is open to teachers, school leadership and others, the annual Christian Montessori Fellowship conference is where you get hands-on training, connect with school leaders and individuals, and gain deeper insight into God's heart for this special learning opportunity.
Don't miss our annual conference! Open to teachers, school leadership and others, the annual Christian Montessori Fellowship conference is where you get hands-on training, connect with school leaders and individuals, and gain deeper insight into God's heart for this special learning opportunity.
Conference location
Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TX
www.mengerhotel.com
210-223-4361
800-345-9285
Hotel cost: $177.46 (tax included)
Conference registration
Regular Registration, $625
Early Bird Registration, September 15th, $550
Early Bird Registration for members, $500
Virtual Early Bird, $300
Conference registration includes three breakfasts, two lunches, Friday dinner and the Saturday evening banquet.
Membership Information
You have access to hundreds of training videos, books and audio plus discounts on services and supplies to help you build your school, students and community.
School Membership
$997 Initial Fee | $25 Monthly Fee
- The Christian Montessori Fellowship offers a comprehensive membership program to support Christian Montessori schools. The program includes the Christian spiritual foundation of Montessori education, a complete program of successful parent information ready to implement, access to staff training resources and a unique program of personality assessments for use with children, parents and staff.
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Your monthly membership gives you access to a monthly parent information forum for continued parenting support.
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Monthly membership also gives you additonal resources and updates.
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You also receive access to three live sessions that help with the implementation of a successful parenting program.
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This comes along with a 51-page manual to guide you in the parent transformation process.
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You receive an unlimited copyright license to use the 50 parent information newsletters throughout your school program as long as you are a member.
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Also an unlimited copyright license to use the 45 one-minute parenting audios as a benefit of your membership.
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An unlimited copyright license to use the short 32 informational videos throughout your program with your membership.
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A printed copy of “Getting Your Money’s Worth” a 36-page booklet explaining the lifetime benefits of a Montessori program.
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A printed copy of “Common Sense Parenting, A to Z” A parenting guide written from a Montessori perspective.
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A sample DISC personality assessment for an adult.
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A sample DISC personality assessment for a child.
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An additional invaluable resource is the 40 year library of Christian Montessori conference audios which cover an amazing number of topics by gifted speakers. Wonderfully useful for staff training and staff meetings.
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Your CMF membership includes the Strategic Montessori Parenting Program (which has a value of $1997) but is part of your $997 initial fee . This along with your monthly membership fee of $25 continues to bring you all the beneifts of CMF membership.
Individual Membership
$75 per year
Your membership helps you serve your children in Christ's name by providing opportunities for fellowship, learning and encouragement.
As a member of Christian Montessori Fellowship, you are part of a beautiful community with access to:
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Discounts on conferences and seminars
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Discounts from selected vendors
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The "Fourth Period Lesson" blog archive and index of twenty years of wisdom, knowledge and encouragement.
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Christian Montessori school directory.
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Invitation to quarterly round tables of like-minded Montessorians for discussions, knowledge and inspiration.
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Access to a new directory of Christian Montessorians around the country and the world.
What People Are Saying:
Amy Galarowicz
Vine Montessori | NJ
"After years of occasionally just enjoying the emails, becoming a member of CMF brought me into the family. Struggling through my first few years as a Montessori guide, it was unsettling to realize I was advancing spiritual values I knew to be non-Biblical.
Then I joined CMF and jumped into the Elementary course. With the help of my CMF family members, the scales have fallen from my eyes; I now see the real beauty of Montessori’s method and how in its fullest expression, everything in the curriculum points to God. Simply astounding! Finding my way to actually joining CMF took me 13 years but has felt like coming home in so many ways. Thank you, Lord for this amazing group of dedicated, missional professionals."
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Thank You!
Please click the below button to receive your copy of
Becoming A Montessori Parent Newsletter
by Barbara Fidellow
DOWNLOAD NOW!Download your FREE GIFT NOW!
Becoming A Montessori Parent
by Barbara Fidellow
This is one of Edward Fidellow's most popular parent newsletters available as a free download. It explains how becoming a Montessori parent benefits your child (and overall family dynamic!).
Christian Montessori Fellowship Programs
Do you want to go thorough training to help you master your trade, but can’t imagine it fitting into your busy schedule?
We’ve built an online training curriculum that provides you with the benefits of live training, but without the constraints.
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