The MSM HOS Cafes are held monthly on a Wednesday morning starting at 9:30AM. The purpose of the HOS Cafes is to create a collaborative and supportive community among Heads of Montessori Schools. We encourage open dialogue, sharing best practices and brainstorming and sharing solutions to common challenges. By infusing Montessori principles into these topics, we as school leaders can inspire our school community, enhance the parent experience, and foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Montessori approach.
This year we are introducing topic themes for each month. We want to inspire conversations
along with innovative thinking and sharing amongst the group. We have organized themes to line up with the flow of the school calendar and what might be happening in our communities throughout the year.
Topic themes 2026 - 2027 School Year:
September 16: Into the Year Ahead: A Montessori Vision
Theme: Where our Schools are headed
The big-picture vision for the 2026–27 school year
What we’re excited to build, deepen, or reimagine
How this year fits into the longer-term vision for our individual school
Facilitator:
Debbie Jernegan, Vineyard Montessori School, Martha’s Vineyard
October 21: The First Ten years as HOS
Theme: What we’ve learned
Many Heads say the job changes dramatically after year 3-5.
Topics to explore: What you wish you had know
Early mistakes and lessons
Building authority without losing humility
Facilitator:
Rupali Sharma, The T.E.C. School, Worcester, MA
November 18: On Teaching and Thriving
Theme: What keeps us in Education?
Topics to explore: Vitality is Relational
Collective Effervescence: The social engine
When philosophy and identity collide
Preparing the Environment for Adults
Facilitator:
Bridget Barrett-Parker, Oak Meadow School, Littleton, MA
December 16: Enrollment is Everybody’s Job
Theme: The perennial issue that is always evolving.
Topics to explore: Developing Teachers to support
Admissions and Retention
Financial Strategies
Retention Strategies in Montessori Schools
Facilitator:
Jin Huang, eBridge Montessori School, Westborough, MA
January 20: Protecting Authentic Montessori Practice
Theme: Balancing Montessori Integrity and market expectations.
Topics to explore: Montessori vs. Montessori-inspired
Parent pressure vs. pedagogy
Preparing the Environment for Adults
Facilitator:
Hiro Sudachi, Children’s Own Montessori School, Winchester, MA
February 17: Parent Partnerships in a Changing World
Theme: Parents Today are different than even 10 years ago. What’s different? What to do?
Topics to explore: What does ‘parents as partners” look like today?
Navigating anxiety, social media and expectations
When Partnerships break down
Facilitator:
Debra Repoza-Hogan, Southern New Hampshire Montessori Academy, Londonderry, NH,
March 17: Leading through the Montessori Lens
Theme: How does Montessori philosophy shape leadership decisions - not just classroom practice.
Topics to explore: Freedom within limits for adults
Preparation of Adult Learners
Observation as a Leadership Tool
The “prepared environment” for faculty and Board
Facilitator:
Patty Horn, Montessori Children’s House of Nantucket
April 14: Leading your Board in a truly Montessori Way
Theme: Helping HOS to best understand how to lead their Board rather than the Board leading
Topics to explore: When the Board drifts into Operations
The “prepared environment” for the Board
How to educate Trustees about Montessori
Setting Healthy Boundaries
Facilitator:
Renee DuChainey-Farkes, Renee Partners, Boston, MA
May 19: One Leader, Many Styles: Adaptive Leadership in Montessori Schools
Theme: Effective leadership is not about finding one perfect style
Topics to explore: Helping HOS to adapt their approach to what your school and community need at the moment. Drawing on Daniel Goleman’s Harvard Business Review article “Leadership That Gets Results,” this interactive session will introduce six distinct leadership styles and explore their impact on organizational culture and performance. Participants will reflect on their natural leadership tendencies, including the styles they rely on under pressure. Together, we will consider how Montessori heads can shift intentionally among approaches when guiding faculty, supporting families, managing change, and developing future leaders.
Facilitator:
Mike Bowler, Harborlight Montessori, Beverly, MA
