TIPs
2026 Theory into Practice Series (TiPS)
In 2026, we have two streams of TIPs: TIPs for Educators and TIPs for Leaders.
TIPs for Educators
TiPS for Educators is a skills based, development series facilitated by SMTC’s AMI trainers and trainers-in-training to support educators.
- Are you looking for some practical tips to help you in your day-to-day interactions with children?
- Would you like to consider how aspects of Montessori apply in a practical context such as in your school, classroom or in other interactions with children?
Come along to our 1-hour online sessions, with an additional 30-minute Q&A, for extra support on how you can turn Montessori theory into practice.
| When: | The first Monday of each month (February to November) |
| Time: | 7-8:30pm (1-hour presentation incorporating theory and practical strategies with a 30-minute Q&A). Timezone information is below. |
| Audience: | Anyone working with children from birth to 18 years of age. |
| Format: | Online, via Zoom (link sent following registration) |
| Cost: | $25 plus GST (if applicable) per session Discounts or packages: – an Unlimited All-Staff Access Package to all TIPS sessions in 2025 for school and centres for $500 plus GST. Add an extra $100 plus GST to including TIPS for Leaders -for individuals, all 10 educator sessions for 2025 for a 40% discount |
TIPs for Educators Schedule
| THEORY INTO PRACTICE SERIES (TIPS) | DATE | LEVEL | TRAINER |
| Bridging the Worlds: Supporting the Child’s Leap from 3-6 to 6-12 | 2 February | 3 -6 and 6-12 | Suganthi Vijayakumar |
| The Prepared Adult | 2 March | 0-3 | Julia Hilson |
| The Development of Executive Functioning in Adolescence | 13 April | 12-18 | Jan Gaffney |
| Responding to Children Effectively: Practical Tools for Everyday Moments | 4 May | 3-6 | Kay Urquhart |
| Building Partnerships with Parents | 1 June | 0-3 | Sara Brady |
| The Montessori Approach to Music for 3-6 Year Olds | 6 July | 3-6 | Natasha Williams |
| Building a Capable Community – Words and Actions that Matter | 3 August | 12-18 | Laureen Barnard |
| Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives within Montessori Environments | 7 September | 0-3 | Rebecca Bridge |
| The Challenges of Implementing Cosmic Education in a Specialised World | 12 October | 6-12 | Rebecca Dallam |
| Helping the Educator to Help the Child | 2 November | 3-6 | Amy Kirkham |
*In keeping with the Montessori philosophy of mutual respect and global community building, we request you have your camera on during the session.
Timezone of sessions
The sessions are scheduled to commence at 7pm based on the Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra timezone which is:
- AEDT for the February, March, October, and November sessions
- AEST for the April, May, June, July, August and September sessions
Timezones can be checked here: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
TIPs for Leaders
Leaders and aspiring leaders need opportunities for inspiration and reflection on leadership-focused issues. Many leaders have undertaken our AMI Administrator training, but how do we continue to support them and others in an accessible and affordable way?
After a pilot in 2024, we continue to offer TIPS for Leaders, which is designed to support and inspire Montessori leaders, or aspiring leaders, facilitated by our SMTC leadership faculty running in a very similar way to TIPs for Educators.
In 2026, we are offering two TIPS for Leaders sessions, each priced at $25 + GST per person per session. These are entirely online and on Monday evenings at 7pm (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra time).
These sessions are now open for booking—an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful leadership development at an affordable cost.
| THEORY INTO PRACTICE SERIES (TIPS) | DATE | LEVEL | ADMINISTRATION TRAINER |
| The Critical Role of Observation for Montessori Schools | 24 March 7pm (AEDT) | All leaders and aspiring leaders | Karen Bennetts |
| Managing Risks in Montessori Schools & Centres | 26 May 7pm (AEST) | All leaders and aspiring leaders | Karen Bennetts |
To connect to our TIPs for Educators information see: Theory into Practice Series (TiPS)
*In keeping with the Montessori philosophy of mutual respect and global community building, we request you have your camera on during the session.
Timezone of sessions
Timezones can be checked here: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html