Catholic Montessori Institute Launches to Prepare Faith-Filled Montessori Educators

Taryn DeLong interviews Cassandra Baker, coordinator of the University of Mary’s new Catholic Montessori Institute. 

Last year, I had the privilege of connecting with Mother Chiara Thérèse, head the Servants of the Children of Light, the first religious order dedicated to Montessori education. Even more recently, the University of Mary, a Benedictine university in North Dakota, announced a new Catholic Montessori Institute. I was excited to talk with Cassandra Baker, the coordinator of the new institute, about its goals and about Montessori education and the Catholic faith. Our email interview is below (lightly edited for clarity). 

How long have you worked in Montessori education? What drew you to it, and why do you find this work important?  

I have worked in Montessori education for the past 9 years. I was originally drawn to the Montessori method when a priest friend of mine encouraged me to observe in a Montessori environment. I fell in love with the respect and dignity that the children were shown. The young children were so full of peace and joy. They happily worked in their environment independently and already were collaborating with such maturity. I could not believe I was observing 3- to 6-year olds.  

I knew I needed to explore the method further, so I took the leap and have been committed to Montessori education ever since. It was really God calling me to such beauty, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life working to help further this beautiful method of education. 

Why do you believe it’s important to offer Montessori training in a Catholic context?  

The Montessori method is actually grounded in the Catholic faith. It was Dr. Maria Montessori’s true vision to have the method within the context of the Catholic faith. While reading her writings, you can see that they are just full of her deep faith. Her work really does permeate the method, so to be able to finally have her work blossom within a Catholic Montessori training facility is a real dream come true and a real fulfillment to Dr. Montessori’s original plan and vision. 

How did Maria Montessori’s Catholic faith influence her philosophy of education? And how does your Catholic faith influence your work?  

The Montessori method shows immense respect and dignity for all areas of development and for the whole human person, just as the Catholic faith does. Montessori discovered her method through her observations of children. These observations were grounded in her Catholic perspective. Her writings and vision of the method are brimming with the teachings of the Catholic faith. It is so beautiful to be able to offer a training that will finally be able to implement her ideas fully.  

My own Catholic faith influences my work in all aspects. One concrete and tangible way is being centered in Christ personally (or at least trying to be!). When I am not prepared spiritually, myself, then my own students suffer. The way I am prepared as a teacher affects those around me. Therefore, being rooted in the sacraments and in prayer helps me maintain peace, and this directly affects my students and co-workers. It’s beautiful to be able to work in a place that offers the sacraments and helps the teachers to be fed spiritually. In turn, the students are also fed spiritually.  

Furthermore, the way that I view the children is influenced strongly by my faith. I attempt every day to meet Jesus within them. If a child is showing interest in something particular, that is Christ’s way of showing me what that child needs that particular day. In turn, the children, through Christ, teach me more than I could ever teach them. The Lord is teaching them in such an incredibly tangible and meaningful way within the Montessori method. 

What types of programs will the new Institute offer?  

The Catholic Montessori Institute will offer a yearly Montessori Conference. We hope to offer opportunities for guides (that is what Montessori teachers are often called) and fellow Montessorians to participate in retreats. We will also offer Catholic Montessori AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) training. Eventually, it will be wonderful to offer consulting. Overall, we hope to provide a network and a space where all Catholic Montessori educators are able to learn and work together.

Are programs offered by this new Institute for teachers only, or would parents benefit from participating?  

Anyone is welcome to participate in any of the programs being offered. Montessori training is rigorous and time-consuming; however, it is up to every individual to consider what is best for their own family. Most people who become trained in the Montessori method do use this training to teach within a school, but this type of formation and training is transformative and beneficial for anyone. Personally, I have benefited as a parent from my own Montessori training. The retreats and the conference are open to anyone, and parents hoping to implement some Montessori techniques would certainly benefit from attending! 

Can children with intellectual or developmental disabilities benefit from Montessori education? How will the new Institute help prepare educators to meet the needs of neurodiverse children, if at all?  

Totally! In fact, Maria Montessori developed her method of education after working with children who had intellectual and developmental disabilities. Within the Montessori training, there is a plethora of preparation and developmental psychology that will be offered. It is built into the method; therefore, these topics and considerations will be thoroughly explored. 

For parents who would love to provide a Montessori education for their children but who can’t afford it or don’t live near a Montessori program, what advice do you have? 

People often assume that the Montessori method is all about beautiful and expensive materials, but this is far from the truth! The method is actually more of an internal system. How do you view your child? How do you talk to your child? How can you support your child developmentally? There are many resources out there, but please don’t get bogged down by the expensive materials. 

My suggestion is to simplify your home environment. Keep out only a few materials or items at a tim, and put them in some baskets from a thrift store. If you can’t prepare your physical environment a certain way, don’t fret! Spend time with your child, include them in dinner preparation from an early age, show them how to do tasks, let them help, and, overall, show them the dignity and respect that they deserve. Try to see Christ within them. 

Additionally, I would recommend limiting technology and having your children play outside as much as possible. There is much more I can say and more tips I could give, but it really boils down to loving them as fully as you possibly can!  

Is there any other information or insights you’d like to share with Catholic moms? 

Center yourself in prayer, go to confession and Mass, spend quality time with your children, and take some time for yourself, too. Maria Montessori talks much about the preparation of the adult and how important it is. Mothers often can quickly feel depleted; find ways that your own soul can be filled fully, so that you are able to be truly present for your children. Lead by example. Also, reading some of Dr. Maria Montessori’s work is helpful (and, I think, fun) as well! 

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Copyright 2025 Taryn DeLong
Images: courtesy of the University of Mary; photographer: Mike McCleary. All rights reserved.