If you are a Montessorian in the Midwest, the annual AIMS Conference should be on your radar. Besides engaging keynote speakers, lots of presenters, and time to network, every once in a while, you find a brilliant hidden gem from the presenters. I want to take this time to recognize one of the best presentations I've attended by a Montessorian named Devin Veselenak. I hesitate to even call it a “presentation” because it was more of a performance that had us captivated. His rare and infectious blend of energy, humor, curiosity, passion, and nerdiness makes him stand out. That and his bowtie.
Veselenak’s session was about conveying the results from a questionnaire about the status of Cosmic Education in the eyes of Montessorians. Cosmic Education, a core principle in Montessori education, is a philosophy that emphasizes a holistic understanding of the world. It encourages students to start with the big picture, then delve into the details, and finally, connect everything back to the whole. This approach fosters a deep, interconnected view of learning and aligns with the ideals of fostering curiosity, independence, global awareness, and identity in students.
Devin's presentation was a wake-up call, a call to action. He spent the previous year conducting a survey for his Master's work, asking Montessorians from various backgrounds about their attitudes toward Cosmic Education. The theme of the presentation was sharing the results of this survey with us, which revealed a clear consensus: while Montessorians understand and deeply value the importance of Cosmic Education, they also recognize that many of the materials supporting it are severely outdated. Some of the charts are fifty years old, which is unacceptable. But here's the thing-we, as Montessorians, have the power to change this. Our environments are supposed to be beautiful, and using stuff that is a half-century old does not spark wonder. Would we use an encyclopedia from the 1970’s? Devin argued that if she were alive today, Maria Montessori would be disappointed that we are still relying on antiquated charts and materials in a world where technology has advanced so dramatically. For example, he shared a story about taking his class on a virtual field trip to King Tutt’s tomb using VR headsets. The students had the opportunity to explore this historical wonder in a way that simply can't be captured by a static three-part card set.
Whether we like it or not, a (Montessori) classroom teacher is a salesperson, and you need to do everything in your power to grab the attention of the audience. Having modern materials to dig deep into your lesson planning always pays back twofold, as the students cannot help themselves from learning the topic. As many of you know, as a Montessori PE teacher, I've always focused on integrating physical Education with the classroom curriculum. I believe we can understand intrinsic things about people by observing and playing the games they play because it reveals an underlying conscious and unconscious psychology passed down generationally. When the class is studying a continent or country, I love to play a traditional indigenous game from that area to help the students empathize with the thought processes of those people. One of the most enriching parts of the PE lesson is when we take time to discuss the hidden meanings behind them and explore the cultural context they provide. I’ve found this approach helps students make real-world connections to the material they are studying, and it brings the lessons to life. Concerning Cosmic Education, the idea that Education is about exploring the whole—understanding the parts—then seeing how it all fits together—resonates deeply with the approach we take in Montessori PE. Each movement, game, and sport has a larger story to tell, and I feel that integrating these activities with deeper cultural and historical context aligns beautifully with the principles of Cosmic Education.
Devin’s call for action was not just about updating materials but also about fostering collaboration among educators. He pointed out that much of this work may fall on us as teachers. But he encouraged us to network, collaborate, and share the resources we create. In doing so, we can help lessen the creative burden and, more importantly, share fresh, meaningful materials that reflect our current world and the technological tools we now have at our disposal. This is not a journey we should take alone. By working together, we can create a community of educators who are dedicated to providing the best possible learning experiences for our students. Here is a shameless plug that you can download free lesson plans here and watch some YouTube tutorials. Obviously, if you purchase lesson plans or become a member, I would be eternally grateful. I am proud to be part of a community that is committed to the principles of Cosmic Education.
I took this year off from presenting at AIMS because I wanted to relax and enjoy it. I've been mulling over my future speaking topics, but nothing really stood out. I left that session with a renewed sense of purpose in my work as a Montessori Physical Education teacher. I’m excited to “discover” more ancient games that I can share with my students and all of you. I also have at least one future topic that I think will be worth sharing at AIMS as a presenter.
If you have the chance to see Devin Veselenak present at a conference next time you are there, it is well worth it. His energy is contagious, his passion is inspiring, and his call for us to rethink and rejuvenate the principles of Cosmic Education is essential. After the presentation, many of us called for him to start a YouTube or TikTok video channel because he was that engaging. The kids over at Waukesha Montessori are some lucky kids.
Thanks for the excellent presentation, Devin!
