Behavior is communication. Learn to see what is underneath it, and respond with practical, respectful Montessori support.
New and expanded learning includes anxiety, masking, emotional dysregulation, co-regulation, recovery, demand avoidance, ODD- and PDA-related questions, and behavior support, alongside the foundational neurodiversity topics Montessori educators need.
NEWLY REVAMPED • 9TH COHORT • STARTS OCTOBER 28
A practical, relationship-centered course created for Montessori educators, and limited to 15 participants.
You do not need another course that gives you labels and leaves you wondering what to do on Monday morning. You need a deeper understanding of what a child may be communicating, and practical ways to respond while protecting dignity, connection, and the Montessori environment.
This revamped cohort includes dedicated learning around anxiety, masking, and internalizing behaviors; emotional dysregulation, co-regulation, and recovery; and demand avoidance and oppositional-looking behavior, including the questions educators often have about ODD and PDA. These additions sit alongside expanded support for executive function, sensory processing, communication, autism, ADHD, giftedness and twice exceptionality, trauma, learning differences, the Prepared Adult, and collaboration with families and administrators.
Montessori guides, assistants, school leaders, support staff, and caregivers who want to move beyond “How do I stop this behavior?” and begin asking, “What is this child communicating, and what support is needed?”
Observe behavior with curiosity instead of judgment.
Recognize how sensory needs, communication, executive function, anxiety, masking, stress, and regulation can appear in the classroom.
Adapt the prepared environment without lowering meaningful expectations.
Use practical, respectful strategies that support participation, regulation, and belonging.
Collaborate more clearly with families, colleagues, administrators, and specialists.
Create support plans rooted in relationship, observation, and the individual child.
This is a small, interactive cohort, not a one-size-fits-all training. Enrollment is limited to 15 participants so there is space for questions, reflection, coaching, and real classroom situations.
Research-informed learning, practical classroom tools, live support, and time to integrate it all.
161 lessons and resources, including readings, videos, handouts, reflections, and expert contributions
Live Zoom learning with recordings uploaded to the course platform for participants who cannot attend live
One individual coaching session for personalized support
365 days of course access
36 professional-development hours and a certificate of completion
A small cohort of no more than 15 participants
Brain development, disability models, and executive function
Sensory processing and communication in Montessori
Autism in the Montessori environment
ADHD in the Montessori environment
Anxiety, masking, and internalizing behaviors
Emotional dysregulation, co-regulation, and recovery
Demand avoidance and oppositional-looking behavior, including ODD- and PDA-related questions
Giftedness and twice exceptionality
Trauma, stress, polyvagal-informed support, and relational safety
Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia
The Prepared Adult
Collaboration with families and administration
Application, integration, coaching, and a bonus resource library
Enrollment is limited to 15 participants. This keeps our work personal, interactive, and grounded in the real needs of the educators in the group.
Why you should take this course?
About
Maria Eva Chaffin is originally from Venezuela. She holds a Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education, a Master’s Degree in Business Education, a Bachelor’s in Special Education, and a Montessori Teacher Certification in early childhood. She has over 25 years of teaching experience and has been in the Montessori field for 15 years.
Maria Eva is a published co-author and has written numerous reference materials for Montessori teachers, including the Primary Teacher Instruction Guide for Hatching The Cosmic Egg by Michael Dorer. Maria Eva is known globally for her expertise in the Montessori Method, teacher and administrator education, and inclusion, and for her passion to teach all children. Maria Eva has been invited to present at Montessori events around the country and host regular teacher education websessions to help teachers and administrators around the world deliver the best Montessori experience possible.
First and foremost, Maria Eva loves being a Montessori teacher and her passion for all children is endless. After over 25 years of experience teaching children, adults and neurodiverse students, Maria Eva remains convinced that the Montessori Method is the best way for all children to learn.
About
Rosa Acevedo found her passion for teaching through the Montessori Method after being a traditional teacher and a tutor for elementary-aged children and young adults. She discovered that the main thing that worked for her as a teacher to get to her students was connecting individually with the child. She began seeking a different approach to help students learn and become a better teacher for them through courses in Educational Therapy and opened her own tutoring center. After being a traditional teacher for 5 years, she decided to pursue her certification on Montessori as a guide for Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Mrs. Rosa is a dedicated teacher who is passionate about children’s learning process and development, and a focused individual with an excellent work ethic. She is a person with a caring nature, goal-oriented, and a great team player. She is fascinated to observe a child discovering the wonders of the world through the Montessori lessons and the joy of a child offering and presenting a lesson to another child. She loves all the curriculum areas, particularly, the Math and the Cosmic Education.
Our Team of
@fabitherapy
Hi, I’m Fabiana Martín, a pediatric occupational therapist and a mom. I have over 12 years of experience working with children and their families both in person and online. I am certified in sensory integration, autism, and attention deficit.
My passion is to educate parents and professionals so they can understand the root of many challenging behaviors children experience due to sensory issues, and help them create an action plan with short- and long-term goals that can support their needs both at home and at school.
Child Development
Trauma Informe Lenses
Intentional Connections
Maria's Story
This course has been so helpful! I find myself referencing back to the things I learned quite often when supporting teachers with their students. I really appreciated Maria's approach and highly recommend the course.
"He asistido por varios años consecutivos a las conferencias de Maria Eva Chaffin en los eventos anuales de AMS (America Montessori Society), y siempre quedo encantada con su contenido y las estrategias para utilizarlas en aula. Responde a tus inquietudes de una manera muy dinámica y está dispuesta a ayudarte y a colaborar con todo el tema de inclusión y necesidades especiales en aula. Admiro su trabajo y la recomiendo muchisimo."
I have had the pleasure of knowing Maria personally and professionally, and I can confidently say that her dedication to education and innovative approach to working with neurodivergent students are truly remarkable. Her latest course, focusing on neurodivergent students in the Montessori setting, is a testament to her commitment to inclusivity and deep understanding of diverse learning needs. I enjoyed watching her in action work with teachers in Zimbabwe grappling with environmental design for children with learning differences. Maria’s expertise is not just theoretical; she has hands-on experience working with adults and students, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge and compassionate insight to her teaching. Her ability to connect with individuals on a personal level, coupled with her profound respect for each person’s unique journey, makes her an exceptional educator and advocate.
I am excited to see her course's positive impact on educators and students alike, and I wholeheartedly recommend her work to anyone seeking to enhance their understanding and support of neurodivergent learners.”
It is with great pleasure that I recommend Maria Chaffin for any professional development a school may offer their staff. Maria has given full and half-day workshops at my school and the staff were so grateful for the extensive information and resources offered to them by Maria. Maria gives the teachers an opportunity to share their own personal challenges with students who may be different types of learners; and then gives advice and tools to support both the students and the staff. She is extremely supportive, offering her email to staff for any further help they may need. She is so professional and willing to help others. I will continue to have Maria inspire and support my staff in the future.
"I am so glad to be studying this with the teachings of Montessori in mind. I learned about child development when I was a daycare supervisor, but putting it in the context of the Montessori Method is greatly rewarding so far. I have enjoyed seeing the connections between Piaget and Montessori, and I was intrigued by the study on children with disabilities attending Montessori programs in the US. I learned that the Montessori Method is conducive to learning for children with disabilities and/or neurodivergent, when I was inclined to think the opposite in the past. I will use this knowledge to become more confident in teaching neurodivergent children in the Montessori setting and I'm anxious to learn the ways I can help a wider variety of children develop their full potential"
FAQ section
Eastern Standard Time
Yes, each live session will be recorded.
1 year
Live sessions will take place via Zoom every other week on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm EST.
You can check the description of each module to see the exact date for each live session.