2025 AIMS Conference: Full Schedule

Creating a personal schedule helps YOU, US, and YOU! Planning your day ahead of time will:
1) Leaves YOU more time for connecting with fellow Montessorians during the conference
2) Allow US to help determine the best room size for each session
3) Because of #2, increase YOUR chances of safely and comfortably attending every session you planned on (without sitting on the floor)!

PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FINAL TIMES AND ROOM ASSIGNMENTS OF EACH SESSION CLOSER TO THE START OF THE CONFERENCE!

10:45am CST

Maati Wafford - Continuing The Achieving Equity Integration Conversation

Saturday February 22, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CST

Goodwin 311

Speakers

Maati Wafford

Founder & Principal Consultant, Radiant Mind Solutions

Maati Wafford, Founder and Principal Consultant of Radiant Mind Solutions, strengthens schools and elevates practice through education, coaching, and curated communities of care. Maati is a licensed social worker, equity practitioner, and spirit-led credentialed Montessori leader... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CST
Goodwin 311

Saturday

1:15pm CST

Empowering Through Equity

Saturday February 22, 2025 1:15pm - 2:30pm CST

Goodwin 311

The American Montessori Society released Equity Examined one year ago, challenging Montessori educators to reflect upon our efforts to advance these policies and practices. In this interactive workshop, two leaders from the Montessori Academy of Chicago will share their journey in designing a schoolwide DEI curriculum. A teacher from the Ancona School will share examples from her early childhood classroom.

Speakers

Shawn Viverretta-Diaz

Head of School, Montessori Academy of Chicago

Shawn Viverretta-Diaz has been in education for 31 years. She has been at MAC since 2012. Shawn holds a Master’s degree in education from Dominican University as well as a Primary Diploma from Association Montessori Internationale.

Zakiya Lasley

Associate Head of School, Montessori Academy of Chicago

Zakiya Lasley is an American Montessori Society Credentialed teacher and Administrator for 1st-12th grade students, and has been a part of the Montessori community for 14 years.

Saturday February 22, 2025 1:15pm - 2:30pm CST
Goodwin 311

Saturday

3:00pm CST

Uses and Abuses of Generative AI in Upper Elementary and Middle School Classrooms

Saturday February 22, 2025 3:00pm - 4:15pm CST

Goodwin 311

This session explores the positive and negative consequences and outcomes, both intended and unintended, that generative AI has brought to the field of education. I plan to work backward from my experience at the college level to imagine what appropriate use of AI might look like versus inappropriate use within Upper Elementary and Middle School classrooms.

Speakers

Adam Darlage

Head Upper Elementary and Middle School Teacher, DuPage Montessori School

I have been the Head Upper Elementary and Middle School Teacher at DuPage Montessori School since 2009. I also enjoy working as a college instructor at Oakton College in Des Plaines, Il., where I teach courses in World Religions and World Mythologies.

Saturday February 22, 2025 3:00pm - 4:15pm CST
Goodwin 311

Saturday