We Are Back: Reflections from the 2026 AIMS Conference

I recently had the opportunity to present at the AIMS Conference 2026, and it was one of the best-attended conferences I’ve experienced in years. A huge part of that success belongs to the organizers, whose work clearly paid off. The conference sold out—and you could feel it.


A Keynote That Set the Tone

Andrew Faulstitch, an affiliate instructor with the Montessori graduate program at Loyola University, led the keynote. Andrew brings an impressive résumé to the Montessori space, including multiple successful Montessori-focused podcasts, and he curated a panel that reflected both the breadth and depth of the work happening in Montessori today.

The panel featured:

The room was packed with a diverse cross-section of Montessori educators, and the energy was palpable. Not long ago, keynote sessions felt sparse as many of us were still cautious about returning to in-person events after COVID. Sitting in that full room, it genuinely felt like a turning point. We are back.

My Presentation: Sharing the Work (and the Goods)

After the keynote, it was time for me to head to my presentation space. Following a few technical difficulties—handled expertly and calmly by Cobalt Extensions—we were off and running.

For anyone who has attended my sessions before, you know I tend to give away a lot of content. This presentation may have been the biggest giveaway I’ve ever done at a conference. Every attendee had the opportunity to download my Traditional Indigenous Games Bundle for free!

The bundle now includes 36 lessons and over 400 pages, and I recently added a brand-new lesson exploring ancient Viking knattleikr, ancient Irish iomán, and their cultural and historical connections to modern Irish hurling. It’s been exciting to continue expanding the bundle and deepening the historical throughlines between traditional games and modern sport.

The feedback I received afterward was overwhelmingly positive, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who chose to spend their time with me and engage in the conversation.

Learning by Doing: Larry Schanker’s Music Session

Once my session wrapped up, I shifted fully into participant mode for the rest of the conference. One of the highlights was attending a presentation by Dr. Larry Schanker, Executive Director and Music Specialist at Brookview Montessori School.

Dr. Schanker came to Montessori through music and has been teaching music for 28 years at Brookview and in various TEPs. He is currently in his 11th year as Brookview’s Executive Director. Beyond his calm, grounding presence, what stood out most was how concrete and actionable his session was.

We wrote rhythms, attempted to play them, practiced conducting, and I always appreciate a session that gets us up and moving. Some of it felt a little silly at first, but his enthusiasm was contagious. I quickly got over my hesitation and jumped in. It was a powerful reminder that embodied learning matters.

While my own presentation leaned more toward theory and lecture, I’ve often incorporated gameplay into conference sessions in the past—especially helpful during post-lunch time slots when attention can dip. Larry’s session reinforced how effective doing really is.

AI, Intentionally Used

Later in the day, I attended an AI-focused presentation by Samantha Gleisten and Dana Anderson. Dana teaches AI literacy and digital citizenship at Bridgemont International School, and her perspective added important classroom-grounded clarity.

I also had the chance to see Sam present—someone I work closely with at RPMS, where she has worn many hats and currently serves as the Innovation and Technology Coordinator. She is also the Director of Learning with BitSpace and is doing meaningful work around actionable mental health practices through Heybohdi.

The biggest takeaway for me was the affirmation that I’m using AI in a way that aligns with my values and workflow.

For me, AI functions best as a sounding board and a barrier remover. I’ll often dump out a rough, stream-of-consciousness draft just to get ideas on the page without getting stuck on tone, formatting, or professional phrasing. AI helps refine the message so it lands clearly without unnecessary misunderstandings. I do use it for research at times, but always with external sources to verify claims because AI can still get things wrong. When I use it well, it frees up time and mental space for me to work on what matters most.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

The day ended the best way possible: reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, and feeling part of a vibrant, thoughtful Montessori community. It was a full, energizing day of learning, sharing, and collaboration.

Before we know it, it will be time for the Montessori Event in Washington, D.C., where I’ll be presenting with RPMS head of school Ben Blair on how to start an athletics program at your Montessori school. I’ve been applying for years to present at this event, so being accepted feels deeply validating and meaningful. It’s an honor to have this work recognized at such a prestigious conference.

As a small thank-you to those who attended my sessions, for those who will be in DC, and those who continue to follow and support my work, I’m offering a reduced yearly subscription rate throughout the month of March. I’m grateful for the community that continues to show up, engage, and push this work forward.

A Note of Thanks

I also want to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Jamilah R. Jor’dan and Beth Norman for the tremendous work they put into bringing this conference together. The care, intentionality, and vision behind the planning were evident throughout the entire event.

Additional gratitude goes to the board leadership—Reena Vohra Morgan, Board President, and Erica Lane, Vice President—for their leadership and stewardship. Conferences like this don’t happen without a dedicated team behind the scenes, and it truly showed.

See you in D.C!