Across the mountains of southern Colombia and northern Ecuador, there is a sport that has been played for centuries but is largely unknown outside of the region. The game is called Chaza, and for many communities in the Andean region of Nariño, it represents far more than just competition. It is a cultural tradition, a social gathering, and a sport that has connected generations of players.

A detailed reflection on attending The Montessori Event 2026 in Washington, D.C., from travel mishaps to meaningful connections, powerful keynotes, and presenting on Montessori athletics—leaving inspired, reinvigorated, and ready to return to the work.

Our session at the AMS conference isn’t designed to convince schools that they must have athletics programs. Every Montessori school has its own priorities, resources, and culture.

Instead, our goal is to help the schools that have already decided athletics matter to them.

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.

The same value a player earns for scoring is the same value they give up when they make a mistake.

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Thank you to everyone who joined my session, and to all the educators I had the pleasure of connecting with throughout the day. It truly lived up to its name.

As our world becomes more urban, more scheduled, and more screen-bound, sports remain one of the last consistent spaces where children can practice these life skills in real time, with real consequences, and authentic human connection.

Montessori peace education demands more than good intentions. It is our duty to prepare the next generation to think independently, to recognize injustice, and to resist cruelty even when it is sanctioned by authority. We owe it to our students—and to the future—to teach them how not to become complicit.

As class sizes grow and student skill levels vary widely, traditional full-class games can unintentionally limit participation. Small-sided games offer a simple, effective way to increase engagement, create more meaningful skill practice, and support independence and sportsmanship in Physical Education—especially in Montessori environments and mixed-ability classes.