Around 2010, I began my Montessori certification training. This was a pivotal moment in my life because the Montessori philosophy would serve as the foundation of my Montessori Physical Education lessons. However, it wasn’t just the training that would be life changing, it would be the training center that I chose as well. More specifically, it was the instructors that I had at St. Catherine’s University. I had so many through the course of my education, and I am indebted to all of them.

After receiving my certifications, I had an interesting discussion with my lead instructor (a common occurrence) about Montessori philosophy, and he knew of my educational background (B.S. in exercise physiology). I expressed that I thought that the physical education program could be so much more at my school, and he gave me advice that would change the trajectory of my whole career. The advice was very simple. He said, “Whatever you decide to do in PE, it would be wonderful if it integrated with the Montessori curriculum.” This little statement became my Masters thesis, and the founding principle for how I create PE games for the Montessori classroom. It was so incredibly freeing because I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel, I just had to combine ideas and concepts. While that is still a Herculean task, I never had to second-guess the method, because it derived directly from the Montessori method and its materials.

Have you ever met or worked with someone, and not known how important and influential they were? Being a young Montessori student, I didn’t realize how important Michael Dorer was to the advancement of Montessori education. To me, he was just my (excellent) teacher, but unbeknownst to me, to a lot more people, he was the guru of storytelling. I didn’t realize everyone didn’t receive the amazing stories in their Montessori training that I did, and I took it for granted. As I have grown in my profession, I have met so many people who have told me how amazing The Deep Well of Time is, and how it makes so many topics come alive for them and their students.

When Michael told me that he was writing a new book called Hatching the Cosmic Egg, I was eager to help. Besides creating a wonderful overarching story of the Great Lessons, he wanted it to be comprehensive by commissioning a beautiful nesting doll (egg) material as well as music that accompanies the book. Michael knew of my ability to create integrated lessons, so he tasked with me with creating a PE game that also works with his story. It took time to create and test, but I can say that I am proud of the PE game that will be included in a teachers manual for his book to be released soon.

If you not already read the Deep Well of Time, I encourage you to purchase the book, as it will harness your ability to use the power of stories. Please check out and buy Hatching the Cosmic Egg. The book and the material are beautifully illustrated and handcrafted, and the story is a complete journey through the concepts of the Great Lessons. I will let you all know when the teachers manual is released, for I could not be more excited and proud of this collaboration, and I hope you and your students enjoy the book as much as I do.