Is there anything more Montessori than an open-ended game?
Snow Snake is a Native American game where a spear-like stick is slid as far as possible down a snowy track; the person who sends the snake the farthest wins. While the rules are simple, the game itself carries deep cultural, historical, and practical meaning.
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.
