Our children are growing up in a world of nonstop screens, noise, and pressure. How can we help them find calm inside the chaos?
In this episode, meditation teacher and nonprofit founder Jessica Morey joins host Sam Shapiro, Head of Marin Montessori School, to talk about how mindfulness can strengthen children’s resilience and compassion — and how parents can practice it, too.
Key Takeaways:
Why do so many families find this stretch of the school year so hard? The adrenaline of the new year has faded, but the pace hasn’t slowed down. In this episode, Terry Dubow talks with Siri Panday, Marin Montessori’s Director of Education for Toddler and Primary, about how families can navigate this stressful season with more grace, calm, and connection.
Key Takeaways:
Why transitions often intensify family stress even after the “back-to-school” period.
How consistent routines offer emotional stability for both children and parents.
Why letting children experience age-appropriate struggle builds resilience.
Practical tips to ease mornings, strengthen rhythm, and release the pressure of “perfect parenting.”
How Montessori principles offer a humane, sustainable path for families during busy seasons.
Wonder is not a luxury; it is essential for raising curious, resilient, and joyful children. In this episode, Terry Dubow, Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives at Marin Montessori School, talks with Tree Sturman, Director of the Junior High, about how modern childhood can crowd out wonder and how Montessori education creates space for children to stay curious and connected.
Key Takeaways
About Tree Sturman
Tree has spent his career in passionate pursuit of a better world. After a decade leading environmental nonprofits, he co-founded Compass Montessori Junior High in Michigan and guided its growth for 11 years. A lifelong learner with a gift for connecting with adolescents, Tree brings deep experience, curiosity, and a love of hands-on learning to his work at Marin Montessori School.
While artificial Intelligence is changing schools, the most important work remains human. In this episode, Marin Montessori Head of School, Sam Shapiro, talks with Jenny Elliott, Head of Student and Academic Life at Choate Rosemary Hall, about what one of the nation’s most respected boarding schools has learned after a year of experimenting with generative AI.
Key takeaways from this conversation:
This episode offers insights and encouragement for parents, educators, and leaders seeking to keep learning meaningful in a rapidly changing world.
For more about Choate's approach to AI, click here!
In a time when parents face rising pressure to get everything right, this episode offers something rare and essential: a deeply honest, poetic, and practical conversation about the transformative power of self-compassion.
Join Marin Montessori School’s Head of School, Sam Shapiro, and guest Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, celebrated poet and parent educator, as they explore what it means to parent with grace instead of perfection.
Drawing on both research and lived experience, Rosemerry offers a path toward parenting that’s emotionally sustainable—and deeply human.
Together, they discuss:
Whether you’re navigating daily struggles or simply looking to show up with more presence and care, this conversation is a powerful reminder: we teach our children not by being perfect—but by being real.
What if summer wasn’t just time off—but time well used? In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, Marin Montessori Head of School Sam Shapiro talks with Dr. Christina Carroll, an Elementary Guide and educational researcher, about how families can rethink the summer months as a powerful opportunity for curiosity-driven learning.
Drawing from years of Montessori teaching experience and her doctoral research on how teacher beliefs shape student outcomes, Christina shares practical, project-based ideas for summer—from baking and gardening to trip planning and self-reflection.
This episode is ideal for any parent looking to support their child’s growth this summer in a way that’s joyful, intentional, and deeply engaging—without relying on worksheets or screen time.
📝 Download the Montessori Summer Project Guide here.
Netflix’s Adolescence is more than just another teen drama—it’s a window into the risks, contradictions, and hidden struggles of today’s young people. In this special pop culture episode, Terry Dubow and Bill Sneed, Director of the Junior High at Marin Montessori School, explore the show’s emotional accuracy, why it hits a nerve for adults, and what it reveals about how we understand—and often misunderstand—adolescence.
The episode touches on sensitive topics and is intended for adult listeners.
Adolescence is longer—and more complex—than ever before. In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, Marin Montessori Head of School Sam Shapiro sits down with Dr. Laurence Steinberg, one of the world’s foremost experts on adolescent development. Together, they unpack the neuroscience of adolescence, the crucial role of risk-taking, and how parents can support their teens through this transformative stage.
Dr. Steinberg explores why adolescence now lasts into the mid-20s, how brain plasticity shapes behavior, and how parents can balance warmth with firm boundaries to help their teens thrive. Whether you're raising a teen or preparing for what’s ahead, this conversation offers critical insights into fostering independence, resilience, and responsible decision-making in today’s youth.
Tune in to hear why adolescence is both a vulnerable and opportunistic stage—and how we can better support the teens in our lives.
What if our education system prioritized deep learning over competition? In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, host Terry Dubow speaks with Scott Looney, Head of Hawken School and founder of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, and Bill Sneed, Director of Marin Montessori’s Junior High, to explore how Montessori and Mastery-based learning offer a compelling alternative to the traditional sorting machine of grades, GPAs, and standardized tests.
Inspired by David Brooks’ viral Atlantic article, How the Ivy League Broke America, this conversation dives into the flaws of traditional academic systems and highlights real-world, skills-based approaches that foster true intellectual growth.
💡 Why does the mastery movement matter now more than ever?
💡 How do Montessori and Mastery-based schools prepare students for an uncertain future?
💡 What can parents do to redefine success for their children?
Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of learning.
In this episode, Sam Shapiro welcomes Dr. Devorah Heitner, author of Growing Up in Public and Screenwise, to explore parenting strategies for today’s digital natives.
Together, they discuss:
📱 Teaching kids digital etiquette and fostering empathy online.
⏳ Managing screen time while encouraging independence.🤝 Building trust and resilience in a hyper-connected world.💡 Helping children navigate social media pressures and self-worth.
Tune in for relatable advice and expert insights to guide your family through the digital age.
Winter break can be magical—but also overwhelming for young kids and parents alike. In this episode, host Terry Dubow talks with Siri Panday, Marin Montessori’s Director of Education for Toddler and Primary, about creating a joyful, enriching holiday experience.
Discover expert-backed tips on:
Whether you’re traveling, hosting, or keeping it low-key, this episode offers practical advice for a peaceful, joyful winter break with your family.
In today’s divided world, how can parents raise kids who listen with empathy, think critically, and engage in meaningful dialogue—even when faced with opposing views?
In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, host Terry Dubow sits down with educators Minnie Wales and Bill Sneed to explore:
🎙️ Fostering Compassion: Helping kids develop empathy through everyday acts of kindness.
🎙️ Breaking the Echo Chamber: Teaching respectful disagreement without the need to “win.”
🎙️ Balancing Values and Independence: Encouraging kids to form their own beliefs while staying connected to family values.
🎙️ Managing Parent Anxieties: Creating a home environment that promotes thoughtful dialogue and emotional resilience.
Discover expert-backed strategies to help your family navigate today’s complex, divided world.
In this special Thanksgiving episode of Grounded and Soaring, Sam Shapiro speaks with Gregg Krech, author and expert on Japanese psychology, about creating a family culture of gratitude. Explore how Naikan reflection—a method of structured self-reflection—can help families counteract negativity bias and develop meaningful habits of appreciation.
Episode Highlights:
This conversation is packed with actionable insights for parents and educators. Discover how gratitude can be a life-changing practice for your family. In that spirit, here and on groundedandsoaring.org is a holiday reflection exercise for you to use with your family!
In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, Marin Montessori’s Siri Panday speaks with Gabrielle Perelmuter, occupational therapist and founder of Little Hands, and Cierra Crowe, speech and language pathologist, about the transformative power of early intervention. Discover how occupational and speech therapy can empower children under five to overcome developmental challenges and thrive.
Episode Highlights:
Whether you're already considering therapy or just curious, this episode offers valuable insights into supporting your child’s unique journey with confidence and compassion.
In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, Head of School Sam Shapiro speaks with neuropsychologist Dr. Ghazaleh Rafati on how parents can introduce the concepts of voting, civic responsibility, and democracy to children of various ages.
In an increasingly polarized world, understanding how to engage young minds in thoughtful conversations about elections is more important than ever.
Dr. Rafati provides insightful strategies for age-appropriate discussions, managing parental anxieties, and fostering healthy curiosity in children.
Key Takeaways:
In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, Terry Dubow and Siri Panday, Director of Education for Toddler and Primary at Marin Montessori, dive into the complexities of separation anxiety in young children.
From school drop-offs to moments of everyday goodbyes, learn how to create routines that promote confidence and help your child thrive emotionally.
Episode Highlights:
Welcome back to Grounded and Soaring. In this first episode of Season 3, Terry Dubow and Sam Shapiro dive into the importance of "thinking differently" about education. Based on Sam's recent blog post, this episode explores how to break free from outdated assumptions about learning, encourage deeper thinking, and prepare children for an ever-changing world.
Episode Highlights:
In this final episode of our second season, we focus on how to prevent the summer slide. With insights from our level directors at Marin Montessori School, we offer actionable steps to keep your child engaged and learning over the summer.
Episode Highlights:
Don’t forget to visit Grounded and Soaring for more episodes and resources. Enjoy your summer!
In this enlightening episode of Grounded and Soaring, Siri Panday, Director of Education for Toddler and Primary at Marin Montessori School, hosts a brief conversation with Rachel Manfredi, a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and Behavioral Health Director from Child Development Center of Marin (Speech Marin).
They explore how early intervention through behavioral support for children under five, strengthens social skills while addressing common misconceptions and fears that may prevent families from comfortably seeking behavioral support.
Episode Highlights:
Explore the evolving landscape of education in the age of artificial intelligence with Sam Shapiro, Head of School at Marin Montessori, and Dr. Alex Curtis, Head of the New England Boarding School Choate Rosemary Hall.
This episode dives into the implications, challenges, and opportunities that AI, particularly ChatGPT, presents in educational settings.
Highlights include:
