The Montessori Mindset, a podcast by Waterfront Academy

Melissa Rohan

Welcome to The Montessori Mindset, a podcast by Waterfront Academy, where education meets inspiration. Hosted by Melissa Rohan — educator, founder, and Montessori school leader — this show explores the transformative power of Montessori philosophy and child-centered education in today’s world. Each episode features insightful conversations with educators, child development experts, and visionary school founders who are shaping the future of learning. Together, we dive deep into topics like language acquisition, executive function, faith and character formation, independence, and preparing children for lifelong success. But this podcast isn’t just theory — it’s practical, too. You’ll also find recordings of parent workshops packed with actionable tips and strategies to help you support your child’s development at home, from nurturing focus and curiosity to creating purposeful environments and fostering bilingual learning. In This Podcast, You’ll Discover: Expert advice on Montessori education, early childhood development, and parenting.Inspiring stories from school founders and educators leading innovative programs.Step-by-step guidance from real parent workshops to bring Montessori principles into your daily life.Honest conversations about challenges, growth, and the joy of raising confident, capable children. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, homeschooler, or simply passionate about how children learn best, The Montessori Mindset offers wisdom, inspiration, and practical tools to support the journey — from the classroom to the home, and everywhere in between.

  1. 12/23/2025

    Montessori Mindset: A Conversation with Cassandra Baker

    Send us a text 🎙️ In this episode, host Melissa Rohan sits down with Cassandra Baker from the University of Mary—the organizer of the Catholic Montessori Conference. This event has quickly become a cornerstone for educators, administrators, and families seeking to live out an authentic Montessori approach grounded in Catholic tradition. 🌱 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The vision and mission behind the Catholic Montessori Conference Why the intersection of Catholic identity and Montessori pedagogy is so powerful right now Highlights and standout themes from this year’s gathering The conversations shaping Catholic Montessori communities today How the University of Mary supports this initiative within its larger mission A sneak peek at what’s ahead for next year’s conference Learn more about Catholic Montessori Institute - University of Mary: https://online.umary.edu/catholic-montessori-institute 🛒 Looking for more Montessori-aligned activities? Check out our full collection of printable resources here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/waterfront-academy 👇 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Montessori activities you can do at home! 📱 Follow Us on Social Media: ➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterfrontAcademy ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterfrontacademy/ ➡️ Pinterest: https://pin.it/4MNtyF4kq ➡️ Twitter: https://x.com/WaterfrontAcad #MontessoriMindset #CatholicMontessori #MontessoriEducation #FaithAndLearning #CatholicSchools #MontessoriLife #MontessoriCommunity #CatholicFaith #EducationForTheFuture #MontessoriMovement #FaithBasedEducation #MontessoriParents #MontessoriTeachers #CatholicEducators #MontessoriJourney #HolisticEducation #MontessoriInspired #CatholicIdentity #MontessoriConference #MontessoriPodcast

    39 min
  2. 12/20/2025

    Q&A with Melissa – Episode 3: Montessori Tips for Parents & Educators

    Send us a text Welcome to another episode of Q&A with Melissa! I’m Melissa Rohan, Head of Waterfront Academy, a Catholic bilingual Montessori school. In this episode, we tackle your thoughtful questions about supporting children’s development and fostering kindness through the Montessori approach. 🌟 ✨ Topics Covered in This Episode: 1️⃣ Meaningful Holiday Gifts for Guides – Thoughtful ideas to show appreciation for your child’s Montessori guides. 2️⃣ Encouraging Kindness in Upper Elementary – Simple ways to foster empathy and teamwork among students. 3️⃣ Managing a Toddler’s Interest in Cabinets and Cooking – How to support and redirect your little explorer’s curiosity. 4️⃣ Regulating Drawing Behavior – Tips for teaching children where to express their creativity responsibly. 5️⃣ Encouraging Independent Dressing – Strategies to support your 3.5-year-old in dressing without tantrums. Each tip is rooted in Montessori principles, empowering you to guide your child with love, respect, and patience. 💕 💬 Got a Question? Leave your questions in the comments or send them to us for the next episode of Q&A with Melissa! 💡 Like, Share, and Subscribe! If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your Montessori community, and subscribe to our channel to stay updated on all things Montessori! 🌐 Connect with Waterfront Academy: 👉 Website: https://www.waterfrontacademy.org/ 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterfrontAcademy/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterfrontacademy/?hl=en 👉 Pinterest: https://ph.pinterest.com/waterfrontacademymontessori/ Thank you for watching, and let’s continue nurturing young minds together! 💙 #MontessoriEducation #QandAWithMelissa #WaterfrontAcademy #MontessoriTips #CatholicMontessori

    34 min

About

Welcome to The Montessori Mindset, a podcast by Waterfront Academy, where education meets inspiration. Hosted by Melissa Rohan — educator, founder, and Montessori school leader — this show explores the transformative power of Montessori philosophy and child-centered education in today’s world. Each episode features insightful conversations with educators, child development experts, and visionary school founders who are shaping the future of learning. Together, we dive deep into topics like language acquisition, executive function, faith and character formation, independence, and preparing children for lifelong success. But this podcast isn’t just theory — it’s practical, too. You’ll also find recordings of parent workshops packed with actionable tips and strategies to help you support your child’s development at home, from nurturing focus and curiosity to creating purposeful environments and fostering bilingual learning. In This Podcast, You’ll Discover: Expert advice on Montessori education, early childhood development, and parenting.Inspiring stories from school founders and educators leading innovative programs.Step-by-step guidance from real parent workshops to bring Montessori principles into your daily life.Honest conversations about challenges, growth, and the joy of raising confident, capable children. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, homeschooler, or simply passionate about how children learn best, The Montessori Mindset offers wisdom, inspiration, and practical tools to support the journey — from the classroom to the home, and everywhere in between.