A podcast to make educators feel less alone.
Welcome to the All Things Montessori podcast! This is a space for down-to-earth conversations revolving around Montessori education. All Things Montessori was founded by AMI Elementary educator Rachel Merle-Smith and AMI Trainer and consultant Jamie Rue in 2019. This podcast breaks down all components of Montessori education from incorporating music in the classroom to the struggles of teaching and how to feel supported in the classroom.
For the past five years, All Things Montessori has gained listenership all across the world. Listeners describe it as "a go-to place when feeling overwhelmed and uninspired," and "it feels like I'm sitting down with good friends."
Thank you for listening and welcome to All Things Montessori.
The Women Behind the Mic
Rachel Merle-Smith | Host
My road to Montessori was filled with turns, chance meetings, uprooting, and trust. I first heard about Montessori through a family member, but I wrote it off, thinking that I never wanted to be a teacher. However, Montessori just kept coming up in my life. I reached out to the Washington Montessori Institute hoping to talk to someone in the Primary Training Course. Serendipitously, Jamie Rue picked up the phone and she began to tell me all about the elementary course and why I should move to Maryland and take the course starting in July.
And so I did. And, here I am.
After five years as a nanny in the US and in Italy, five years in the classroom, one year in the administration, and a year experience virtual learning due to the pandemic, here I find myself ever more passionate about Montessori education.
Now as a new parent, I find myself incorporating Montessori into my son's life. It has been incredibly eye-opening to watch Montessori from the very beginning. One thing that has stayed true over all these years is my love of talking about Montessori.
The All Things Montessori podcast is a space for honest conversations revolving around Montessori education. Episodes about the struggles, the failures, the beauty and the true purpose of our work.
Thank you for being here and as always, thank you for listening.
Jamie Rue | Co-Founder
Jamie is a trainer, examiner, and consultant at the elementary level, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Her career in Montessori education is now in its third decade, and includes 10 years as a teacher in a school classroom and 10 years as a trainer of teachers.
Jamie has presented at conferences throughout the United States, as well as in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. She has coached teachers and advised administrators at schools around the world. Jamie holds an AMI 6-12 diploma from Washington Montessori Institute, and an AMI 3-6 diploma from Montessori Training Center Northeast.
Born and raised on an island in the Pacific Northwest, she has an M.Ed. from Loyola University Maryland, and a B.A. in English and Religion from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She loves to read, cook, and travel with her family in her spare time.