Principles Into Practice: Montessori Adolescence

Laureen Barnard is committed to advancing scientific pedagogy and human development through authentic, human-centred educational strategy and Montessori practice. She supports educators, leaders and teams to translate Dr Montessori’s vision into contemporary practice through practitioner inquiry, purposeful leadership and strategic improvement.

An AMI 12–18 Trainer-in-Training, Montessori consultant, GMP Mentor and Board Director of Montessori Schools and Centres Australia, Laureen has more than twenty years of experience across government, independent and Montessori education. She founded one of Australia’s first Montessori adolescent programmes within a public secondary school and now works locally and internationally with schools, leadership teams and educators.

Through her consultancy, LiberateEd, Laureen partners with schools and organisations to strengthen authentic Montessori practice through evidence-informed inquiry, action research and continuous improvement. She holds AMI qualifications in Montessori Administration and across the 0–3, 3–6, 6–12 and 12–18 planes of development.

Her work with Montessori communities in Australia, India, Thailand, Mexico and the United States continues to shape her belief that authentic practice requires both fidelity to Montessori principles and the courage to keep learning alongside others.