The Oxford Round Table is an invitation only group of select experts that meet think-tank style in the ancient city of Oxford, England. Their conversations are often published and can serve to influence public policy.

For the first time ever, a Montessorian has been selected to contribute to the discussion.

Norma Morris, of Rockwall, Texas, along with colleague Patty Hannan will have the rare honor of making a presentation to this prestigious group. They have created a graphic that includes documented representation of brain activity as a young child learns through the multi-sensorial approach of the Montessori method. Their presentation is stunning and compelling.

The pair’s most recent project has been to offer a wonderful program in Rockwall, called Saturday School, which is open to infants, toddlers and their parents. It educates parents how to relate to their young ones and focuses on movement, balance and basic skills. In a recent newspaper interview, Morris said “Dr. Montessori said the first sensitive period is movement…It is all about observing, skill building and play. Parents learn to play with their children in a way that develops them cognitively and physically.”

Hannan, who formerly studied neurology and worked with scientists at NASA said, “We want to take everything off the plate and present one small piece of information at a time…The foundational wiring is critical and has been the most neglected.”

Morris’ schools in Rockwall offer a stimulating Montessori education, that appropriately meets each developmental level of students through high school. Her schools maintain cutting edge quality and offers an authentic Montessori approach.

Norma Morris and Patty Hannan will be presenting at the next Oxford Round Table. We congratulate them on their accomplishment and applaud them for representing Montessori at this noteworthy event.

Norma Morris is a member of the IMC School Accreditation Commmission.