THE GREAT MONTESSORI GET TOGETHER

For five wonderful years, over one hundred volunteers have annually brought Montessori (and the only interactive classroom) into the Education Building creating what has now become "The Great Montessori Get Together".

What happens to the Montessori State Fair Booth next?

​Please share your thoughts in this few-question survey.  

Survey respondents can choose to be entered to win one of the admired
(and highly-coveted!) handmade toddler place mats seen in the
​Montessori Booth this year (must provide your email to be entered).

“How did it go this year?”  
This year was an exciting celebration of Montessori’s 5th year at the Fair!  Here are some highlights:

• 98% of volunteers responded that they were Satisfied or Very Satisfied with their volunteer experience and the same would recommend their friends and family volunteer.  
  
• It was another record attendance year: 2,126,551 - with six all-time record breaking days.  There were many bustling hours where the booth became a cozy refuge for repeat and new families seeking the serenity of the Montessori Booth for their children.​
  
• This year we had the first report of literal tears of joy from a visiting child who was so relieved to be “learning the Montessori way now” in Brainerd after finding out about Montessori education at the Montessori Booth in 2018.  Sharing the favorite quote of the fair: “I’m good at school, the Montessori way!”

• One diligent volunteer tallied her family contacts during a “very slow shift”:  43 families in three hours.
  
• Nearly 100 volunteers from 24 schools and 25% not affiliated to a school staffed 117 shifts this year!  (96 shifts must be filled in order to operate - i.e. 2 volunteers per shift, 144 shifts are offered - 3 volunteers per shift).  Special thanks to Lucinda Anderson, Jenny Thomas, Jaclyn Gerhke for staffing 20 shifts between them!

• Over one hundred visitors left “Montessori Messages” on​ ​the giant Pink Tower

• Teams from schools near and far volunteered together, having fun playing at the booth and at the fair.  Deep bow of gratitude to those who fought severe weather, keys locked in cars, missed busses, and flat tires and still prioritized making it to the booth!
  
  ​This team from Northfield School battled a severe thunderstorm to get to their shift! Thanks for going the extra mile, literally!

• Volunteers and visitors shared delight in many new materials offered by loan and made by hand from MNMN Board Members and  St. Kates training programs
• The new MN Training Programs Summary document was valued by current and aspiring educators who visited and volunteered. And it's now available on our website!

• This year parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, board members, alumni and current students filled over 30% of volunteer hours sharing their unique Montessori Stories helping visitors connect with Montessori.
  
  ​This 5th grade volunteer from World Learner enjoyed volunteering with her father, a board member at World Learner!

• We have met many families who found Montessori schools after visiting the State Fair booth.  This year we experienced multiple adults sharing that they found new careers, or made a shift in their current career, through the booth - becoming Montessori trained!

• The new “Montessori at Home” book was a favorite of volunteers and visitors.  This book that shared ideas and images from families around the world practicing Montessori’s principles in their homes was so popular many asked to purchase it!

Severe weather prompted fair evacuation during the booth take-down after the closing shift on Labor day. This was particularly shocking given the weather was the most comfortable in recent history! We learned what it was like to move out the following day with all the midway ride-carrying semi trucks on the grounds!

• A 5th year without any missing materials
  ​- including the tiniest pink tower cube!

• Despite its amazing value, the Fair comes at a challenging time for guides to take time off from the classroom. Recognizing this challenge, many of the retired guides, guides not currently teaching, and school administrators in our community staffed a record number of shifts.
  
  ​Thank you, thank you! We hope you enjoyed your time back with children and materials!

• The MN Montessori Network grew 5% during the MN State Fair! - Thank you volunteers and a special thank you to: Amy Kennedy and Leah Popova for their successfully encouraging the largest number of Montessori advocates to join via text-to-join right from the booth (thank you gift is on the way to Mayflower)!

• Over 50 new and 30 returning volunteers supported hundreds of volunteer hours, and enjoyed a ‘punny’ Thank You Gift  - 100% of survey respondents sharing they would recommend the experience to their friends and colleagues!

• Also, special thanks to Lake Country for staffing 22 shifts with guides, assistants, alumni, board member, students, and administration. We were honored to have all of the people who have lead Lake Country School in its 40+ year history in the booth this year!