On October 7-8, 2023, Sally Korte (IMS ‘15) paid a visit to Lee Havis at IMS headquarters near Washington, DC, USA. Together they discussed and shared their respective activity and plans for advancing the work of IMS and Dr. Montessori’s visionary “new education” in the world. Up to this time, their only communication was through long distance telephone contact and Sally’s participation in IMS distance learning and on-line webinars.
The recent October meeting focused especially on their common experiences and practice with the unique “technology” that Lee has recently published in his new book on the subject. For example, Sally shared how she is using the book and technology in her training seminars with staff and other educators connected with her school, Shalom Prince of Peace Montessori, in August, KS. She also described her wider work outside the school, including a planned visit to conduct consultation at a women’s shelter in her native country Mexico.
For his part, Lee shared his current work to initiate the “Character Teaching” (CT) projects in east Africa and India. He expressed hope that this CT project could one day be conducted in Latin American countries as well, such as Mexico, where the project was first conceived in 2000.
This two-day discussion brought out their deep spiritual experiences in following the technology to bring about the child’s true nature. Lee and Sally both sensed a strong bond as “kindred spirits” in their shared purpose to bring this technology and its practice into wider knowledge and use by others around the world.