Journal of a Black Teacher

For the fun of it, let's toss in a vertically aligned K-12 system.  By Don Allen - Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) In an increasingly interdependent and complex world, conventional education models might not be the best preparation for students to become global citizens and lifelong learners. Two models, Montessori and International Baccalaureate (IB), have become increasingly effective in creating independent thinkers, empathetic leaders, and deeply engaged learners. The merging of the two pedagogical approaches thus programs the promise of a learning experience that could be even more powerful than either on its own. IB and Montessori curricula can be deliberately used toward one aim: to support and deepen one another, creating an active and engaging child-led learning environment. Both models are inquiry-based and prioritize the holistic development of the child—intellectually, socially, emotionally, and ethically (International Baccalaureate Organization [IBO], 2017; Lillard,...