Planting Seeds of Peace: A Journey with Montessori Educators at Chestnut Hill College:
Earlier this fall, I had the honor of presenting to students in the Montessori Education for Peace Course at Chestnut Hill College, led by the dedicated Montessori Educator, Carissa Swiss, who serves as Assistant Professor, Director, and Discipline Chair of Montessori.
Carissa and I first connected at the NJMAC conference last year, where we quickly discovered a genuine bond as like-minded ‘gardeners’ committed to spreading seeds of peace, love, kindness, and respect within our communities.
During my one-hour presentation to Carissa and her students, I discussed the roots of our You Are a Gardener® book, platform, and educational programs. I also had the chance to share my personal journey and vision for the future of the company. Interacting with a group of passionate Montessori educators was a heartwarming reminder of the vital role these dedicated individuals play as positive change-makers for their students.
As Anna and Aidan were also Montessori students, our family holds deep respect and appreciation for the educational system established by Maria Montessori. This experience was truly humbling, and I am immensely grateful for it.
The encouraging feedback from Carissa and her students reaffirms our connection to spread seeds of positive change in the world. Thank you, Carissa and the students at Chestnut Hill College, for this wonderful opportunity; I can’t wait to see where it grows!
"I met Shanna at an NJMAC (NJ Montessori Association Corporation) Conference, read her book, heard her story, and knew this needed to be shared with my adult learners in my Montessori Education for Peace course. Being a gardener was emphasized in my Montessori elementary training by Dr. Paul Czaja. He shared a personal story from his childhood where he learned to make a Victory Garden with his mother and grandmother. He learned so much from his family and the experience, and it aligns so well with You Are a Gardener. I wish he were alive to read Shanna's book. It is important to cultivate peace and kindness with children of all ages. I think Shanna has found her Cosmic Task. We are all gardeners! #pullyourweeds"
~Carissa Swiss
Assistant Professor, Director and Discipline Chair Chestnut Hill College
"I am so grateful that Shanna came to speak to our class of adult learners and tell her story. It was inspiring getting to hear the journey that brought her to write such a phenomenal book.
As a fourth year assistant teacher in a Montessori classroom I thought I had a well stocked library of books that dealt with emotions and feelings. I am so surprised that this book was new to me! You Are a Gardener is an amazing resource that I am excited to add to my library. "
~Samantha F.
Student, Chestnut Hill College
"I am a second-year Assistant Teacher at a Montessori Preschool. I recently decided to re-enroll in an undergraduate program to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with Montessori Credentials. Being in this program, I am taking a Montessori Education and Peace class. This is where I was introduced to You Are A Gardener! Shanna was our guest speaker one evening, and I really enjoyed her presentation! Social Emotional Learning is not only a critical component of our daily lives, but of those who are just learning to navigate their toddler world. Her tools on the website have even given me ideas to use with the children in my classroom as well as the children I nanny for.
I can’t wait to start the Pine Cone Painting with my Nanny Kids! I have even shared the website with my school principal and director of education in hopes of bringing an assembly to our school! I have signed up for the newsletters and look forward to seeing more useful content. Thank you, Shanna, for your devotion to SEL!"
~Dominique
Student, Chestnut Hill College
"What a wonderful presentation! I could feel your passion and drive to create a beautiful world of emotionally regulated beings. Maria Montessori would say you are pursuing your Cosmic Task. I read your book prior so my opinion may be bias, but I could easily understand exactly what your message was and why you are spreading this light around the world"
~Student, Chestnut Hill College
"It was an amazing opportunity to meet Shanna Truffini in our Montessori for Peace class throughout Chestnut Hill College. Shanna has a beautiful story behind the creation of her book “You Are a Gardener”. The lovely illustrations and the easy way that she talks about emotions brought me peace and wonder to spread her book to children, friends, families, and schools. Thank you Shanna! #PullYourWeeds."
~Student, Chestnut Hill College
"I felt a deep connection to the story of how You Are a Gardener was created as a way to help Shanna’s daughter heal from ailments of PTSD. Seeing how a personal journey can transform into a powerful tool for others was incredibly exciting. Her determination to nurture her daughter's emotional well-being resonated with me, especially as I navigate my path of healing from C-PTSD (among other mental health illnesses I have).
Much like Shanna, I believe in tending to our emotional gardens. The idea of "daily watering" through positive affirmations and emotional regulation techniques speaks to me because it reflects the small yet significant steps we can take each day to cultivate resilience. I want to create a supportive space where people can feel empowered to grow, just as Shanna has done for her daughter and countless others through her workshops, website and interactions."
~Erin S.
~Student, Chestnut Hill College
"I am currently in my final year of the graduate program at Chestnut Hill College, pursuing my Master's in Early Childhood Education, as well as obtaining my Montessori Credential. I have just completed the Montessori Education for Peace course, and we often had guest speakers for some of our sessions. The last speaker we had was Shanna Truffini, and she is the author of “You Are a Gardener.” This children’s book was a read that I personally appreciated and gained much insight from as an adult. I was excited to introduce this text to my five-year-old son, as well as the classroom I am doing my internship in this school year. This book provides language by giving children the analogy of comparing their feelings to the gardening process.
The idea of flowers representing positive feelings, thoughts, and emotions, while the weeds represent the opposite, and learning to “pull your weeds” with gardening tools to cope, work through, and help. I believe using the book in the early stages of a child’s development could truly enrich the emotional and relational intelligence of the child. I enjoyed listening to Shanna share her origin story, helping us to understand exactly why she is so passionate about spreading this message. Her website is also user-friendly and provides further resources that go along with the theme of the book. I would like to thank Shanna for sharing with our class and hope that she can continue to share her message and literature all around the world!"
~Lauren M.
~Student, Chestnut Hill College
If you’re in search of an inspiring speaker for your upcoming conference, workshop, or college event, consider inviting Emotional Empowerment Advocate, Shanna Truffini. With a proven history of engaging presentations, Shanna offers a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm for emotional empowerment and educational innovation. Her dynamic style captivates audiences of all ages, sparking a desire to foster positive change and spread seeds of emotional resilience. Whether she’s discussing her You Are a Gardener® book and mindset, or sharing insights from her successful #PullYourWeeds® Program, Shanna’s presentations are customized to inspire and provide attendees with practical 'gardening tools' for positive personal and community development.
Don't miss the opportunity to motivate and uplift your audience with Shanna's impactful message. Email flowers@youareagardener.com for more information.
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