The PDMC Practitioner Pathway
Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom (PDMC) offers a training development pathway for Montessori educators to support the preparation of respectful, cooperative, and responsible classroom communities. The PDMC Practitioner Pathway enables Montessori educators to first learn the core principles and tools of Positive Discipline and then deepen their practice through advanced study and application.
Level 1
PDMC Practitioner's Class
The Practitioner’s Class is the foundational course for Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom, by Jane Nelsen and Chip DeLorenzo. The class uses a case study approach to discovering the principles and tools of Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom. The class gives participants the opportunity to connect with other Montessori educators in an experiential setting to learn how to implement the respectful and time-tested classroom management approach that builds responsibility, independence, motivation, and empathy within classroom communities.
Using real classroom situations, participants will learn to:
- Prepare a classroom social/emotional environment that will reduce misbehavior.
- Create effective support plans to help students with behavioral challenges.
- Develop clear and consistent practices among adults to meet behavioral challenges respectfully and effectively.
- Understand the roots of misbehavior in children.
- Help children develop self-regulation, cooperation, and independence.
- Help students find a sense of belonging and significance in their classroom community.
- Develop school-wide practices that will help teachers and parents.
While there is no magic bullet for managing behavioral challenges, there are concrete principles and skills that can be learned by adults that will help develop respect and cooperation in the classroom, and effectively respond to misbehavior in a manner that helps children for the long-term. We hope you will join us for this workshop.
Level 2
PDMC Advanced Practitioner's Class
The Advanced Practitioner’s Class (formerly the Master Class) is designed for Montessori educators and leaders who have taken the Practitioner’s Class. The goal of this course is to deepen participants’ understanding of the principles and practices of Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom and to advance its consistent and effective implementation in classrooms and schools. Particular focus is given to understanding mistaken belief systems, collaboratively addressing misbehavior, and developing consistent practices among adults that promote security and social success for children. In this class, participants will:
- Discover practices that enhance consistency among teaching and leadership teams.
- Deepen their understanding of the Mistaken Goal Chart and its effective application.
- Discover new tools to help address “the belief behind the behavior”.
- Learn to address misbehavior proactively before significant challenges arise.
- Take a deep dive into developing student support plans using the child-study process.
- Explore how to use the Class Meeting to support conflict resolution, and build strong student leadership skills.
Specialized PDMC Courses
PDMC Conflict to Collaboration Class
The Conflict to Collaboration course is designed for Montessori educators and school leaders who want to build strong, effective relationships with parents while maintaining professional boundaries and reducing stress. Children thrive when teachers, leaders, and parents collaborate with clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.
Many teachers experience stress from parent-related challenges: demands that feel unrealistic, disrespectful or emotionally charged communication, the time required to maintain frequent updates, and a lack of trust in their professional judgment. These challenges can drain energy, undermine confidence, and interfere with our first duty to serve the child. This course helps address these stressors directly by providing practical tools for developing collaborative and supportive relationships, setting kind but firm limits, maintaining professional boundaries, and fostering parent partnerships built on trust and respect.
Most parent–school conflicts can be prevented—or transformed into opportunities—through intentional communication, proactive strategies, and confident, respectful limit-setting.
In this course, participants will learn to:
- Build supportive, trusting, and collaborative relationships with parents that encourage cooperation and shared goals.
- Address difficult or emotionally charged interactions calmly, preventing escalation and reducing anxiety for teachers.
- Set kind and firm limits with parents that protect teacher time, reduce stress, and build trust.
- Communicate concerns about children effectively while maintaining parent support and professional credibility.
- Avoid common communication mistakes that can unintentionally erode trust or inflame tension.
- Turn challenging situations into opportunities to strengthen parent relationships and collaboration.
- Conduct productive parent meetings confidently, ensuring clarity, trust, and shared understanding.
- Develop school-wide strategies that create consistent practices, improve parent partnerships, and reduce teacher stress.
“The overall approach in Positive Discipline and Conflict to Collaboration is beautifully human. Anxiety, tension, and fear are replaced by forethought, understanding, and wisdom, as well as compassion. Learning this approach helps adults reach their highest potential by focusing on the other person as a highly respected individual. I am truly grateful for the practical experience and tools that bring beautiful communication among children and adults.” ~ Polly Christensen, Head of School, St. Francis Montessori School
Upcoming PDMC Courses
Online Practitioner's Class - June 2026
Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, June 15 – July 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Online via Zoom
Facilitator: Chip DeLorenzo