In Montessori we prepare the environment so carefully for children, yet we rarely prepare it that thoughtfully for the adults. Dr. Caroline Robbins wants to change that. A public Montessori administrator and researcher who has also been a primary guide and a Montessori parent, Caroline studied how schools can give feedback the Montessori way, grounded in observation, dignity, and growth rather than judgment. In this session she turns her doctoral research into practical strategies any Montessori adult can use, whether you lead a school, guide a classroom, or give feedback to a peer or fellow caregiver.
Key Topics Covered:
- Feedback as developmental growth: Why adults deserve the same growth-oriented, observation-based feedback we give children, and how to extend Montessori principles (grace and courtesy, friendliness with error, following the child) into adulthood.
- The three needs behind good feedback: Using Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) to understand what Montessori adults actually need, and the Montessori “flavor” of each: choosing your own growth goals, honoring strengths over correction, and relationships that get stronger, not weaker.
- Brain-friendly feedback in four steps (LeeAnn Renninger): The micro-yes to invite consent, being specific and avoiding “blur words,” a clear impact statement, and always ending with a question that looks forward.
- Radical Candor (Kim Scott): The care-and-challenge matrix, spotting where you drift under stress (ruinous empathy, obnoxious aggression, manipulative insincerity), and how to land in that sweet spot of specific and kind.
- From evaluation to curiosity: Swapping “this was good, this was bad” for “I’m curious about that,” trading the one annual visit for frequent check-ins plus longer observations, and moving from top-down to reciprocal, peer-to-peer feedback.
- When feedback is hard: Giving directive feedback while keeping someone’s dignity, staying open when feedback stings (self-compassion for the perfectionists among us), and the one thing every small school can start this week, peer observation.
Resources mentioned in this talk:
- LeeAnn Renninger, The Secret to Giving Great Feedback (TED): ted.com
- Elena Aguilar, transformational coaching (Bright Morning): brightmorningteam.com
- Michael Bungay Stanier, The Coaching Habit: boxofcrayons.com
- Kim Scott, Radical Candor: radicalcandor.com
- Tara Mohr, Playing Big (book)
In this video
For Montessori teachers and school leaders, this talk is about giving a colleague feedback, and hearing it. Dr Caroline Robbins looks at what teachers say they want, such as choice, longer visits and feedback from peers, and at the pull between teachers and leaders. There's a part on using observation for feedback. Later chapters cover what to do when nothing changes after a kind conversation, and when feedback stings.
Chapters
- 0:00 Why Montessori adults need a different kind of feedback
- 8:20 Giving adults feedback the way we guide children
- 13:03 Three core needs and the pull between teachers and leaders
- 17:24 What teachers want: choice, longer visits and peer feedback
- 22:25 The micro yes and three more steps to kind, clear feedback
- 27:39 Radical candor, common mistakes and what to try this week
- 34:26 Using observation for feedback, and where to learn more
- 39:53 When nothing changes: giving direct feedback with respect
- 43:52 When feedback stings: staying open and kind to yourself
- 46:48 One step for small schools: observing each other
