Speaking & Keynotes
Inspiring Change. Building Trust. Leading with Integrity.
Rooted in Montessori, driven by equity, and grounded in lived experience, Hannah Richardson brings over two decades of leadership and transformative practice to stages across the country. Her speaking engagements are designed to challenge, uplift, and equip Montessori educators, leaders, and changemakers to take real, impactful action in their communities.
About
My name is Hannah Richardson, PhD ABD
Hannah Richardson is a bold and compassionate Montessori leader with over two decades of experience guiding schools, shaping systems, and mentoring educators. Through powerful storytelling and an unwavering commitment to justice, she brings clarity, courage, and vision to every space—challenging systems, uplifting communities, and transforming Montessori practice from the inside out.
Signature Keynotes
Leader as Protector: Montessori Leadership for a Changing World
Leadership is no longer about managing people — it’s about protecting purpose.
This keynote reframes leadership through the Montessori lens of stewardship and collective care. We explore what it means for Montessori heads, directors, and coordinators to act as protectors — of peace, people, and pedagogy — in a world defined by uncertainty.
Participants leave with tools for leading with courage, designing for sustainability, and defending their community’s deepest values.
Building Organizational Trust: The Heart of Sustainable Leadership
Because you can’t have peace without trust.
Grounded in Montessori philosophy and organizational psychology, this keynote unpacks the science and soul of trust — how it’s earned, how it’s broken, and how it can become the living structure of your school. Learn practical ways to align policy, communication, and accountability with your values so that your systems build connection instead of control.
Peace Is Practice: ABAR Work as Montessori Work
Justice isn’t outside the method — it’s the method.
This keynote connects Montessori’s vision for human development to the daily realities of anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) work in schools. We trace how equity, belonging, and liberation aren’t extras but expressions of Montessori’s original purpose. Expect honest conversation, real-world examples, and practical tools for turning philosophy into practice.
New: Systems for Liberation — Redesigning Montessori for the Next Era
The future of Montessori depends on the systems we build today.
This new keynote blends your Montessori Mapping + Peace Rebellion voice. It challenges leaders to look beyond fidelity checklists and reimagine Montessori as a living ecosystem — one that can sustain justice, innovation, and joy. Perfect for conferences or networks ready to move from reflection to redesign.
Featured Engagement — AMI/USA Experience 2026
Administrators’ Two Full-Day Institute
Protecting the Child, Holding the Adult: Montessori Leadership in Action
San Diego, CA • February 2026
I was honored to facilitate a two-day Administrator Institute at the AMI/USA Experience in San Diego, co-led with Kanetria Doolin.
Across two days and twelve hours, we explored Montessori leadership not as management, but as applied pedagogy — translating the principles we use with children into the systems that shape adult experience and organizational stability.
Together, leaders worked through six core areas of practice:
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redesigning hiring and guide roles for sustainability and fidelity
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discipline systems that protect dignity and belonging
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responding to equity concerns with clarity and accountability
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building adult culture structures that prevent isolation and fear
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decision architecture that strengthens trust across stakeholders
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succession and institutional memory that allow the work to outlast individuals
Participants left with practical tools, decision frameworks, and implementation pathways they could use immediately — not just ideas to reflect on later.
This institute was designed for heads of school, program directors, instructional leaders, and anyone responsible for shaping the adult environment of a Montessori community.
Want this work brought into your school or organization?
“Usually I leave conferences with ideas. This time I left with next steps.”
— AMI administrator participant
Workshop Topics
(60–180 minutes — customized for school teams, conferences, or leadership cohorts)
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Bridging the Gap: Supporting modern guides with the tools they actually need
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The Back of the House: Systems and structures that make freedom possible
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Interview Design for Equitable Alignment: Redefining hiring to reflect values
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Equity Audits & Adult Culture Design: Tools for real accountability
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Data-Informed Montessori Practice: Using metrics that honor Montessori values
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From Chaos to Clarity: Building sustainable systems that last
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Montessori Metrics for Justice: How to use data to drive belonging, not bias
Bring This Work Into Your School
Many schools begin with a keynote and then invite Hannah back to work directly with their leadership team or faculty to implement the ideas in practice.
Available follow-ups include:
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Leadership working sessions
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Whole-staff workshops
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Multi-day institutes
Who Hannah Speaks To
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Montessori school leaders & staff
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Public and private school educators
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National organizations and nonprofits
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Equity-focused education conferences
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Graduate education programs
Booking Information
Hannah’s availability for speaking engagements is limited to ensure depth and customization for each event. If you’re seeking a keynote speaker who can blend inspiration with structure—and courage with clarity—please reach out directly.
For booking inquiries, please fill out this form
