This Month on Modern Montessori
We’re joined by the inspiring Joanne Lo—an education consultant with over 20 years of global experience spanning Hong Kong, Toronto, New York, and now London. As Director of JL Education Ltd and Co-Founder of Our Mindful Connection Club, Joanne blends the art of mindfulness with the science of education, helping children ages 3–12 grow in both heart and mind.

In this episode, Joanne shares practical strategies for becoming more emotionally present with our children and offers insight into guiding them toward true emotional literacy. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply someone who cares deeply about children’s development, this conversation will leave you with tools and inspiration to nurture empathy, resilience, and connection in the next generation.

You can find Joanne on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn as @jl_educationalconsultant . Please be sure and discover her book, "How do I Feel - A journal for children"!

This episode, we are excited to be joined by Siyuan Fan, a Montessori educator with a background in psychology and human development. We discuss the psychology of the Montessori Method and how it applies to our modern world and how it differs from traditional education models.

Meet Siyuan:

"I am a passionate Montessori educator dedicated to bringing a modern Montessori education to 21st-century children. With over seven years of teaching experience across diverse educational settings—from Chinese public preschools to bilingual programs at the Shanghai American School—I’ve had the opportunity to explore and integrate various educational philosophies. Currently, I serve as a Montessori lead teacher at a Montessori-inspired, music-focused preschool, where I blend child-led learning with creative expression and cultural richness.

I hold a master’s degree in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where I also conducted research on playful learning methods through Project Zero, a Harvard-affiliated research institute. My background extends beyond the classroom into curriculum and product design; I’ve worked as a product designer for an educational toy company, combining developmental science with play-based innovation."

Welcome to Part 2! We had a great time chatting with Toé Karasawa, a former Montessori-certified teacher, Montessori marketing specialist, and children’s book author. With her vast array of knowledge, we discussed not only our own experiences with dual languages, but also the benefits and some of the misconceptions of being in a dual-language environment.

Originally from Tokyo, Toé spent her formative years in China, Singapore, and Japan, and now calls the United States home. She speaks Japanese, Mandarin, Shanghainese, and English, bringing a rich, multicultural perspective to all that she does. Toé holds a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from Waseda University. With a deep passion for early childhood education and youth development, she draws on her diverse experiences to help create inclusive and inspiring learning environments for children around the world.

https://everysuperpartofmebook.my.canva.site/

@manabi_montessori