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Supporting the Natural Development of the Will with Gretchen Hall

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January 21, 2026

6:30 PM EST

Registration: Free (advance registration required)

Short Description

The will is a psychic power that humans are not born with, but one that develops over time through experience following natural laws. The child’s development of will; therefore, is a gradual process that is dependent upon an environment that supports its growth. Unfortunately, misunderstandings abound regarding how best to support the will in children. It is widely believed that one must break the will in order to strengthen it, using various forms of controlling behaviors. Montessori offers another approach that is respectful to the child and that is grounded in an atmosphere of free choice. This webinar will discuss the necessary supports in the child’s environment to allow the will to develop naturally.

Community Education

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the motivation behind children’s behavior
  • Explore ways to support the development of the will through the prepared environment
  • Learn practical strategies adults can implement in their daily practice

About Our Speaker

Gretchen Hall is the Director of Training at the Montessori Training Center Northeast, located in Hartford, CT. She has been active in both private and public Montessori education for over 20 years, as a teacher, school administrator, trainer, consultant and lecturer. She has presented at numerous conferences and has been published in various Montessori journals. In addition, Gretchen served as President of the Board of Directors for AMI/USA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University, a Master’s Degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University, as well as an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma at the Primary level.

Conference Overview

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Conference Overview

A 4-Day In-Person Conference & Orientation | October 7-10, 2026

Conference Fee: Early Bird through 7/15/26: $895.00 | Full Price: $1,125.00

Part I: The Alexandrian Great Work — Seeds Planted in the Second Plane

The opening 2.5 days immerse participants in the living structure of the Alexandrian curriculum as it unfolds in the elementary years.

Presented by Kathleen Allen, Gerard Leonard, and David Kahn

Part II: In the Fullness of Time — From Adolescence to Adulthood

Beginning Friday afternoon, the lens widens. The conference turns explicitly toward the continuum from Second Plane foundations to Third and Fourth Plane culmination.

Presented by Baiba Krumins Grazzini, David Kahn, Mary Boehnlein, Xavier Angelo Paez Barrameda, and Caren Ross

Conference Hospitality

To support a collegial and reflective learning environment, the conference includes morning and afternoon tea each day, along with a light bagged lunch. These shared pauses in the day provide space for informal conversation, continued inquiry, and connection among participants and presenters.