A Transformative Weekend with Mary Ellen Maunz

October 25–26, 2025 | Church Universal and Triumphant® Community Teaching Center of Miami

Our Teaching Center was blessed to welcome Mary Ellen Maunz, a world-renowned Montessori educator, author, and spiritual teacher, for a beautiful two-day seminar titled Open Your Heart to Your Inner Teacher.

This inspiring weekend brought together members of our community for a true celebration of learning, reflection, and spiritual connection. Ten participants attended in person and ten more joined via Zoom, creating a circle of hearts and minds united in purpose — to listen within, awaken to the voice of the soul, and deepen their understanding of life’s sacred calling.

As always, our community spirit shone brightly — everyone contributed to the potluck meals and shared snacks, filling both days with warmth, laughter, and fellowship.

About Mary Ellen Maunz

With over 50 years in Montessori education, Mary Ellen has dedicated her life to nurturing the divine potential within every child — and within every teacher. She holds a B.S. in Child Development, an M.Ed. in Integrative Learning, and multiple Montessori certifications (ages 3–6, 6–12), along with the distinction of Master Teacher.

She has served as a board member of MACTE for over 10 years, is the Founder and Program Director of the Age of Montessori / Authentic Institute of Montessori, and teaches as Adjunct Faculty at Loyola University in Baltimore. She is also the Founder of Free to Be Learning and the author of three books: Learning to Read is Child’s Play, Nurturing Your Child’s Inner Life, and her newest title, Free to Be.

Highlights from the Seminar

Throughout the weekend, Mary Ellen guided us through a journey of reflection on the spiritual life of the child and the soul’s path of awakening.

She shared her own story — from discovering the teachings of Maria Montessori and Dr. Elisabeth Caspari, to her lifelong connection with the Ascended Masters through Mark L. Prophet and Elizabeth Clare Prophet. She reflected on her friendship with Dr. Caspari, describing how this connection made her just “two degrees of separation from Maria Montessori” herself — a living link in a chain of inspired educators.

Mary Ellen also spoke about her inspiration for choosing the famous line from Hamlet:

“To be, or not to be.”

She reminded us that each of us decides, early on our spiritual path, whether we are truly ready for the initiatic journey— the path of self-mastery, truth, and service to the light.

Her stories from classrooms around the world touched our hearts — from her experiences training teachers on six continents to moments of grace with children discovering their own inner voice.

Montessori and the Path of the Soul

One of the most profound parts of the weekend was Mary Ellen’s exploration of the parallels between the life of the child and the life of Christ, drawing from the writings of Dr. Maria Montessori:

“The human child is a spiritual embryo, endowed with mysterious sensitivities that guide him, with creative energies that construct a sort of marvelous instrument in men’s souls… the sort of instrument that a child gradually constructs in his soul is destined to receive the holy waves transmitting divine love through the boundless spheres of eternity.”

She emphasized that education is sacred work — that every teacher and parent is called to “unlock the flame of the heart of the child,” echoing the words of Elizabeth Clare Prophet:

“The reason you become educators is for the survival of community. The definition of educator is one who unlocks the flame of the heart of the child. You should remember this forever.”

A Message of Light and Renewal

In her closing reflections, Mary Ellen spoke about the spiritual courage each soul must cultivate to face the “temptations of possession and power” — the very trials Christ overcame in His preparation for His mission. She reminded us that it is only by turning inward, listening to our inner teacher, that we find the strength to overcome the illusions of the world and fulfill our divine purpose.

The seminar was recorded and will soon be available for participants to revisit and for others to experience this sacred teaching in the future.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mary Ellen Maunz for sharing her wisdom and presence, and to everyone who helped make this event a success — from those who attended in person and online, to those who lovingly brought dishes, snacks, and the joy of community to our Teaching Center.