Growing Little Changemakers
Introducing Tammy Ulrich
I met Tammy Ulrich when she joined my Changemaker Circle back in January of 2021. It became clear to me early on that Tammy could actually lead that group at least as well as I could, if not better! Her gentle wisdom is something I aspire to in my work to cultivate the efforts of people hoping to do their part to make the world work better for everyone. Her specialty is helping the adults who nurture children to do so in a way that allows them to blossom and find their own life’s purpose.
You can catch my full interview with Tammy on the replay of my show “On Your Own Terms” on Win Win Women here where she told her story using my signature Changemaker Framework – being, doing, connecting and reflecting.
The summary below pulls out some of Tammy’s words of wisdom so you can savor them, remember them, and apply them in your own work nurturing the essence of the children in your life – whether they are your own children, your students, grandchildren, neighbors or other young ones you care about. Our work at Blue Roads Education (blueroadseducation.org) is all about making the world a better place for the generations who will follow, but sometimes it is the children who will, in fact, lead US if we will only let them.
Being Tammy
Tammy was born the child of a Unity minister and educator who was active in the resurgence of the Montessori movement in the United States.
“I actually grew up a Montessori child.”
She describes the connection between the Unity Church, Montessori Education, and the “New Thought” churches and spiritual centers as they relate to the “Law of Attraction” that is a well-known concept in recent years. Tammy sums up the idea succinctly.
“Your thoughts create your reality. If we’re thinking positive thoughts, then we’re creating a more positive way of being.”
“Change your mind, change your life!”
Montessori education focuses on making the world a better place by raising children to create a peaceful world. To make this possible, Montessori teachers create an environment that allows children to fully explore who they are and who they wish to become.
“It’s all about being able to be who you truly are and give your gift in the world.”
Tammy’s Doingness
Tammy’s upbringing in the Montessori environment has carried over in the most tangible way possible in her life as a professional educator and parent committed to the well being of children.
“I’ve wanted to work with kids as long as I can remember, except for maybe the short time when I thought I would be a ballerina!”
She’s worked in early childhood education for over 35 years. After heading the Montessori preschool she founded for 24 years, she’s remained on the Oregon Montessori Association Board after stints as both president and executive director. She stays active with the accrediting agency and serves as an instructor and field consultant while teaching dual enrollment early childhood courses at a college near her home outside of Portland. In these ways, she passes on her knowledge and experience as she models the practices that nurture children so they can later thrive as adults.
Tammy is very aware of the limited diversity in the school and classroom settings where she has taught. Those limitations have made her even more committed to raising her own awareness and the awareness of the children she serves to the needs and experiences of people from different cultures and ethnicities around the world and in her own community.
“Like many of us, I’ve been in this little privilege bubble and not had a full concept of the reality of racism.”
One of the main ways she’s found to teach young children about diverse perspectives and acceptance of all human beings is through “Peace Education”.
“There are a lot of peace education curriculums out there, but it is so much more than just teaching a canned curriculum.”
Tammy’s Connections
Tammy is very aware of the limited diversity in the school and classroom settings where she has taught. Those limitations have made her even more committed to raising her own awareness and the awareness of the children she serves to the needs and experiences of people from different cultures and ethnicities around the world and in her own community.
“Like many of us, I’ve been in this little privilege bubble and not had a full concept of the reality of racism.”
One of the main ways she’s found to teach young children about diverse perspectives and acceptance of all human beings is through “Peace Education”.
“There are a lot of peace education curriculums out there, but it is so much more than just teaching a canned curriculum.”
“It is how we talk to each other…It needs to be a part of every day and every conversation and encounter.”
She loves to watch children take the initiative on their own to go to the “peace table” or get the “peace rose” to talk out and work through a challenging situation with their peers. That’s when she knows it’s really working.
Tammy is committed to staying open minded and helping children to develop acceptance and a way of seeing people for who they are and honoring diverse experiences. She emphasizes that this openness is key for adults and children alike.
“It’s not just adults expecting children to respect them. Adults need to respect children.”
Tammy’s Reflections
“What I really want to see happen in the world is for parents and educators to find a better way to nurture and educate our kids.”
Her work is certainly helping to make that happen. In addition to her ongoing efforts to support Montessori education, Tammy does consulting work for parents and groups through her business “Educating the Essence“.
“I love to decipher the communication of behavior. Children’s behavior is communication. It’s telling us what’s going on for them… It’s a code you have to figure out.”
If you have a parenting conundrum, you can learn more and reach her at edessence.net. Tammy can help!
She’s also working on a book titled The Parenting Mindset to help parents to rethink old ways of parenting so that they become nurturers as guides who help children develop the essence of who they are meant to be.
Tammy finds inspiration for her changemaking work on behalf of children in the words of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
If we’re to teach real peace in the world, we must begin with the children. – Mahatma Gandhi
Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. – Nelson Mandela
It’s no surprise these words resonate for Tammy. From what I’ve seen, she lives both peace and education as life principles every day and in every interaction.
Written by Patti Talbot, original post here.
