Shawn Edwards Instructional Guide and Practicum Advisor

Shawn Edwards has been working as a Montessori professional for 35 years (the past 15 as a Head of School). She began her work as an assistant teacher at the Post Oak School in Houston, Texas. The first time she saw a Montessori classroom at that school, she knew what she would be doing for the rest of her life! That summer, she enrolled in the Washington Montessori Institute and began her lifelong journey of serving in the field of education. She feels fortunate to have been bitten by the Montessori bug before marrying and having three children. She loved being a mother of Montessori children who are now grown, and she continues to cherish the time that she spends with them and two grandchildren.

In addition to being a Montessori professional, Shawn is a Positive Discipline trainer and holds a master’s degree in Transformational Leadership and Coaching from the Wright Graduate University for the Realization of the Human Potential. The synergy of these three disciplines supports her leadership work as she trains, manages, coaches and inspires the adults with whom she works.

Shawn is the founder of ToolHows – “How To” tools for parents and schools: www.toolhows.com. She coaches parents and educators, consults with Boards and schools and provides webinars, courses and workshops for schools, educators and parents.  Being passionate about social and emotional learning, Shawn recently published a book:  Friendship Fix-Ups; Troubles for Timmy.  The book is designed to help children understand one another on a deeper level and to look for the need behind behaviors – to be intentional about meeting the need rather than reacting to the behavior.   To practice, there is a classroom material and a three in one game that accompanies the book. 

When she is not working, Shawn enjoys running, rollerblading, paddle boarding, reading and spending time with family.