About the Author
Patti cultivates homegrown changemakers prepared to step into their power and work with others to create the world they want to live in. Get in touch to find out how you can grow the social changemaker in yourself and those you serve with Blue Roads Changemaker YOU.
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 young ones to blossom and find their own life's purpose.
Watch the video of our conversation on the Win Win Women Network during my show “On Your Own Terms” here. If you prefer, you can also listen to the podcast version on The Blue Roads Changemaker Podcast. 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 here 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.
Homegrown Tammy
Tammy was born the child of a Unity minister and educator. He was the Head of the Montessori School she attended, which was one of the first schools during the resurgence of the Montessori movement in the United States.
I actually grew up a Montessori child.
She describes the connection of growing up in Unity, which is part of the New Thought movement of churches and spiritual centers, and Montessori as both set the stage for creating and being your true self. New Thought has gained recognition and popularity in recent years. Tammy sums up the tenet of New Thought this way.
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.
…Being able to be who you truly are and give your gift in the world.
Solution Focused Tammy
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 serves as a Montessori instructor and field consultant, as well as teaching ECE courses and acting as the high school to college dual credit liaison at a college near her home outside 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's Patchwork
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, as well as 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 privileged 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.”
It's not just adults expecting children to respect them. Adults need to respect children.
Changemaker Tammy
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.
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.
She's also working on a book titled The Parenting Mindset to help parents develop their capacity to serve as nurturing guides who help children develop their innate essence so they become who they were meant to be.
If we're to teach real peace in the world, we must begin with the children. – Gandhi
Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. – Mandela
You can see how directly Tammy's work with children, families and teachers supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education and #16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Do you also see the connection to #3 – Good Health and Well Being, and to each of the goals related to increased equity and decreased inequality? There's no doubt I have missed some interconnections and I hope you will reach out and point them out to me.
I also hope you'll get in touch to let us know what YOU and people you know are doing to realize these Global Goals by the year 2030. We can sure do it if we all work together and take our place as Changemakers!
CHECK OUT our CHANGEMAKER YOU course to help you get started today!
Patti cultivates homegrown changemakers prepared to step into their power and work with others to create the world they want to live in. Get in touch to find out how you can grow the social changemaker in yourself and those you serve with Blue Roads Changemaker YOU.
