Vale Shannon Helfrich

We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Shannon Helfrich at the weekend.

Shannon was an examiner, trainer and mentor for the Association Montessori Internationale, having been involved in Montessori education since 1971. She was a deep thinker with a strong work ethic, who had the knack of translating principles into observable practice, this combined with her sharp-witted, fun-loving, straight-talking personality meant that she said ‘yes’ to requests from AMI when many others would have cautiously and politely declined. 

Having established two Children’s Houses in the USA and gained her Trainer certification in 1989, Shannon trained all over the world. Her pioneering spirit and willingness to relocate to where she was most needed enabled her to establish training not only in the USA, but also Australia, Thailand and China. 

She was invited to be one of five members of a newly formed ad hoc Strategic Planning Group in 2001 tasked with re-envisioning the work of AMI for the AMI Board.  Shannon was also a member of the Training Group for 9 years, playing a pivotal role in a major growth period, and she was the author of ‘Montessori Learning in the 21st Century’. 

Shannon gained her AMI Primary Diploma in 1972, which was endorsed by Mario Montessori. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Dickinson State University, North Dakota (1971), and a Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1976). In addition, she served as an Adjunct Professor at Marylhurst University and Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. Her writing appeared in AMI Communications, the NAMTA Journal, Forza Vitale, and Australian Montessori Matters.

In addition to training countless 3-6 Guides around the world, Shannon touched the lives of many trainers and teachers. She inspired others through her deep understanding of Montessori pedagogy and her practical, thoughtful approach to guiding children in Montessori environments. She was admired and respected by many, and she will be deeply missed.

Our deepest sympathies are with her son Thomas and her family.