Welcome to Montessori Behavior

María Eva Chaffin is an internationally recognized Montessori educator and inclusion specialist whose work bridges Montessori philosophy, neurodiversity, behavior, and human development. With more than 25 years of experience in education, she is widely respected for her ability to move schools beyond surface-level inclusion toward practices rooted in dignity, understanding, and authentic support for every child.

Originally from Venezuela, María brings a global perspective shaped by her cultural roots, international training, and decades of experience working with educators and schools across continents. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and another in Adult Education, grounding her work in both academic rigor and real-world application. Montessori-trained, she has spent her career supporting children across a wide range of learning profiles, particularly those who are often misunderstood or underserved in traditional educational settings.

María Eva is the Founder and Executive Director of Seeds of Life Montessori Academy in Sarasota, Florida, a bilingual, neuroinclusive Montessori Model School. Under her leadership, Seeds of Life serves not only as a thriving school community for children and families but also as a living model of Montessori education, carried out with depth, fidelity, and integrity. The school reflects a rare alignment between philosophy, leadership, and daily classroom practice, making it a reference point for educators seeking to understand what meaningful inclusion looks like in action.

María Eva is a sought-after international speaker and consultant. She presents at Montessori and education conferences across the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, engaging both Montessori-specific audiences and broader educational communities. Her work reflects a core belief that inclusion is not confined to one methodology; it is a shared responsibility across all educational systems.

Through Montessori Behavior, Maria offers coaching and professional development, courses and certifications to help educators move beyond compliance-based practices and focus on development, nervous system regulation, and unconditional respect. The goal is to empower teachers to approach behavior through a lens of empathy, understanding, and support.

At the heart of María Eva’s work is a consistent message: inclusion begins with the prepared adult. Rather than relying solely on strategies or accommodations, she invites educators to engage in ongoing inner work, examining mindset, bias, regulation, and relationship. She reframes behavior as communication and supports adults in responding with clarity, compassion, and intention.

Are you an educator, administrator, or school owner seeking to better support neurodivergent learners in your classroom(s)? We offer personalized coaching sessions to meet your specific needs. We'll start with a free discovery call to understand your unique challenges, followed by focused coaching to help you navigate your questions and provide effective strategies.

We offer in-depth courses focused on creating inclusive learning environments. Grounded in Montessori principles, these programs provide practical strategies and insights that empower educators and caregivers to support neurodivergent students.

Programs and Courses available in both English and Spanish.   Programs include Certificate Courses, Live Sessions, Prerecorded options, and webinars.

In partnership with the Institute of Montessori Training (IMT), we offer a rigorous MACTE-accredited, Spanish-language Montessori teaching credential. This program is specifically designed to expand the reach of Montessori education to the global Spanish-speaking community, combining pedagogical excellence with our signature neuro-inclusive lens.

Every school is unique, and so are the needs of your staff and students. We offer tailored workshops, training sessions, and coaching to help your team integrate neuroinclusive practices and better support neurodivergent learners. Whether you're just beginning to build an inclusive culture or refining your approach, we can provide the tools and support you need to make a lasting impact.

Read our engaging blog posts to gain practical tools for supporting neurodivergent learners. Topics include:

• When We Feel Safe, We Learn: A Teacher’s Journey Through the Polyvagal Theory
• Connection First: The Foundation of Behavioral Success
• Executive Function Skills: What Do You Need to Know?
• Changing the View of Autism

Each post offers educators with a growing knowledge base to foster an inclusive environment for all students.