Celebrating, Supporting and Empowering Montessori Education in Oregon and Southern Washington The OMA offers a series of workshops throughout the year for guides, assistants and administrators. These workshops are a chance to deepen our member's practice in the classroom while providing opportunities for connection. Our Assistant's Workshops, offered the week before the school year begins, is an annual favorite. OMA promotes the welfare of children by helping to develop greater public understanding and support of child development, which is the essence of Montessori philosophy and methods. Our member volunteers offer presentations on child development that can be shared with the general public in places such as public libraries and community centers. The Oregon Montessori Association, founded in 1978 by Nancy Hildick and Susan Erceg, brings together all those interested in the Montessori process––parents, and educators. From the beginning, OMA's vision has been to be an umbrella organization, maintaining a policy of inclusiveness and respect for the diversity of Montessori training available in the United States.For over thirty years the OMA has served the needs of Montessori guides, administrators, assistants and families, directly contributing to the strength and vitality of Oregon and Southwest Washington's Montessori community. OMA actively seeks ways to continue to serve its members and increase the vital presence of Montessori education in the Pacific Northwest through our workshops, lectures, e-mail newsletters, community outreach, strategic relationships and more.