Dr. Maria Montessori once said, “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education.” At Four Corners Montessori Academy, this guiding belief lives and breathes through our students’ work with the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN). Here, children are not only learning about the world—they are stepping into it, with courage, empathy, and purpose. They are discovering that their voices matter, their ideas have weight, and their actions can shape a more peaceful future.
It all began in 2011, during a Spring Seminar hosted by the Michigan Montessori Society at Dearborn Heights Montessori. Judith Cunningham, founder of MMUN, led a session titled From Peacemakers to Peacebuilders. Her presentation sparked something deep in us at FCMA. Founded in 2006, MMUN was still gaining traction at the time—but it planted the seed for what would eventually become one of the most transformative experiences offered to our Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
We knew this was something our school needed to be a part of. In 2014, Angela Poyiadji joined our team as a Lower Elementary teacher and consultant for Upper Elementary, bringing her MMUN training with her. We had high hopes of launching the program at that time, but Angela and her fiancé (now husband), Leon, relocated to Canada before we could take that next step. Still, her passion left a mark, and our commitment to bringing MMUN to FCMA remained strong.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2018 that we were finally able to make it happen. Darin Howard, a current Middle School teacher, Laura Berdych, a former Upper Elementary teacher, and I traveled to New York to complete the three-day MMUN Teacher Training at the Metropolitan Montessori School.
Day One was nothing short of awe-inspiring: a tour of the United Nations Headquarters and a seminar with Judith herself, who shared the powerful vision behind MMUN.
Day Two focused on the pedagogy: how to bring the United Nations into the Montessori classroom, how to educate students about global issues, and how to prepare them for conference participation.
Day Three wrapped it all up with mock committee sessions and strategies for ongoing integration into classroom practice.
Shortly thereafter, in March of 2019, FCMA sent its first delegation of students to New York City for the MMUN conference held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. These students shined in every way. They researched, prepared, debated, collaborated—and blossomed. They connected with other Montessori students from around the world, working as delegates to solve real-world problems through negotiation and consensus. They walked away saying it was one of the most powerful and rewarding experiences of their lives.
But the MMUN journey doesn’t begin in New York—it starts in the classroom at the very beginning of the school year. Each student selects or is assigned a country to represent, along with a global topic that is currently being addressed by the United Nations—topics such as climate change, human rights, disarmament, or global health. They spend months researching both the issue and their country’s perspective on it.
From there, they craft a formal position paper, outlining their country’s stance and proposed solutions—an important academic milestone that hones their research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Once submitted, students shift their focus to the cultural presentation component of the conference. They create a country display board that highlights the culture, geography, history, and traditions of the nation they represent. These displays are showcased at the conference and help build global awareness and appreciation among all participating students.
The MMUN conference experience is unforgettable. From the Opening Ceremony, where students bear the flags of the nations they represent and are welcomed by Judith and global officials—sometimes even a real UN delegate—to the daily committee sessions, students dive deep into pressing global issues. They debate, negotiate, and draft resolutions.
In the evenings, the conference continues to build community and cultural understanding. One night is Cultural Night, where Montessori schools from around the world share performances, music, and traditions unique to their countries. The following evening is a Celebration Night, where students let loose after their final committee sessions. There’s a DJ, dancing, mingling, and memory-making—an opportunity for delegates to celebrate their accomplishments and newfound friendships before the formal closing of the conference.
The Closing Ceremony—held in the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters, when available—is a moment of pride and accomplishment, especially when one of our students is selected to represent their committee and speak on behalf of their delegation. In recent years, FCMA students have consistently stood out, with delegates chosen for the closing ceremony, including three just this past year—a huge honor among more than 1,500 participants.
We typically travel in March (although in 2020, we attended in February—just before the world shut down). During the pandemic, MMUN pivoted beautifully to a virtual format, but in-person sessions returned stronger than ever, and we were right there with them in New York.
MMUN has long offered conferences in locations beyond New York, including Chicago, Rome, and China, expanding its global reach and making international diplomacy a reality for Montessori students around the world. Now, our sights are set on Rome, where we hope to bring FCMA delegates to experience this international gathering firsthand.
Outside of the conference, students enjoy seeing New York’s best sights—shopping, sightseeing, and Broadway shows like The Lion King, Wicked, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. And while these adventures create lasting memories, the core of MMUN lies in something much deeper: Empowerment. Peace. Diplomacy. Leadership.
We’re incredibly grateful to our authorizer, Oakland University, who has supported FCMA over the years and has helped offset the cost of this trip, making the MMUN experience more accessible and affordable for our students and families.
Angela Poyiadji remains a valued connection. Though no longer at FCMA, her MMUN journey continued. She now serves as Director of Conference Operations & Client Services for the MMUN organization. We love seeing her at the conference each year—and from time to time, she still stops by our school to lend her insight and support. Her ongoing encouragement means so much to our staff and students.
At FCMA, MMUN isn’t just an event. It’s a movement—an extension of Montessori’s vision for peace, global citizenship, and empowered youth. Each year, our students represent their school, their community, and their countries with confidence, compassion, and diplomacy. We are so proud of the growth, courage, and leadership they demonstrate through this experience.
To our current and future delegates—your voices matter. Your ideas can build peace. And your role in the world is already taking shape.
Let’s continue to raise the next generation of peacebuilders.
