About Us | The Montessori Group

Our Story

Our story began about 30 years ago in a Montessori training course. Susan Tracy McDaniel was the instructor, and Susan MacMillan, who had a young toddler at home, was her eager student! What started as a mentor-mentee relationship quickly grew into a deep friendship and shared vision for making Montessori guidance more accessible to families and educators everywhere.Together, we blend decades of Montessori experience with creativity, humor, and heart. We believe parent/teacher education shouldn’t feel intimidating or one-size-fits-all. Rather, it should feel like a conversation with someone who gets it, someone who’s been there, who listens, and who can guide you through the noise with calm, clarity, and kindness.

Our Shared Work

Managing Partner

Susan MacMillan

Susan MacMillan is a 0–3 AMS-certified Montessori educator and mother with a deep respect for how both children and adults learn. Her work with Montessori focused on parent-child and toddler programs where she supported both children and their families. She ran her Montessori infant/toddler materials business, Little Red Robin, for several years. Later, her focus shifted to adult learning, where she created learning experiences and programs in the corporate space. She believes deeply that the Montessori approach to parenting can be transformative for children and empowering for the parents raising them, and now spends all her time creating engaging, real-world learning experiences for Montessori parents and educators.

Lead Educator

Susan Tracy McDaniel

Susan Tracy McDaniel is 0-3 certified with AMS and AMI. She has spent over 35 years in the Montessori world, raising five children the Montessori way and teaching parents and educators around the globe. From classrooms to conferences, homeless shelters to Native American communities, her warmth and wisdom have touched countless lives. She’s also a certified EFT (“tapping”) practitioner and relaxation specialist. For 25 years, Susan ran Learning Together Education, supporting both parents and Montessori educators. Today, she brings all her insight, humor, and heart to The Montessori Group, where she continues to inspire others to slow down, observe, and truly see the child in front of them.

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Our Mission

Families

We support parents who want to bring Montessori into everyday family life in a way that feels natural and doable. Through practical guidance and thoughtfully designed resources, we help families create respectful, supportive environments where children can explore, grow, and develop independence at their own pace. At the heart of our work is a belief in honoring each child and parent through observation, trust, and meaningful connection.

Educators

We support Montessori educators through thoughtful professional learning that feels practical, relevant, and rooted in real classroom experience. Through courses, resources, and mentorship, we help educators deepen their understanding of Montessori principles, strengthen their confidence, and feel more supported in their work with children and families. Our goal is simple: to honor the educator’s role while supporting the whole child.