What if music could unlock a child’s full potential—and transform the way we teach? In this episode, Biff & Nicole sit down with educator and musician Frank Leto, who shares his half-century-long journey of inspiring creativity, confidence, and curiosity in children through music.

Together, they explore:

• Frank’s unforgettable and life-changing discovery of Montessori education.
• Translating powerful teaching tools through the power of music.
• Stories of transforming shy or hesitant learners into confident performers.
• The intersection of music, culture, and human development in the classroom.
• Practical tips for educators, parents, and music lovers to engage and empower kids.

Warm, candid, and deeply inspiring, Frank shows that music isn’t just an art—it’s a catalyst for growth, joy, and lifelong learning. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or lover of human potential, his insights will leave you energized, motivated, and ready to make a difference.

https://www.frankleto.com/

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

What does it really mean to support parents who are stretched thin—and how can schools, communities, and families work together to ease the load? In this conversation, hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier get real about the universal experience of parental overwhelm and the many pressures today’s caregivers carry.

Nicole and Biff explore:

• Why naming your stress and reaching out for connection is often the first step
• How schools can serve as a trusted extension of the family
• The role of community, vulnerability, and “finding your people”
• Why children often “hold it together” all day—only to fall apart at home
• How modeling emotional awareness teaches kids to do the same
• The impact of burnout, and why parent self-care isn’t optional
• Ways to create balance, reset expectations, and prioritize what truly matters

With honesty, humor, and deep empathy, Nicole and Biff remind us that no one is meant to parent alone—and that overwhelm isn’t a failure, but a human signal to seek support.

If YOU feel overloaded, stuck, or simply need someone to listen, we invite you to reach out. This episode is both a comfort and a call to community for every parent trying to do their best.

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

What shapes a lifetime in education—and what keeps someone devoted to it for more than half a century? In this episode, longtime educator and AMS Living Legacy honoree Charles Terranova looks back on 55 years in Montessori, sharing the unexpected twists, transformative mentors, and unforgettable children who defined his journey.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coleman speak with Charles about:

• How a chance visit to a Montessori classroom changed the course of his life
• The influence of early mentors who modeled humility, humanity, and deep respect for children
• Why observation, experimentation, and prepared environments remain central to authentic Montessori practice
• Ways language, tone, and presence shape children’s confidence and concentration
• The shifts he’s witnessed across decades in education—and why child-centered learning still feels revolutionary
• Powerful stories from his own classrooms that reveal the courage, curiosity, and vulnerability of young learners

With warmth, humor, and remarkable honesty, Charles invites us to consider what children truly need from adults—and how the smallest interactions can have lifelong impact. His reflections remind us that education is both a science and an act of love, and that every classroom holds the potential for transformation.

Charles Terranova is an educator, teacher instructor, storyteller, and beloved figure in the Montessori community.

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org