At its core, we seek to cultivate curiosity, embrace conflict, and create connections through transformative learning experiences.

One of our greatest struggles is our ability, or lack thereof, to get along. I struggled with avoiding conflict and having a “faking till I make it” philosophy for years and I realized I was holding on to past grievances, ignoring my emotions, abandoning myself and being generally unpleasant where I worked, with what I was doing in life, in my relationships, and more importantly with myself.

COVID happened and I decided to go back to school to get a Master’s Degree in Education for Mental Health Counseling. Three years of training as a therapist will teach you how to deal with all of your unresolved issues. Conflict is still a storm of possibility that I have utmost respect for but it is no longer something I avoid, in myself or with others. And there are skills for navigating conflict and connecting better with others that I learned through my training as a therapist that I felt had to be shared with others. These are skills everyone needs to know.

You can function better with your self and with others and feel more whole as you walk through life even at work, especially at work. It is not always pretty, most often uncomfortable, and always curious.

equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice. She travels, training heads of schools about social justice policies and inclusion, and training teachers about navigating changing curriculum laws, while teaching with historical integrity. Her play, Words That Made the Difference: Brown v. Board of Education continues to tour the United States. She was trained by the late Ursula Thrush.

Central Florida ECE community with ELSSA (Early Learning Shared Services Alliance. She holds a BS and AA degrees in Early Childhood Education and is a credentialed Early Childhood Montessorian through the National Center for Montessori Education (NCME) and an Administrative Leadership credential through Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS). She is active in the early childhood and Montessori communities as a trainer, consultant, coach, and advisor. Carrie also authored and is the Director of the Montessori Teacher Training Program at Loch Haven in Orlando, FL; an MEPI affiliated MACTE program.

Tamara is a Montessori teacher-trainer, consultant, and speaker, national conference presenter, as well as enjoying serving as the host of the Voices in Montessori podcast. She is also the writer, narrator, and producer of “Bringing Out the Brilliance in Your Infant: Montessori at Home” DVD and loves being a Leader for the Greenspring Center for Lifelong Learning’s Leadership Mentoring Community. Tamara began her education career with Teach for America. An educator for 29 years and a Montessorian for 24 years, Tamara spent nine years in the classroom before stepping into school leadership. Tamara is AMS-credentialed (Early Childhood, Lower Elementary) Tamara has her Masters in Integrative Education from The Institute for Educational Studies (TIES).

credentialed in Early Childhood. She has a BA in Liberal Studies from Endicott College. Martha has many years of experience in working with Conservation Agencies in governance and non profit Montessori School boards. She also is a coach for Montessori Leaders. She is a trained facilitator of the World Peace Game and an advocate for environmental conservation. When Martha is not at her school or working with Montessori Leaders, she can be found outdoors in the woods and prairies of her home in northern Illinois working the land.

She has worked in a Montessori environment since 1994. She received her Montessori 6-9 credential from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Maryland, and her 9-12 credential from the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest. Ms. Cobb has completed the Alice Water’s Edible Schoolyard program in Berkeley, California and she holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. Ms. Cobb speaks locally on subjects pertaining to local food, composting, permaculture, and medicinal meals. She is a past board member of a local Slow Food Chapter. Ms. Cobb has presented at numerous AMS Conferences on the subject of Edible School Gardens across the country. She has most recently presented at the Montessori Foundation Conference in St. Petersburg in 2022. She is currently the Edible Garden Specialist at Center Montessori School while maintaining her position as teacher in a 9-12 Montessori environment.

Rockies and a doctoral student and researcher at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Nikki holds her AMS Elementary I/II and Secondary I/II credentials and an MAEd from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN where she studied identity and belonging in adolescent communities. She is passionate about Montessori education’s intersection with social justice and currently supports projects that bring Montessori education to refugee communities.

As a teacher trainer and school consultant, Chip has worked with thousands of Montessori teachers and parents in teaching the principles and practices of Positive Discipline through various workshops and lectures. He is the former Head of School of the Damariscotta Montessori School, where he spent 20 years as a school leader and teacher. Chip holds Early Childhood, Lower and Upper Elementary AMS certifications, and has worked extensively with Montessori Adolescent students. He is the father of five Montessori children, and he and his wife, Kathy, live in Loveland, Ohio.

📚 Innovative Founder of Mansoura’s Leading Montessori School

🔹 My Journey: Transitioning from the pharmaceutical realm to Montessori education and artistry has been a vibrant odyssey. Over a decade ago, I embraced the calling to become a Montessori teacher, infusing my pedagogy with creativity and passion. Today, as an upper elementary Montessori educator, I harmonize my love for teaching with artistic expression. Islamic geometric designs and biomorphic patterns intricately weave into my teaching philosophy, enriching the educational journey of my students.

🌍 Notable Achievements: Among my proudest accomplishments stands the creation of the pioneering Montessori Arabic language curriculum, adopted by schools across Egypt and beyond. Additionally, I established Mansoura’s inaugural Montessori school, pioneering innovative education in the region. Recognizing the significance of professional growth, I initiated Montessori teacher training programs at Mansoura University, empowering future educators with Montessori principles. 🎨 Artistic Endeavors: Beyond academia, I find solace in crafting intricate geometric designs, honoring my deep reverence for Islamic art and culture. When not shaping young minds or designing curriculum materials, I immerse myself in nature, traversing scenic landscapes, embracing physical activity, and exploring literature.

emergent literacy, curriculum, and assessment. Ann’s research interests include supports for young children with disabilities and effective mentoring. Ann was a Montessori teacher with 3 – 6-year-olds before completing her doctoral studies in early childhood special education.

in the areas of reading and writing as well as directs the Master’s of Education in Reading program. Dr. Feinberg has 17 years of experience as a reading specialist/literacy coach in the R.I. public school system. With an Ed.D.in Curriculum Leadership from Northeastern University, Dr. Feinberg’s area of expertise lies in the Science of Reading and teaching reading to all types of learners. She has worked extensively with Tier 2 and 3 literacy interventions identifying specific student literacy needs and matching evidence-based interventions and specific progress monitoring tools that address those needs. Her work focuses on supporting Data-Based Individualization and Data-Based Decision Making. She is also co-author of a book, Powerful Literacy in the Montessori Classroom (2023).

She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education, a M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and a M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Integrative Creative Arts. She serves as an Instructional Guide, Practicum Advisor and Field Consultant for the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She is the author of two books on parent engagement: Intentional Connections: A Practical Guide to Parent Engagement in Early Childhood and Lower Elementary Classrooms for teachers and Building Parent Teacher Partnerships: Intentional Connections for parents.

Primary lead, Lower Elementary Guide, and Art teacher for the past 20 years. For the past 13 years I have been sharing my experience with others training teachers and teaching professional development courses with CGMS.

founded Renaissance Montessori School serving as Head of School for 27 years. She retired from the school in 2019 to focus on her current position as Executive Director of the International Montessori Council (IMC).

Additionally, Kathy serves as Director of the CGMS Infant-Toddler Program and Co-Director of the Leadership Credential Program.

These positions provide Kathy the opportunity to support Montessori schools and adult learners throughout the world. In addition, she is passionate about assisting Montessori schools with improvement plans, professional development, and accreditation.

Kathy continues to be active in Montessori education as a Montessori Teacher Trainer, International Workshop Presenter, and School Consultant. Kathy graduated from Barry University and earned her Montessori Credentials from the American Montessori Society for 0 – 3 & 3-6. Kathy is also a certified Parenting Instructor and Stress Management Facilitator.

She is an educator, mentor, coach, and inspiration to the teachers, parents, and children in her local sphere of influence and beyond earning her Montessori Credentials in both Early Childhood and Elementary from the American Montessori Society. In addition to being a valuable resource to families, faculty, and leadership, Sheila is also a distinguished presenter and keynote speaker serving the National and International Montessori community. She is active with school leadership development through AMS’s Educational Leadership Fellowship Program (E.L.F.) and the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS) as a Leadership Program Practicum Advisor and Instructional Guide for Elementary and Leadership cohorts.

Additionally, she created the Andrews Educational Institute, which provides consultative services to Montessori and other progressive educational school leaders, teachers and parents. The Institute promotes a holistic approach to creating safe and supportive learning environments designed to strengthen and empower families. She currently serves as the International Montessori Council (IMC) Director of School Accreditation and Affiliation.

founding, directing, and teaching in two inclusive Montessori schools.

With a focus on current research and evidenced based practices, she shares her knowledge of practices that align with best Montessori philosophy and pedagogy. Her areas of expertise are Inclusive education for Montessori schools with specific knowledge and expertise with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Processing disorder, behavior disorders, learning disabilities and developmental delays. Christine is well known for her online courses for school leaders and Montessori educators as she offers knowledge to deepen understanding with strategies and solutions for today’s classrooms. Christine provides engaging customized professional development, consultation, and coaching to Montessori schools and is well-known for her interactive and practical approach to adult learning.

Institute throughout the world. She contributes her expertise as a Montessorian with extensive training in transformational leadership and organizational development.  Kathy has been a school leader for over 40 years, including 17 years at Aidan Montessori School, one of the oldest Montessori schools in the US. 

Kathy holds a BA and MA in Education with executive certificates from Georgetown University, Harvard, Yale and MIT in areas of leadership, adult development and emotional intelligence.  She served as a trainer for NAMTA’s Tier I and II courses for administrators, on the founding board of Montessori Administrators Association and the board of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools.  She holds a background in family systems theory and practices, sustainable community building practices, and is a trained peace and conflict resolution facilitator.  She is a Margaret Wheatley Warrior for the Human Spirit and a sought-after speaker and retreat and workshop presenter. 

She has been busy giving a TED talk, being a frequent lecturer throughout the world, and co-founding Prague-based Lead Montessori. She dedicates her life to supporting the work of child advocacy, equity and inclusion, and social justice and public policy on behalf of children. She is a member of Whole School Leadership Institute’s core teaching faculty for the acclaimed Montessori Leadership master course, “Transforming Self, Community & Society.” She sincerely hopes, however, that her most important work will be helping you.

co-founder of the Montessori High School at University Circle, and the founding Director of The Post Oak High School. James has served on NAIS regional affiliate accreditation teams, presented internationally, published articles, and advised schools on administrative/management matters and on areas specifically related to middle and high school programs. He has worked in schools as a teacher, athletic coach, division head, and head of school. James is currently the Associate Head of School at NewGate School and a senior consultant with the Montessori Foundation.

her professional passions include issues of social justice, educating support staff, neuroscience as applied to educational practices, and exploring the magnificence of the universe. Tammy is widely published and is a faculty member of The Institute for Educational Studies. AMS-credentialed (Early Childhood, Elementary).

Her teaching experience includes the Peace Corps in West Africa, followed by years as a Secondary Guide at the NewGate School, with a law firm in Belgium, and as a tutor in India. In between she has worked with international development organizations, living in seven countries on four continents. Most recently, she lived three years in India, working with small NGOs and teaching English. She has Montessori Elementary I and II certifications as well as a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from New York University, and an MPA from Princeton University. Her writings on Montessori have appeared in Montessori Leadership and Tomorrow’s Child magazines. Her forthcoming book on Competencies, A Guide for Today’s Young Adults, was inspired by the Montessori practical life curriculum. www.escottosborne.com

and sustainable living, NWMS encourages students to participate in creating and maintaining healthy spaces for learning and living.

From its inception, Nature Walk focused on connecting the children with their natural surroundings in a way that would allow them to make choices about their use of the land and its resources, assess their strengths and build upon them, and create their own systems to interact with the environment and with each other. This approach resulted in improved social and emotional skills.

In the past few years, in light of the changes that Vicki observed in the children’s needs and behaviors, she dedicated her work to finding ways to serve the increasingly diverse community of learners. Working under the guidance of special educator Christine Lowry, Vicki started on a path to make Nature Walk Montessori a truly inclusive school where all students would be honored for their uniqueness and supported in their journey to become successful learners. Vicki soon found that the outdoor spaces at NWMS were the perfect setting to encourage the resilience, creativity, collaboration, empathy, and belonging that are essential to an inclusive community.

As she continues to build on the principles of inclusion in nature, Vicki is eager to share her journey and encourage other educators to incorporate nature as a fundamental part of the students’ educational experiences.
Vicki holds a Montessori Certification at the Infant and Toddler level.

includes 22 years as Head of the Barrie School in Silver Spring, MD. Tim was the co-founder of the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies and the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. He currently serves as the co-Head of the New Gate School in Sarasota, FL. He earned a B.A. in History and Philosophy from Georgetown University; an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision from The American University; and his Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society. Tim is the author of several books on Montessori Education, including How to Raise An Amazing Child, The Montessori Way with Dr. Paul Epstein; Building a World-Class Montessori School; Finding the Perfect Match – Recruit and Retain Your Ideal Enrollment; Master Teachers – Model Programs; Starting a New Montessori School; Celebrations of Life; and The World in the Palm of Her Hand.

public Montessori schools in New England and spent six years at the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector working with public Montessori schools across the country. She now serves as the Executive Director of Public Montessori in Action International, an organization created to ensure fully implemented Montessori education for children, families, and educators of the global majority. Her book Montessori in Action: Building Resilient Montessori Schools was released in July 2021, and her historical fiction novel Momentum: Montessori, a Life in Motion was released in August 2023. Elizabeth holds an AMI Elementary diploma, an AMS Montessori Administrators credential, and an MFA from Spalding University.

in Early Childhood Education.

She is a trained Early Childhood Montessori teacher, a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business and a facilitator of the CEO Roundtable.

She leads a team of 42 employees with an enrollment of 180 children from 6 weeks through 15 years. She is the founding Head of both the Infant and Middle School communities.

Patty is an internationally published author and speaker. Her consulting work has been with private school startups and continuing business development such as finding markets, driving business, culture development, setting tuition and compensation. Basically… a Montessori business nerd. She does not like writing in the third person but she does love her work!

guest lecturer for Harvard University’s Neuroscience of Learning course, an educational researcher, a teacher mentor, and the founder and president of the educational project Maitri Learning. Ms. Volkman earned her AMI 3 to 6+ diploma from the Montreal Montessori Training Centre and her master’s from Harvard. Her graduate research on the Montessori movable alphabet won her the Harvard Dean’s prize for outstanding research. Her work focuses on transforming education into a transdisciplinary, scientific pedagogy grounded in mind, brain, and education.

Think Tank. She holds an AMS-credential in Elementary I (6-9) and was a classroom teacher for 13 years, followed by various specialist roles in math and science curriculum development.

As Executive Director, Ms. Shetal is fully responsible for the execution and preservation of the mission set forth by Desert Garden Montessori School. Building community partnerships, working with various educational institutions, cultivating lasting relationships with alumni, current parents and staff are core to her role as Executive Director.

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Learning for Life and Montessori Leadership. Jonathan is a teacher trainer, speaker & author who infuses his work in leadership development with 30 years experience as an educator & administrator. Through the Montessori Foundation and Learning for Life, he provides retreats, workshops, consultations & coaching for parents, educators, leaders, Boards of Directors, community organizations & learning communities around the globe. The best-practice leadership retreats & workshops he leads facilitate community building, strategic planning & improved organizational effectiveness.