Leadership Faculty

This work is vital to the planet as assisting children with the Cosmic plan and task is our responsibility.” I believe this was the work that was set forward by Maria Montessori as described in “To Educate the Human Potential.” Every single day, somewhere, a teacher makes a difference in the life of a child. Teachers must remember this as every thing we do to build a child up is a step toward a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Ann has worked in Montessori education for over forty years. She began the journey when her children enrolled at the Barrie School in Maryland and she became the Registered Nurse there.

Ann has been the director and developer of CGMS Elementary since inception and has been a residential instructor at every residency since 2009.  As the owner of Beach Park School in Tampa, Florida, Ann taught the EL 2 (9-12) level, and continues now as Director of Education at the school. Ann holds a Montessori credential in Primary (3–6) and Elementary (6-12) through AMS.  She has an R.N. degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Masters in Education.

Ann enjoys making Montessori materials and books in her spare time.

Video Instructor: School and Difficult Family Challenges

Anya Bartlett spent 8 years as Lead Montessori Elementary teacher before transitioning into an administrative role as Head of School at Free State Montessori. Anya now resides in Glen Dale, Maryland where she works as an Instructor, Practicum Advisor and Field Consultant with The Center for Guided Montessori Studies and serves on the board of Montessori Schools of Maryland.  She has presented workshops at local, national and international conferences throughout the United States. She received her Montessori certifications through Pan American Montessori Society and The International Montessori Council. In addition, Anya has completed training in Montessori Leadership, Conflict Coaching, and M-ERS, and worked extensively in curriculum construction and design. As a former Montessori student herself she has had the opportunity to experience and learn about Montessori from all perspectives, as student, teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, and parent of two Montessori children.

Video Instructor: Communication Theory, Interpersonal Communication, Group Communication

Austin is a parent of two​ ​Montessori students (one​ ​who recently graduated​ ​from a Montessori high​ ​school), spouse of a​ ​Montessori Guide, and​ ​Co-head of a Montessori​ ​charter school in NC. He received his MBA from Marymount University and his Secondary I and II credentials from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Since 2000, he has been working in and with schools to meet the diverse and changing needs of students.

Austin’s subject matter expertise is guiding students and schools to create sustainable businesses, strategic planning and finance, data analysis, and modeling.  In addition to working on the administrative side of schools, Austin also guides students in Secondary II in Behavioral Economics, General Economics, Personal Finance, and Fundamentals of Business.

Video Instructor: Strategic Planning, Charter School Finance

Brynn Rangel is a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst and is proud to be part of the Montessori community both as a parent and a professional. She has been working with individuals with varying exceptionalities, families, schools and organizations since 2006. Brynn also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and worked as the Executive Director of a non-profit school and therapeutic center for children with autism and related exceptionalities. Now, Brynn is a consultant specializing in implementing positive behavior support strategies and behavioral management systems for schools and organizations around the world.

What drew Brynn to Montessori: “Montessori nurtures the whole child and celebrates each student’s unique strengths.  Through love, careful observation and goals that honor the journey of each child, Montessori can meet the needs of all learners.”

Brynn is currently located outside of Washington, DC and is the Support Specialist for Oneness Family Montessori School.  She is also a consultant for the Montessori Foundation, co-founder of Challenging Children and Montessori and an adjunct professor for Sarasota University.

Video Instructor: Exceptional and Special Need Students

Cathie Perolman has been involved in education for over three and a half decades. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education and a MD in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading. She has spent time working as a reading specialist as well as teaching students preschool through college but her passion is Montessori education.

She began her Montessori journey as a classroom assistant, and worked as a classroom directress, 3-6 team leader, teacher trainer and college professor.

Cathie is the author of Practical Special Needs For the Montessori Method: A Handbook for 3-6 Teachers and Homeschoolers and the creator of Hand on Phonics : a phonics based system of teaching reading to young children. She is a regular contributor to Tomorrow’s Child and Tomorrow’s Leadership magazines.

Cathie currently conducts workshops for teachers and administrators, works as a teacher trainer for various training centers across the country and as a school consultant. She worked as a 3-6 Montessori guide for many years and recently retired from the classroom. Cathie has been married to Gary for 40 years

Cathie was drawn to Montessori Leadership when she realized the multitude of specific needs for this group of administrators and she wanted to be involved in the created of a course that meet their particular needs. As an army wife who has moved frequently and worked in 9 schools she has seen a variety of administrative styles and levels of expertise. This led to her contributions to the course.

Video Instructor: Prepared Indoor and Outdoor Environment

With an M.Ed. in special education and a Montessori credential, and throughout her more than 30 years of experience, Christine has been committed to serving students with special needs in a variety of settings. She has founded, directed, and taught in two Inclusive Montessori schools serving students with needs of behavior and learning. She is currently earning a 2^nd degree in special education and is supporting the development of the first Inclusive Montessori school in Colorado.

She has successfully guided students in every category of special needs, including sensory processing disorder, autism, attention difficulties, developmental and intellectual delays, specific learning disabilities, twice exceptional, and students experiencing trauma in Montessori classrooms, toddler- adolescent. She has supported families as they partner with the school and community professionals and resources.

Christine has developed The Montessori-Based Multi-Tiered System of Support ©, a framework consistent with Montessori philosophy and pedagogy to support All students through Tier 1- universal best practices, Tier 2- Targeted Instruction and Support, and Tier 3, Systematic Individualized Plans of Intervention.

Christine shares her education and experience with schools, and districts as they implement the Montessori- Based MTSS and provides teachers the consultation and coaching they need to support all students in a Montessori environment. She works with families of students with special needs attending Montessori schools. She offers online courses to Montessori leaders and teachers through the Montessori Foundation and is a contributing writer to Montessori Leadership magazine.

Christine is currently a graduate student at the University of Colorado-Denver in Early Childhood Inclusive Special Education, and the Coaching Academy.

Video Instructor: Advocacy

Dr. Cindy Acker is a six-time award winner for her education and support of children, including LGBT families and families of diversity. She is a published author, keynote speaker, former president of one of California’s preschool associations, former vice president of the National Child Care Association and a public policy adviser for schools in California. Cindy holds two bachelor’s degrees (education and human development), two master’s degrees (educational leadership and cultural studies and spirituality) and is a UC Berkeley graduate with a doctorate in educational leadership. Cindy leads workshops on the importance of diversity and equity and lead the committee on early education and poverty under the direction of Supervisor Wilma Chan’s “All In” initiative.

Her roots originate from Sierra Leone and she speaks Dutch and Spanish.  Her family is multiracial, and she has two adopted brothers, and two grandchildren (one who is German-African American and one who is Mexican/European/African American.  She is a choir director in Novato, and former choir member of the Glide Ensemble and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir.  She is principal of Montessori Elementary School of Alameda and The Child Unique Montessori School, which was featured as one of two schools on the PBS Newshour for its work on building equitable diverse school curriculum.  Cindy is a social justice playwright with a production being performed throughout 2020 in California called, Words That Made a Difference: Brown vs. Board of Education.

Video Instructor: Legal Environment, History of Equity in Education

Montessori education has been the gift of a lifetime! From my first experience as a young musician sharing music with Montessori children to my retirement from LePort Encinitas Head of School in 2018, I’ve seen the many benefits of Montessori in changing lives of children, young people and adults. I received Elementary I (Xavier University), Elementary II (CMTE/NY) and Secondary I (Houston Montessori Center) certifications between 1987 and 2003. After its beginnings in Cincinnati, OH, my teaching career took me to many places as guide, administrator, and teacher educator. I participated in the founding of two Montessori schools: Montessori de Santa Cruz in Tubac, AZ and Chaffee County Montessori School (now Salida Montessori Charter School) in Salida, CO. My work with Montessori teachers has included teacher training, mentoring, and coaching since 1988. It brings me great joy to be able to serve teachers, administrators, schools, and parents as they strive to live the Montessori vision.

Video Instructor: Community Building

Dane currently serves as a consultant to schools and non-profit boards of trustees. He retired as head of Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, a Toddler through 8^th grade school in Brooklyn, New York.  Prior to heading BHMS for eleven years, he served as head of Mooreland Hill School in Connecticut for eleven years. He recently completed his service as the Administrator for the New York State Association of Independent School’s (NYSAIS) Experienced Leaders Advising Schools (ELAS) program and now serves as an ed-visor and mentor for the program.

Among his thirty-eight years teaching and coaching in independent school education, ten were served in boarding schools.  A Klingenstein Fellow and former lecturer and graduate student Field Coach at the Klingenstein Center, Dane served as Director of the New England New Teachers Seminar; on the faculty of the NAIS New Heads Institute; and as a mentor with the NAIS/E.E. Ford Fellowship for Aspiring Heads. He also served as the Director of NYSAIS Beginning Teachers Institute; served on the Experienced Teachers Institute; and chaired the Professional Development Committee and the Council for Professional Learning and Collaboration for NYSAIS. He has chaired many accreditation visiting committees for both NYSAIS and the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools.

He has served on thirteen non-profit boards, three as president and two as head of school.  He currently serves on the Seacoast Repertory Theater Board of Trustees, recently served as a Secretary on the NYSAIS Board of Trustees and the Vice President and Treasurer of the American Montessori Society (AMS) Board of Directors.

Video Instructor: Creating Boards that Work, The Board in Relation to the Nine Areas of School Operation, Working with Board and Stakeholders, Schools from a Financial Standpoint, Reports and Communication of Fiscal Information

I am Frank Brainard and since 1966 I have been a classroom teacher for students from preschoolers through graduate school, administered to the needs of schools at all levels and types including traditional and progressive independent schools, Montessori and Montessori “like” institutions, and a large public Montessori school. I am currently a consultant to schools and boards of trustees.

I am board member of two independent schools, and a recent past member of the AMS board of directors, the MACTE board, and was the secretary of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools board.  I also have the honor of working with CGMS as a field consultant for adult learners in EC and Elementary 1- 2.  My city of residence is Greensboro, NC.  I received my Montessori EC credential via AMS from Oklahoma City University and my Montessori Elementary credential from AMI in Bergamo, IT. I earned my BA in social studies from Central State University, a master’s in early childhood education from Oklahoma City University, and a master’s degree in school leadership from Harvard University.

With my wife, Margaret Borrego, I established a Montessori school in the Smoky Mountains in far western North Carolina wherein we had the opportunity to put what we had learned and continued to learn about schooling to work.  We have two daughters, both of whom are “Montessori Kids”, 5 grandchildren, and one very bossy cat.

Video Instructor: Management of Daily Tasks

Jonathan Wolff is a Montessori school consultant, leadership coach, teacher educator, and author, who brings to his work 40 years of experience in Montessori education as a classroom teacher and school administrator.

He is the author of numerous educational publications, I including, The Self-Awakened Child – Character Education Program.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education from Temple University and a certification as a Primary guide from the Association Montessori Internationale. He studied with Mother Isabelle Eugenie, an early student of Maria Montessori

Video Instructor: Spiritual Preparation of the Montessori Leader; Organization Behavior; Diagnosing, Building and Repairing School Culture; Montessori School Constitution; Essential Elements for Creating Effective Mission and Vision Statements; Creating Peaceful Schools

Video Instructor: Marketing, Driving Profitability in Montessori Schools

For the last 18 years, Mrs. Hill has run Lakeland Montessori Schools in the United States. She was the sole founder of the school in 2002, and led it to become the first American Montessori Society accredited public school for ages 3-15. Mrs. Hill’s vision has been to create a school that is a model of authentic Montessori in the public sector for ages 3-15. A school that serves as a place where Montessorians and governmental agencies can visit, learn from, and share resources with, a school that has been successfully implemented and sustained. Mrs. Hill is passionate about giving as many children as possible the opportunity to experience fully implemented Montessori in public schools.

Video Instructor: Starting a Public or Charter Program

Kathy Leitch has been involved with Montessori education for 40 years. She taught at the infant, toddler and primary levels for 18 years and founded Renaissance Montessori School serving as Head of School for 27 years.  She recently retired from the school in order to focus on her current positions as Executive Director of the International Montessori Council (IMC), Infant-Toddler Director and Leadership Co-director for CGMS. These positions provides Kathy the opportunity to support Montessori schools and adult learners throughout the world.  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.  Additionally, Kathy is a certified Parenting Instructor and Stress Management Facilitator.

Video Instructor: Hiring & Recruiting, Holistic Staff Development and Evaluation, Challenging Teachers & Teachers with Challenges, Staff Delegation

Kitty Bravo has been a Montessori Educator for over 40 years, with experience as a teacher, administrator, board member, teacher educator, and consultant. She received her AMI Primary Montessori Certification in 1977 at the Montessori Institute of Atlanta and has a BA in Human Development from Eckerd College.

Kitty is the founder of New Gate School in Sarasota, Florida. During her tenure as Head of School, Kitty supported a faculty in the development of programs for toddlers through middle school.

Kitty has held administrative positions at three other Montessori Schools, including positions as Director of Education and Director of Institutional Advancement.  She has also supported several Montessori as a board member and has served on the Advisory Board at Sarasota University.

Teacher education and consulting has been Kitty’s primary professional focus over the past 20 years. She served as an instructor and Director of Training for the New Gate Center for Advanced Montessori Studies and has served as an instructor and field consultant for several other Montessori Teacher education programs. In 2006 she partnered with Tim and Marc Seldin and Jonathan Wolff to develop the CGMS Early Childhood course. As the CGMS Director of Education, Kitty has worked with her partners and faculty to develop the Elementary, Infant – Toddler, and Secondary levels of teacher training and to shepherd each through the MACTE accreditation process.

Kitty’s teacher education and consultation work has given her the opportunity to see the many faces of Montessori both in the US and internationally. She has worked with newly establishing schools, large and small private schools, as well as working extensively with public magnet Montessori programs and charter Montessori schools. Kitty is committed to providing support to teachers, schools and families as they strive to develop positive environments for children. She is passionate about preserving the legacy of Maria Montessori and believes strongly in Montessori’s mission of transforming society through our children.

Video Instructor: Early Childhood Curriculum, School and Difficult Family Challenges

Liane Watson is the Director at Renaissance Montessori School of Cary in North Carolina since 2016.  She received her Primary certification from the Center of Montessori Teacher Education-NC in 1999.  She then taught at Heartwood Montessori School as the Lead teacher until 2013.  At that time she was named Assistant Director and Parent Educator at Heartwood. She also has worked with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies as Financial Assistant and Field Consultant for the past five years.

Liane grew up in Raleigh, NC and with the exception of seven years in Illinois has spent most of her time in the area.  She and her husband have two grown children, two grandsons who attended Montessori and a baby granddaughter.

Liane holds a BA in Human Services from Peace College and Masters in Family Life and Parent Education from North Carolina State University.

Video Instructor: Montessori at Home, Parent Education

Lisa Maruna first fell in love with Montessori when she had the opportunity to volunteer in a Montessori classroom after college. Lisa worked her way up from being an assistant teacher, substitute, lead primary teacher, finally founding her own Montessori school in 2013. As Head of School, Lisa is passionate about designing the indoor and outdoor environment of her 3-6 primary school that meets the needs of children in the High Desert of Oregon, incorporating gardening and nature studies. Lisa has an AMI primary teaching credential, a Bachelors in Fine Art, and is a state credentialed teacher trainer.

Video Instructor: Buildings and Grounds, Facility Management

After a decade as a Human Resource manager in the automotive and IT industries Lisa sought to catch people earlier in their development and found Montessori education. Montessori perfectly matched Lisa’s view of the ideal aims of the future adult and consequently a peaceful society. She graduated from the Washington Montessori Institute with her AMI elementary teaching accreditation, and completed her Masters of Education in Montessori from Loyola College. She worked several years in an elementary class at International Montessori in Brussels, Belgium, before becoming the Head of School, which she held for 11 years. Currently, she is the founder of Tilt Think, working with educators on tilting scenarios and perspectives through classroom consulting and customized professional development.

Video Instructor: Strategies for Effective Work Management, Creating an Effective Work Culture

Ms McGrath has been in the field of education since 1974, in both public schools and independent Montessori schools. She received her M.Ed from the University of Georgia, and Early Childhood credential from the American Montessori Society. She was the Associate Head of School at NewGate School in Sarasota, FL for 25 years.

Ms McGrath is the Montessori Family Alliance Program Director and the International Montessori Council Director of School Accreditation at the Montessori Foundation.

She is a Montessori teacher educator, conference presenter, and school consultant. Ms McGrath has used her many years of experience working with families in the educational setting to develop programs for parents as well as teachers and administrators.

Video Instructor: The School Handbook for Montessori Best Practice

Marc Seldin’s diverse technical roles have included software development, project manager, product manager, and chief technical officer. His experience with web software development dates back to 1995, when as a consultant and later employee of Patuxent Publishing, he helped launch one of the first Internet newspapers. During his career he has worked both as an independent contractor and as an employee for The Baltimore Sun, ShareMedia, Tribune Company, and BBN Technologies.

Throughout his career, Marc has been at the forefront of web technologies such as personalization, dynamic publishing, Voice XML, video streaming and others. He is excited now to partner with leading Montessorians to develop a system for world-class distance education.

A student of philosophy and education, Marc grew up around Montessori, and attended The Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland, from birth until 7th grade. His passion for the Montessori method was reignited by the birth of his daughter which led him to recognize the shortage of highly qualified Montessori teachers.

Marc’s educational background includes a bachelors from Goddard Collegein Plainfield, Vermont, and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith school at the University of Maryland. He is a member of the international Beta Gamma Sigma honor society for business excellence.

Marc lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife Thuy-Anh, his daughter Hollis, and their cats, Huck and Tom.

Video Instructor: How to Create a Financial Stable School?, Budgeting, Data Collection and Analysis, Strategic Pricing: Tuition, Problems in Finance, Technology as School Infrastructure

Margaret Whitley is an AMI elementary trained Montessori educator and leader.  She has taught all levels of elementary, established the first Montessori middle school in Canada in 1988 and was head of Montessori Academy of London (MA) for 13 years, the school she went to as a child. During her time at MA she led the school through multiple changes, including a change in ownership/governance, a change of name and branding, new operational structure, significant renovations, purchasing and selling of property, new government licensing requirements, and a with her Board of Governors a smooth leadership transition leading to her retirement. The school celebrated its 50^th anniversary in June 2018.

She is presently a guest lecturer at the Toronto Montessori Institute and in the past was the Director of Accreditation for the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators.  She is the parent of Emma and Mark, who are in their twenties as very successful former Montessori students.  They both attended Montessori for 12 years and openly attribute much of their success to their Montessori foundations. Margaret holds a honours degree in history and MFA in creative non-fiction writing.  Margaret currently writes for a variety of publications on social justice and education.  She recently completed her first book, (working title) A World of Difference: How Montessori Influenced My Life.

Video Instructor: Admission Practices, Balance Growth and Vision; Managing Change and Transformation

Maria Eva Chaffin is originally from Venezuela. She is married with three boys and two dogs. She is in the process of completing her Doctoral Dissertation in Organizational Leadership. She holds a Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education, a Master’s Degree in Business Education, a Bachelor’s in Special Education, as well as a Montessori Teacher Certification in early childhood. Maria Eva is the founder of Challenging Children and Montessori, a consultant for the Montessori Foundation, and a Faculty member of Sarasota University, where she is a professor in the Montessori Master Program.

She has over 20 years of teaching experience and has been in the Montessori field for over 10 years. It is her great passion to work with children with special needs and since completing her Montessori training she has fallen in love with the method. With her background and experience, she is convinced that the Montessori method is the best way for children to learn. Because the Montessori method is so well suited for children with special needs, Maria Eva founded Challenging Children and Montessori with the intention to help school leadership and administrators better support teachers and parents with the challenges associated with these children.

Video Instructor: Exceptional and Special Needs Students

Martha Carver is the co director of the CGMS Leadership Certificate Program and Instructional Guide. She is currently the Head of School at Rock Prairie Montessori School in Janesville, Wisconsin. She has been a Head of School since 2008 and Montessori educator since 1988. She received her American Montessori Society Primary certification from Seattle University, a Level 1 certification in Montessori Applied to Children at Risk from Southern Methodist University, and a Wisconsin Early Childhood Administrators Certificate and Inclusion Certificate. She graduated from Endicott College with a B.A in Liberal Studies Montessori Education. She has served in a leadership position outside of the Montessori world as an appointed a trustee of the McHenry County Conservation District in Illinois for 10 years serving as president as well. She is a frequent Montessori conference presenter, consultant and teacher trainer. Martha’s family share a love of nature and have a Montessori materials company Bluestem Environmental Education.

Video Instructor: Market Evaluation, Marketing

Martin is a partner in Laniakea Montessori School of Gainesville, FL –  a newly established school with 29 students and consistently expanding as capacity grows. He supports Montessori learning through the Montessori Foundation as well as with Montessori Uplift – his personal company. He has been CEO at TADS, which provides administrative services and software to private schools nationwide.

He received his B.A. in Chemistry from UW-Whitewater and his MBA from UW-Madison. After a short stint in public accounting, his career at American Family Mutual Insurance Company included finance and accounting positions. He enjoys gardening and golf as well as bicycling and hiking with his wife Beth. They very much enjoy their eight grandchildren – five of them are currently in Montessori schools.

Video Instructor: Financial Controls, Accounting; How to Create a Financial Stable School?, Budgeting, Data Collection and Analysis

Thirty-five years ago, I enrolled my toddler in the school I now lead, and my journey into Montessori began. I have a Biochemistry degree and an MBA; I do not have a Montessori teacher or administrator credential. My journey has taken me, as a Montessori parent and professional, through private and public Montessori schools, connections with AMI and AMS organizations and professionals, and now a faculty member with five MACTE-accredited Montessori administrator training programs. After twenty-four years as Head of School at The Montessori Academy of Arlington, an AMS-accredited school serving children 6 weeks – 12 years of age, I am inspired, on a daily basis, as I work with dedicated Montessori teachers, observe joyful learners and connect with proud parents.

Video Instructor: Negotiation, Interpersonal Skills

Dr. Daniel Robinson (Robin) Howe began his Montessori career at the age of two at the Barrie School in Silver Spring, MD, which he attended through the eighth grade. Graduating from Dickinson College with two majors (Spanish and Religion), he went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Bioethics from University of South Florida. After successfully pursuing a career in the restaurant industry, Robin decided to return to his Montessori roots. He earned his Primary certification from Palm Harbor Montessori School (AMS) then attended St. Catherine’s University to earn his Lower and Upper Elementary Certification (AMS). He also attended NAMTA’s Orientation to Adolescent Studies (AMI). Robin holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University and works with The Montessori Foundation’s management team at New Gate (the Foundation’s lab school), serving as Associate Head of School and as a Senior Montessori Foundation School Consultant. In his spare time, Robin lives with two Elf cats and has set a personal goal to run marathons in all fifty states.

Video Instructor: Survey of Montessori Education, Data Analysis, Coordinate and Evaluate the Educational Program

Stephanie Pullman has over 20 years of experience teaching in Montessori environments including toddler, lower elementary and upper elementary classrooms. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Studies, AMI Elementary Certification, and a Master’s Degree in Education from St. Catherine University. In addition to teaching children, Stephanie has been a Montessori Teacher Trainer for 8 years. She is currently Director of Elementary Education at CGMS and an Adjunct Instructor of Child Development at Cerritos College.

Video Instructor: Montessori Theory, Elementary Curriculum

Tim is the President of the Montessori Foundation and Chair of the International Montessori Council. He is a co-founder of the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and Co-Director of its Montessori School Leadership Certification Program.

His more than forty years of experience in Montessori education includes twenty-two years as Headmaster of the Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland, which was his own alma mater from age two through high school graduation. Tim was the co-founder and Director of the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, the Center for Guided Montessori Studies, and currently also serves as the Head of the New Gate School in Sarasota, Florida.  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 Seldin is the author of several books on Montessori Education, including his latest, 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.

Video Instructor: Introduction: What does it meant to be Montessori?; Clarity: Institutional Coherency, Consistency, Memory and Integrity; Philosophy of Montessori Leadership (The Montessori Way); Nine Major Areas of School Operation; Spiritual Preparation of the Montessori Leader; School Leadership, Administration; Montessori Theory, Philosophy Informs Curriculum; Secondary Curriculum; Fundraising, Loans, Raising Capital

Tracey has a B.A. in Psychology, an A.M.S. Infant and Toddler Montessori certification, and a Capstone Certificate from The University of Wisconsin- Madison in Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health.

Tracey Hall has spent most of her weekdays with infants and toddlers for the past thirty years.  Currently, she is lead teacher for the Toddlers’ House program at Rock Prairie Montessori School in Janesville, Wisconsin. She is a Montessori Teacher Educator for both the American Montessori Society and for the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.  She presents at both National and Regional Montessori Conferences and delights in the opportunity to visit schools across the country to support others who are passionate about guiding infants and toddlers.

When she is home she loves to knit, read and spend time outdoors with her family and dogs.

Video Instructor: Infant/Toddler Curriculum

Dr. Valaida L. Wise (Val) is an educational consultant and a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. where she teaches diversity and inclusion in the school of education. She served as the Head of School at the National Child Research Center, The Harbor School and Henson Valley Montessori School. An educator for more than 20 years, Val received a Bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology from Syracuse University, an Masters of Art in Teaching with a Montessori emphasis from Trinity College, Washington D.C., a Masters of Art in developmental psychology from the University of California, San Bernardino and holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the George Washington University. Dr. Wise also holds an AMS Primary Montessori certification and Charlotte Danielson Teaching Framework Certification.

A Brava award winner, Val has lectured nationally and internationally, most recently on the topics of early childhood education, leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion. She has presented at a variety of national conferences including the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Zero to Three and the Association of Independent Schools of Maryland and Washington DC (AIMS-DC). Val has written several articles on educational leadership in early childhood as well as Montessori Education. Her most recent article: A Critical Absence in the Field of Educational Administration: Framing the (Missing) Discourse of Leadership in Early Childhood appears in the International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation. She is the chair of the board at Creative Minds International Public Charter School and also serves on the board of several professional, independent school boards. Val is married with 3 children.

Video Instructor: Visionary Leadership in the Montessori Schools