Tatenda Blessing Muchiriri - Montessori on Wheels

Tatenda Blessing Muchiriri is a distinguished educator, advocate, and social entrepreneur dedicated to expanding access to high-quality Montessori education for historically marginalized communities. His work transcends borders, integrating educational equity, cultural relevance, and innovation to create transformative learning experiences for children worldwide. As a thought leader in early childhood education, Tatenda has committed his career to ensuring that Montessori education is not only accessible but also adapted to the diverse cultural, social, and economic realities of different regions.

Tatenda’s discovery of Montessori education was serendipitous yet deeply transformative. While visiting Beijing, China, he was introduced to the Montessori philosophy, which sparked his passion for child-centered, hands-on learning. This experience laid the foundation for his global journey, leading him to Kenya and Zimbabwe, where he played a pivotal role in advancing Montessori education in local communities.

In Kenya, Tatenda worked with educators and grassroots organizations to integrate Montessori methods into early childhood education, ensuring that learning environments reflected the needs and realities of African children. In Zimbabwe, his home country, he co-founded the first-ever African Montessori Hub in Sub-Saharan Africa, a groundbreaking initiative that leverages Montessori education as a strategy for innovation and research in early childhood education across the continent. The African Montessori Hub serves as a vital platform for research, advocacy, and training, helping African educators embrace Montessori principles in ways that honor and incorporate indigenous knowledge systems, languages, and cultural practices.

Tatenda’s commitment to an Afrocentric approach to Montessori education is a defining feature of his work. He believes that for Montessori to be genuinely transformative in Africa, it must move beyond Westernized models and reflect the lived experiences of African children and families. His research and advocacy focus on decolonizing early childhood education, ensuring that African children see themselves reflected in their learning environments, materials, and pedagogical approaches.

Teresa Angeles, The Montessori Home and Beyond: Nurture the Heart of Your Child and Family

Teresa Angeles is a mother of six, grandmother of eight, an experienced Montessori-certified teacher for children two to twelve years old.  She has a master's degree in education with an emphasis in Montessori from Endicott College, and has newly published the book, The Montessori Home and Beyond, Nurture the Heart of Your Child and Family. She has worked with hundreds of families of infants, toddlers, and children through age twelve in the school setting, and in family ministry, where she co-facilitated teen retreats. Her passionate love for children, youth, and families has cultivated a mission of service and education.  She continues to create resources to help parents navigate the challenging years of raising children based on the transformative principles of Montessori and other helpful approaches.  She advocates that parents believe in themselves and follow their hearts to design home environments where children and families can flourish.  

Teresa lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and has a Montessori tutoring business where she helps children with reading, writing, and editing. Consulting with parents is something she loves to do, including providing classes to parents in how to teach children to read, the Montessori way. She loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and community, hiking, singing, playing music, dancing, gardening, and celebrating cultural traditions. She desires to share her knowledge and love of teaching approach to parents around the world to improve children's lives everywhere.

Jamie Watts, Montessori for Grown-ups

Jamie Watts, M.Ed., is a seasoned Montessori educator, school leader, and author with over 20 years of experience in child-centered education. As Director of Education at the Montessori School of Education and owner of Little River Montessori in Knoxville, TN, Jamie combines academic expertise with a deep passion for nurturing human potential.

Holding a Master of Education in Montessori Education from Taft University and an AMI Administrator Certificate, Jamie also earned Early Childhood and Elementary certifications from the North American Montessori Center. His journey from student to school owner—transforming Little River Montessori after purchasing it from his mentor—reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to authentic Montessori practice.

Jamie is the author of several books on Montessori philosophy, including Montessori For Grown Ups, The Ancestral Learning Model, and Biodigital Horizon: Preparing Montessori Educators for the Future. He is known for inspiring educators, families, and students alike by creating vibrant, prepared environments where learning comes alive.

Outside the classroom, Jamie enjoys life with his partner Jessica, their three children—Aurora, Nathen, and Kaiyo—and their two beloved cats, Salem and Ginsberg. A devoted reader and proud Alabama football fan—Roll Tide!—Jamie continues to champion the transformative power of Montessori education.