EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Elizabeth has been a Montessori educator for 35 years. She has worked to build public Montessori programs, implementing Child Study systems and developing the art of Montessori Coaching. She is passionate about leading school start-ups, designing trainings and bringing the Montessori coaching method to hundreds of schools across the country.

Elizabeth is a frequent presenter at Montessori conferences. Her book Montessori in Action: Building Resilient Montessori Schools was released in July 2021.

Elizabeth earned her AMI Elementary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute, and her AMS Administrative Credential at the Center for Contemporary Montessori Studies. In addition, she has a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Spalding University.

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Teresa has spent her career being an educator in Montessori classrooms in the public sector. As a young child who attended Montessori school herself, she has experienced firsthand the positive impact of this philosophy and is passionate about providing access to high quality Montessori programming for all children. Teresa trained with the Association Montessori Internationale at the primary and elementary levels, and holds an M.Ed in Montessori Education from Loyola College of Maryland.

DIRECTOR OF IMPLEMENTATION

Catherine has over 25 years of diverse experience in Montessori education, spanning various environments from public to independent and startup schools, educating children from 18 months to eighth grade. Born and raised in France, she initially obtained a J.D. in International Business Law at the University of Rennes I, before shifting to education with a MEd. in Montessori Elementary Education from the University of Loyola, Baltimore, MD.

She is dual-certified with an AMS credential (0-3) from CMTE/NY and an AMI credential (6-12) from the Washington Montessori Institute. Additionally, Catherine is a trained Montessori Coach (NCMPS), she holds an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is certified as a Positive Discipline Adult Educator. Committed to lifelong learning, she has undertaken numerous courses to enhance her capacity to advocate for and meet the diverse needs of students in Montessori settings.

Catherine believes in resilient, collaborative, and transformational Montessori education. Her unique strength is her ability to empathize with all school stakeholders, making her a versatile and effective educator and leader.

NAUTILUS TRAINER

Markisha, a Missouri native, has spent her career working with children ages 0-18 years old in both traditional and Montessori settings. She was the first Nautilus Lead to pilot the approach at Moore Montessori in Southern Pines, NC. Markisha has recently been promoted to Assistant Head of School at Moore Montessori, and she will be leading the team in supporting children’s social emotional needs, equity training, and working with families. She was a participant in the MACTE accredited LUMIR Primary training in Memphis.

MONTESSORI NETWORK COORDINATOR

Ashley Bird is a coach at Public Montessori in Action International and is certified and experienced in both lower and upper elementary grades.

In addition to her work as an educator, Bird is the founder of Blooming with Birdie, an educational company that creates engaging learning experiences both online and in-person.

As a Fellow at Notley and member of the San Antonio Climate Ready Technical Committee, she is also committed to making a positive impact on the environment and the community. With a passion for education, sustainability, and social impact, Bird is dedicated to creating a better future for all.

IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

Hannah Richardson is CEO & founder of Montessori Makers Group, which focuses on adult-focused or back-end practice in Montessori schools. She has been a Montessori educator for over 20 years. She has served as a guide, consultant, coordinator, coach, school leader, and change-maker. She has built schools from the ground up, shaped leaders, strengthened skills for practitioners, overseen $14+mill budgets & hundreds of employees, and supported bringing schools' visions to life. She has a passion for the most challenging parts of the work.

Hannah has experience in independent schools with 90-550+ students and public neighborhood, magnet, and charter schools in many urban settings. She has presented at various conferences, including AMI, Montessori for Social Justice, and more. She has been invited to Montessori think tanks, such as Montessori Leaders Collaborative, and has worked with several others. She is trained in ABAR practice and brings it into all facets of her work.

Visit: www.montessorimakers.org

IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

Maati is a licensed social worker, equity practitioner, spirit-led credentialed Montessori leader (Early Childhood, Lower El, Upper El, Administrator), and the Founder and Principal Consultant of Radiant Mind Solutions. Her unique eye integrates social work competencies around equity, mental health, and community models of care with justice-oriented pedagogy and best practices in adult learning.

Maati offers a distinct approach to lifelong learning that creates avenues for the coexistence of science, spirit & social justice in progressive student-centered education. Her leadership focuses on integrating models of community care to strengthen schools, elevate teaching and learning, and support the overall well-being and transformation of the adult.

For over 15 years, Maati has served Montessori, public, and independent school communities by creating innovative spaces for learning organizations and individuals to expand, build, and create more justice in the world. She firmly believes in divine intelligence and understands that we all sit at the very center of that space!

RESEARCH ADVISOR

Genevieve was a Montessori student herself during her primary years. She has come full circle, completing her primary training with the Association Montessori Internationale in Atlanta, GA. Genevieve has been both an educator and school leader in DC Montessori public charter schools, and centers her work around equity in the public Montessori classroom and community. She has an M.Ed in Montessori Education from Loyola College of Maryland, as well as a Ph.D in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership specializing in Urban Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.

INNOVATION ADVISOR

Allison has been implementing Montessori in the US and Senegal for the past 15 years. In addition to founding PMAI, Allison is the Director of Student Support for Breakthrough Montessori in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector supporting the Child Study process through refinement and training as well as the development of their Montessori Teacher Residency program. Allison received an AMI Primary Diploma from Institut Superieur Maria Montessori in Paris and a AMI Elementary Diploma from Washington Montessori Institute, with an M.Ed in Montessori Education from Loyola College of Maryland.