Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Cindy Acker, PhD, is head of school for The Child Unique Montessori Schools in Alameda, CA. Past president of the Professional Association for Childhood Education and past vice president of the National Child Care Association, she currently serves as policy analyst for the Montessori Council of California. She serves AMS as a member of the Public Policy Committee. Montessori-credentialed (EC, EI). (5)

Teresa Van Acker, MEd, is a lower elementary teacher at Morehead Montessori, a public school in Durham, NC. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI). (3)

Joanne Adan, MEd, is director, owner, and head teacher at Bright Beginnings Montessori Preschool in San Mateo, CA. She is a former teacher educator at two community colleges and at the College of Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, CA, where she taught graduate-level administration and supervision courses in the Montessori teacher education program. AMS-credentialed (EC). (6, 9)

Tamara Sheesley Balis is head of Amherst Montessori School in Amherst, MA. A former Montessori school director, classroom teacher, and consultant, she produced and directed the DVD Bringing Out the Brilliance in Your Infant: Montessori at Home. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI). (2)

Casey Barnett, MEd, is an elementary teacher at the June Shelton School and Evaluation Center, a Montessori school for children with learning differences in Dallas, TX. Montessori educated as a child, she is the coauthor of several manuals on using the Montessori approach with children at risk. She is also an adjunct instructor at Dallas Baptist University. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI). (5)

Marlene Barron, PhD, is an assistant professor of education at New York University and standards advisor at Etonkids Montessori Teacher Training Academy in Beijing, China. She is past president of AMS and past treasurer of the International Association of Montessori Educators. Her book on observation, Recording and Reporting, has been translated into Korean and Chinese. AMS-credentialed (EC). (2)

Judi Bauerlein, MEd, is the AMS 2010 Living Legacy (an honor she will share with all Montessori teacher educators). An instructor for the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in Princeton, NJ, she has taught for Montessori education programs around the world, is past president of the AMS Board of Directors, and is a member of the Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Committee. Judi founded public Montessori programs in San Mateo and Lagunitas, CA, and has been honored as teacher of the year in San Mateo County. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI). (8)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Michele Beus is a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Ramona Community School, a public Montessori school in Ramona, CA. She formerly taught primary and elementary at Montessori schools in Arizona. NCME-credentialed (I&T, EC, EI-II). (3)

Stanley Beus, PhD, is a paleontologist and retired regent professor in the state of Arizona. Currently teaching at Yavapai College in Verde Valley, AZ, he is a former full professor of geology at Northern Arizona University. Through Elderhostel, he leads adult educational trips across the Colorado Plateau, the Grand Canyon, and the canyon lands of southern Utah. (3)

Stephan V. Beyer, JD, PhD, is an author and president of Peacemaker Services, which provides consultation and training in peaceful communication, mediation, and community building using indigenous models. He has been a professor at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, the University of California—Berkeley, and Graduate Theological Union. (5)

Elaine Blasi, MEd, is founder and executive director of Montessori Hale O Keiki in Kihei, Maui, HI. A former director of Montessori programs and early childhood education for Chaminade University of Honolulu, she conducts in-service Montessori workshops for public- and private-school teachers. AMS-credentialed (EC). (7)

Camille Marie Brandt, EdD, is director of education at Children's Montessori Center in Fargo, ND. Montessori-credentialed (EI). (1)

Sarah Bright is a music and Orff-Schulwerk specialist at the Key School in Annapolis, MD. She also teaches infant/toddler and early childhood music curricula at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies at the Barrie School in Silver Spring, MD. (4)

Jo Anne Camara, MEd, is director of Hacienda School in Pleasanton, CA. She has taught for more than 30 years and has worked with children 12 months to 14 years old. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI-II). (8)

Kathryn Carey, MAT, is coeditor of Montessori Life and professor of family services and child development at Rose State College in Midwest City, OK. AMS-credentialed (EC). (9)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Misse Carolan, MA, is a behavior analyst for Achieve, a day treatment program for behaviorally and emotionally disoriented adolescents in Bath, ME. She is a workshop presenter and teacher educator for New England Early Childhood Associates in Kingston, RI, and a faculty member of Northeast Montessori Institute in Rockport, ME. AMI-credentialed (EC). (4)

Nicole Champoux is elementary program head and lead elementary teacher at Montessori Children's House in Redmond, WA. An instructor for the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest, she is a board member and past president of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI). (2)

Sue Clark, MS, is the Montessori lower elementary coordinator at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ. A former Montessori teacher, she has been an instructor and on-site coordinator for the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York in Phoenix. AMS-credentialed (EI). (5)

Betsy Coe, PhD, is program designer and principal of the middle and high school programs at School of the Woods in Houston, TX, where she is also executive director of the Houston Montessori Teacher Education Center. A board member and chair of the Teacher Education Action Committee, she has also served AMS as board president and chair of three annual conferences. She was honored as the AMS 2008 Living Legacy. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI-II, SECI-II, ADM). (7)

Marie Conti, MEd, is senior director of school accreditation and member programs at AMS. She has 29 years of experience as a Montessori teacher, teacher educator, TEP director, school administrator, and regional group leader. AMS-credentialed (EC). (3, 6)

Joan A. Cotter, PhD, is a Montessori math consultant and author of primary and intermediate math curricula with Activities for Learning, Inc., in Hutchinson, MN. The past president of Minnesota Alliance of Montessorians, she is also a former Montessori early childhood teacher. AMI-credentialed (EC). (6)

Diane Craft, Ph.D., is a Professor in Adapted Physical Education at the State University of New York (SUNY) Cortland. (5)

Jenna Dabney, MA, is a head toddler teacher at Riverside Montessori School in New York City, NY. AMS-credentialed (I&T). (5)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Sharon Damore, EdD, is an assistant professor of elementary education at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. An AMS Board member and Research Committee chair, she has also held positions as teacher, principal, special education director, dean, and head of school. AMS-credentialed (EC). (8)

JoAnn Deak, PhD, is the keynote speaker for the AMS 2009 Fall Conference. (Keynote Address, 6 ()

Joslynn DeHerrera is a lead early childhood teacher at Academy Montessori Preschool in Albuquerque, NM. AMS-credentialed (EC). (7)

Judy Donovan is a lower elementary teacher at Sunrise Montessori in Napa, CA. A former primary teacher, she is also certified in Mel Levine's Schools Attuned Program. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI). (6)

Michael J. Dorer, EdD, is director of the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs and an associate professor of education at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN. The author of a series of Montessori textbooks on several lower and upper elementary subjects, he is a past president of AMS and the International Association of Montessori Educators. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI); AMI-credentialed (EI-II). (1)

Daniel W. Driscoll, MDiv, is head of school and a founding board member of Good Shepherd Montessori School in South Bend, IN. (3)

D'Neil Duffy, MEd, is elementary coordinator, faculty member, and school consultant for the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York. A cofounder of Blackstock Montessori School in Villa Rica, GA, she coauthored Children of the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Elementary Classroom and serves AMS as a consultant, member of the board of directors, and member of the Public Policy Committee. AMS-credentialed (EI-II); AMI-credentialed (EC). (5)

Michael Duffy, MEd, STL, is a Montessori elementary teacher educator for the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York and a private Montessori consultant. He is author of Math Works: Montessori Math and the Developing Brain and coauthor of Children of the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Elementary Classroom. (3)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Marie M. Dugan was honored as the AMS 2009 Living Legacy at the Annual Conference. A private Montessori consultant (she also works as co-coordinator for the Course for Montessori School Management at the Center for M)

Pamela Dunbar, MBA, is head of Montessori Academy of Arlington in Arlington, TX. A former professional development specialist for the Fort Worth (TX) Independent School District, she has served AMS as a school validation team member and as a member of the Annual Fund Committee. (8)

Kimberly Ehn is founder, head of school, and head directress of Duneland Montessori Academy in Chesterton, IN. AMS-credentialed (EI). (8)

Joan Ellard is owner/administrator/director of Ponderosa Montessori School in Los Alamos, NM, which offers Montessori early childhood and lower elementary teacher education. She is also an on-site evaluator for the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. NCME-credentialed (EC, EI). (4) Canceled

Marge Ellison is founder and head of Montessori Country Day School in Houston, TX, and serves as chair of the Heads Section of the AMS Board of Directors. Founder and board president of the Children's Enrichment Fund, she is also a board member and officer of the Houston Montessori Center. AMS-credentialed (EC, ADM). (Heads of Schools Networking Session)

Dottie Sweet Feldman is president, cofounder, and presenter for Educational Sounds & Images, Inc., a producer of research-based language arts materials. The founding administrator of the AMS Teacher Education Scholarship Fund and the former director of the AMS School Consultation and Accreditation Committee, she also co-founded and co-directed the Columbus (OH) Montessori Teacher Education Program. In 2007, Dottie was honored as AMS Living Legacy. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI-II). (3)

Tim Fickenscher, MS, is a middle school guide for the Montessori magnet program at Millard Central Middle School in Omaha, NE. He has worked as a special education teacher and a church youth director. AMS-credentialed (SECI-II). (2)

Anna K. Fonte is an early childhood teacher at University Montessori School in Irvine, CA, and a lab facilitator for the Montessori teacher education program at the University of California—Irvine. AMS-credentialed, (EC). (2)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Zahra Foroud is principal and directress of Lethbridge Montessori School in Lethbridge, AB, Canada. She is director of both the Lethbridge Montessori Society and Alberta Children's Services. St. Nicholas-credentialed (I&T, EC). (6)

Barbara Garland is curriculum coordinator and a lower elementary directress at Good Shepherd Montessori School in South Bend, IN. AMS-credentialed (EI). (3)

Eulalia Halloran, MEd, is site director for one of Google's children's centers in Mountain View, CA. She has been vice president of the Bay Area Montessori Association since 2005. AMS-credentialed (EC). (Regional Groups Networking Session)

Jessica Christina Hammes, MS, is a head early childhood teacher at the Children's School in Austin, TX. AMS-credentialed (EC); Montessori-credentialed (EC). (9)

Michelle Hammons, MA, is principal of Eagle Peak Montessori School in Walnut Creek, CA. A cochair of the AMS Public Policy Committee, she has worked in public Montessori education for 16 years. AMS-credentialed (EC). (5)

Jodi Harms is parent communications and teacher education coordinator at Woodland Montessori School in Kalispell, MT. She also coordinates parent communications for Kalispell Montessori Elementary and Flathead Valley Montessori Academy. A graphic designer, she formerly owned her own print shop. (4)

Laura Hayden is a lead primary teacher and summer program director at Three Rivers Montessori School in Fort Wayne, IN. AMS-credentialed (I&T, EC). (6)

Carla Hofland, MBA, is director of member services at AMS. She has 15 years of experience as a Montessori school administrator. (Regional Groups Networking Session)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Betsy Hoke is a school consultant who conducts workshops for parents and educators. In 2009, she retired as head of Montessori School of Evergreen, CO. She formerly taught language, classroom management, and early childhood cultural subjects at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. She is a member of the board of AfricAid, which supports the education of Masai girls in Tanzania. AMS-credentialed (EC); AMI-credentialed (EC). (3)

Lisa Huang is an early childhood teacher at Village Montessori School in Irvine, CA, and a lab facilitator for the Montessori teacher education program at the University of California—Irvine. AMS-credentialed, (EC). (2)

Catherine Ibes, MA, is assistant professor at the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN. She is a former Montessori upper elementary teacher. AMS-credentialed (EI). (6)

Dona Jackson is associate director of curriculum design and head teacher at Montessori Schools of Irvine, CA. She is also an instructor for the Montessori teacher education program at the University of California—Irvine. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI); Montessori-credentialed (EC). (9)

Barb Jens is a lower and upper elementary teacher at Millard Public Montessori School in Omaha, NE. A teacher educator and teacher practicum coordinator for the Mid-America Montessori Teacher Education Program, she is vice chair of the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. She serves AMS as a member of the Public Policy Committee. AMS-credentialed (EI-II). (5)

Carey Jones is coeditor of Montessori Life and a freelance writer, editor, and chef based in San Francisco, CA. (9)

LoAnn Jundt is founder and director of the Montessori School House/Maria Montessori Elementary and the Montessori Teachers College, both in San Diego, CA. A member of the AMS Board of Directors, the AMS Teacher Education Action Committee, and the Montessori School Accreditation Commission, she served as a member of the AMS 2007, 2008, and 2009 Fall Conference committees. IAPM-credentialed (EC); AMI-credentialed (EI-II). (5, 9)

Sylvie Giral Kacmarcik, PhD, a former geologist and geochemist, is an upper elementary co-teacher at Whole Earth Montessori School in Bothell, WA, and elementary science instructor for the teacher education program at Spring Valley Montessori School in Federal Way, WA. Montessori-credentialed (I&T, EC, EI-II). (4, 5)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Gary Kacmarcik, MS, is a software engineer at Google, Inc., in Seattle, WA. A former software design engineer at Microsoft, Inc., he volunteers his time teaching computer-programming skills at local Montessori schools and at Google-hosted events. (4)

Vyju Kadambi, MS, is director of Three Rivers Montessori School in Fort Wayne, IN. A former Montessori early childhood teacher and current Montessori parent, she is completing an AMS lower elementary credential. AMS-credentialed (EC, ADM). (6)

Thomas Keeler, MA, is a lower elementary teacher at Sterling Montessori Charter School in Morrisville, NC. AMS-credentialed (EI). (1)

Abbie Kelly is manager of teacher education services for AMS. Before coming to AMS in 2008, she spent 23 years as business manager of a Montessori school in South Carolina. (7)

Pauline Kleiner is assistant directress and special needs assistant at Lethbridge Montessori School in Lethbridge, AB, Canada. (6)

Peter J. Larrow, MEd, is codirector of Montessori Opportunities, Inc., a mobile teacher education program based in Norwalk, OH. A school consultant and workshop facilitator who has taught at Walsh and Xavier Universities, he also serves on the AMS Board of Directors as chair of the Teacher Education Committee. AMS-credentialed (EC). (Teacher Educators Networking Session, 9)

Rosann F. Larrow, MA, is founder and codirector of Montessori Opportunities, Inc., a mobile teacher education program based in Norwalk, OH. A Montessori directress and teacher for several AMS education programs, she provides consultation to schools and is a member of the AMS Teacher Education Action Committee, AMS Teacher Education Committee (TEC), and AMS TEC Elementary Committee. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI-II). (9)

Heidi Larson, MEd, is a lower elementary teacher at Mercy Montessori Center in Cincinnati, OH. She chairs the Teachers Section of the AMS Board of Directors. AMS-credentialed (EI). (Teachers Networking Session)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Jane Lemon, MEd, is head Montessori elementary teacher at Sunridge Learning Center in Mesa, AZ. As a teacher educator, she has worked for the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York, the Claremont Center for Advanced Montessori Studies, and the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies. AMS-credentialed (EC, EI-II). (5)

Frank Leto is an award-winning composer, recording artist, and performer of multicultural songs and dances for young children. A Montessori teacher educator, he currently works as a jazz teacher for Albuquerque Public Schools and as a music teacher and steel band director at Cottonwood School in Corrales, NM. AMS-credentialed (EC). (4, 7)

Betsy Lockhart is an upper elementary science and language teacher at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, CO, where she also serves as elementary coordinator and field consultant for the teacher education program. She is the author of two albums for upper elementary instruction: Physics of the Earth and Language, as well as Spelling Success through Syllabication and Homophones: A Multisensory Approach. AMS-credentialed (EI-II). (4)

Jill LeVasseur Lutz is owner, administrator, and director of Chase Ranch Montessori School in El Cajon, CA. AMS-credentialed (EC, ADM). (8)

Claudia Jensen Mann, MS, is head of school and elementary teacher at Chaffee County Montessori School in Salida, CO. She received an AMS Peace Seed Grant in 2008. AMS-credentialed (EI-II, SECI). (1)

Catherine Maresca, MA, is director of religious education at Christian Family Montessori School in Mt. Rainier, MD, where she also trains adults in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She is founder and director of the Center for Children and Theology and director of Parent Child Press. She is the daughter of AMS 2006 Living Legacy honoree Aline Wolf. (3)

Mary Ellen Maunz, MEd, is elementary curriculum coordinator and upper elementary head teacher at Middle Creek Montessori in Bozeman, MT. She also directs a Montessori teacher education center in St. Petersburg, Russia. A past commissioner for the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, she has worked as a Montessori teacher educator since 1980 and is lead author of Learning to Read Is Child's Play. AMI-credentialed (EC); PAMS-credentialed (EI-II). (5)

Sonnie McFarland is director of Shining Mountains Press in Buena Vista, CO, and an international consultant specializing in Montessori parenting, peace education, community building, and adult transformation. The former head of the Montessori School of Denver and the founding head and teacher at Shining Mountains Children's Center in Pueblo, CO, she chairs the AMS Peace Committee and is a former member of the AMS Board of Directors. AMS-credentialed (EC). (8, 9)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Nancy J. McNabb, MS, is head of Middle Creek Montessori in Bozeman, MT. She is the founder and former director of Montessori Children's House of Minnetonka, MN, and the former director of the infant-toddler program at Montessori International of Gardiner, MT. AMS-credentialed (I&T); PAMS-credentialed (EC). (5)

Lucas McQuillan, MA, teaches interpersonal communication and public speaking at Lane Community College in Eugene, OR. He is president of Main Street Montessori Association. (1)

Steve Meade is founder and president of The Visual Studio, LLC, in Mooresville, NC, which designs and builds Websites for a variety of businesses and nonprofit organizations. (5)

Christopher Michael Melville is the guide for a lower elementary class at Tree of Life, a public Montessori charter school in Ukiah, CA. A preschool—twelfth grade Montessori school graduate, he has worked with toddlers through college students. AMS-credentialed (I&T, EC). (9)

Kathryn Miller is an early childhood teacher at School of the Woods and an early childhood teacher instructor at Houston Montessori Center, both in Houston, TX. She is the mother of four Montessori-educated children. AMS-credentialed (EC). (7)

Molly Mix is an early childhood teacher at Sundance Montessori in Folsom, CA, where her daughter is in third grade. AMS-credentialed (EC). (2)

Walt Montet is elementary fitness education specialist, peer mediation teacher, and extended care recreation director at the Montessori Academy of Arlington, TX. A Montessori parent, he is also a certified personal trainer. (6)

Angela Murray, PhD, is adjunct faculty member at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She currently works as AMS's research coordinator and was the recipient of the AMS 2005 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award. Her doctoral dissertation, "Public Perceptions of Montessori Education," received honors from the University of Kansas in 2008. (8)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Jane Nelsen, EdD, is a licensed marriage, family, and child therapist, speaker, and codeveloper/author of the Positive Discipline series of workshops and books for parents and teachers. She has appeared on Oprah, Sally Jessy Raphael, Twin Cities Live, and CBS This Morning, and was the featured parent expert on the National Parent Quiz with Ben Vereen. Dr. Nelsen was the keynote speaker at the AMS 2008 Fall Conference. (3, 4)

Joanne Oh, MA, is the director of school accreditation and professional development for AMS. She has been in education for 19 years, 15 of which have been in Montessori education as a teacher, school administrator, and a teacher education program faculty member. She was also an adjunct professor and student supervisor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. AMS-credentialed (EC). (3, 6)

Rayann Palazzolo is associate director of human resources for Montessori Schools of Irvine, CA. She is a teacher educator for the University of California—Irvine and a former Montessori school director and teacher. AMS-credentialed (EC); Montessori-credentialed (I&T). (4)

Bee Pape, MEd, is codirector of the Montessori Teacher Education Program at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, OK. She served as a Montessori early childhood teacher for 35 years at the Casady School in Oklahoma City. AMS-credentialed (EC); AMI-credentialed (EC). (1, 5)

Rhonda Payne, MSEd, LCSW, is the guidance counselor for Lamplighter Montessori School and a psychotherapist in private practice in Cordova, TN. (2)

Amy Peckham has been a teacher at the Montessori School House of San Diego, CA, for 15 years. NCME-credentialed (EC). (4)

Anne S. Perrah, PhD, is owner, administrator, and mentor teacher at Montessori Children's House in Cypress, CA. She is also founder and president of Precious Child Enterprises, which supports children's causes, literacy, and Montessori-principled early childhood education. AMS-credentialed (EC); AMI-credentialed (EC). (6)

Sarah Petri, MA, is an early childhood and movement teacher at Riverside Montessori School in New York City, NY. She previously worked as a professional teaching artist. AMS-credentialed (EC). (5)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Beth Phillips is a lead early childhood teacher at Academy Montessori Preschool in Albuquerque, NM. AMS-credentialed (EC). (7)

Joyce S. Pickering, HumD, is executive director of the June Shelton School and Evaluation Center, a school for children with learning differences, in Dallas, TX. A former board member and vice president of the International Dyslexia Association, she is former president of the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council. AMS-credentialed (EC). (5, 7)

Lily Reyes is a kindergarten teacher at Northwood Montessori School in Irvine (CA)

Sarah Richardson is a music and drama specialist at Lake Country School in Minneapolis, MN. A former professional actor and Montessori teacher educator, she teaches movement and theater in Orff courses around the country. (4)

Linda Riek is a lead early childhood teacher at Sundance Montessori in Folsom, CA. NCME-credentialed (EC). (2)

Alice Roberts, MEd, is an adolescent teacher for the Montessori magnet program at Millard Central Middle School in Omaha, NE. She formerly worked in a gifted magnet program and as a special education teacher. AMS-credentialed (EI-II, SECI); AMI-credentialed (EC). (2)

Nancy M. Rose, MA, is executive director of New England Early Childhood Associates, a consultation and support service provider for schools, agencies, and parents in the New England area. A former AMS Board member, and instrumental in beginning the AMS Peace Committee, she founded Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, CO, and has taught for several Montessori teacher education programs. AMS-credentialed (EC); AMI-credentialed (I&T, EC). (4)

Celeste Ross is an educational consultant, health-care practitioner, and nutrition counselor in Philadelphia, PA. She formerly taught at Villa Montessori in Phoenix, AZ, and at School of the Woods in Houston, TX, and was an adjunct professor in the department of elementary education at Albright College in Reading, PA. AMS-credentialed (SECI). (4) Canceled

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Cheryll R. Ruszat, MA, is executive director and owner of Montessori Schools of Irvine, CA, and program coordinator for the Montessori teacher education program at the University of California—Irvine. She is the recipient of UC Irvine's Instructor of Excellence award. AMS-credentialed (EC). (1, 5, 9)

Lisa Sabatini is director of Village Montessori School in Irvine, CA, and an instructor for the Montessori teacher education program at the University of California—Irvine. AMS-credentialed (EC). (2)

Chris Sacerdote, MEd, is an assistant professor at the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs at the College of St. Catherine, in Saint Paul, MN. She formerly worked as a Montessori classroom teacher and head of school. AMI-credentialed (EC). (9)

Nancy Terry Sager, MA, is an adjunct faculty member in the early childhood department at Palomar Community College in San Marcos, CA. A former Montessori classroom teacher and head of school, she has taught for a variety of Montessori teacher education programs. St. Nicholas-credentialed (EC, EI-II). (3, 8)

Terrie Sampson, MEd, is head of Lamplighter Montessori School in Cordova, TN, and director of the Memphis Montessori Institute. AMS-credentialed (EC, ADM). (2)

Mo Sanders, MA, is principal of Soldotna Montessori Charter School in Soldotna, AK, and a part-time faculty member at the University of Alaska. AMS-credentialed (ADM). (1, 2)

Dennis Schapiro is the editor and publisher of Public School Montessorian (Jola Publications) in Minneapolis, MN. A former college administrator, he has also served as a member of the Minneapolis Board of Education. (1, 2)

Sheri Sesko is an elementary teacher at Love of Learning Montessori School in Columbia, MD. AMS-credentialed (EI). (3)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Jazmin Sevilla is an early childhood teacher at Chase Ranch Montessori School in El Cajon, CA. NCME-credentialed (EC). (8)

Pam Shay, MS, is director of elementary and middle school programs at Valley Montessori School in Livermore, CA. (8)

Debbie Sheehan, MBA, is an upper elementary teacher at Maria Montessori Elementary in San Diego, CA. She is a former Montessori early childhood teacher. NCME-credentialed (EC); AMS-credentialed (EI-II). (9)

Munir Shivji is executive director of the Montessori Development Center and former head of Innovative Montessori School, both in Houston, TX. He chaired the 100 Years of Maria Montessori celebration in Houston in October 2007. AMS-credentialed (EC). (7)

P. Donohue Shortridge, MA, is a Montessori consultant to schools and parents. A former Montessori teacher and mentor, she has served on the faculty of the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and is the creator of Aidan's Muddy Adventure, a DVD highlighting the importance of nature to young children. AMS-credentialed (I&T, EC). (9)

Cathy Smythe, MA, is executive director of Montessori Greenhouse Schools, LLC, and Montessori Western Teacher Training program. She has served AMS as local chair and cochair of several regional conferences and has participated in the AMS Traveling Symposium. She is a prolific writer whose essays have appeared in Montessori Life and its predecessor, The Constructive Triangle. AMS-credentialed (EC). (7)

Doris Sommer is AMS senior director of teacher education. A former Montessori early childhood and elementary teacher, she has served as faculty member, consultant, and director of an AMS teacher education program; chaired numerous on-site visits to teacher education programs; and trained MACTE Commission on-site evaluators. AMS-credentialed (EI-II); NCME-credentialed (EC). (7)

Priscilla Spears, PhD, writes science education materials. She is a teacher instructor and acts as a science consultant for publishers of Montessori materials; she has written many books, including A Tour of the Flowering Plants and Kingdoms of Life Connected. (2, 7)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Alissa Stolz, MEd, is middle school directress at Montessori School of Westminster, MD. AMS-credentialed (SECI-II). (8)

Dena Stoneman is lower elementary head teacher and curriculum coordinator at Maria Montessori Elementary School in San Diego, CA. She is a teacher educator for early childhood, lower elementary, and upper elementary program levels at the Montessori Teacher's College of San Diego. AMS-credentialed (EI-II). NCME-credentialed (EC). (4)

Kathrine Louise Suter is a teacher at Zanetti Public Montessori School in Springfield, MA. A candidate for a master's degree in Montessori education and special needs, she formerly taught at Montessori Educare in Newton, MA, and at Kingsley Montessori School in Boston, MA. AMS-credentialed (EC); AMI-credentialed (EC). (7)

Jessica Swindell is an early childhood and lower elementary directress at Duneland Montessori Academy in Chesterton, IN. AMS-credentialed (EC). (8)

Chandon Thorell is middle school director of Villa Montessori School in Phoenix, AZ. Before becoming a Montessori teacher, he taught photography and practiced architecture. Montessori-credentialed (SECI). (4) Canceled

Lainie Santos Torres is curriculum coordinator and an upper elementary teacher at Love of Learning Montessori School in Columbia, MD. AMS-credentialed (EI-II). (3)

Richard A. Ungerer is executive director of the American Montessori Society. Prior to joining AMS in January 2005, he led a number of not-for-profit organizations committed to enhancing education policy, leadership, and service-learning programs for children and youth. (1, 2)

Virginia Varga, PhD, is the infant and toddler coordinator for the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York. In 1994, she was honored as AMS Living Legacy. AMS-credentialed (I&T, EC); AMI-credentialed (EC). (7)

Parenthetical numbers following
each presenter's biography
indicate workshop session(s).

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Emily E. Whitcomb is an early childhood teacher at University Montessori School in Irvine, CA, and a lab facilitator for the Montessori teacher education program at the University of California—Irvine. AMS-credentialed (EC). (2)

Bretta Weiss Wolff, MA, is a school consultant and the school management co-coordinator at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York. A former national director of AMS, she currently serves the organization as a member of the Archives Committee. In 2002, she was honored as AMS Living Legacy. Montessori-credentialed (EC). (7)

Jonathan Wolff is founder and director of Learning for Life, a Montessori consulting firm, based in San Marcos, CA, which specializes in consultation, educational programs, school leadership, and parent education around the globe. A board member of the International Montessori Council, he is the author of several titles, including Six Practices of Healthy School Communities. AMI-credentialed (EC). (1, 8)

Judy Woodson is a director and teacher for South Coast Music Together in Newport Beach, CA. She formerly served as an official licensing representative and center director mentor for Music Together, LLC, in Princeton, NJ. (1)