My most favorite people! Hadar Peled, Michal Olivero, Liron Han Unger, Mor Lask - representatives of the newly established AMI Training Centre in Israel, led by baby Yani 🙂
You all know Heidi Philippart, our amazing 0-3 trainer. At the AGM Heidi was accompanied by Liudmyla Shpakovych, who is now in training to become a trainer. Liudmyla is from Ukraine and she has lived with us in MIP with her family since March 2022.
Eder just recently became one of the AMI Board Members. I myself applied for the position and I was a bit sad that I was not elected. When I found out that Eder is, I was truly happy. I cannot think of a better candidate for this work.
Meet Eder Cuevas, the Executive Director of Montessori Mexico.
Author of The Montessori Toddler, AMI trained guide, founder of Jacaranda Tree Montessori playgroup in Amsterdam, blogger and a volunteer at the AMI Training Center in Delft, Simone is a passionate supporter of Montessori parents around the globe.
Passionate commercial professional with many years of experience in the international field of education. Strong networker that thrives on connecting with new people, both on a national and international level. Chris organizes an amazing event at Nienhuis every year, a Montessori Retreat. Check it out. It is one of the most accessible Montessori events I know of.
André is an amazing speaker, several of the things he said in his public speeches stuck with me and I remember it word by word. One of those things is: “AMI is not just the few people in the office here in Amsterdam. They cannot do all the work that needs to be done. We are all AMI. We all need to be doing the work.” Before André joined AMI, he was UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for programme and strategic planning. His past work involved work for children in Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon. He has been committed to child rights for most of his life and he continues to support AMI in his role as Global Ambassador.
After several years in education teaching at Delft Montessori school, Anne continued her Montessori journey by graduating from the Child Development and Education program at the University of Amsterdam with a study of the differences between Montessori primary schools in the Netherlands. After her studies, she founded the International Montessori Institute. Anne’s major aim is to spread high quality Montessori education in the Netherlands and abroad, and she is succeeding!
Montessori entrepreneur and activist, Julien is the founder and owner of “Gaia MONTESSORI”, a new trilingual creche and school in Bern, Switzerland. He is also an AMI Montessori School Administrator and Trainer and a long term friend and supporter of MIP.
Our amazing colleague Plamena Koleva conducted this interview. Plamena collaborates with Boyd on a regular basis, as she is our Main Course Administrator and Boyd is in charge of the AMI Course Administration System. As Plami says jokingly: “I am Boyd's worst nightmare :).” Plami likes to make jokes often.
Boyd has been with AMI since 2016. He works on process analysis, data analysis and impact measurement of AMI’s projects and operations as well as intellectual property protection. He is fun to be around!
Yuliia currently lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She is the founder of Montessori Institute of Odessa, the AMI training center in Ukraine. She also founded a Montessori school in Ukraine and an AMI Affiliate organization. Recently, Yuliia founded the Montessori Ukraine United fund which provides support for the Montessori community of Ukraine through initiatives that facilitate the continuation of children’s education in Ukraine in support of their natural development and their central role in building a more harmonious and peaceful world. Please, make sure to visit the website of MUU and send funds to support its work. The war in Ukraine is still going on! Thank you!
Jessica and I go way back. It feels like we have known each other from the beginning of time. Jessica is someone to whom you can go whenever you need any help or advice. She is always there, ready to support you. She knows how to run training centers, how to organize diploma courses, and also how to organize congresses. She runs her own 0-3 classroom in Switzerland.
Nina Johansen has been the executive director of Montessori Norge since 2015. Her previous work experience in Montessori schools includes working both as a teacher and in management. She has an AMI 6–12 diploma from the University of South-Eastern Norway, as well as a formal teaching degree from the Oslo Metropolitan University. She is a Montessori parent of two children aged 7 and 9. Part of her work consists of being the link between the Montessori community and national authorities and other stakeholders in education. Nina is passionate about making Montessori's voice heard in society and within education.
Apart from being one of the most amazing Montessori professionals I know, Nina is a strong leader, to whom many of us look up to as a model. We are good friends.
Cathy had a mind-blowing presentation at the AGM. She just recently wrote a book “Educational Neuroscience: The Basics”, which is a must read for every Montessorian. The book is available on Routledge.com. We are all looking forward to a talk Cathy is planning with MMI London. Stay tuned.
Philip is an independent consultant following a long career in development. His last position was Executive Vice President for Communications Advocacy and Development at the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation. Prior to this, Philip worked for UNICEF in a number of positions and roles, including as Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe, and Director of Private Partnerships and Fundraising. He has lived and worked in Asia, Africa, US and Europe. He holds a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Wales, Swansea UK. Philip was President of Association Montessori Internationale from April 2014 - 2022. On top of all of his work achievements, Philip is kind and funny and he has always been a great supporter of our work at MIP. Enjoy the interview!
Thailand has undergone significant educational reform since passage of the Reform Act of 1999. Montessori was studied and introduced as a Pilot Project for the Development of The Child’s Potential in 7 small government schools in 2004. The next year, 60 Thai officials and private educators attended the 25th International Montessori Congress in Sydney, Australia, followed immediately by a visit from AMI President, André Roberfroid to Thailand. Dr. Kannekar Butt is one of the leaders of the Montessori movement in Thailand and she is very much looking forward to hosting the AMI Congress in her country. Make sure to visit the Congress website and book your ticket on time!
Malgosia is a founder of a beautiful Montessori school in Poland and she stands out as a leader who has been building her team in the most amazing way, always creating opportunities for her staff to increase their Montessori education, to gain experience by traveling, exchange and sharing. Check out the school website and enjoy Malgosia's wonderful energy.