Catherine Nehring Massie,  M.A.T. Elementary & Special Education, AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma, Montessori Therapy Diploma 

Catherine studied Montessori Education in Bergamo, Italy, 2005-2006 and 2010-1011 at CISM; in Dallas, TX, in 2011 at AMI Educateurs Sans Frontieres (ESF); in Evanston, IL, in 2018 at AMI/NAMTA Adolescent Orientation; and in Munich, Germany, 2023-2025, earning her Montessori Therapy Diploma. Catherine is Co-Founder/Director of Montessori Medical Partnership for Inclusion (MMPI), since 2018, an international advocacy and resource organization to support Inclusion in Montessori education.

Catherine also works as a Montessori Special Educator providing individual academic interventions in reading, writing and mathematics. In Frederick, Maryland, she was a founder of two Montessori Public Charter Schools and has experience as Administrator at a private Montessori School. Catherine loves networking and collaborating internationally to  advocate for more inclusive Montessori programs.

Catherine lives with her husband and 94-year-old mother in Woodsboro, MD. She enjoys running, traveling, nature and spending time with her 4 grown children and 6 lively grandchildren!

Bridging Activism and Child Development

How do we pair civic and social activism with Dr. Montessori’s indirect, developmental approach to education?  Educators can design Montessori civics lessons that align directly with the intellectual, neuro-biological, and social characteristics of each plane of development. In the Montessori framework, academic subjects always serve the child’s holistic development—not the other way around. The time is right to teach children about every citizen’s right to vote.

Introducing the Voting Rights Initiative

When we look at voting rights today, our goal is to help children understand the power, privilege, and responsibility of every citizen's right to vote. This newly formed workgroup will meet virtually to exchange ideas and perspectives, explore resources, and create and share meaningful lessons and materials for our classrooms. Together we can cultivate the civic knowledge, habits, and dispositions that prepare children to participate thoughtfully and peacefully in democratic societies. Our inaugural meeting will be September 22, 2026 at 7:00-8:15pm EST, followed by at least one in October and November 2026.