The Prepared Professional:
Refresh and Refocus
A dynamic four-day webinar series designed to spark fresh thinking, deepen practice, and reconnect the Montessori community across the country.
Speakers
September 8, 2026
Travanna Alexander-Toney is the Founder and President of Core Changing Concepts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting Kansas City’s urban core through professionals who live, learn, work, and play in the communities they serve. Travanna also serves as the Director of Behavioral Health with Kansas City Public Schools, where she leads the districtwide Trauma Transformation initiative. Her leadership centers on cultivating environments of safety, belonging, and empathy that promote both academic excellence and mental well‑being. Travanna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in child development from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She later completed certification in instruction and curriculum. As a licensed clinical social worker, she brings extensive experience across clinical and administrative roles in child welfare, medical social work, academia, and private‑practice therapy. Travanna previously served on the National Association of Social Workers–Missouri Chapter Board of Directors, representing the Kansas City region, where she co‑chaired the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee. She also co‑chaired the Violence Free Kansas City Committee for four years. Guided by her core belief that “Relationships are the drivers of change,” Travanna is committed to building authentic connections that inspire healing, foster resilience, and create meaningful, community‑centered transformation.
Erin Lopez-Brooks is a lifelong advocate for educational inclusion and neurodivergent AMI trained guide and elementary state-certified special education teacher that is currently enrolled in a blended Primary training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas. Erin is also a graduate of several Montessori educational inclusion courses, including the most recent Montessori Therapy training course in Munich, Germany, and studies the science of the prepared environment in the field of human behavior science. As a long-term Human Rights and Social Justice (HRSJ) Advisory Council member, she contributed extensively to the research and penning of the 2024 AMI/USA Position Statement on Educational Inclusion and Educational Equity.
September 12, 2026
Ale Rosas is the Director of Training for the 0-3 level at the Montessori Stoppani Institute in San Diego, CA. Alejandra has been a part of the Montessori Community for over 25 years. She holds AMI 0-3 and 3-6 diplomas and has worked at both levels, serving countless young children and their families as they navigate their children’s development. Alejandra also holds a degree in Puericulture, Early Childhood Education, and a master’s in education. Alejandra is a member of the AMI Scientific Pedagogy Group and works internationally, offering courses and workshops for teachers, parents, and school administrators. In addition, she serves as an international AMI examiner and is part of the AMI/USA Consultation Committee.
BethAnn Slater is the Head of School and has been the Primary Directress at Middleburg Montessori in Virginia, USA, since 2003. BethAnn earned her AMI diploma at the primary level in Cleveland, OH, a B.S. in Family and Child Development from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a M.Ed. in Education from Loyola University, Maryland. BethAnn has taught in the Montessori Primary classroom and the public sector for many years. She is an AMI Trainer at the 3-6 Level, currently serving as the Director of Training on diploma and certificate courses in Dallas, TX, and South Africa. She has conducted workshops for school leadership, supporting assistants in the classroom, fostering play in children, and monthly parent discussion groups. BethAnn feels grateful to have had the opportunity to experience Montessori education in her early school years, provide Montessori education for her children, and continue sharing her enthusiasm for Montessori education with adults.
Judith Cunningham founded MMUN to help students find their voices, take action and build peace as a way of honoring Maria Montessori’s legacy and implementing her dream of world peace.
Gabriel Forestieri holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Carnegie Mellon University, MFA from New York University and the AMI Adolescent Credential. Gabriel began working with the MMUN at the first conference in 2006 in NYC and has worked in a cross section of capacities in support of the organization.
Laurie Ewert-Krocker (she/her) is the Director of Training for the International Montessori Training Institute of Ohio in the US and the 12-18 trainer for the AMI 12-18 Diploma Course through the Sydney Montessori Training Centre in Australia. Laurie was founding head teacher of the Hershey Montessori Adolescent Community in Huntsburg, Ohio. She spent 28 years as an elementary guide, adolescent guide, Language Arts specialist, Middle School and Upper School Program Director, and Pedagogical Consultant. She holds AMI diplomas at the 3-6 and 6-12 levels, and a BA and MA in English.
Kanetria Doolin is a Montessori leader, speaker, and founder of Little Seed Education Systems. With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, she has served as a Kindergarten teacher, Primary Guide, Montessori Mentor, and Head of School. Kanetria holds an AMI Primary Diploma, a Master's in Urban Education, and has launched three Montessori programs across Texas. A passionate advocate for culturally affirming education, she works with educators and school leaders to build more inclusive, equitable learning environments that honor every child's potential.
Hannah Richardson is a former school leader, and the founder of Montessori Makers Group, an organization built to serve the full Montessori ecosystem: educators, leaders, and families. Through its three branches—Montessori Makers Group, Montessori Makers Learning, and Montessori Makers at Home—Hannah supports schools with strategic hiring, training, and marketing; equips educators with transformative, equity-driven and modern tools; and empowers families with accessible Montessori-aligned resources. A seasoned Montessori educator and systems thinker, she brings deep respect for the child and practical vision for the future. Hannah’s work bridges innovation and tradition, helping Montessori communities thrive with clarity, purpose, and belonging.
September 15, 2026
Dr. Paige Bray Ed.D. is the Director of the Center for Montessori Studies and Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. She has worked to address systemic inequities for over three decades. Her teaching expertise focuses on the personal “reflexes” and professional identity transitions fostered through dynamic inquiry and the use of meta-cognitive tools with pre-service teachers as well as credentialed teachers across the career continuum. A community engaged scholar, Paige works with and in community using critical and humanistic pedagogy, including Montessori, to support agency and belonging.
Teng-Chien Yu M.Ed., is an AMI Primary Trainer and contractor for various AMI training centers. Teng-Chien started his professional career as a Community Social Worker for an orphanage in Taiwan. Upon discovering Montessori education placing the child in the center of the work, he embarked on his Montessori journey without hesitation. The community social work background influences his social ecological system thinking while working with children and family.
Bodeene Amyot Cairdeas is Co-Director of the Montessori Glossary Community Project and a Research Librarian Fellow at the University of Hartford’s Center for Montessori Studies, where she leads a participatory vocabulary initiative grounded in shared authority and epistemic justice. Bodeene holds a Master of Education with a Montessori concentration from the University of Hartford, an AMI Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest, and a Master's in Library and Information Science. She currently serves as the Digital & Audiovisual Archivist at James Madison University Libraries and previously managed the Indigenous Mukurtu Hub at the University of Oregon Libraries. She is a Research Librarian Fellow with the Center for Montessori Studies at the University of Hartford, and co-directs the Montessori Glossary Community Project. Bodeene holds degrees in History, Montessori Education, Library and Information Science, and postgraduate diplomas in Archival Studies and Documentary Production. Her research focuses on oral histories, ethically-minded digital curation, accessible audiovisual archives, and participatory taxonomy construction.
Rachel Elkey is an PK & K Instructional Coach for the Open Choice program at CREC.
Dr. Caroline Robbins (she/her) is a public Montessori administrator and doctoral candidate in Montessori Studies, who is honored to serve as an Editor at Large. Currently, Caroline serves as assistant principal of Maryland Avenue Montessori School in Milwaukee Public Schools and is completing a dissertation on public Montessori educator’s perceptions of teacher evaluation and professional growth. An AMI Primary diploma holder, Caroline has worked in various roles with young people aged 2.5-14, in both public and private Montessori communities, and in both English and Spanish. A graduate of the Whole School Leadership Institute and the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Children training program, she strives to support education from the heart. Caroline has two children in elementary and adolescent programs, who have been on their own Montessori journeys since infancy.
September 17, 2026
Dr. Cindy Acker is a six-time award winner for her education and support of children, including LGBTQIA+ families and diverse families. Dr. Acker is the founder of The Child Unique and The Montessori Elementary School of Alameda (MESA) and has served as the principal for over 30 years. MESA was featured on the PBS Newshour as one of two schools for its work building an equitable and diverse school curriculum. Dr. Acker was Montessori trained by Ursula Thrush, who was herself trained by Mario Montessori. She holds degrees in Education, Human Development and Culture & Spirituality, and she graduated from UC Berkeley with a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dr. Acker is a public policy advisor for schools in California and an international keynote speaker specializing in social justice and racism issues. Her book, “The Path Beyond Diversity: Making the truth of history and geography come alive for children through accurate stories, culture, and experiential learning”, can be accessed at The Path Beyond Diversity E-Book or The Path Beyond Diversity Spiral Bound.
