The Presenters

Dr. Paul Czaja

     Dr. Czaja has been involved in the Montessori movement for over 45 years. He received his masters degree in philosophy and his doctorate in education from Fordham University. Dr. Czaja was on the founding faculty and, eventually, headmaster at the famous Whitby School the American Montessori Center, in Greenwich, Connecticut, from 1960 until 1978. He has been involved in Montessori teacher training for many years, and has worked with Montessori public schools as well as private schools.

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Harvey Hallenberg

    Over 40 years of involvement in Montessori education.

    Co-Director and Co-Founder of the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies (Elementary Level) at the Barrie School in Silver Spring, MD, beginning in 1981.

    In 1992, co-founder, with wife Dr. Nancy Hallenberg, of the Claremont Center for Advanced Montessori Studies and Claremont Montessori School in Boca Raton, Florida. The Claremont School enrolls students from 1st grade (6 years old) through high school.

    Co-founder, with wife Dr. Nancy Hallenberg, Claremont School in Annandale, VA in 1986.

    Mr. Hallenberg has worked with secondary programs using the Montessori philosophy since 1981.

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Tim Seldin

• President Montessori Foundation
• International Montessori Council
• Teacher Trainer, Barrie School, MD
• Headmaster, Barrie School, MD
• Headmaster, New Gate School, Sarasota, FL
• Author of many articles and books on Montessori pedagogy and philosophy
• Publisher of Tomorrow's Child Magazine
• Consultant and Guest Speaker

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Mary Beth Sullivan

• American Montessori Society Elementary II Certification
• Elementary K-6 Certification Florida
• MS in Elementary Education
• BA in Music
• Teacher - New Gate School
• Teacher - Island Village Montessori
• Teacher Trainer - Island Village Montessori.

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Katie Smith

    Katie L. Smith graduated with from Edison Community College (Ft. Myers, FL) with an Associate of Arts degree in Education, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Oh) She has taught grades K-4 , as well as 7th and 8th, in both inclusion and self-contained settings.

     Katie has worked with students who have had a variety of health impairments, as well as cognitive, educational, emotional and behavioral disabilities. We are excited about having a person with Katie's qualifications become part of out Montessori community. Katie is completing her Elementary I certificate from the New Gate Center for Montessori Studies and has her professional Florida teaching certificate in Special Education. Katie will also serve as our ESE Liaison for all IVMS programs.

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