The Speakers

Dr. Joyce S. Pickering & Amy Cushner

Cultivating the Garden of Young Minds: Preparing Montessori Schools for Neurodiversity

Dr. Joyce S. Pickering is Director of Pickering Educational Consulting, LLC. Amy Cushner is Founder and Director of ACES (Amy Cushner Educational Services).

Dr. Joyce Pickering has worked since 1967 to combine the Montessori method with therapeutic strategies to assist all students to accomplish success in learning. She was awarded the Living Legacy recognition by AMS and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the IDA. She is a certified SLP, CALT, QI, LDT and AMS certified at the EC level. Joyce is the Executive Director Emerita of the Shelton School and Evaluation Center, the largest school worldwide for students with language learning and attention differences. Amy Cushner's career has included 31 years at the Shelton School and Evaluation Center as a teacher, Head of the Lower School, and Associate Shelton School Head. She is certified in Montessori at the Elementary level and in the multisensory structured language therapy approach, Sequential English Education (SEE). She is internationally known as an outstanding speaker who is highly knowledgeable and skilled in connecting with an audience.

Erin Lopez-Brooks & Veronica Rodriguez

The Empowered Prepared Adult: How Following the Child Empowers the Prepared Adult

Erin Lopez-Brooks (she/her) is the Founder/Owner of Tier 3 Montessori Children's Therapy Center.

How Montessori Teachers & their Assistants can meet children where they are and guide them where they need to go by using the science of Montessori's discoveries with modern day science.

Sarah Harper

Moving Beyond the Peace Table: Handling Big Feelings in the Montessori Classroom

Sarah Harper is the Lead Teacher at Bezos Academy.

Emotional intelligence and regulation is a growing need in our Montessori classrooms. Get more tools for your toolbox at this session.

Eric Smith

Supporting Big Emotions in a Primary Classroom

Eric Smith is a presenter at this year's TEAM conference.

This training supports early childhood educators in strengthening children's emotional regulation by understanding behavior as communication of unmet needs. Participants examine common classroom behaviors and learn to respond with empathy and intentional support. Educators practice teaching children to identify and name emotions using developmentally appropriate strategies such as books, songs, grace and courtesy lessons, and guided conversations. The session introduces calming and breathing techniques, along with a clear conflict-resolution process. Grounded in Montessori and child-centered practices, the training emphasizes creating responsive environments that build emotional skills essential for learning and lifelong success.

Athirai Baskaran & Dina Paulik

Classroom Management

Athirai Baskaran is Director of the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Dina Paulik is Director at Dallas Montessori.

Unlock neurodevelopmental Montessori management! Apply brain-based strategies that regulate nervous systems, redirect behaviors, protect critical focus windows, and foster executive function across all age levels.

Patty Sobelman

Obstacle or Opportunity

Patty Sobelman is Head of School at Pines Montessori School, Treasurer of IMC and TEAM.

A mindset change, a vocabulary change can make all the difference! Let's take these hurdles from obstacles to overcome to opportunities to we embrace!

Camila Campuzano

Building an Enrollment System That Works: A Montessori School's Guide to Sustainable Growth

Camila Campuzano is Chief Relationship Officer at Montessori Thrive.

As competition increases, learn practical strategies to attract families, strengthen admissions processes, and build an enrollment system that supports sustainable growth.

Dr. Gulzar Babool

Fostering Social-Emotional Development in All

Dr. Gulzar Babool is Senior Director of Outreach and Training at the June Shelton School and Evaluation Center.

Supporting Confidence, Connection, and Growth in the Montessori Way! Discover how Montessori nurtures emotional well-being, resilience, self-expression, and meaningful relationships, empowering every child to thrive with confidence, compassion, and belonging.

Milinh Villanueva

Not Everyone Is in the Same Plane: Understanding Adult Development in the Montessori Classroom

Milinh Villanueva is Director of Pedagogy at TNC Schools.

Not all Montessori adults are in the same stage of development. Discover how understanding adult growth can improve guide-assistant relationships, communication, collaboration, and classroom culture.

Dr. Gulzar Babool

Bridging Montessori and Science: Effective Reading Strategies for Students with Dyslexia

Dr. Gulzar Babool is Senior Director, Shelton Outreach & Training.

Discover how Montessori language materials and structured literacy strategies work together to support students with dyslexia through multisensory, individualized, evidence-based instruction and learning success.

Jolene Tollett, M. Ed.

She's Shy: Stop making excuses & start moving kids forward

Jolene is a 20 year veteran of Montessori, working in both public and private schools. She is currently the Director of MOLO Bilingual Montessori and is also a Montessori mom. Jolene presents at local, state, regional and national conferences to pass on important tools to teachers and parents. She is an active part of her community, volunteering with AMS, TEAM, Pup Squad Animal Rescue and the Houston Heights Woman's Club.

Shy is a feeling, not a debilitating personality trait. It is also something that can be lessoned and overcome by using small steps and support.

Sarah Harper

Setting Technology Limits at Home

Sarah Harper is the Lead Teacher at Bezos Academy.

This session equips Montessori educators to design and lead research-informed parent education on excessive technology use, fostering home-school partnerships that support children's concentration, independence, and well-being.

Emma Waxley

Toileting Is Developmental - Potty Training Is a Myth

Emma Waxley is Lead Toddler Teacher at St. Stephen's Episcopal School, and Field Consultant and Instructor at Houston Montessori Center Teacher Education Program.

Toileting is not the Montessori word for potty training. Explore how routine, participation, and independence support toileting as a developmental process.

Emma Waxley

Practicing Grace in Our Work with Families

Emma Waxley is Lead Toddler Teacher at St. Stephen's Episcopal School, and Field Consultant and Instructor at Houston Montessori Center Teacher Education Program.

The families we serve are carrying stories we may never know. Explore how grace and partnership can strengthen family relationships and Montessori practice.

Blanca Velázquez-Martin

A Prepared Adult's Guide to Behavioral Health in the Montessori Community

Blanca M. Velzquez-Martin is a Psychotherapist and Consultant at Whole Child Home.

Science-informed tools, a tiered framework, and an action plan for supporting every child's socioemotional development in your Montessori community.

Ranna Raval

Engaging elected officials and thought leaders in Montessori advocacy (local, regional, and state)

Ranna Raval is Faculty at the College of Education, Sarasota University.

Engage elected officials and thought leaders to elevate Montessori advocacy through strategic relationship-building, storytelling, and practical strategies to reach out, educate, and inspire action at local, regional, and state levels.

Pranita Patel

Cultivating Character, Respect, and Belonging in the Montessori Classroom

Pranita Patel is Lower Elementary Teacher at Montessori School of San Antonio.

In this hands on presentation, you'll learn practical classroom tools that strengthen students' character, support self-esteem, and cultivate a peaceful, connected classroom community.

Caitlyn Zwang

Dual Language Montessori and the Sensitive Period for Language

Caitlyn Zwang is Lead Dual Language Primary Guide & Program Developer.

Explore bilingualism, the sensitive period for language, and their influence on bilingual learners' development within a public dual language Montessori environment for ages 3-6.

Gina Polly Applegate

What's the Gist? Oral Language Skills That Build Writers

Gina Polly Applegate is Director of Inclusion at Austin Montessori School.

Writing is an expression of understanding. Building oral language skills supports children to paraphrase, or find the gist, as well as retelling to develop the ideas that good writing grows from.

Christine Lowry

Inclusion by Intention: Supporting Neurodiversity in Today's Montessori Classroom

Christine Lowry is an adult educator and consultant/coach for Montessori Inclusion-Now.

With the increase in learning & behavior diversity, Montessorians will benefit from current knowledge, aligned with Montessori philosophy, with practical, actionable ideas to implement with confidence.

Isabella Cai

History of the Public Montessori School Landscape in Texas

Isabella Cai is Founder of Montessori Data Lens.

Explore nearly 40 years of Texas public Montessori school data - key trends, growth drivers, and regional patterns - equipping advocates with insights to support the movement's continued expansion.

Gaby Glidden

Creating Connections through Play and Presence

Gaby Glidden is a Play Therapist at Lumin Education.

The power of connection and relationship is essential to understanding the children in your life. Learn how to implement play therapy and mindfulness techniques that help children grow in their sense of self, confidence, and world view.

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