DECEMBER 10, 2019—Congratulations to the 9 esteemed members of the Montessori community who were honored with awards at the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education 2019 Symposium, held December 5 – 7 in Charlottesville, VA. The MACTE awards, which are conferred annually, recognize Montessori teacher educators for their outstanding contributions to the field.
Representing AMS at the MACTE Symposium were staff members Gina Lofquist and Melina Papadimitriou. AMS Board president, Munir Shivji, and vice president, Amira Mogaji, also attended, along with other AMS board directors.
Dennis Schapiro Award for Innovation in Montessori Teacher Education
The Dennis Schapiro Innovation in Montessori Teacher Education Award recognizes a Montessori teacher educator whose original and inventive thinking has resulted in significant, positive change in the community.
Receiving this year’s Dennis Schapiro Innovation was Rita Nolan, founder and principal of the Montessori School of Englewood in Chicago, IL, a public charter serving over 380 students in grades K – 8. Rita is also the creator of the Chicago Montessori Residency, a training center that provides TMSOE with a diverse group of teachers who embrace equity work.
The award is named in honor of the late Dennis Schapiro, whose career included the publication of Public School Montessorian, a national quarterly for Montessori public school educators, and the forerunner to MontessoriPublic.
Wisdom of the Elders Awards
The Wisdom of the Elders Award is given by MACTE to distinguished Montessori educators in recognition of their sustained, dedicated, and heartfelt service to Montessori education. This includes preparing teachers for their practice, teaching children, and strengthening the institutions that serve the Montessori community.
Honored with MACTE’s 2019 Wisdom of the Elders Awards:
- Mimi Basso, West Side Montessori School and WSMS-TEP, New York, NY
- Robyn Breiman, Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative, Lexington, MA
- Barbara Ervin, Lander University, Greenwood, SC
- Merrie King, Montessori Education Center of the Rockies, Boulder, Co
- K.T. Korngold, CMTE/NY, New Rochelle, NY
- Peter Larrow, Montessori Opportunities, Inc.
- Rosann Larrow, Montessori Opportunities, Inc.
- Kathy Leitch, International Montessori Council, Brandenton, FL
Our work at AMS has been enriched by the work of these individuals in their various capacities, including as directors of AMS-affiliated teacher education programs and heads of AMS-member schools. Special acknowledgment to former AMS staff member, Mimi Basso, and former AMS Board directors, Robyn Breiman and Peter Larrow.