Guest Trainers
From time to time SMTC has guest trainers working to expand our training program via AMI Refreshers, short courses or other workshops. Here are some of the guest trainers working with SMTC.
Molly Schayot
Molly Schayot is an AMI Auxiliary Trainer with the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT) in the USA, having worked on a number of AMI Diploma Courses and Orientation Courses. She received her AMI 0-3 Diploma from MINT in 2006 and has led 0-3 classrooms and worked as an administrator at schools throughout Texas. Prior to joining the Montessori community professionally, she worked in corporate public affairs for many years. Molly lives with her husband, Jason and her three daughters in Dallas.
Molly is presenting SMTC’s 2023 AMI 0-3 Refresher and 0-3 Assistants Workshop.
Heidi Philippart
Heidi is a 0-3 Director of Training at the Maria Montessori Institute in London.
Heidi is the founder of two small Montessori Bilingual Preschools and the 2Voices Montessori Study Room for adult education in Amsterdam. Her specialty is helping parents in the application of Montessori principles and bilingualism in the home environment. Heidi has spoken extensively around the Netherlands and internationally on Montessori-related topics for the birth to three years age group. Heidi holds a Masters Degree in Education and is an AMI Trainer, examiner and consultant at the 0-3 level.
Heidi will present SMTC’s “Montessori at Home” for Parents in January 2024.
Alejandra Rosas
Alejandra Rosas is an AMI 0-3 Trainer principally based at the Stoppani Montessori Institute in Tijuana, Mexico.
Alejandra has been part of the Montessori community for over 25 years. Ale received an AMI Diploma 3-6 in Italy and 0-3 in San Diego, under the direction of Dr. Silvana Montanaro. She has worked in 0-3 and 3-6 environments, serving countless young children and their families as they navigate their children’s development.
Alejandra works nationally and internationally offering guide courses, workshops for parents and school administrators. She also currently serves as an examiner and consultant for AMI.
Alejandra is presenting SMTC’s 2023 0-3 Development of Personality Workshop.
Alison Awes
Alison Awes has been the Director of 6–12 Training at the Montessori Center of Minnesota since 2010, serves as an adjunct faculty member for Saint Catherine University, St. Paul, and is the Director of 6–12 Training for the Maria Montessori Institute, London. She holds AMI Diplomas for 3–6 and 6–12, a B.A. in art history from Smith College, an M.A. in Latin-American studies from Tulane University, and an M.Ed. in Montessori education from Loyola University Maryland. She has taught in Montessori classrooms for ages 6–9 and ages 9–12. Alison is an AMI examiner and consultant, and has served on the boards of private and charter (public) Montessori schools. A former board member of the AMI Elementary Alumni Association, she served as a pedagogical advisor for six years and now works on the AMI Scientific Pedagogy Group.
As an international lecturer and keynote speaker, she has given numerous workshops and short courses on a variety of topics, including dyslexia, art and the work of the hand, the psychological and physical prepared environment, and moral development in the digital age. She has worked on the faculty at international AMI teacher training centres, including Australia, India, South Africa, and Thailand, and has also directed courses in England and Switzerland. Alison has worked to advance the philosophy, spirit, and practice of Montessori through regularly mentoring teachers in Montessori classrooms worldwide. An advocate for children with reading challenges, she also holds Level I Orton Gillingham training. Alison attended Montessori school until the age of twelve.
Alison will be presenting with SMTC again in 2024.