ERIKA OHLHAVER M.Ed.   Ms. Ohlhaver has been a Montessori teacher for the past 30 years. Starting with the youngest age group, she has received three separate levels of Montessori certification (Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary). Ms. Ohlhaver, a second generation Montessori professional, has worked in both private and public school Montessori programs at all age levels. Since 1992, her association as a faculty member of several training centers and some of the top Montessori training programs in the nation, has afforded her the opportunity to work with many prominent people in the Montessori community. Ms. Ohlhaver has worked extensively with the development of the Montessori math and geometry curricula, which is predicated on discovery learning.

Facilitating Montessori philosophy and material presentations across all age groups, (early childhood through middle school) provides Ms. Ohlhaver the opportunity to instruct many Montessori student teachers each year. In addition to her duties at the Training Centers, she has written curriculum for science, math, and geometry programs that are available and used nationwide in Montessori classrooms. As well, Ms. Ohlhaver has presented many workshops at local and regional conferences.

TERI CANADAY Ms. Canaday earned a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Elementary Education from Miami University in Oxford, OH. She holds an American Montessori Society credential at the Early Childhood through Xavier University, OH, and Elementary I level through the same university.  Furthermore, she also holds credentials as an Elementary I Auditor, through the Columbus Montessori Center (COMET) in Columbus, OH. Teri brings years of experience not only as a consultant, but also faculty member at several prominent universities and Montessori training centers. Her experience as a teacher in both private and public schools, and more recently as founder of the Montessori Center of Jackson, gives her the unique ability to understand the dynamics involved in a Montessori school and the complex processes associated with growing and maintaining a successful program. She has served on several educational boards, curriculum development councils, and lectures extensively on brain research and its effective implementation in the Montessori classroom.

Teri also brings to ETC not only her experience as an AMS school accreditation consultant, and a MACTE evaluation member for teacher education programs, but also her experience in team leadership, peace education, program modification for special needs, and her innovative approach to problem solving. Currently in addition to being the founder and head of the Montessori Center of Jackson, she is also actively involved with the Memphis Montessori Institute as the administrator for the Elementary level training program.  

Munir has developed curricula and educational enhancement programs for various organizations including (PSIP) Private School Improvement Program. Munir is a facilitator and teacher spectator for the CDA – Child Development Associate teaching certification course. He has trained teachers and administrators on brain development, child psychology, the Montessori Method, effective communication and classroom management at numerous events, socials, and instructional clock-hour trainings. He has created family workshops for parents to discuss parenting styles, effective discipline and the importance of parental involvement in education.

Munir has established three private Montessori schools in Houston, Sugar Land and Katy, Texas. He has written articles about Montessori Education and Child Development for the Houston Family Magazine, Texas United, and various newsletters. He has been featured in ICON Magazine, Mikel Marketing Newsletter, UPCLOSE Magazine, the Houston Chronicle and Katy Lifestyles. He also has been interviewed by Public School Montessorian, Channel 11 KHOU, Channel 2 NBC, and Fox 26 News.

KATHERYN MILLER  Ms. Miller has taught at Montessori schools for over 30 years and is also an instructor at the Houston Montessori Center for Teachers focusing on Early Childhood. Her mission in life is to make a difference for children through education and positive discipline. Each year she conducts classes of Positive Discipline for small groups of parents. Kathryn has a passion and a knack for helping parents and teachers in regards to developmentally appropriate parenting and teaching. Ms. Miller is currently the program director for The Institute of Montessori Education in Texas.

Kathryn is a prolific writer and has written numerous articles for schools and for the Houston Montessori Center’s newsletter. Some of her favorite topics include A Peaceful Classroom, Positive Discipline in the Classroom and at Home, Nutritious Lunches that children will eat, and how to have a happy team in the classroom. Over the past 20 years, Kathryn has been a presenter at the American Montessori Society’s conferences for teachers. She has kept the audiences intrigued with topics on Parents as Volunteers, Science in the Classroom, Around the World with Practical Life, and Cultural Geography in Early Childhood.