Kathy Leitch and others Honored at the MACTE Syposium!
Kathy Leitch, CGMS Infant Toddler Director and Co-Director of our new Leadership course, received the MACTE Wisdom of the Elders award at the MACTE symposium on December 5, 2019. This award honors Montessorians who have provided significant leadership and guidance to the Montessori community.
Kathy was introduced to Montessori during an experimental project in high school. This inspired her to continue reading, researching and visiting Montessori schools. In 1971, while serving as an assistant teacher at a Montessori school, Kathy was given the opportunity to take her first Montessori certification course and became credentialed at the Early Childhood level. Later she went on the receive her Infant-Toddler certification. Kathy founded Renaissance Montessori in Fort Myers in 1992 and during her tenure there, the school served infants – secondary students.
Kathy is currently the Executive Director of the International Montessori Council (IMC). This position provides Kathy the opportunity to support Montessori schools around the world. In addition to this work and her work with CGMS, Kathy is an International keynote and workshop presenter and a school consultant. She passionately shares her commitment to children, families, and schools and truly makes a difference in her contributions.
In addition to Kathy, two CGMS field consultants, Roseann and Peter Larrow, as well as five other dedicated Montessorians were honored with the 2019 Wisdom of the Elder’s award. Roseann and Peter have run a mobile Montessori training program for many years. They have worked across the US and abroad guiding new Montessori educators in both public and private schools.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. We appreciate your dedication and the amazing work you have and continue to do.
2019 MACTE Wisdom of the Elders Award Winners:
Mimi Basso K.T. Korngold
Robyn Brieman Peter Larrow
Barbara Ervin Roseann Larrow
Dr. Merri King Kathy Leitch
2019 Denis Sharpiro Award for Innovation in Montessori Education Winner:
Rita Nolan
Rita was honored for her work at the Montessori School of Englewood and the Chicago Montessori Residency (teacher training center). After a long career in private Montessori education in the Chicago area, Rita now works in one of the most impoverished communities in the US. Committed to the concept of the “pedagogy of poverty,” Rita educates local teachers to serve the children in their community, with a focus on equity and access. Her work is truly making a difference!