Educating since 1971

We pride ourselves in our dedication to excellence and nothing exemplifies this more than our teaching staff.

Our teachers are leaders in The American Montessori Society and have served as AMS president, chair of the AMS Teacher Education Committee, seminar presenters on the AMS board, and chairpersons of curriculum development at AMS conferences.

From Tulane University in New Orleans, to the College of St. Catherine in Minneapolis, to Houston Independent School District, to the countries of Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic, and China, you will find our staff members leading Montessori courses, seminars, and AMS workshops across the world.

Board of Directors:

AMS Board Members are administrators of the schools representing all levels of children and adults and have a Montessori teaching credential. They have given many years of service to the Houston Montessori Center.

• President – Marge Ellison (Montessori Country Day)

• Secretary – Carolyn Edgar (Riverbend Montessori)

• Treasurer –  Sherry Herron (School of the Woods)

• Executive Director & Administrator – Ann Sutton

• Suzanne Gusemano (First Steps Montessori)

• Nahla Nasser (St. Stephens Episcopal Montessori)

• Sue Thornton (Lone Star College – Retired)

Our Program Directors:

Throughout the year, our program directors guide and serve their adult learners and instructors. Directors determine the course structure, facilitate program offerings, collaborate with others, and review the curriculum and materials for their level course. They each have years of experience at their program level with children/adolescents and in adult education.

• Lynne Aiken – Infant and Toddlers (contact Lynne)

• Bridget Tomlinson – Early Childhood (contact Bridget)

• Paula Katz – Elementary (contact Paula)

• Ann Sutton – Secondary (contact Ann)

• Beth Bonnette – Administrators (contact Beth)

Peace, Social Justice, and Cosmic Vision Mentors

Our mentors work around the globe to bring Montessori’s ideas of peace, social justice and cosmic vision to administrators, teachers, parents and children. They are founders and members of the AMS peace and social justice committee, facilitate peace retreats, and present at the United Nations, Hague Appeal for Peace, and in 19 countries. AMS adult learners start their summer course with cosmic vision and end the summer with a peace retreat with many experiences in-between.

• Patti Yonka

• Sonnie McFarland

• Jennifer Morgan

American Montessori Society Living Legacies:

The American Montessori Society Living Legacy Award is an annual tribute to a beloved and highly respected Montessori educator whose dedication and leadership has made a lasting impact on the AMS community.

• Dr. Betsy Coe (2008)

• Judi Bauerlein  (2012)

• Sonnie McFarland  (2011)