For the community, with the community.
Who We Are
Our Values
To Include
To Champion the Child
To Promote Lifelong Learning
To Cultivate Reflective Practitioners
To Encourage Community
To Cultivate Citizens of the World
We are committed to fostering and nurturing a culture of inclusion that respects and celebrates each person’s unique characteristics. We believe that embracing and valuing individual perspectives brings better understanding and appreciation of difference and allows us to effect positive change in collaboration with our diverse communities, for the benefit of all.
We believe in the limitless potential of every child. We understand each child’s need for time and space to develop and grow at their own pace. We are committed to understanding and championing each child’s needs, desires, and dreams, and we aim to place these at the heart of all that we do.
Lifelong learning is a responsibility for all Montessorians, to continue to challenge, understand and evolve to best serve the child of today.
We design and provide opportunities, tools, resources, and mentoring support to develop and share expertise, knowledge and skills and cultivate continue professional and personal development- cornerstones of effective, compassionate and inspirational education.
A community of adults and children that care about each other, care about the world and its future, and work towards this through collaborative work and inclusion. Our community is where all members feel a sense of belonging, share passion for social justice, peace, education and actively contribute to positive changes.
Embracing similarities and the celebration of differences between all people; the breaking of societal, class, geographical and racial barriers and developing a sense/feeling of belonging to one race, the human race.
Our Members
Please click pictures to learn more about our members
Hannahk@collaborative-montessori.com
Hannah Khiani worked as a Director for an Investment Bank for 10 years. After having her own children, she left the City to pursue a more joyful career working with children. Hannah has set up and run local toddler groups and drop-ins for children and families which inspired her to become a Montessori teacher. She trained as a teaching assistant (AMI) and then received her international Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy (MCI). Hannah moved to teacher training and at MCI was a lecturer, and group tutor for the Foundation Degree in Montessori Early Childhood Practice and the Early Years Educator course. More recently, she has written CPD courses for practitioners and developed resources to use in settings to support inclusive practice. Hannah is passionate about the outdoor environment and works part time at Unity Montessori School where she can often be found in the school garden playing with the children. Hannah is really looking forward to serving and supporting children, families, students, practitioners and the wider community as part of Collaborative Montessori.
Hannah Khiani worked as a Director for an Investment Bank for 10 years. After having her own children, she left the City to pursue a more joyful career working with children. Hannah has set up and run local toddler groups and drop-ins for children and families which inspired her to become a Montessori teacher. She trained as a teaching assistant (AMI) and then received her international Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy (MCI). Hannah moved to teacher training and at MCI was a lecturer, and group tutor for the Foundation Degree in Montessori Early Childhood Practice and the Early Years Educator course. More recently, she has written CPD courses for practitioners and developed resources to use in settings to support inclusive practice. Hannah is passionate about the outdoor environment and works part time at Unity Montessori School where she can often be found in the school garden playing with the children. Hannah is really looking forward to serving and supporting children, families, students, practitioners and the wider community as part of Collaborative Montessori.
Sarah@collaborative-montessori.com
Sarah Olley was lucky enough to have a Montessori education from 2 to 9 years of age. She studied at London Montessori Centre (now Montessori Centre International, MCI) after travelling and working in Africa. The dream was to return and work with families in rural communities. Instead in 1988, Sarah started to work in an East London school and in the evenings working at MCI. Sarah moved to a full time position at MCI and her roles have covered being a group tutor for the Foundation Degree courses and Montessori Diploma courses, lecturing all curriculum areas, supporting student wellbeing and study skills, mentoring, quality assurance, school accreditation, as well as providing bespoke CPD. She was part of the team that developed the Montessori Early Years Educator programme. She has owned her own small Nido and Children’s House. She placed highly commended in the Nursery World’s Trainer of the Year in 2015. Sarah led MCI’s outreach work at the Museum of Childhood with special focus play sessions for the under 3’s. Sarah’s heart and soul is in working with others in continuing to improve experiences for children.
Sarah Olley was lucky enough to have a Montessori education from 2 to 9 years of age. She studied at London Montessori Centre (now Montessori Centre International, MCI) after travelling and working in Africa. The dream was to return and work with families in rural communities. Instead in 1988, Sarah started to work in an East London school and in the evenings working at MCI. Sarah moved to a full time position at MCI and her roles have covered being a group tutor for the Foundation Degree courses and Montessori Diploma courses, lecturing all curriculum areas, supporting student wellbeing and study skills, mentoring, quality assurance, school accreditation, as well as providing bespoke CPD. She was part of the team that developed the Montessori Early Years Educator programme. She has owned her own small Nido and Children’s House. She placed highly commended in the Nursery World’s Trainer of the Year in 2015. Sarah led MCI’s outreach work at the Museum of Childhood with special focus play sessions for the under 3’s. Sarah’s heart and soul is in working with others in continuing to improve experiences for children.
Hannahjoy@collaborative-montessori.com
Hannah Baynham is a teacher educator who is passionate about issues of social justice, sustainability and the spiritual preparation of the guide. Having worked in schools around the world, she has a unique view of the importance of Cosmic Education in our early years environments. She is the founder of Montessori Movement Unites Facebook group, and was the Early Years Educator course leader, lecturer and group tutor at Montessori Centre International. She has had the privilege of speaking at several conferences including Montessori Europe Congress, and the American Montessori Event as well as being a regular speaker at Montessori Musings, and Montessori Everywhere Events. Hannah is inspired by the Montessori community and her love for the transformative nature of Montessori education which she sees as a gift to children everywhere.
Hannah Baynham is a teacher educator who is passionate about issues of social justice, sustainability and the spiritual preparation of the guide. Having worked in schools around the world, she has a unique view of the importance of Cosmic Education in our early years environments. She is the founder of Montessori Movement Unites Facebook group, and was the Early Years Educator course leader, lecturer and group tutor at Montessori Centre International. She has had the privilege of speaking at several conferences including Montessori Europe Congress, and the American Montessori Event as well as being a regular speaker at Montessori Musings, and Montessori Everywhere Events. Hannah is inspired by the Montessori community and her love for the transformative nature of Montessori education which she sees as a gift to children everywhere.
Antonella@collaborative-montessori.com
Antonella Cirillo has a background in Psychology and has been part of the Montessori community for more than twenty years. She was the Foundation Degree in Montessori Early Childhood Practice Course leader, academic lecturer, and tutor at Montessori Centre International. Antonella is passionate about Cosmic Education, at the core of which are love, respect of and trust in every and each child of today, adult of tomorrow. She strongly believes in the continue professional, emotional, and spiritual preparation of educators, and in the transformational powers of communities.
Antonella Cirillo has a background in Psychology and has been part of the Montessori community for more than twenty years. She was the Foundation Degree in Montessori Early Childhood Practice Course leader, academic lecturer, and tutor at Montessori Centre International. Antonella is passionate about Cosmic Education, at the core of which are love, respect of and trust in every and each child of today, adult of tomorrow. She strongly believes in the continue professional, emotional, and spiritual preparation of educators, and in the transformational powers of communities.
Michela@collaborative-montessori.com
Michela Castellarin is an Italian professional and expert in the Montessori approach to early years education who has been working with the Montessori community as lecturer, academic tutor and school support and accreditation officer for the last 20 years, both in the Uk and internationally. She has also been involved in a project to transform a Montessori school in rural Malawi.From the start, all her work has always been driven by the belief that the Montessori method and her philosophy on Cosmic Education are the means through which children can realise their full potential, are truly valued for their uniqueness and will be able to change the future for the better and the common good.
Michela Castellarin is an Italian professional and expert in the Montessori approach to early years education who has been working with the Montessori community as lecturer, academic tutor and school support and accreditation officer for the last 20 years, both in the Uk and internationally. She has also been involved in a project to transform a Montessori school in rural Malawi.From the start, all her work has always been driven by the belief that the Montessori method and her philosophy on Cosmic Education are the means through which children can realise their full potential, are truly valued for their uniqueness and will be able to change the future for the better and the common good.