The Presenters

Martha Monahan is the founder and Director of Rising Stars. Martha is also the Director of Northeast Montessori Institute and has been involved in teacher training since the inception of NMI in 1984. Martha conducts Early Childhood courses in Massachusetts, as well as in Beijing and Shanghai, China. Martha holds an AMI Early Childhood certificate from the Toronto Montessori Institute (1977) along with a Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Holistic Education.

MissE Carolan earned her AMI Early Childhood certificate from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta in 1978 and holds a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Maine. MissE has taught in a variety of preschool settings, including a home-based Montessori school. Her work has been to incorporate the Montessori philosophy across settings. She has worked at the high school level as well as in a day treatment program for children with autism. MissE has worked with NMI since 1992. She resides in Southern Maine.

Linda Seeley has two great interests and commitments in her life that are second only to her family. These are her commitment to the Montessori professional field, and her dedication and support to Peace and Earth Education. Linda is extremely active in these areas and has presented workshops to Montessori schools in both the private and public sector. Linda is a founding instructor for NMI and was a Co-chair of the AMS National Conference. She is a founder of the Stoneridge Children’s Montessori School in Beverly, which serves children from Toddler through Middle School, and she continues to be a Head Teacher in a Children’s House classroom there.

Gina Grattarola-Tzizik holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Studio Arts. Gina is currently the Executive Director of three Early Childhood centers. She was trained by Northeast Montessori Institute and received her preprimary certification in 1984. She has taught in a variety of education settings and has been an administrator for the past 15 years. Gina has a passion for Montessori education, the Arts and Peace Education. Gina has lived and worked in Italy and Germany. She currently lives with her family in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Macia S. Hubelbank helped to establish and is the head toddler teacher at the Kingsley Montessori School in Boston, MA. She received her Infant Toddler certification through CMTE/NY and is a member of the CMTE/NY summer support staff, as well as an intern field consultant. Marcia has a strong interest in promoting effective teacher/parent communication, and in understanding the emotional development of infants and toddlers. In addition she is 3-6 Montessori certified and has worked in Early Childhood for over thirty years.