Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)

💬 Reflections from Northeast Montessori Institute's on-site visit! We hope you enjoy the thoughts shared by administration, adult learners, and faculty during the visit.

Thank you, NMI and MACTE verifiers, for another great on-site visit! ✨

MACTE Board Member Spotlight!
Spotlight On: Gulsevin Kayihan

Gulsevin Kayihan is a Montessori educator of more than 40 years of experience. She was the Academic Director of Montessori Institute for Teacher Education and Montessori Academy at Spring Valley, the oldest Montessori School in the State of Washington, established in 1951 by Madeleine J. Justus. Gulsevin Kayihan is the co-author of more than 20 volumes of Montessori education textbooks for Montessori teachers. She is the recipient of several awards. In addition to her service for MACTE, she has been active on the Pacific North West Montessori Association, Washington State Private Schools Advisory Committee, Spring Valley Montessori Boards, and Washington Federation of Independent Schools. She is involved with the education issues in Washington State. Gulsevin Kayihan studied general science at the American College for Girls and has a degree in administration from the University of Bosphorous, Istanbul. She did her graduate studies in Montessori education at the University of Puget Sound. She has taught Early childhood through 8th grade and is a Montessori instructor at the Early Childhood and Elementary I-II levels. Gulsevin loves nature, math, and science, and is an avid reader. She does international consulting and seminars.

MACTE is honored to have had Gulsevin on our Board! We hope you enjoy her reflections on MACTE and the value of accreditation.

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🌎👥 MACTE’s next board meeting is on June 16!

Fun fact: Our Board of Directors brings together 17 professionals from around the world -including Brazil, Canada, Ireland, the Philippines, and the U.S. - with both Montessori and non-Montessori backgrounds. This diversity strengthens every accreditation conversation.

Stay tuned for updates on the Board’s accreditation decisions!

MACTE Verifier Spotlight!

Spotlight on: Kiran Paek

Kiran holds an AMS Early Childhood credential and has served as a Montessori classroom teacher for 22 years. For the past 10 years, she has worked as a TEP Director and instructor, supporting adult learners in their Montessori preparation. Kiran is a national conference presenter and operates a consulting practice serving Montessori programs across the Asia region.

MACTE is honored to have Karen serve as an on-site verifier! We hope you enjoy her reflections on the value of serving as a MACTE verifier.

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“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are a part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”
— Maria Montessori 💚

World Environment Day encourages international awareness and action for the protection of our environment. 🌎 It is also an opportunity to reflect on the important role education plays in fostering environmental stewardship — developing in children a love for the Earth, an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things, and a sense of responsibility to care for and nurture the world around them. 🌱

MACTE accreditation, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, ultimately means children receive high-quality Montessori education—and families can trust the environments their children are in.

When educators are well-prepared through rigorous, accountable programs, children benefit from thoughtful, effective teaching that supports their development.

MACTE Verifier Spotlight!

Spotlight on: Nancy Lindeman

Nancy is an educator who began her career in 1978. She has worked with children in Special Education and Montessori Education. Nancy was a guide (teacher) in the early childhood classroom and elementary I-II. She founded a private Montessori school in Georgia and was there for 18 years. In 2009, Nancy and her husband, Jeff, moved to the mountains of Northern Utah.

While in Utah, she founded and directed a Montessori charter school. She was then recruited as a professor at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, where she directed the Montessori Teacher Education Program ( IMI). In 2019, Nancy retired and went to work at the University of Wisconsin River Falls as an adjunct professor in the Montessori Teacher Ed department.

Nancy recently completed her doctoral degree in the Montessori studies EdD program at UWRF.. Nancy’s research focuses on determining if Intergenerational learning experiences affect young children’s perceptions of older adults and, if possible, can mitigate ageism.

MACTE is honored to have Nancy serve as an on-site verifier! We hope you enjoy her reflections on the value of serving as a MACTE verifier.

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A message from Carolyn, MACTE's President, on the recent federal Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Committee and MACTE’s ongoing role in supporting quality across the Montessori community. Read her full message to our community here:

From MACTE: Gratitude, Policy News, and Looking Ahead I want to begin by thanking all of you who have reached out with warm words and encouragement as we shared the news of MACTE’s leadership transition. I have especially appreciated the opportunity to connect with many of you directly, listening to what is taking place in your programs and organizat...

Thank you to Smithville Montessori Academy for highlighting the role of MACTE accreditation in supporting rigorous, high-quality Montessori educator preparation!

Well-prepared teachers ensure that children receive a high-quality Montessori education — while giving families confidence in the environments where their children learn and grow. 🌱📚💛

Accreditation is more than a process - it’s a partnership rooted in continuous growth, collaboration, and a shared commitment to high-quality Montessori teacher education.

Messages like this remind us why the work matters! Knowing that MACTE accreditation provides meaningful professional value for adult learners and programs around the world is deeply encouraging.

Thank you, Duhovka Institute, for your partnership and dedication to advancing Montessori educator preparation. ✨