 | Jaroslaw Jendza – Poland President |
Dr. Jarosław Jendza is an assistant professor at the Institute of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk (Poland), where he specialises in alternative and critical approaches to education, with a particular focus on Montessori pedagogy. His work bridges academic research, teacher education, and educational leadership, emphasising democratic values, peace education, and sustainability. A recipient of the Distinguished PhD Dissertation Award, Dr. Jendza has published extensively on Montessori education (over 80 scientific papers), contributing both theoretical insight and practical knowledge, especially in the field of adult formation and Montessori teacher preparation. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Horizons of Academic Teaching Journal (University of Gdańsk) and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of MontessoriResearch (University of Kansas). Trained as an AMI-certified Montessori guide (6–12), and holding a master’s degree in early childhood education and teaching English as a foreign language, Dr. Jendza brings diverse educational experience to his role. He has served as a teacher, tutor, Montessori school principal, and mentor for educational staff. He collaborates with universities, NGOs, and international networks, supporting educational innovation, didactic excellence, and teacher development across Europe. As President of Montessori Europe, Dr. Jendza is committed to cultivating open, inclusive, and critically engaged dialogue within the Montessori community. His leadership is grounded in transparency, participation, and a deep respect for diversity. He believes that education – when rooted in independence, mutual respect, and active engagement – can transform both individuals and societies for the better. | |
 | Eva Ethel Bækkel – Norway Vice President |
Eva Ethel Bækkel is the founder of Bambini Montessori, a pre-school established in 2002 that has grown to include five departments. With a deep commitment to Montessori education, Eva served as a Board Member of Montessori Europe from 2014 to 2020, contributing to the international development of the Montessori community. Since 2004, Eva has also worked as a Regional Leader for SOS Children’s Villages, with a special focus on collaborative projects in Mwanza, Tanzania. There, she helped establish a Montessori pre-school for homeless children, which now consists of two departments. Her partnership with the Montessori Centre in Mwanza remains active and continues to thrive. Driven by a lifelong passion for Africa and a dedication to children with special needs, Eva believes in the vision of “Montessori for All” and celebrates the strength of a united, global Montessori family. | |
 | Jochen Iseke – Germany Treasurer |
Jochen is the director of a Montessori campus in Berlin that has 400 children and adolescents aged 1 to 16 years. He is an educator and organisational developer and holds a Montessori Diploma for 6-12. Over the past 20 years he has assisted in successfully founding and developing several Montessori institutions. Prior to his Montessori career, Jochen worked for international corporations and medium-sized companies as a senior executive and consultant. Jochen’s mission is to create a carefully prepared environment in which teachers and children can evolve in the best possible way within the spirit of Maria Montessori’s ideals. His current challenge is navigating the effects of digitalisation and the question of how children can be best supported in developing self-confident, responsible and peaceful personalities in a world that is increasingly violent, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. | |
 | Roe Lauvås jr. – Norway |
Roe Lauvås jr. is a school leader, Montessori educator, and educational developer based in Norway. He serves on the board of Montessori Norway and leads the international project Montessori International Student Council, aiming to connect Montessori students across schools and borders. Alongside his work in school, Roe engages in educational outreach and development projects, delivering lectures on innovative education for schools, teacher training programmes, and research communities. He is also the creator of Scandinavia’s first science musical and performs science shows designed to spark curiosity and interest in STEM among children and young people. Roe is passionate about amplifying the student voice and building bridges between research, practice, and innovation – making education relevant, sustainable, and inspiring for both students and educators. | |
 | Ellen Zeiss – Germany |
For almost 20 years, Ellen has been working with her heart and soul as a Montessori teacher. Her career is marked by continuous development and further education. Among other qualifications, she holds two national diplomas (IfgL and ÖMG) and the international Master Guía AMI Montessori de 6 a 12 Años diploma for the second plane of development. For the third plane of development, she continued her education with MMUN and as an Independent Facilitator for the World Peace Game. In addition, she completed training as a media literacy coach through ECHT DABEI / Media Protect e.V. One of Ellen’s main interests is adult education. She works as a lecturer for the German Montessori Society and as an independent school consultant. It is of utmost importance to her that the Montessori principles of freedom and responsibility are rediscovered in everyday practice and that they positively influence the work of Montessori colleagues in general. | |
 | Carola Lang-Howard – Cyprus / Sweden |
| Carola’s nomadic feet have allowed her to work with Montessori Education in different countries and cultures for the past 27 years. She is from Sweden but has spent several years in the Middle East and Europe. While living in London she worked with Montessori Centre International as a Teacher Trainer guiding adult students for several years. Her current permanent residence is Cyprus where she has two schools for children aged 2 to 6 years old. Carola holds the St. Nicholas Diploma for 0-6 years, a Bachelor Hons. Degree in Early Childhood Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in the Early Years. | |
Malin has worked and lived in the Montessori community for about twenty years, as a teacher, parent and head of school. Her commitment lies in the pedagogy and in international work. Malin has worked in a lot of international Montessori projects, student exchanges, MMUN, and teacher training/workshops. She has also spoken at various conferences around the world. Bringing Montessorians together to strengthen the pedagogy across borders lies close to her heart. | |||
