LOOK WHO’s TALKING!
2026 Presenter
Information
Here are the incredible movers and shakers presenting at MAPS 2026. We are honored to be in community with these amazing humans doing incredible work in their adolescent communities and beyond.
Interested in presenting at MAPS 2026? Call for Proposals is OPEN!
Tina Booth
Tina Booth is the Director of Adolescent Training at Train Montessori. She has worked as an adolescent guide and administrator in public, private, urban, and land-based Montessori adolescent communities since 2001. She is trained at the 6-12 and 12-18 levels and holds a BA in Archaeological Studies from Boston University (MA), and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University (AZ). She is interested in better understanding issues of equity, inclusion, accessibility, and methods of building resiliency for both children and adults in Montessori environments.
koen schaap
Koen Schaap (MEM) is an all-round 12-18 Montessori teacher, developer, coach and trainer at the Montessori Study Center Amsterdam. He is also one of the designers of the AMI accredited MSA Montessori Mastery Course.
He has been working as a Montessori social science teacher in various secondary schools in the Netherlands and has a background as a school leader and subject didactics specialist. His expertise lies in connecting Montessori theory to practice, and his favorite Montessori quote as an educator is: "Education is not something which the teacher does, but it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.” (The Absorbent Mind).
ROGIER OVERSTEEGEN
Since 1987 I have been a mathematics teacher at Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam, also serving as Cultural Coordinator and gifted education coach. Alongside my teaching career, I work as a visual artist. I am completing the Montessori Mastery programme, researching Montessori education and giftedness, which I will present at the MAPS Conference.
ANDREW CHRISTOPHERSON
Andrew Christopherson began his career in 2000 as a middle school social science teacher and joined the Grove School in 2006. Andrew served as Head of School from 2019-2024 and returned to the position in 2026. He holds a masters degree in school administration, and an AMI 12-18 diploma.
MILENA BURLO
Milena Burlo is a 10th grader at The Grove School and has been in a Montessori classroom for 14 years. She has been the president of the grove school pride club
for 3 years, she is part of the Raven Success Coach Program, and is a manager for The Grove theater.
AnNELISE TOLKSDORF
Annelise Tolksdorf is a tenth grade student at The Grove school in Redlands. She has been a part of the Montessori community at Grove for four years. Getting
involved in her school’s farm managing club (AAES), acting for the school’s theater, helping out at her neighboring Primary Montessori school, and is a Raven Success Coach.
RHIANNON HAIRE
Rhiannon Haire is in 10th grade at The Grove School and has been in Montessori education for 14 years. She is an active and dedicated member of the Applied
Agriculture and Environmental Science Club and a Raven Success Coach
ALEX GRIDER
Alex Grider is an eleventh grade student at the Grove School in Redlands, California. Across his four years in Montessori programs, Alex has held leadership
positions in the school’s theatre program, farm club, and various clubs.
BEN SHAH
Ben Shah is an Eleventh-grade student at The Grove School and has been in Montessori education for 15 years. He is the High School ASB Treasurer, president of the Hiking Club, treasurer of the Health Club, part of the Raven Success Coach Program, and part of the cross country team. He also spends one of his school periods assisting in a younger Montessori classroom.
OMAR SEYAM
Omar Seyam is an 11th grader at the Grove High School in Redlands, California who is graduating a year early. He is an active volunteer in and outside of school and strongly advocates for struggling homeless individuals. Omar is also running for president of the
Environmental Club. He also has a strong love and interest for science and wants to become a doctor.
