About us
We united into a powerful team of like-minded people in the spring of 2022, in response to the full-scale war in Ukraine, to ensure the support and development of the Ukrainian Montessori Community. Our team consists of Montessori educators, therapists, psychologists, school owners, and local manufacturers.
We are open to cooperation and already established relationships with national and international organizations and government agencies, publishers, and patrons in order to fulfill our mission – spreading the Montessori method throughout Ukraine.
We work harmoniously, providing support and development within the Montessori community.
The war will end, and the community will remain.
Our mission
To help unfold the potential of every individual and every family through the Montessori method.
Our Vision
A world where everyone uses their potential for personal and social development.
Our values
Quality Montessori education
Ensuring a quality education for children, parents, and teachers, sustainable development of public and private Montessori education in Ukraine.
Family and cultural heritage
Spreading the ideas of conscious parenting, preserving and revealing the cultural heritage of Ukraine.
Ecological Communication
Openness, transparency, flexibility of communication, cooperation with mutual respect, and the formation of a supportive community.
System thinking
A systematic approach to work, thorough analysis of the needs of consumers, clients, and beneficiaries, expertise in project development, and work with all regions of Ukraine.
Modern approach
Using modern research, technologies, and approaches based on the Montessori philosophy.
Integrity and balance
The balance of freedom and discipline, respect for children and adults. Energy exchange – the one who receives help should be the one who helps others.
Media about us
Our team
Anna Volokhova
Co-founder, CEO
A 4th generation doctor, and Montessori teacher for ages 0-3 (Ukrainian Montessori Center – UMC) and 3-6 (Sunshine teachers learning) with experience in Europe and Asia. Activist, Red Cross volunteer during the Revolution of Dignity, Coordinator of the Early Childhood Care and Development Working Group under the Education Cluster, UN. Consultant on parenting and school management, “lifelong learner”.
Eugenia Kyrychenko
Co-founder
An educator with 8 years of experience. Master’s degree in quality system management in preschool education. Montessori teacher for ages 0-3 (UMC) with 4 years of experience. Founder and director of “Zernyatko” preschool in Brovary. Mother of 2 sons.
Maryna Losytska
Co-founder, parenting expert, music specialist
Certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (AMI) with over 10 years of experience. Orff teacher, and professional violinist. Founder of the Montessori network “World in a Pocket” in Kyiv and Bucha, developer of Montessori materials and furniture. Mother of 3 children.
Olena Naumenko
Fundraiser, communications manager
A certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (UMC) and 6-9 (Princeton Center for Teacher Education, USA) with over 20 years of experience in Ukraine, the USA, and China, including as a director of a Montessori school in Shanghai. Trainer at Trinity Montessori Education Center (AMS), Shanghai. Trainer at the UMC, Kyiv. Translator for Ukrainian teachers who received Montessori education 3-6, 6-9 at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (AMS) in the USA and Assistants 0-3 at the Prague Montessori Institute (AMI).
Olesia Vasylenko
Fundraiser, communications manager, SMM
Economist, master’s degree in educational institution management, founder of a licensed Montessori space in Kyiv, “Children’s House” since 2013. Certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (UMC) with over 10 years of experience in Ukraine and the United States, certified specialist for ages 0-6 (Vivid Onderwij, Netherlands). Consultant on education, organization of Montessori space at home, and opening educational space in Ukraine. Mom of 2 children.
Lyudmyla Shpakovych
Fundraiser, book editor, pediatric specialist
Pediatric ophthalmologist with 7 years of experience, certified Montessori teacher for ages 0-3 (AMI) with over 10 years of experience, assistant AMI trainer, founder of the “Montessori Together” children’s center, co-founder of the “Mommy’s Club” project. Activist, ambassador of Montessori pedagogy for public educational institutions, and a student of the AMI training course for ages 0-3.
Anna Lavrukhina
Coordinator of translations, a specialist in sociology
Master’s degree in sociology, Montessori assistant for ages 0-3 (AMI) with over 10 years of experience in Ukraine and Germany. Consultant on organizing a home environment for children, mother of a daughter.
Alyona Popova
Communication and event manager, management specialist
Marketer, Montessori teacher for ages 0-3 (UMC) with 4 years of experience, expert in planning, organizing resourceful, conscious parenting with over 8 years of experience. Author of the books “Mom: I Want and I Will, 32 Time Management Ideas for Children, Kids for Dad, the women’s weekly planner My Successful Year, courses and lectures for women on resources, fulfillment, happy motherhood, and parenting. Transformational games presenter, mother of three boys.
Olga Gotsulyak
Fundraiser, a specialist in correctional education
Master’s degree in Correctional Education, certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (UMC), Montessori therapist with over 9 years of experience, head of the NGO “HARMONY OF DEVELOPMENT”, active public figure, author of social and community projects.
Iryna Kurilyak
SMM, designer
Specialist in accounting and audit, automation of technological processes, teacher of Ukrainian language and literature at the Embassy of Ukraine in Kuwait. Montessori teacher for ages 0-3 and 3-6 (UMC) with 6 years of experience, founder of the Montessori center “MonteDino” in Kyiv region, residential complex “Chaiky”, member of the Business Association of Educational Institutions of Ukraine.
Yulia Yefimenko
Communication manager, specialist in psychology
Master’s degree in psychology, therapist in Positive Psychotherapy. Montessori assistant for ages 3-6 with 8 years of experience. Co-founder of the project “Mommy’s Club” aimed at psychological and educational support for families, and Montessori child.
Natalia Prybylska
Expert in creating educational materials
Certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (AMS) with 30 years of experience. Trainer of the UMC with over 20 years of experience. Author of the course “Nature and Culture”, printed autodidactic materials for children aged 2-12. Consultant for parents and teachers.
Ksenia Ryzhak
Expert in working with teachers
Practicing Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (UMC, AMI) with 9 years of experience. Consultant on the organization of the work of the Montessori center, namely teamwork, work with parents, classroom documentation, organization of the environment, and classroom management for 3-6 environment.
Violetta Kaleda
Expert in working with teachers
Certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (UMC) and 6-12 (Montessori-Akademie Wien, Austria) with over 10 years of experience. She is the founder of the first Ukrainian-language space “Montessori Child’s World” for ages 3-12 in Kharkiv. She combines her knowledge of neuropsychology, sensory integration, and speech therapy. She is a mother of two daughters.
Lidia Tarovyta
Literary editor, speech therapist, psychology specialist
Certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (UMC) with 4 years of experience. Speech therapist and psychology specialist. Author of educational videos and printed developmental materials for children aged 3-6. She is an active participant in educational and social projects. Consultant for parents and teachers.
Natalia Moshnyaga
Expert in the field of educational programs
Certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (AMI) and 6-12 (AMI) with over 12 years of experience. Specialist in Sensory Integration in Dialogue, according to Ula Kislin. Coach of the Montessori Academy of Austria for ages 6-12. Co-owner and director of the Montessori space “UMI”, Kyiv.
Svitlana Marchishyna-Tishchenko
Coordinator of educational programs, translator
Certified Montessori teacher for ages 3-6 (UMC) with 6 years of experience. Trainer of the UMC. Certified specialist for ages 0-6 (Vivid Onderwij, Netherlands), student of the course for ages 6-12 (Austrian Montessori Association) with 1 year of experience in the 6-9 environment. She is a mother of three teenagers.
Yulia Vintoniak
Parenting expert, psychology specialist
Practicing psychologist with 6 years of experience in educational institutions. Certified Montessori teacher for ages 0-3 (UMC), certified Montessori assistant for ages 0-3 (AMI). Consultant on creating a home Montessori space for children; consultant for teachers on classroom work. YouTube and Instagram blogger. New mother of a daughter.
