Photo by Ri Mason

“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”
— Maria Montessori

History

EduCatalyst Collective began in Spring 2024, ideated by Montessori educator Victoria Hale Williams, following Victoria’s graduate studies at St. Catherine University. Victoria’s focus on self-efficacy within 2E families influenced interventions then implemented in a Montessori primary environment. She worked with families whose twice-exceptional children were experiencing undue hardship in the classroom and shortly after initiated EduCatalyst Collective in order to serve more families. 

Welcome to our collective community.

Meet the Founding Team

  • Victoria Hale Williams, MAEd

    FOUNDER AND GUIDE
    MAEd in Montessori Education and Leadership (May 2024), focusing on strengths-based approaches for 2E children in educational environments. Montessori Primary Guide for 10 years; VELA Founder; American Montessori Society, Positive Discipline Association, and Weave Community (Weave: the social fabric project at The Aspen Institute) Member

    Favorite quote: “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” -Maria Montessori

    LinkedIn

    Photo by Tyson Krinke, Brightside Photo and Video.

  • Donna Koontz, MAEd

    GUIDE/SENIOR ADVISOR

    Master of Arts in Education in Montessori Education and Leadership, BA in Child and Adolescent Development, specializing in Exceptional Education; Associate in Health Sciences and Nursing; Prenatal and antenatal music specialist; parent and grandparent.

    Master Montessori mentor and teacher trainer

    LinkedIn

  • Randall Klein

    MONTESSORI ADVISOR / MASTER GUIDE

    Early Reading Specialist for over 25 years, with expertise in teaching children ages 3-8.

    Published author. The Klein Method of Early Reading Mastery: A New Model for Teaching Young Children to Read

    Coach for reading specialists, teachers, and parents around the world specializing in developmentally appropriate reading instruction for beginning and struggling readers.

  • Photo by Ri Mason Photography

    Max Hatten

    GUIDE/ADVISOR

  • Juliana Kilmurray

    ADVISOR

    Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (in progress), Certified Crisis Counselor, Forward Montana Board Member. Previously Advisory Board of the Women’s Resource Center in Portland. Experience working in healthcare for the past decade in various roles, most of which has been specifically with disabled and neurodivergent populations.

  • Sarah Ross, MAEd

    GUIDE/ADVISOR

    Founder and Montessori Guide at Kindred Montessori Academy in the Ft. Worth area in Texas. Accomplished Montessori Guide, parent to three children, one of whom is thrice-exceptional. Advocate for holistic Montessori education and educational freedoms.

  • Jess Honer

    GUIDE/ADVISOR

    Founder of Thoughtfulearning in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Montessori adolescent guide, parent, and social equity and justice advocate. Visit their Facebook and Instagram for content and react out to contact@thoughtfulearning.com to be involved.

  • Victoria Brailsford, MAEd.

    MONTESSORI SENIOR ADVISOR

  • Zeke Williams

    ADVISOR/CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Senior Software Architect and Information Technology Expert

  • Could this be YOU?

    WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GUIDES, EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS, AND CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE WITH US. REACH OUT TO GET INVOLVED.