Webinar Description:
Cynthia completed Assistants to Infancy training with Dr. Montanaro, Gianna Gobbi, and Judi Orion in 1985 while working in a corporate-housed Infant Nido (for 6 wk to 12 month olds). After giving birth to her first child in 1986, Cynthia supported multicultural mothers in their homes in Hawaii as a Child Development Specialist, teaching home visitors and parents newborn care, reading babies’ cues and assessing and strengthening the mother-baby bond.
Cynthia has worked continuously with families in Charlottesville since 1995, where she began Montessori classes for parents with newborns to age 3. While working as a postpartum doula over the past two decades, she especially enjoys helping parents gain insights into their newborn from a Montessori perspective.
Cynthia also helps create prepared newborn and infant environments to encompass their particular developmental needs. She trains and mentors women as they begin the work as postpartum doulas as well.
About Kitty Bravo:
In 1984, Kitty founded New Gate School in Sarasota, Florida (originally called Countryside). During her tenure as Head of School, Kitty supported a faculty in the development of programs for toddlers through middle school. She left her New Gate administration position in 1997 to pursue other professional challenges, but returned to New Gate in 1999 as an instructor in their teacher education program and, in 2000, became the program Director for The New Gate Center for Montessori Studies.
For more than 20 years, Kitty has worked as a Montessori consultant and instructor for several Montessori teacher education programs. She has also held administrative positions at three Montessori schools. She is a board member of The New Gate School and serves on the Advisory Board for Sarasota University. Kitty has also presented at AMS and IMC conferences and has traveled as far as China and India to work with Montessori Schools and teachers.
Kitty’s teacher education and consultation work has given her the opportunity to see the many faces of Montessori. She has worked with newly established schools, large and small private schools, as well as working extensively with public magnet Montessori programs and charter Montessori schools. Kitty is committed to providing support to teachers, schools, and families as they strive to develop positive environments for children. She is passionate about preserving the legacy of Maria Montessori and believes strongly in Montessori’s mission of transforming society through our children. To this end, Kitty has made teacher education her primary professional focus and is truly committed to supporting CGMS students on their important journey of becoming extraordinary Montessori teachers.
