Teaching at a Montessori School

Rediscover the religious catalysts for Dr. Maria Montessori’s educational revolution at the University of Mary’s National Catholic Montessori Conference.

Cast a Ray of Light and Pass It On

Join us this fall on our main campus in Bismarck, North Dakota, to explore Catholic Montessori with peers from across the country. Taking place in mid-October, our National Catholic Montessori Conference will encompass three days of fellowship, prayer, and fruitful discussion centered on the Montessori method's unique consonance with the Church's holistic approach to teaching and learning.

2025 Conference: October 16-18

Founders Hall, Lumen Vitae University Center
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

Keynote Speakers

Mary Mirrione

Mary Mirrione has served the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) since 1991, both in the U.S. and internationally, including missionary work with Saint Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. She is the National Director of CGSUSA, a formation leader since 1997, and holds a master’s in pastoral ministry from Aquinas Institute. Mary is an adjunct faculty member for Kino Catechetical Institute and a consultant to the USCCB. A wife of 50 years, mother of three, and grandmother of six, she delights in preparing atria, traveling the world, and gathering loved ones for big Italian dinners in her Arizona home.

Brenda Tufte

Brenda Tufte is an associate dean and director of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. A former K–12 educator with over 20 years of classroom experience, she was named North Dakota Teacher of the Year in 2012, and in 2017, she received the Crystal Apple Outstanding Post-Secondary Teacher. Dr. Tufte speaks and writes regularly on topics such as leadership, literacy, differentiated instruction, and educational neuroscience. She and her husband, John, co-authored the book High-Impact Educators. They have four grown children and five grandchildren. She believes deeply in the transformative power of education rooted in faith and mission.

Father Nick Schneider

Father Nick Schneider, SLL, SLD, is a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck, ND. Ordained to the priesthood in 2009, he holds degrees in music performance, humanities, philosophy, and theology, as well as a Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy from the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome, Summa Cum Laude. Father Schneider’s doctoral studies focused on liturgical philology and linguistics. He also holds the AMS Montessori diploma for 9-12-year-olds and an AMI Elementary Diploma for 6-12-year-olds. In pastoral ministry, Father Schneider is currently the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in rural Crown Butte, ND. He has been an upper elementary (9-12) Montessori guide at Christ the King Catholic Montessori School since 2018. Father Schneider previously served as a board member for the Society of Catholic Liturgy and a presenter to their annual liturgical conference.

Schedule

4:00 - 5:30 PM: Optional Tour of Christ the King Montessori School (sign up here)

6:00 - 7:00 PM: Registration, Founders Hall Foyer

7:00 - 7:30 PM: Welcome, Founders Hall

7:30 - 9:00 PM: Networking, Founders Hall

9:00 PM: Closing Prayer, Founders Hall

7:30 - 8:30 AM: Breakfast, Founders Hall Foyer

8:30 - 10:00 AM: Opening Keynote: Kindling the Light of Christ in the Child, Mary Mirrione, Founders Hall

10:00 - 11:30 AM: Breakout sessions

  • Seeing and Responding: Building a Culture of Trust Through Mandated Reporting, Katie Krukenberg
  • Deviations and the Normalized Child, Mother Chiara Thérèse Jacobson, AFL, MA
  • God in All Things: An Argument for the Inclusion of the Atrium in the Primary Montessori Classroom, Julie Riley

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Mass, Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel

12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch, The Crow’s Nest Campus Restaurant

1:30 - 3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

  • Building a Love for Learning Within the Youngest of Children: IC and Nido Environments, Sydney Arman and Gloria Maertens
  • Simplifying Math, Cate Zweber
  • School Safety Essentials: Protecting Our Students, Staff, and Mission, Karen McNamee
  • The Light Within: The Spiritual Preparation of the Adult in Catholic Montessori, Maria Johnson

3:00 - 4:30 PM: Keynote: From Brain to Classroom: Using Neuroscience to Deepen Memory, Critical Thinking, and Connection, Brenda Tufte, Founders Hall

4:30 - 7:00 PM: Dinner (exhibit hall open)

7:00 - 8:00 PM: Adoration

8:00 - 10:00 PM: Evening Social (optional)

8:00 - 8:30 AM: Breakfast, Founders Hall Foyer

8:30 - 10:00 AM: Keynote: Shaping the World Through Catholic Montessori: Dignity, Peace, and God's Plan, Father Nick L. Schnieder, SLL, SLD, Founders Hall

10:00 - 11:30 AM: Breakout Sessions

  • Nurturing Global Citizens: Implementing Montessori Dual Language Classrooms, Melissa Rohan
  • Montessori Money: How To Raise Major Gifts That TransformYour Mission, Jake Kubik
  • Unlocking the Word: Helping Every Child Flourish in Literacy, Rachel Pankratz
  • Observation with Intention: From Insight to Action, Angela Flores

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Mass, Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel

12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch, The Crow's Nest Campus Restaurant

1:30 - 2:00 PM: Rosary, Marian Grotto

2:00 - 3:30 PM: Breakout Sessions

  • Exploring Art and Arts Integration: Ideas for the Montessori Classroom, Ali LaRock
  • Grace & Grit: Lessons from the Head’s Office (That I Wish I Knew Sooner), Derrick Nagel
  • Another Life: Children as “Love Teachers” in the Work of Montessori, Cavalletti, and Phenomenology, Donald Wallenfang
  • Therapy Within Montessori Education, Mollie Koble

3:30 - 4:30 PM: Panel Discussion, Founders Hall

4:30 - 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks, Founders Hall

Full List of Speakers

Sydney Arman

Miss Sydney was born and raised in Bismarck, ND. She studied at the University of Mary, double-majoring in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She was eager to put her knowledge into practice and taught Kindergarten for 4 years. 

Sydney had been drawn to the Montessori method because of the focus on child-led learning and the natural progression of skills throughout one's exploration in play. She began at Christ the King Catholic Montessori School in Mandan as a Nido Assistant for one year and has since become the Nido guide and completed her AMI training.

Aside from the endless smiles and cuddles that take place every day, her favorite thing about the Nido environment is observing the children in intense periods of concentration and then witnessing them accomplish what they are working so hard to do.

Lauren Emmel

Lauren Emmel, PT, DPT, is a board-certified pediatric clinical specialist and assistant professor of physical therapy in the St. Gianna School of Health Sciences at the University of Mary. Clinically, Lauren primarily works in pediatric physical therapy and recently founded her own mobile private practice, Baby Steps Physical Therapy. Lauren and her husband, Nick, along with their seven children, enjoy traveling, cooking, reading, and time spent around the table.    

Angela Flores

Mrs. Angela Flores is a children’s house guide at the University of Mary’s Butler Center for Early Learning. She has worked with children from infancy through high school as a faith formation teacher, home daycare owner, educator, and preschool and childcare director. Angela is passionate about integrating Montessori principles with respect for each child’s growth and development. She and her husband, Juan, have been married for 24 years and have three adult children. Their lively household includes three Yorkies, a macaw, an iguana, a tarantula, and two goldfish. The family enjoys spending time together at home and outdoors.

Maria Johnson

Maria Johnson has been a Montessori educator for 20 years, 15 as a Montessori guide, and currently serves at The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori School in MN. She holds a BA in Catholic studies and ministry, an AMI primary diploma, and a master’s degree in Montessori education. Maria brings a love for the Montessori Method, a deep Catholic faith, and a desire to encourage and support others on their journeys as Catholic Montessorians. She enjoys reading, knitting, gardening, and spending quiet mornings with prayer and coffee. Maria lives in East Bethel, MN, with her husband, Brendan, and their dog, Gizmo.

Mollie Koble

Mollie Koble, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist primarily working in pediatric settings. Mollie has worked in outpatient and school-based settings, both in virtual and in-person environments, and currently works with students enrolled in virtual academies across the country, as well as working with pediatric patients through her own private practice. Mollie and her husband, Mark, along with their four children, enjoy being outdoors, cooking, and spending quality time together. 

Katie Krukenberg

Katie Krukenberg, LMSW, is an associate professor and the director of the social work program at the University of Mary. She obtained a master’s degree from Florida State University and bachelor’s degrees in social work and criminal justice from the University of North Dakota. Prior to teaching at the University of Mary, Katie worked as a social worker for Bismarck Public Schools, Charles Hall Youth Services, and Home on the Range. She and her husband were also licensed foster parents for 10 years. In addition to teaching, Katie currently serves on the board for the Abused Adult Resource Center and as a mentor with survivors of human trafficking through the 31:8 Project. She and her family live in Bismarck, ND.

Jake Kubik

Jake Kubik is the Founder of Valuable Visits Fundraising Coaching, where he combines his passion for major gifts fundraising with a dynamic virtual coaching model. Drawing on his extensive experience as a major gifts officer at both the Sanford Health Foundation in Bismarck and the University of Mary, Jake has honed his expertise in building lasting donor relationships and securing significant philanthropic support. 

Guided by the belief that “better fundraisers make a more charitable world,” Jake's vision is clear: “to transform communities one mission and one fundraiser at a time.” His innovative approach, blending virtual coaching with a comprehensive curriculum, has empowered his clients to sharpen their major gifts strategies and achieve remarkable fundraising results. 

Jake’s personalized coaching methods and in-depth understanding of donor cultivation have consistently resulted in meaningful gifts for organizations.

Ali LaRock

Ali LaRock is a visual artist and educator based in Bismarck, North Dakota. She specializes in the areas of painting and mixed media. Her whimsically expressive art explores themes of the human condition through symbology, humor, and color. She holds a BFA in painting from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and has exhibited her work in galleries across the Midwest.

As a teaching artist, Ali believes in empowering all students by offering basic skills and techniques, then allowing them to take the art in their own personal direction. Her aim is to foster students’ innate curiosity and need for expression. She has worked as a teaching artist in schools throughout the state through various art residencies for over 20 years and has experience teaching students of all ages. She currently works at Christ the King Catholic Montessori School in Mandan, ND, where she teaches art and enjoys collaborating with the guides to make connections to the Montessori curriculum.

Karin McNamee

Karin McNamee is a police officer with the Bismarck Police Department and has been serving since 2004. She worked as a patrol officer for five years before moving into her current position as a School Resource Officer (SRO). She was previously assigned to several public middle and high schools in Bismarck and is now the SRO for Light of Christ Schools and Shiloh Christian School.

Karin graduated from high school in Minot, ND.  She obtained her bachelor of arts degree from the University of North Dakota and her MA from Minot State University. She attended the North Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy and is POST licensed as a police officer in the state of ND.

Derrick Nagel

Derrick Nagel was born and raised in Bismarck, ND.  During his undergraduate years, Nagel was fortunate to attend St. John Vianney Seminary at the University of St. Thomas, where he received two years of valuable formation and education. After learning more of God’s plan for his vocation, Nagel pursued a career in education, receiving his BA in elementary education, his MEd from the University of Mary, and an AMI administrator certificate. His first observation in a Montessori environment was where he discovered his passion for Montessori education. He has served as Head of School at Christ the King Catholic Montessori School since 2017. He loves working with the wonderful, hard-working, faith-filled staff at Christ the King, but Nagel's favorite part of his vocation in education is experiencing the growth and joy of the students every single day. Outside of school, Nagel enjoys gardening, landscaping, and spending time at the Nagel farm with his wife, Abbey, and their five children.

Rachel Pankratz

Rachel grew up in Billings, MT, as the third of eight children and earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Mary. She taught fourth grade in Bowman, ND, before God led her to Christ the King Catholic Montessori in 2019, where she now serves as reading specialist and director of Wrap Around Care. In May, she finished her master’s in literacy education from the University of Central Arkansas. With free time back, she’s happily reading, crocheting, soaking up the outdoors, and catching up with friends. Regarding Montessori education, she loves how each child is respected and honored. 

Melissa Rohan

Melissa Rohan is the founder and president of Waterfront Academy, a dual-immersion Spanish and English Montessori school in the Catholic tradition located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. A lifelong advocate for child-centered education, Melissa brings decades of experience, deep cultural roots, and a steadfast faith to her leadership in education.

Born to a Cuban mother and raised in a devout Catholic home, Melissa was immersed in the Montessori philosophy from birth. Her father discovered Dr. Maria Montessori’s work and shared it with Melissa’s mother, who became a Montessori guide in the 1970s. Melissa and her brother were raised with the Montessori method as the foundation of their learning and family life.

In 2010, Melissa ran for the DC State Board of Education with a vision of expanding Montessori principles across the public school system to benefit all students in the District. 

A devoted mother of three, all of whom have attended or still attend Waterfront Academy, Melissa has always remained rooted in community. 

Melissa’s commitment to faith, family, education, and cultural diversity continues to shape Waterfront Academy as a model of excellence in bilingual, Montessori, and Catholic education.

Mother Chiara Thérèse

Mother Chiara Thérèse Jacobson, AFL, MA has been at Christ the King Catholic Montessori School since 2015, and has received training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from birth to 12 years of age. 

She has a real love for the youngest of children, which led her to obtain an AMI Montessori assistant to Infancy diploma (birth to 3) from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Mesa, AZ.  She also holds a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University, a diploma in spiritual theology from the Teresianum in Rome, and a master’s in theology and Christian ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH. Mother Chiara Thérèse is the first member of the Servants of the Children of Light. Canonically established in the Diocese of Bismarck, ND, on October 1, 2020, this religious community has the apostolate of Catholic Montessori education rooted in a life of contemplative prayer. 

Donald Wallenfang

Donald Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD, is a husband and father, a Secular Discalced Carmelite, professor of theology and philosophy at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, lecturer in theology and philosophy with the Center for Carmelite Studies at The Catholic University of America, and academic advisor of the Benedicta Institute for Women. He has published twelve books as well as numerous articles on a variety of topics in Catholic systematic theology. He currently serves as a catechist for early adolescents and delights in listening to God with children.

Megan Wallenfang

Megan Wallenfang, OCDS, is a wife and mother, a Secular Discalced Carmelite, and a Catholic Montessori home educator. She also serves as a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation leader and has 25 years of atrium experience with children 0–12. She studied and worked in the field of music therapy, supporting the development of both children and adults. Megan and her husband, Donald, currently live, work, and worship with their children in Michigan. Together, they are co-authors of the book Shoeless: Carmelite Spirituality in a Disquieted World.

Cate Zweber

Cate Zweber is an AMS-certified Lower elementary guide. She has been a guide at Christ the King Catholic Montessori School since its origins and is grateful to see the fruit of the school's transformation in her own children. Cate additionally supports the CTK staff with goal setting, observing, and consulting to help maintain the authenticity of the Method throughout the school. She loves supporting the second plane child in their moral formation. 

The National Catholic Montessori Conference is the place of transformation for the spirit of the Catholic Montessorian. Come be rejuvenated and restored!

JoAnn Schulzenburg, Director of the Catholic Montessori Institute

Vendor Information

We invite vendors to be part of our upcoming conference—an excellent opportunity to connect with attendees and showcase your offerings. Be sure to register by August 29!

Basic Booth Fee | $500

Level 1 | $1,000

  • Flyer/item in swag bag
  • Logo on TV monitors
  • Standard Booth

Level 2 | $5,000

  • Premium booth location
  • Logo on TV monitors
  • Flyer/item in swag bag
  • 2 lunch tickets & 2 dinner tickets

Lunch Sponsor | QTY 1 | $2,000

  • Premium booth location
  • Advertising at Lunch
  • Logo on TV monitors
  • Flyer/item in swag bag
  • 2 tickets to lunch

Breakfast Sponsor | QTY 1 | $1,500

  • Premium booth location
  • Advertising at Breakfast
  • Flyer/item in swag bag

Social Sponsor | QTY 2 | $2,000

  • Premium booth location
  • Advertising at the Social
  • Logo on TV monitors
  • Flyer/item in swag bag

Dinner Sponsor | QTY 2 | $4,000

  • Premium booth location
  • Advertising during Dinner | PowerPoint
  • Logo on TV monitors
  • Flyer/item in swag bag
  • 2 tickets to dinner

All booths include:

  • 6-foot skirted table
  • 2 chairs
  • 2 exhibitor registrations
  • Conference wi-fi
  • Additional Exhibitors | $200/person


Exhibit Does Not Include:

  • Inbound and outbound shipping and freight handling costs
  • Electrical services
  • Audiovisual and computer support
  • Installation or dismantling

Have Questions?

Please reach out with any questions. Also, if you are visiting Bismarck or the University of Mary campus for the first time check out our Visitor page.