Michelle Wisbey

Mont Dip, BA Hons, MA, PGCE, Montessorian of the Year 2016

Head of Education and Organisational Development

Michelle has over 25 years’ experience running her own Montessori nurseries and pre-schools, she and her team currently run five Montessori nurseries and pre-schools in Essex.

Michelle is the course leader of the MA Education with Montessori and BA (Hons) Montessori Early Childhood Studies, along with continued involvement in the delivery and assessment of the new Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies. Additionally, she supervises undergraduates with their final year major projects and provides support to students throughout their studies. She leads Montessori philosophy and practice and is responsible for developing, overseeing, and evolving sustainable training programmes & supporting early years career talent.

At Westwood Training and Consultancy Michelle leads a team of experienced lecturers and trainers, all of whom have studied with Montessori Centre International in London. With many years of experience, they provide both face to face and blended learning with full tutor support with learning taking place in a supportive, comfortable, and fully equipped environment. She has mentored and tutored students in Early Years education and has supported settings to achieve the best outcome possible in Ofsted inspections. 

The opportunity to work in settings with newly qualified Early Years teachers and leadership has led to the development of an interest in creating best practice models of practice both in the UK and in Malawi. She has achieved her Doctorate in Education, researching into the introduction of the Montessori Approach into early years centres in Malawi and with increasing interest in the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of early years education to change lifetime outcomes for children, Michelle believes her research can inform change for early years education in developing countries.

Kate Larsson

Montessori Educator and Trainer

Kate Larsson is an experienced Montessori educator whose career spans both urban and rural settings across the UK. After discovering Montessori a decade ago Kate has steadily deepened her expertise and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education with Montessori at Anglia Ruskin University.

Kate has delivered workshops nationally and internationally, and led webinars on key topics including parent partnership, Montessori at home, and gender equality in the early years. Her writing has been featured in Montessori International and Directions magazine, contributing thoughtful insights to the wider Montessori community.

Now working full-time in adult training, Kate is passionate about supporting educators at every stage of their Montessori journey, combining practical experience with a commitment to reflective practice and lifelong learning.

Laura Perfetti

Montessori Educator, psychiatric rehabilitation specialist, and university lecturer with over 18 years of experience in early childhood education. Holding a BA in Early Childhood Studies and a Master’s degree in Pedagogy, she has worked across Montessori nurseries in London and Africa and now trains future practitioners in higher education. Her practice is rooted in a child-centred approach, with a strong emphasis on Educare—supporting children’s holistic development.

Previously, Laura managed a nursery, where she created a nurturing Montessori environment with an innovative on-site co-working space for parents. This unique model strengthened parent–child relationships and built a vibrant community around learning. She led staff training, parent workshops, and student mentorship, cultivating confident and well-prepared educators.

In recognition of her impact, Laura received the Best UK Parental Engagement Award at the NMT Nursery Awards in 2022. Passionate about the Montessori philosophy, she continues to champion collaboration between educators, parents, and children to foster environments where every child can thrive.

Michela Castellarin

My passion for the Montessori approach to early years education has been shaping my life and who I am for decades. Montessori’s vision and values of community and interdependence, of respect and celebration for all, of sustainability and global welfare are at the core of my life as I strive to inform and inspire others about this method of education that is indeed Cosmic.

I have been a lecturer and academic tutor for most of my professional life, working with both students and schools, internationally and in the UK. Being involved with young children is the most humbling yet empowering experience, one that always reminds me of the true qualities of humankind: sincerity, trust, affection and, most of all, curiosity about life!

Joahnne Cousins

Lecturer

I am currently a lecturer in education at Anglia Ruskin University but originally from a nursing and private medical healthcare background, having spent the last 20 years solely working in the area related to child development and parent craft across a spectrum of roles in local authorities and private business, the latter of which was owning and running a preschool & nursery.

This breadth of experience has put me in a unique position to be able to deliver training with the widest possible view of my subject area. I have direct experience working with safeguarding, foster carers, child development, all areas of first aid, including mental health and parent craft with particular areas of interest in safeguarding and behaviour management.

Sarah Olley

Lecturer

I have spent my professional career working to share my passion and commitment to Montessori education and life with others.  I have worked as an academic tutor and lecturer, early years teacher, facilitator in community projects and owner of my own small school, the Montessori approach is at the heart of all the work I do.

It is the desire to help people connect and find what they can do to support children, families, communities, and the wider world that has always driven me, supporting the development of citizens of the world, and sharing kindness.   I enjoy being outside in nature and getting messy using paint or clay with children, watching, listening to them, and helping them discover and explore the amazing world we live in.