Who We Are
About Metro Consulting
We are Montessori educators, administrators, and advocates. Our Montessori Leadership Services arose directly from the work we do daily at our own Montessori schools, and in our own Montessori communities. We understand first-hand the challenges Montessori leaders face, and we bring that understanding to our leadership and consulting work.
Our perspective as Montessori leaders has been enhanced by our prior professional experiences: we are lawyers, strategic consultants, financial analysts, business owners, and professors. We apply a pragmatic, business-savvy lens to our work, but always with an authentic Montessori filter.
Our Mission
Metro Consulting is dedicated to making quality Montessori education accessible to more children around the world, through supporting beautiful schools, developing Montessori teachers and leaders, advocating for policies that support Montessori education, and advising others who share our goals.
We believe deeply that children learn best when they are able to see themselves in the adults that teach, guide, protect and love them. Metro Consulting is committed to increasing equity and diversity in Montessori leadership. We pledge to listen, observe, learn and work in partnership with individuals and organizations in the Montessori community who are striving to ensure that Montessori education serves ALL children and families equally.
As a part of our mission, Metro Consulting recognizes and values the need for diversity and inclusion in leadership within the Montessori community. Our goal is to promote and increase diverse representation in leadership positions.
At Metro Consulting Services, we have an exceptional team of experienced Montessorians. Our consultants are current and former Board Members of AMS, current and founding Board Members of the Montessori Public Policy Initiative, former members of the AMS School Accreditation Commission, and founding Board Members of Montessori Schools of Maryland and DC Montessori Coalition. We have been Heads of School, Montessori teachers, Montessori trainers and Montessori parents. We also have significant business, financial, operational and legal expertise.
Meet the Team
Senior Metro Consultant
Scholar, Researcher & Expert in Montessori Education Leadership
Dr. Sharon Damore, Ed.D.
Dr. Sharon Damore brings over 35 years of distinguished experience spanning elementary and secondary school, institutional and university administration ranging from educational leadership, national policy formation and doctoral-level research. Dr. Damore holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and Early Childhood (Ages 3–6) credentials from the American Montessori Society (AMS). In addition to her leadership at Metro Consulting Services, she currently serves as researcher and faculty in Education Leadership at DePaul University, University of Wisconsin at River Falls and AMS-affiliated Seton Montessori Institute. She is a founding member of the AMS School Accreditation Commission (SAC) and the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI). She formerly served on the AMS Board of Directors as well as among her many prior executive positions, served as Head of School at the AMS-accredited and ISACS-accredited Chiaravalle Montessori School in Illinois, and as Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Montessori Schools (AIMS).
Senior Metro Consultant
Montessori Education & Institutional Leadership
Carla Hofland
Ms. Carla Hofland is an experienced education executive and institutional consultant bringing over two decades of leadership experience in Montessori companies. Prior to her leadership at Metro, she previously served as Director of Member Services at the American Montessori Society (AMS) for more than 17 years, providing strategic advisory services to schools nationwide. Ms. Hofland has held administrative leadership roles as Assistant Director at Brickton Montessori School in Illinois and Financial Coordinator at the Alcott School in New York. Ms. Hofland holds an MBA in Operations Management from Loyola University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reflecting a rigorous foundation in both institutional management and professional communication.
Metro Consultant
Montessori Education & Institutional Leadership
Dr. Ashley Morris, Ed.D.
Dr. Ashley Morris is a distinguished leader and professional coach in Montessori education and teacher development. Prior to her work with Metro, she has served for over twenty years in Montessori Education and Curriculum as the Executive Director of the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta, supporting both Montessori teachers and Montessori school administration across the United States. Dr. Morris holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from the College of William & Mary, and Doctor of Education in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University. She further holds dual Montessori teaching credentials in early childhood from the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Pan American Montessori Society (PAMS). Dr. Morris serves on the governing board of the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), teaches in several university Master's and Doctoral programs, and contributes to statewide educational policy and advocacy through the Montessori Administrators of Georgia and Montessori Partnerships for Georgia. She regularly serves as a lead verifier for accreditation on-site visits for Montessori and independent schools, as well as EEP accreditations.
Metro Consultant
Governance Consultant & Leadership Coach
Michelle Morrison
Michelle believes that a high-functioning Board is a cornerstone of school sustainability and Head of School success. She partners with independent school Boards to strengthen governance through facilitated workshops that foster reflection, meaningful dialogue, and practical action. Drawing on independent school governance best practices, adult learning strategies, and each school's unique context, Michelle helps Boards assess their effectiveness, build stronger governance habits, and develop and complete actionable plans for continuous improvement. As a certified leadership coach, she also provides follow-up coaching and accountability support for Board Chairs and Heads of School to help translate workshop insights into lasting governance growth.
A BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant and International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach, Michelle has dedicated more than 35 years to Montessori education and leadership. She has served as Head of School for two Montessori schools, held leadership roles on multiple Boards, and instructs in the Administrative Leadership course at West Side Montessori Teacher Education Program. A lifelong learner and advocate for high-fidelity Montessori education, Michelle is committed to helping Boards and school leaders build a healthy governance culture that enables their school to thrive.
Metro Consultant
Montessori Advocacy Leader & Education Access Strategist
Ms. Vyju Kadambi
Ms. Vyju Kadambi is a seasoned Montessori education professional whose career of more than 25 years spans classroom instruction, institutional leadership, and national policy advocacy. In addition to her work with Metro Consulting, she is the Advocacy Associate at the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI). Ms. Kadambi works alongside senior policy leaders to support State Advocacy Leads across the country. Prior to these roles, she has served as a Montessori teacher, Head of School, and school founder across both private and public educational sectors — demonstrating exceptional versatility and sustained commitment to the advancement of Montessori practice at every level.
Ms. Kadambi holds an Early Childhood and Lower Elementary credential from the American Montessori Society (AMS), an AMS Administrator Credential, and a Master of Education in Montessori Education from Xavier University — reflecting a comprehensive foundation in both pedagogy and institutional governance.
Metro Consultant
Montessori Special Education & Institutional Leadership
Dr. Nancy Lindeman, Ed.D.
Dr. Nancy Lindeman is a distinguished Montessori educator and administrator whose professional contributions span more than four decades of dedicated service to children, families, and the broader Montessori community. Since beginning her career in special education in 1978, She most recently served as Program Director at the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College — a nationally recognized center for the advancement of Montessori research and educator preparation.
Dr. Lindeman holds Montessori credentials in Early Childhood and Elementary (Levels I–II) from the American Montessori Society (AMS), as well as an AMS Credential in Montessori Administration. Among her most significant institutional contributions, Dr. Lindeman has founded and directed a Utah public Montessori charter school and two private Montessori institutions. She is a former member of the AMS Board of Directors and serves as faculty in multiple AMS teacher education programs. Her current scholarly focus centers on Montessori Intergenerational Research, an emerging and consequential area of inquiry within the field.
Metro Consultant
Mary MacIntosh
Mary is a distinguished Montessori educator with extensive experience in teaching, school administration, teacher education, and consulting. She has held roles such as Head of School and Director of Teacher Education, where she championed the Montessori philosophy and integrated it into school culture. Her expertise has enhanced teacher development and educational programs while exemplifying professional growth. As a Montessori Consultant for Nebula School in Shanghai, she shares valuable insights to advance best practices in the field. Mary’s notable contributions include serving on the AMS board, the Teacher Education Commission, and MACTE committees. She holds an AMI Early Childhood credential and earned her master’s degree in special education fromthe College of William and Mary in Virginia.
Metro Partner
Education Law Executive | Montessori Advocacy & Leadership Consulting
Josh Oboler
Mr. Josh Oboler is a nationally recognized leader in Montessori education whose distinguished career spans law, school founding, executive leadership, and international consultation. Prior to entering education in 2001, Mr. Oboler practiced law at Arnold & Porter, one of Washington, D.C.'s most prestigious law firms. Mr. Oboler holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School, one of the foremost law schools in the United States, and an Early Childhood teaching credential from the American Montessori Society (AMS).
Mr. Oboler currently serves as Executive Director of the Metro Montessori family of schools in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where he co-founded four AMS-accredited institutions. He serves as Founding Chairman of Montessori Schools of Maryland, a member of the AMS School Accreditation Commission, and a board member of the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI).
Of particular relevance to international partners, Mr. Oboler has provided expert consultation to Montessori institutions worldwide, including his pivotal role in establishing the first MACTE-accredited Montessori teacher education program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — demonstrating both the depth of his expertise and his capacity to operate effectively across cultural and regulatory contexts.
Metro Partner
Joe Henry
Joe has extensive experience in educational law, business development, and Montessori leadership. He has taught at the Early Childhood level, served as a Head of School, and co-founded four Metro Montessori schools, including three AMS-accredited programs. A trained Early Childhood Montessori teacher, Joe is Co-Chair and Founding Member of the Washington, DC Montessori Coalition, where he helped draft and secure adoption of the city’s Montessori education regulations. He also serves on DC’s OSSE Private School Advisory Board and has consulted with schools internationally, including in India and the Republic of Georgia. In addition to his work in education, Joe co-founded Artists and Makers, a large arts center complex, and ZavaZone, a national family adventure park franchise.
Webmaster
Matthew Tatum
Matt Tatum is the Webmaster, overseeing all aspects of the organization’s website to ensure it runs smoothly and effectively. With over 10 years of experience in digital marketing and web management, Matt specializes in optimizing online platforms to enhance user experience and performance. He manages site functionality, updates, and technical improvements to keep the website running at its best. Matt’s expertise helps the organization maintain a strong and reliable online presence.
Contact Us Today
11820 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852
301-230-0901
