Molly O’Shaughnessy
Executive Director and Director of Primary Training

Molly is an AMI trainer, lecturer, consultant and national and international speaker.  Since 1996, she has served as Director of Training at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota (MTCM), as well as Community Faculty for Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul.  Ms. O’Shaughnessy earned her AMI Primary (3-6) diploma from the MTCM in 1976 and holds an M.Ed. from Loyola University Maryland.  She serves on the board of the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) in Amsterdam, NAMTA (North American Montessori Teachers’ Association) and is a member of the AMI Trainers Group.  Ms. O’Shaughnessy served as a founding board member for the Minnesota Children’s Museum and has dedicated her life to education and children. She serves on the boards of Ready for K, The Family Place (a day center for families living without permanent housing) and a number of other organizations dedicated to the welfare of children and families.

Alison Awes
Director of Elementary Training

Alison holds AMI diplomas for Primary and Elementary levels, a B.A. in Art History from Smith College, a M.A. in Latin American Studies from Tulane University, and a M.Ed. in Montessori Education from Loyola University in Maryland. She was a Montessori child and has taught for several years in six-to-nine and nine-to-twelve classrooms. She has served on the board of Montessori schools and other organizations, including the AMI Elementary Alumni Association. Ms. Awes has lectured on AMI training courses at the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee and at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota.

Connie Black
Director of Outreach Programs

Connie holds a B.A. in English and Theatre from the University of Tennessee Martin. She also holds a M.Ed. from Loyola University of Maryland, in Montessori Education. She has 15 years of experience in Montessori Children’s Houses, as well as 8 years in public school settings working with children with special needs. She is an AMI Trainer, guest lecturer, and consultant.

Nicole Olson
Administrator

Nicole earned her AMI Primary diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota in 2006. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a Master’s degree in Education from Loyola University in Maryland.

Jeanne Frayne
Course Assistant

Jeanne earned her AMI Primary diploma from the Montessori Institute of North Texas in 2007. She holds an undergraduate degree in Literary Studies and a Master’s degree in Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas. Jeanne served as a guide in the Dallas area for many years and has also worked as a course assistant for the Montessori Institute of North Texas.

Tammy Tesky Ausen
Director of Development

Tammy received her BA from the College of St. Benedict in Political Science and Women’s Studies and is working to complete her Masters Degree in Public Administration and Non-Profit Management from Hamline University Graduate School of Management. Tammy has over 15 years of non-profit fundraising and development experience and has served as both fundraising staff and a fundraising consultant for several Minnesota non-profit organizations.