Igniting Excellence Through Montessori Education
For over five decades, Charles Terranova, 2025 American Montessori Society Living Legacy, has been a guiding force in the Montessori movement. From classroom teacher to internationally acclaimed speaker, Charles has dedicated his life to fostering authentic Montessori practices and inspiring educators worldwide.
Meet Charles Terranova
As a child, Charles found inspiration in watching legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein teach the art of mastery. Bernstein’s focus on exposure, repetition, and understanding resonated deeply with Charles and became the foundation of his philosophy for training Montessori educators.
Charles’s extraordinary career spans numerous roles:
Founder and Leader: Co-founded the Montessori Community School, which became the Inly School, and the Montessori Schools of Massachusetts (MSM).
Global Influencer: Presented at AMS conferences, mentored Montessori professionals worldwide, and supported schools across Hong Kong, Beijing, Indonesia, Qatar, and Korea.
Education Innovator: Co-founded the Cambridge Montessori Institute and led AMS accreditation teams to ensure high-fidelity Montessori practices.
Throughout his career, Charles has remained steadfast in his mission to educate adults with the same intentionality and rigor as we educate children, making Montessori education a global movement.
Transform Your Montessori Practice
Charles is ready to help your school, staff, or community achieve its highest potential. Whether you’re embarking on accreditation, refining classroom practices, or training the next generation of Montessori educators, Charles’s guidance will ensure lasting success.
Services
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Curriculum Design & Implementation
Comprehensive reviews of Montessori classroom practices.
Deep dives into Montessori apparati to support child discovery.
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Professional Development
Customized training workshops for teachers and administrators.
Internationally-focused seminars and mentorship programs.
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Leadership Development
Mentorship for heads of schools and emerging leaders.
Strategic planning for organizational growth.
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School Support & Observation
Classroom observation and curriculum development.
Strategies to ensure authentic Montessori implementation.
What others say about Charles:
“A walking encyclopedia of Montessori history and philosophy.”
“Charles projects kindness, caring, and rigor in his practice.”
“He’s a model of patience and attentive listening.”