Dr. K.T. Korngold, Director

Dr. K.T. Korngold, Ed.D

Director

Dr. Korngold possesses a lifetime of dedication to authentic Montessori principles and practices. Since 2011, she has been the CEO of the Center for Montessori Education (CMTE/CME), a seminal leader in Montessori teacher and administrator education, which has credentialed over 3,000 professionals and was the first program in the United States to offer an AMS Infant and Toddler teaching credential.  Since 2018, she has been the Director of the Montessori Children’s Center in West Harrison, New York, one of the first full-time, year-round Montessori child care centers for children (three months through six years) founded in 1991.

Advocacy:

Dr. Korngold is deeply involved in Montessori advocacy, as member of the New York State Montessori Alliance, where she is Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee, and a member of the Westchester Early Childhood Directors Association where she is part of a legislative workgroup advocating for quality childcare in New York State.

Publishing:

Widely recognized for her published articles on Montessori and parenting, she has been featured in regional and national magazines, including Westchester Family Magazine, CT Parent Magazine, Tomorrow’s Child, and Infants and Toddlers Journal. She is a frequent contributor to Montessori Life Magazine, the publication of the American Montessori Society, most recently with an article on technology and a tribute to Virginia Varga (1929-2025).

Some of the case study narratives from her research are featured in the recently published book Maria Montessori’s Philosophy: Following the Child by Philosopher Dr. Patrick Frierson (Oxford, 2025)

Conference Presentations:

  • February 2026: Presenter on “What is Agency Piccolo?” at the Hope/Andrews Annual Montessori Conference in St. Louis, MO.
  • March 2024: Presented at Poster Session of AMS TME conference “The Presence of Agency in Infants in the Montessori Infant Environment” (Denver, CO)
  • March 2018: Co-Presented Workshop Session at AMS TME conference “Second Generation Leadership” (Denver, CO)
  • November 2018: Lead Presenter Montessori Toddler Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Korngold has received numerous awards and honors:

  • A certificate of recognition for her leadership in “preparing children for learning and success in school and life” from George Latimer, Westchester County Executive.
  • She was inducted into the Early Education Hall of Heroes (2019).
  • She received the Wisdom of the Elders Award from MACTE (2019).
  • In 2022, MVP awarded her the Mental Health and Well-Being Innovation award for her innovative policies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • In 2025, she received the Montessori Achievement Award from Woodland Hills Montessori.
  • She was recognized by Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Charles E. Schumer for her work and contributions to students in New York (2025).

Degrees and Credentials:

Dr. Korngold holds a doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in Advanced Montessori Studies, a master’s degree from Columbia University, 12 graduate credits in Early Childhood Education from The College of New Rochelle, and a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. She holds an AMS Administrator credential and an AMS CME|NY Infant and Toddler Montessori credential (both from CMTE/NY). 

Family Ties to Montessori:

As a child, Dr. Korngold was part of the model classroom of the first Montessori education program for Head Start teachers in the United States, initiated by her mother, Carole Wolfe Korngold, in 1966. She is a member of the American Montessori Society, married, and the mother of two adult daughters both who attended Montessori schools.