The IMC expresses it’s thanks to Claire Salkowski for her many years of service to the school accreditation commission. While she will continue her work on the IMC board, Claire is stepping down from the commission. We wish her well and thank her for all she’s done for the commission.
CLAIRE SALKOWSKI has been involved with the IMC School Accreditation Commission since its inception. She, and other dedicated volunteers like her, created and contributed to the original documents and standards that we on the Commission fondly call the “Big Book.” She then served as Chair, Co-Chair and has now been a commission member for many years.
Claire has been a leader in the field of education for over thirty-five years. She was the founder and Head of Free State Montessori School and has taught at every level of development from toddlers through graduate school. She is the previous Director of the Montessori Education Program at Delaware State University and has been a faculty member for numerous Montessori teacher education programs. She has been an adjunct and associate professor at Goucher College, Chestnut Hill College, Delaware State University, and a visiting lecturer at University of Maryland Baltimore Campus. Most recently, she was Curriculum Director for the International Montessori School in Hong Kong and Principal for Gateway International Montessori School in Egypt.
Claire is currently a professional Alternative Dispute Resolution specialist and educational consultant. In her role as professional mediator and Circle facilitator, she was Director of Mediation and Education Programs at the North Baltimore Center of Mosaic Community Services, an affiliate of Sheppard Pratt. She has mediated and served on the board of two US community mediation centers.
She holds a Master of Science in Emotional Disturbances from Johns Hopkins University, was state certified in Special Education and is Montessori certified for ages 3-12. Claire has written and developed curriculum in Montessori education, mediation, and peace education. She has published many articles on a variety of topics including peace education, Montessori practice, parenting, mediation and conflict resolution.
During her years in Montessori, she has trained faculties and students in Montessori philosophy and practice, peer mediation and conflict resolution. She has also presented at numerous Montessori conferences and other professional organizations nationally and internationally. She also serves on the Board of the International Montessori Council, the Oneness-Family School, and Circle of Restorative Initiatives.
Claire says, “I have enjoyed working with schools as they strive to self-reflect and move toward continual improvement. It is always a pleasure to be witness to each school’s journey and to learn from what each community contributes to the wider Montessori world. It is truly a learning experience for all of us.”
