Who We Are

Author and Co-Creator: Dottie Sweet Feldman 

holds a Master of Education & American Montessori Society credentials for ages 3 through 12.  For more than 40 years, she has shared with children & adults, her passion for language arts skill building methodology.  Dottie has held the position of director, practicum coordinator, and instructor of 3 Montessori TEP’s. She was the founding administrator of the AMS Teacher Education Scholarship fund and 2007/08 Living Legacy. In 2009, she traveled to Taiwan for the 1st Chinese Montessori Foundation Conference, serving as presenter and exhibitor.  Her interest in brain research focuses on the necessity for ordered, phonemic elements in an effective reading program, fundamental to the ES&I’s Skill Building Series.

Founder and Co-Creator: Marie Jenkins 

holds an American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential. She has served as the designer, exhibitor, business manager and sales representative of ES&I. Marie is currently working toward a Child Development Associates degree for infants and toddlers while working at the University of Dayton's Bombeck Family Learning Center. She looks forward to this degree and experience guiding her as she continues to meet the literacy needs of children birth through early childhood. Marie has collaborated with dyslexia specialists, physical and visual therapists to better understand the physical needs of challenged children as they acquire reading readiness skills.

 Owner and Consultant: Kristen Richter

holds an American Montessori Society Elementary I-II  Credential. Kristen worked for over 10 years with the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest and is currently an Upper Elementary Teacher at Blossoming Hill Montessori School in Maple Valley, WA.  Prior to her time at Blossoming Hill Montessori she had spent over 15 years in classrooms from toddlers to lower elementary.  Her passion for beautiful Montessori materials began in 1978, hand coloring language cards alongside her mother who was completing her own Montessori training. She’s delighted to have this opportunity to continue to serve the Montessori community by keeping the tradition alive of providing excellent materials.