About Us
What is MIP?
The Montessori Intervention Programs, Inc. is a not-for-profit charitable corporation established under the laws of the New York Department of State, and has been granted taxation exemption status under the guidelines and rules of the United States Federal Government Internal Revenue Service codes. 501(c) (3), Public Charity States 170 (b) (A) (vi).
Founded by Ms. Monica Sullivan-Smith, a Montessori teacher, and John F. Erhart, MD, a Child Psychiatrist, MIP fosters the integration of sound mental health practices with Montessori principles. The application of Montessori theory via the expertise of Child Psychiatry creates new, more effective approaches for the challenges children and their families face today.
MIP Consultations
MIP offers consultation services to help ALL children reach their unique potential and experience enhanced well-being. Child-specific consultation, program design, and training workshops are among the services we offer.
MIP Co-Founders
John F. Erhart, MD, Executive Director
Dr. Erhart received his doctorate in medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, after receiving undergraduate degrees at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He completed post-graduate medical training at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital. After an internship in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Neurology, he completed a psychiatric residency and child psychiatry fellowship through the university’s Department of Psychiatry.
Dr. Erhart is the Consulting Psychiatrist for the Monroe County Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES). He also consults to Easter Seals of New York, providing services to individuals with mental retardation, developmental disabilities, and emotional challenges, Dr. Erhart is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry (and Neurology). He is an author, and currently is developing a reading skills edition of his adolescent fantasy book, The Hebredene Journals.
Monica Sullivan-Smith, MS Ed, Deputy Director of MIP
Ms. Sullivan-Smith received a baccalaureate degree in English from the Nazareth College of Rochester (Rochester, NY). She earned her master’s degree from Nazareth, focusing on Inclusive Early Childhood, and has New York State (NYS) certification in Regular Education (0 to second grade), and NYS certification in Special Education (0 to second grade). She earned her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary Diploma from the Maria Montessori Training Organization in London. Ms. Smith has taught for many years in AMI-certified schools in New York and Texas.
Ms. Smith participated in the first assembly of Educateurs sans Frontiéres (EsF) held at Citta di Castello, Italy (1999), the second EsF Assembly in Spain (2004), and the recent third EsF Assembly in Dallas (2011). With Dr. Erhart, Ms. Smith co-founded The Montessori Intervention Programs. Ms. Smith is a Primary Teacher in the Franklin Montessori program, an AMI approach in the state school sector (Rochester City School District).
