Montessori Educator | Arts Integration Specialist | International Presenter
Christina Garay Lohry is a multifaceted educator and consultant whose career spans over three decades across psychology, movement therapy, and holistic education. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Dance Therapy from Naropa University and began her professional journey in mental health, working in the acute psychiatric unit at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. After moving to Nova Scotia, Canada, she transitioned to private practice, supporting special needs children through movement therapy and sensory-based interventions. Her deep commitment to child development and experiential education led her to co-found the Shambala Elementary School and co-direct an arts integration (Waldorf) teacher training program at Naropa East.
Christina earned her Master’s in Education with honors from Mount St. Vincent University and has since served in diverse teaching roles—from classroom and art teacher to dance educator—in both public schools and Montessori settings. In Charlotte, she spent seven years teaching Upper Elementary at Chantilly Montessori and two at Park Road, while also training teachers through the Charlotte Montessori Teachers Institute and ILIM Montessori School. A certified Montessori educator, yoga instructor, and Brain Gym consultant, Christina has presented at national and international conferences including Brain Gym International, the American Dance Association, and MANC. Through her nonprofit, Gold Mountain Arts and Education, she has expanded access to experiential, arts-rich programs for underserved children. She currently teaches Ukrainian students online through the UK-based organization Svitlo. Christina’s passion for global education is reflected in her lifelong studies of meditation, Chinese medicine, Tai Chi, and cultural arts, underscoring her holistic approach to learning and teaching.
