The Montessori School of Englewood

Board of Directors

The leadership of the Montessori School of Englewood includes folks with diverse backgrounds, all of equal commitment to the Montessori philosophy.

Leadership

Rita Nolan

Executive Director

Rita Nolan is the founder and executive director of the Montessori Network, which includes the Montessori School of Englewood and the Montessori Residency of Chicago. She previously served as the Upper School Director for Near North Montessori School in Chicago from 2003 to 2009. Originally from Ireland, Rita has a degree in geography and Greek and Roman civilization from University College Dublin. She also holds a master’s in education in curriculum and instruction, and has primary and elementary level Montessori teaching certificates. In 2011, Rita was a Ryan Fellow at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she studied education reform through an entrepreneurial lens. Rita also helped found the Montessori Residency of Chicago, which trains teachers to work in urban Montessori schools. In [TK YEAR ]Rita has received the Dennis Schapiro Award for Innovation in Montessori Teacher Education, and has presented at education conferences nationwide on applying Montessori pedagogy to under-resourced communities. 


Karen Anderson

President, Board of Directors

Karen Gatsis Anderson is President of the Board of Directors. Preciously she served as the Board Vice President for approximately 10 years. Her 3 adult children all received a Montessori education, and Karen is passionate about the value of the Montessori approach. Karen was very involved in the school her daughters attended, including many year of service on it's board.


Karen is a semi-retired attorney who worked for the Chicago Board Education, specializing in litigation, school law and employment law. At present she is an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Law, as part of a team that teaches advanced trial advocacy. She also is on the Finance Committee for Equip for Equality, which provides disability services for people throughout the state of Illinois.


Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed of eleven parents and Englewood community members dedicated to the Montessori School of Englewood’s present and future. The Board oversees the school’s budgeting and finances, gives some guidance and direction, and keeps the school on-mission. The MSE Board of Directors meets six times per year. Each upcoming Board meeting is listed in the preceding MSE newsletter, which is distributed at the beginning of each month. Sign up here


  • Karen Gatsis Anderson (President)
  • Ebonie Townsend (Vice President)
  • Thomas Hale (President Emeritus)
  • Joseph Motto (Treasurer)
  • Gabrielle Sansonetti (Member)
  • Tiffany White (Member)
  • Jim Sulzer (Member)
  • Jonathan White (Member)
  • Peter Cunningham (Member)
  • Peter Talmers (Member)
  • Tanesha Peeples (Member)

Board Schedule

2023-2024


Board Meeting: Monday, September 18, 2023 

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Winston & Strawn, 35 W. Wacker Drive . Chicago, IL. 60636

 

Board Meeting: Saturday, November 4, 2023

Time: 9:00am 

Location: The Montessori School of Englewood 6936 S. Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL. 60636

 

Board Meeting: Monday, January 22, 2024

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Winston & Strawn LLP 35 W. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL. 60601

 

Board Meeting: Monday, March 18, 2024. 

Time: 6:00pm 

Location: Winston & Strawn, 35 W. Wacker Drive


Board Meeting: Saturday, May 11, 2024

Time: 9:00am 

Location: The Montessori School of Englewood 6936 S. Hermitage Chicago, IL. 60636

 

Board Meeting: Monday, June 17, 2024

Time: 6:00pm 

Location: Winston & Strawn, LLP 35 W. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL. 60601


If you think your child would thrive in a Montessori environment, give us a call or schedule a tour online. We would love for you to visit our school and learn more.

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