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)
- Jim Sulzer (Member)
- Peter Cunningham (Member)
- Peter Talmers (Member)
- Tanesha Peeples (Member)
- Jamie Knight (Member)
- Marvin Hoffman (Member Emeritus)
Board Schedule
2024-2025
Monday, September 16th, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Winston & Strawn LLP 35 W. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL. 60601
Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: The Montessori School of Englewood 6936 S. Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL. 60636
Monday, January 13, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Winston & Strawn LLP 35 W. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL. 60601
Monday, March 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Winston & Strawn LLP 35 W. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL. 60601
Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: The Montessori School of Englewood 6936 S. Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL. 60636
Monday, June 16th, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Winston & Strawn, LLP 35 W. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL. 60601