MSLF Names New Executive Director
June 5, 2013

ajLake Forest, IL, June 4, 2013: The Board of Directors of the Montessori School of Lake Forest (MSLF) announced the selection of Ann Jordahl as Executive Director. Ms. Jordahl is a long-time member of the staff at MSLF, serving most recently as Interim Executive Director. MSLF was founded in 1965 as a private educational school following the Montessori philosophy, integrating character development into every aspect of school life.

“The Board of Directors is delighted that Ann Jordahl has accepted the position of Executive Director of Montessori School of Lake Forest,” noted Thomas J. (Tom) Zengeler, President of the school’s Board. “Her selection was the result of a thorough and thoughtful search. As we moved forward in the process, it was clear the school had thrived under Ann’s leadership. We are fortunate to have a professional already on staff with such a deep appreciation for our goals and philosophy. Ann is the right Executive Director to lead our school to even greater heights in the future.”

Ms. Jordahl’s appointment was announced to parents of students in a recent letter. She was selected by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors at the regular Board meeting on May 16, 2013. The role of the Executive Director at the school is as follows.

• Applies Montessori philosophy to its highest standard and staffs the school accordingly, attracting well-qualified faculty and retaining them;

• Builds MSLF’s community to foster the Montessori ideal of “following the child;” and,

• Is accessible and responsive to all parties – faculty, parents, students and alumni – and in particular ensures that parents are kept informed about MSLF’s policies, programs and the progress of the children.

Ms. Jordahl thanked the Board for the opportunity to become the Executive Director after serving one year as Interim Executive Director. “The Montessori educational experience is truly an exceptional opportunity for those who believe in a high quality, individualized approach to teaching,” she said. “Montessori School of Lake Forest has a rich heritage of excellence, a tradition I pledge to continue during my time as Executive Director.”

For more information about her appointment as Executive Director at the Montessori School of Lake Forest, please contact Thomas J. Zengeler, ( tzengeler@sbcglobal.net ) President, Board of Directors.

MSLF Retirement Announcement

January 29, 2025
Dear MSLF Community, After over 20 years of teaching Lower Elementary students at MSLF, Kathryn Jasinski has shared her plans to retire from teaching at the end of the current school year. There is no doubt about the impact Miss Jasinski has had on our school community during her long tenure here. Kathryn has been well known for her dedication to her students, to developing the whole child, and for her passion for Montessori education, always staying true to the core tenets of Montessori philosophy. Her legacy at MSLF will certainly live on in each of the students who have been lucky enough to have been in her class and in the many words of wisdom she has shared with her fellow colleagues, past and present. No doubt each one of her current or former students who receives a note from her in the mail instantly recognizes her perfect cursive writing and the thoughtful note inside. Kathryn’s care of her students extends well beyond their time in her classroom as she has kept in touch with dozens of her former students and has even welcomed some back to work alongside her as assistants. She has been a mentor to many, imparting her years of expertise on all those who have had the privilege of working with her. While we are sad to see her go, we know that she will enjoy her well-earned retirement, and we look forward to celebrating Kathryn’s legacy more this year. MSLF is pleased to announce that Laura Earls will be the new Lower Elementary lead teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Laura has been co-teaching in our Upper Elementary classroom since the beginning of the current school year. Laura Earls joined the MSLF team from Higher Ground Education where she was Regional Program Lead, working to elevate program quality in all Guidepost Montessori schools across the Chicago area. It was during this work that she realized how much she missed working directly with children in the Montessori classroom and decided to return to teaching. Laura received her BA in art history from the University of Dallas and completed graduate work at the University of Notre Dame. Soon after, Laura shifted her career to education and earned her AMI Elementary Montessori Certification (6-12 years old) at the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee. She then taught in an Elementary classroom at Forest Bluff School, and her classroom was profiled in Paula Polk Lillard’s book, Montessori Today. After moving to Wisconsin to raise her three children, Laura received her AMI Primary Montessori Certification (3-6 years old) at the Midwest Montessori Institute. After that, she worked as a Primary Directress and Director of Admissions at a Montessori school in Wisconsin, as Head of School of Forest Bluff School, and as Senior Head of School at Guidepost Montessori. Laura has three grown children who all experienced Montessori education themselves and are thriving in college and beyond. Laura has lived and studied in both Paris and Rome and is an accomplished pianist. Laura is excited to make the transition to the Lower Elementary classroom and looks forward to working closely with current and new Lower Elementary families next year. She also looks forward to meeting families in the Lower Elementary classroom during the Open House on February 5. With Laura transitioning to the Lower Elementary classroom following the current school year, MSLF will be conducting a search for a new co-teacher to work alongside Debbie Lincoln in the Upper Elementary classroom for the 2025-26 school year. We are thankful to Laura for all the support she has offered the Upper Elementary community this year. Please join me in wishing Kathryn a peaceful and fulfilling retirement and in welcoming Laura to the Lower Elementary community. Sincerely, Hope Allegretti Head of School - Executive Director Montessori School of Lake Forest

Montessori Assessments at MSLF

By Teresa Pavelich • January 8, 2025
An overview of how Montessori schools assess student progress and development
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