The following volunteers are core members of the Design Team of Avondale Montessori Academy.
Rita Nolan
Ms. Nolan has been in the field of Montessori Education for more than 20 years, and she is Montessori-certified at both the primary and elementary levels by the Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI). She is not only an experienced classroom practitioner, but she also has served many years as a successful school leader. Most recently, she served as the Upper School Director of a private Montessori school in Chicago, where she oversaw the instruction and management of teaching team charged with serving a 570-plus student body. She was instrumental in developing the Upper School’s track record of success, and she ensured that best practices of differentiated instruction were demonstrated in each classroom.
Ms. Nolan also has extensive school leadership experience, as she has served on the school boards as well as a number school board committees (e.g. curriculum, strategic planning, finance, and diversity). Thus, she is committed to ensuring that any school she has the privilege to lead exemplifies the best practices of a Professional Learning Community. She is equally committed to the vision that every child – regardless of economic status – should have access to a quality educational experience.
Ms. Nolan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Greek and Roman Civilization from University College Dublin (Ireland); a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University; and is a Masters in Educational Leadership candidate at DePaul University.
Laura Gardiner
Ms. Gardiner is an experienced teacher-leader, with a background in Montessori, traditional, and alternative education. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Oberlin College and is certified in Montessori Adolescent Studies, and Mental Health First Aid. Through her work with various community, city, and national groups, Ms. Gardiner actively engages communities and individuals to work for international and national human rights, environmental preservation, and educational equality. Ms. Gardiner currently teaches middle school mathematics at a private Chicago Montessori School and works one-on-one with Chicago students with academic or classroom difficulties due to learning difference, giftedness, and/or behavior issues.
Wesley James Miletello
Mr. Miletello has a wealth of nonprofit management, school leadership, finance, fundraising, graphic design, business, and legal experience. He has spent the past 10 years working in various Chicago-area nonprofit agencies and schools as both an employee and consultant. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Business, a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management, and he is a candidate for a Master's Degree in Philosophy. He is currently the Director of Development & Evaluation for a Chicago-area charter school.
