Montessori School of Lake Forest Appoints New President and Vice President
September 7, 2016

The Montessori School of Lake Forest (MSLF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Court Carruthers as President, and Kelly Rynes as Vice President of their Board of Directors. Also joining the Board this year are an exemplary group of current and alumni parents and community leaders: Sarah Cassidy, Laura Kosmerl, Tamara Mannelly, and Parvez Patel.

“I am grateful to be taking on this role at such an important time in MSLF’s rich history. As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, I am honored to do so with such an exceptional group of teachers, staff, volunteers and families.” said Mr. Carruthers. “MSLF is truly an outstanding institution. I have watched my own children thrive academically, and begin growing into independent, responsible, and thoughtful individuals ”

In her 5th year as Executive Director, Ann Jordahl gears up to celebrate the 50th Anniversary, looking to the future with great hope and anticipation. She says, “We are well positioned to continue the tradition of leadership and excellence here at MSLF,“ and she also recognized the contribution of the previous years of leadership; “On behalf of the Board, Administration and Staff of MSLF, we want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to our outgoing President, Tom Zengeler. Under his leadership the school has grown and thrived in pursuit of our mission and goals. We are well prepared and equipped with a solid vision, strategy, and plan for great growth and success for the next 50 Years and beyond.”

The Board of Directors is rounded out with an enthusiastic group of, dedicated leaders returning for the 2016-2017 school year: Jennifer Currier (Secretary), Bradford Patrick (Treasurer), Linda Brady, Jennifer Cockrel, Laura Fosselman, Ben Grum, Dean Shaffer, Laurie Shanahan, Chris Tennyson, and Kim Wisneski.

About MSLF
As one of the premier Montessori schools in the nation and with a long-standing history of 50 years in the Lake Forest community, the Montessori School of Lake Forest (MSLF) offers exceptional learning programs for children ages birth to 15 years. Program options range from half-day to full-day and year-round academic offerings. The school is home to a diverse student body, encompassing eight countries and more than 30 communities in the Chicagoland area.

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At MSLF, overnight trips become an important part of Montessori learning beginning in Lower Elementary. Each trip is carefully planned to meet the developmental needs of students in the second and third plane of development , with each overnight trip getting progressively longer to ease children into these independent journeys away from their families. These aren't just trips - they're carefully crafted opportunities for students to discover who they are, what they're capable of, and how they can contribute to their community and the wider world. Beginning in their first year of Lower Elementary, students take their first MSLF overnight trip to Nature’s Classroom in Wisconsin. For many Lower Elementary students, this trip represents their first nights away from home. During their trip they explore the outdoors, work together in groups, use their practical life skills during community meals, and grow! It’s this first overnight trip for MSLF students where parents and staff remark how students come back almost transformed after being able to develop their independence in a supportive environment. Our Upper Elementary classroom has embarked on overnight trips to both Camp Timber-lee in Wisconsin and The Country Experience at Amstutz Family Farm in Elizabeth, IL. Both locations provide students with increasing opportunities to apply their practical life skills, like checking the weather to ensure they have weather-appropriate gear for their trip. Every task empowers them to develop self-reliance and problem-solving skills. These trips are also opportunities for the students to get to know one another and build strong relationships with their peers and with the adults in their classroom. Adolescent Program students at MSLF have opportunities to visit both Springfield, IL and Washington, DC . These overnight trips tie directly into their studies – connecting curriculum learned in the classroom to experiences in the wider community. They often take their learning on the road, for example by watching a legislative session in action in Springfield to see which bills are passed during their trip or presenting their research papers at monuments in Washington, DC. And for these students, the skills they built on their trips in Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary are put to work, as they pack their own bags, learn more about public transportation, and plan their daily itineraries to make the most out of their visit. Experiences like these at MSLF support the child’s independence, laying the groundwork for transitions in later life: the start of high school, going away to college, a first job, and beyond. As they conquer challenges outside their comfort zone, their confidence soars, laying the foundation for the autonomy and independence they will continue to utilize throughout their Montessori experience and beyond. It’s good for parents, too, to see how truly capable our children are!
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