Montessori Discovery School is a not-for-profit school governed by a self sustaining board of trustees and managed by a head of school. Board members are generally current or past MDS parents. The board's job is to plan for the future, maintain the financial stability of the school and to establish broad policy as to what is in the school's best interest. The head of school's job is to manage the school on a day-to-day basis, implementing the policy established in conjunction with the board of trustees. Board terms are for 3 years and members usually chair or co-chair a board committee. The board of trustees meets monthly throughout the school year. Committees of the board meet at the discretion of the chairman and most are open to MDS parents. Because MDS is a small school, it is understood that all MDS parents are expected to be active in the areas of fundraising and buildings and grounds. Parents may sign up for committees at the beginning-of-the-year pot luck supper organized by the parent partnership committee (from L to R; Preston Hensley, Alex Mattiessen, Dottie Goettler, Julie Martin, Meredith Diette, Jennifer Kuhns, Cathy Marvin and John Carter) Missing: Kenneth Fontaine and Jim Charron, The 2006-2007 officers of the MDS board of trustees are: John Carter — Chairman I am currently the President of the Montessori Discovery School, Board of Trustees, since 2003. I have been a member of the Board of Trustees and the Head of the Policy and Safety Committee since 2002. I joined the board as a way to be a part of my daughter's school and to offer my professional expertise to improve the way the school creates and facilitates policy regarding school safety. I discovered the Montessori Discovery School and Maria MontessoriÕs teaching philosophy while searching for a daycare for my four year old daughter in 2000. As a 6-year DARE instructor, I was impressed by the way the children learned and treated each other in the Montessori setting. My daughter started at MDS in 2001, she transitioned into the public school system from the MDS elementary program in 2007. I am a 23-year veteran of the Connecticut Air National Guard and a 19-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police. I am a member of numerous professional organizations within the military and police communities. I enjoy routing for and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jim Charron — Buildings and Grounds Committee My daughter, who has since graduated from Montessori Discovery School, started in Primary and shortly after I joined the board. I've headed the Buildings and Grounds Committee around 6 years. As owner of Charron Building a Remodeling, I wanted to offer my talents to the school as a way to help. I was the general contractor, along with Patrice Champaign, in the construction of the new elementary building. Meredith Diette — Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair I am an attorney running the New London office of a Hartford-based firm that concentrates its practice on labor and employment law representing management. Prior to working at my current firm, Siegel, O'Connor, O'Donnell & Beck, P.C., I practiced with the firm of Brown Jacobson, P.C., in downtown Norwich. It was while in Norwich that I discovery MDS at a time when my oldest son needed to move from a daycare situtation to a more stimulating, positive and enriching environment. In fact, I have a younger son who I hope to send to MDS next year when he turns 3. After my older son's first year at MDS in the primary program I realized that I wanted to become more involved with the school and agreed to serve on the Board of Trustees. In this role I have been able to learn more about Montessori and confirm that MDS is the right place for my children. Julie Martin — Parent Partnership Committee For seven years my husband and I have lived in a historic home in Norwich. During that time we have had two children, the oldest of which is in his third primary year at the Montessori Discovery School. Currently, I am enjoying my role as stay-at-home mom as I prepare for a career transition into clinical oncology research via an advanced practice nursing education. Prior to this I spent eight years in genetic toxicology research at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, Connecticut. Prior to that was four years in basic genetic research at both the University of Florida, Gainesville, with a focus upon cancer genetics and the University of Connecticut, with a focus upon transgenics. One of the characteristics of a Montessori education which led me as a parent to join the Discovery School was the emphasis upon community and teaching the children to be active, contributing members in their own community. I believe children learn the most by observing. By joining the Board of Trustees and giving my time and energy, I am able to demonstrate to my children how important I believe their school community is and that giving to others is important and worthwhile. To help create children, and therefore, adults who are responsible members of society, you have to behave in this manner yourself. Being a member of the Discovery School Board allows me to accomplish this objective. Preston Hensley — Archive Committee I am a biologist working in early drug discovery for Pfizer, Inc. I have a PhD in protein biophysics from Cornell University, and was a Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, in Molecular Biology. I taught for 10 years at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, DC. I have had 18 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, since that time. I have had three daughters at MDS, with two currently there. In my non-existent spare time, my hobbies are woodworking and gardening. Mostly, I spend the weekends taking the girls here and there. I have been on the Board for 7 years and very much enjoy being a part of the fabric of the school. Jennifer Kuhns — Fundraising Committee I am brand new to the board and do not come with any previous board experience. I made the decision to join the board because it is a great opportunity to be involved in my child's school. I hope that my "team player" attitude will complement the other members of the board. My professional background is in laboratory animal science. I graduated from Cornell University in 1993. After graduating I worked there for 1 year in the department of Medical & Veterinary Entomology as a research technician. In 1994 I decided to attend Graduate school at Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia, PA. I graduated with my Master of Laboratory Animal Science in 1996. After graduation I worked at Hahnemann University for 2 years as a Supervisor of 15 Animal Care Technicians. In 1998 I left Philadelphia came to Pfizer in the department of World Wide Comparative Medicine. Currently I am a Manager of 12 (+/-) Animal Care Technicians and 4 vivariums. Ken Fontaine — Finance Committee Ken Fontaine is the President of Amgraph Packaging, Inc. a flexible packaging manufacturer located in Sprague, CT. Ken is a graduate from Boston University with a degree in Economics and a minor in International Relations. Ken is a member of the Board of Trustees for Montessori and heads the finance committee as well as the school treasurer. Ken is married with two children Maya(6) & Aidan(3), Maya is currently in her first year of the elementary program at Montessori. Ken and his family enjoy their free time together sailing, skiing, camping, traveling to foreign countries, and outings with family and friends. Having children in the Montessori program and fully believing in the philosophical approach of the school. Ken is a welcome addition to our educational community by providing his broad business experience as well as his fiscal knowledge to our school. Cathy Marvin —Technology Committee I have two daughters who have been with MDS since their primary years. A few years ago, I was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees. I was honnored and thought it was a great opportunity to share my skills and take part in my children's education. Before deciding to become a full time mom, I worked a Northeast Utilities for seven years in the graphic design department creating traditional and web designs. I also have had previous board experience serving on the Colchester Parks and Recreation Department for 7 years. Two of those years and vice-chairperson and chairperson. Dottie Goettler — Education Chairman My daughter has very happily completed her second year at MDS, and is already looking forward to her intermediate year. Over these two years I have watched her thrive in the schoolÕs environment and joined the Board of Trustees to be more involved with what has become such an important part of our lives. I have been a mechanical engineer at Electric Boat for 10 years, and as such am responsible for the design and construction support of various mechanical systems. I am also a volunteer EMT with the Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad. Alex Mattiessen —Marketing Committee I am joining the board with previous board experience working with the Ivoryton Library and the Essex Elementary School PTO. My interest in photography began in high school and I got a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University, with a concentration in Photojournalism.Ê I worked brieflyÊfor a fashion photographer in NYC and then spent a few years working at People Magazine before deciding NYC life was not for me.Ê I have worked at a number of weekly newspapers in CT and worked in the photo dept. at Mystic Seaport as well as The Mystic Maritime Gallery. I was working at a newly formed newpaper in Mystic right before my first child was born and since then have concentrated my efforts on raising my children, definitely my most difficult and rewarding job! I feel that MDS is a truly unique place and hope my Marketing efforts will make a difference.