Board of Trustees
Montessori Discovery School
Board of Trustees
Melissa Riley (President) serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Montessori Discovery School. A dedicated parent and community advocate, she is passionate about supporting the school’s mission of nurturing independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Professionally, Melissa is the Director of Government Affairs for Hartford HealthCare, where she leads public policy and advocacy efforts across Connecticut. She is honored to work alongside fellow trustees, school leadership, faculty, and families to help ensure Montessori Discovery School continues to thrive.
Jessica Mias (Vice President) joined the Board of Trustees in August 2023. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who works in a public school district, supporting students and educators through evidence-based approaches to learning and development. In addition to her work in public schools, Jessica has shared her expertise as a part-time lecturer in Applied Behavior Analysis at Northeastern University and Simmons University, as well as in the undergraduate Education program at Eastern Connecticut State University. Jessica brings to the Board a passion for education, a commitment to supporting children and families, and a broad perspective shaped by her experience in both elementary and higher education. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the school community and help support its continued growth and success.
Emily Mott (Treasurer) has served on the Montessori Discovery School Board of Trustees since 2022 and the Executive Committee since 2023, first as Vice Chair and now as Treasurer. Emily is Private Client National Placement Leader at EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, bringing more than 20 years of experience in insurance, strategic leadership, client advocacy, and relationship management. She is a Certified Advisor in Personal Insurance (CAPI) through The Wharton School and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.
Emily’s connection to MDS began in 2020 when her daughter, Kelsey, joined the Toddler classroom. Kelsey is now in Lower Elementary, and her son, Lucas, is in Primary. Having seen both children thrive at MDS, Emily is passionate about supporting the school’s mission and contributing her professional expertise and collaborative leadership to its continued growth.
Pilar Patino (Secretary) is a business professional with experience in healthcare, market research, and nonprofit initiatives. Now in her second year on the board, she will serve as Secretary. Her daughter Emma attends the Elementary classroom, where Montessori principles enrich her learning and growth each day.
Jason Brown has a professional background involving Engineering and Quality Assurance in the Defense Industry here in CT, both in individual contributor and leadership roles. He has worked for Electric Boat in Groton, overseeing submarine design and manufacturing issues involving welding and materials, and at Sikorsky in Stratford, overseeing Quality Assurance on various Black Hawk helicopter programs. Outside of work and family life, he enjoys the outdoors, motorsports, and anything related to working with my hands or staying active! He’s moving towards finishing hiking the 48 4,000-footers of the White Mountains, is an avid off-road motorcycle rider, and enjoys snowboarding, travel, and, of course, as his wife would call it, “tinkering” in the garage. Jason has two Montessori children, Ryan and Leo. Life is good!
Vanessa Janek is a registered nurse and soon-to-be women’s health APRN with expertise in obstetrics, gynecology, infant feeding, and perinatal mental health, along with a background in communications and science writing. Vanessa is passionate about the Montessori emphasis on nurturing each child’s unique sense of self, peace education, and love for the natural world. Her children, Isla and Margot, are in their sixth year at MDS and attend the elementary program.
Jennifer Pellowski, PhD is a social and health psychologist with a professional background in maternal/child health and infectious disease. She currently works in clinical research development and grant writing at Hartford HealthCare. When she isn’t working or tending to the needs of her young family, Jennie can be found working her veggie garden or reading the large stack of books on her nightstand.
Dylan Riordan is a Web Application Developer with 20 years of experience. He is a devoted father to Freya and Theo, who both attend Montessori Discovery School. Dylan brings technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and a thoughtful approach to his role on the Board of Trustees.
Jordan Roehre is a Human Resources professional and proud MDS parent. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Connecticut and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where she supported employees and leaders across a large, geographically dispersed organization.
Jordan is passionate about building supportive, inclusive communities where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. As a member of the Montessori Discovery School Board of Trustees, she contributes to school governance, policy, strategic priorities, and community engagement.
Most importantly, Jordan is the proud mom of two daughters who attend Montessori Discovery School. Her connection to MDS is deeply personal, and she is excited to contribute her professional experience, perspective, and enthusiasm to a school community that means so much to her family.
Our Mission
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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 often current or past MDS parents.
The Board plans for the future, maintains the financial stability of the school and establishes broad policies. The Head of School manages the school on a day-to-day basis. Board terms are for 3 years and members lead or serve on a board committee. The Board of Trustees meets monthly throughout the year.