Una has been involved with Montessori education for over 27 years--25 of them at MSGH. She spent 9 years as a Primary-level classroom teacher before taking on the position of Program Coordinator for 9 years. During that time she served 1 year as interim Head of School before becoming the official Head of School in 2004. She serves as a consultant for the Association Montessori Internationale, the world’s most respected authority on authentic AMI Montessori education, and she chairs accreditation teams for the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).
Anyone who knows Una knows she is passionate about both Montessori education and children. As a leader, she guides MSGH with a sense of purpose that insists that all decisions are made in the best interests of the children and that we truly Follow the Child in all that we do. This unwavering focus is also what makes her a valuable resource for parents in our community. Parenting support is a large part of what she loves about her work as Head of School, and whether she is spending time with parents in her office or is out and about with local parenting groups or media, her perspectives and advice for healthy child development have made her a unique resource not just for MSGH, but for our regional community.
Una is recognized in our area as a Child Development Expert and is frequently consulted not just by MSGH families and Alumni, but by the local media, as a source of guidance relative to child-development issues. She draws on over 35 years of experience working with children in various settings, as well as her own independent study and research covering a broad spectrum of parenting techniques and philosophies. She augments her perspective in the classroom with many years spent as a State Registered Nurse in Ireland, where she worked to support children with severe illness, mental handicap, emotional disturbance and/or language disorders, as well as abandoned children.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, skiing, mountain biking and travel.
