Ross Montessori School, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is preparing for a change in leadership. Head of School Sonya Hemmen is training Associate Head of School Mandi Franz to take over her position come July 1. Hemmen has held the position since 2012, and intends to stay in education at some level.
“I would like to assist other schools, both charter and Montessori,” Hemmen told the Sopris Sun.
Hemmen said, 14 years at Ross has positively changed her life, both as an educator and as a person. She foresees that Franz will efficiently handle the transition, due to how in tune she is with students’ and parents’ needs. Additionally, she appreciates the decades Franz has given to Ross as a rarity in the world of education.
“I was looking for a new opportunity, and Ross gave it to me,” said Hemmen. “I learned so much in the past 14 years. I love Montessori and what the philosophy is, and why it works for children and their families. My own daughter attended Ross for four years, and it changed her as a person and a learner — and it’s changed me too,”
“I just know it’s time to pass the torch to a different leader, and that’s Mandi, one of the founders of Ross,” continued Hemmen. “She is all of our core values: joy of discovery, compassionate love and children first … She’s ready for the challenge.”
Hemmen shared that Franz’s leadership will perfectly align with Ross Montessori’s Vision 2045 plan. Created in 2015, the outline integrates the Montessori method within the framework of public charter education.
“The Ross Montessori Vision 2045 doesn’t change with the change of [a] leader. We, our strategic leadership team, created that vision 2045 years ago and we’re still striving toward all of those goals. So that isn’t going to change,” Franz confirmed. “I know I bring a different perspective to leadership and the school than Sonya does. Still, I look forward to upholding the Montessori tenants and supporting all of the children in our care.”
Franz’s journey of Montessori education started before she was born, when her mother was looking for early-education options for her older sister, Carrie. Franz attended a Montessori school from the time she was 18 months old and up to seventh grade, when she continued the rest of her secondary education in a conventional setting.
“I realized I wanted to be a Montessori teacher because, in my Montessori experience, I had not seen other peers give up on themselves and their learning. Then, in middle school, I saw peers who had,” said Franz. “So I knew I wanted to be in Montessori education.”
Franz majored in Montessori education at Xavier University, worked in the Denver public school system for some time and came to Ross in 2005.
“I am looking forward to meeting the needs of more Roaring Fork families and Roaring Fork children, specifically adolescents,” Franz stated. “We offer an amazing opportunity as a Montessori school that is free for children to attend. So I just look forward to offering the opportunity to more families and children.”
Franz takes no small example from her predecessor and values her genuine care for children, as well as their colleagues.
“I have learned from Sonya to trust others to do their jobs, do them well and support the rest of the staff with genuine, radical generosity. When she knows that things are going on at home or with your family that you need support with, she takes care of it. She’ll show up at your house with flowers or a meal, if that’s what’s needed. That’s just [an example] of [what] she does regularly to support the people she’s leading,” Franz concluded.
For additional information, visit www.rossmontessori.org