Joliet Montessori School announces new Head of School Heidi Geiger

Joliet Montessori School (JMS) has announced the name of the new Head of School in advance of the 2017-2018 school year’s start. Heidi Geiger will take on this critical role, bringing a vast portfolio of experience and insight that she has built as a Montessori teacher, Montessori parent and public advocate for the Montessori method.

"It's been such an intense and exciting week of preparing for the task ahead. JMS is like a well-run train, with excellence as its destination,” Heidi says. “From what I see, this train is already on course like a well-oiled machine. My top priority will be keeping the team focused on our journey towards excellence, making it as amazing and delightful for ALL...staff, students and parents."

Heidi comes to JMS with more than 20 years of teaching and education administration experience, including 15 years in the Montessori world. She has demonstrated strong classroom skills with students from toddler age through sixth grade at Seton Montessori School in Clarendon Hills, IL, Council Oak Montessori School in Blue Island, IL and Creative World Montessori School in LaGrange, IL, including experience as Head Directress.

She is a graduate of the Seton Montessori Institute and a well-known speaker at education conferences held all over the country, where she discusses and promotes the value of Montessori education. Heidi is also an entrepreneur who focuses on diet and wellness as a part of a well-rounded and balanced life.

About the hire, JMS board president Bobbi Pehle says that it concluded an exhaustive and uncompromising search for the ideal head of school candidate. “Heidi brings so much experience to the table, as a longtime teacher and administrative organizer,” Pehle says. “Under her leadership, we’ll be improving the way parents, teachers, administration and the school board all communicate with each other. She’s a powerful advocate for parents and a source of inspiration for teachers, since she has been in their shoes and understands their role so well. With Heidi in this role, we look forward to continuing Joliet Montessori School’s growth as we begin our 52nd year in this community.”

Heidi will work closely with Eileen Kozlowski, the new Assistant Head of School. Heidi officially begins in her new role on August 14, giving her time to settle into the position before the school year begins on August 23.