Passion, commitment, and a fierce dedication to implementing the best Montessori practices to serve each and every child.
These are the hallmarks of our MSGH staff. Beyond our teaching, we are also dedicated to supporting families, for family is the foundation of a child’s wellbeing.
Meet Our Head of School
Mary McHale
Mary McHale, MSGH’s 10th Head of School, has been an integral member of the community for the last twenty-nine years. As the Head of School, Mary is delighted to embrace the work of providing the most authentic Montessori experience for children and their families. She feels fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated staff with her on this journey.
Before being appointed as Head, Mary was the Director of Admissions for twelve years. Her other responsibilities included mentoring teachers, particularly at the Elementary level, and overseeing programs at both the Elementary and Adolescent Program levels. Overall, she has had sixteen years of Montessori teaching experience, having worked with various age groups in schools both in Europe and the United States.
She holds a Master of Education from Harvard University with a focus on language and literacy and an undergraduate degree with a concentration in Sociology from University College Cork, now part of the National University of Ireland. She received her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teaching diplomas in Dublin, Ireland for both the Primary (3- 6+ years) and Elementary (6-12 years) levels. She also holds a Montessori Special Education Diploma and is qualified as a Reading Specialist.
She lives in West Hartford with her husband, Billy, and daughter, Emma. Emma completed the entire program at MSGH, graduating from the Adolescent Program in 2017.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking, cycling, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family. And though, she’s lived in the United States for thirty years, she still likes to keep up with the Irish news.
Meet Our Staff
Each MSGH teacher holds a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale and is actively mentored by program staff who, together, have more than 300 years of Montessori teaching experience. MSGH also commits substantial resources to fund annual professional development experiences for all staff.
MSGH support staff are selected for their passion, energy and dedication to the well-being of the child. We train our support staff in-house, where they are consistently mentored by the same experienced Program experts.
Our commitment to AMI best practices has earned the school the Association Montessori Internationale's highest level of recognition for all levels we offer within the MSGH community. MSGH Director of Programs, Orla Black, and our Director of Development and Community Relations are a frequent guest lecturers at area colleges and universities.
We invite you to meet our staff. Please, read their biographies, and from their own words and those written on their behalf, see for yourself why MSGH children are joyful, enthusiastic learners. Then, come in person and observe. Warm, caring, committed individuals are ready to introduce you to all that an MSGH education has to offer your child.
