LaDene Conroy Joins ETC Montessori
Updated: Mar 8, 2019
HOUSTON — 19 February 2019 —ETC MONTESSORI, the leading Montessori publisher of curriculum and consulting services, today announced that LaDene Conroy has joined the company as its first-ever consultant with a direct focus on administration development, leadership support, and system development. Having more than 39 years in education, her experience spans the spectrum with 17 years as a State certified supervisor and elementary administrator and an additional 11 years as “turn around” principal in 4 public Title I schools.
Conroy’s strengths in the areas of leadership support, school wide system and scheduling development, which balances climate, culture and community, brings the much needed resources that Montessori leaders, administrators, and principals are searching for in today’s climate.
The announcement comes as ETC Montessori, ETC Consulting, and Gulf Coast Montessori Teacher Education Center continue to grow their presence in the U.S. region, bringing in new partners that will complement and add to the services currently being offered. In her role, Conroy will focus on expanding ETC’s network in the region through the implementation of direct consulting, workshops, and classes that follow state expectations and progressive discipline plans that allow administrators and teachers to strengthen classroom and school management.
“LaDene brings with her extensive classroom and administrative management experience and is the perfect person to continue enhancing our consulting and adult learner services in the US. Her familiarity with administrative policies, state requirements, and expectations will be vital as we look to expand our regional footprint,” said Aki Margaritis, CEO for ETC Montessori. “We’re excited to have her on board to deliver the best support platform to our customers and schools in the US — particularly as the region becomes a focus of growth for us in 2019.”
Conroy joins ETC Montessori and Gulf Coast Montessori Teacher Education Center from Charleston County School System, where she was instrumental in transforming the district into a world leader in Montessori education that has now become a region of academic research and an example of how Montessori may be effectively implemented in the public sector. Her work in the public school district arena provides her with the unique ability to understand the specific needs that public and charter Montessori schools are often challenged with. Previously, Conroy served as State President of the South Carolina International Reading Association, adjunct faculty for The Citadel, and teacher educator for adult learners through Gulf Coast Montessori, Houston Montessori Center, and Seacoast Teacher Education Program. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Elementary Administrator of the Year Award, The Inez Tennenbaum Award, and The Reading Recovery Advocacy Award. She has also held leadership positions within industry-leading Charleston Montessori schools where she has served on the South Carolina Montessori Alliance board, the East Cooper Montessori Charter School’s Governing Board, and the MEPI board. In 2015, Conroy was chosen as one of the Fifty Most Progressive People making a positive impact on Charleston.
She hold an undergraduate degree from Kent State University, two Master’s degrees from The Citadel, and an AMS Montessori Administrator’s credential from Houston Montessori Center and she participated fully in the Primary Teacher Education Program at Landers University and the Seacoast Montessori Teacher Education Program for Lower Elementary.
“ETC Montessori’s and Gulf Coast Montessori Teacher Education Center’s, customer-first approach and Total Montessori model make it the ideal choice for our customer’s growth, and I’m excited to welcome LaDene who will work with our company to serve schools, and administrators throughout the US and help accelerate their success,” said Erika Ohlhaver director of Gulf Coast Montessori Educational Center.
LaDene’s educational expertise includes research, best practices, instructional delivery, grant writing, leadership support and development, program development for teachers and support staff in classroom leadership, and specific development of professional development courses.
To arrange professional development, consultation, or a workshop with Ms. Conroy please contact ETC Montessori toll free at 877.409.2929.