Farewell Ms. Gonzalez
July 26, 2008
Dear Parents, Teachers and Students:
This is a difficult letter to write as I announce the departure of one of our original Montessori teachers, and a good friend, Ms. Maria Luisa Gonzalez. Ms. Gonzalez has been offered and has accepted a wonderful new challenge at Suder Montessori where she will become the new director for this emerging program. I know that it has been a difficult decision for her to make as she has been at Drummond for many successful years and helped give our program the solid legs we now stand upon. Her dedication and experience will be greatly missed amongst our faculty and surely amongst her students. However, it is these very attributes that make her the perfect candidate for this promotion. Suder is fortunate to be receiving such extraordinary quality. I know that she will bring tremendous opportunities to the teachers, students and families at our sister school: Suder Montessori.
In true fashion, Ms. Gonzalez labored over this decision and how it would affect the students in her classroom first, before considering what this promotion could mean for her and her family. I know she wrestled with this decision for several days before committing to take on this exciting challenge and is still torn by this opportunity. On a personal note, I can tell you I too hate to see her go yet, I fully support this opportunity to grow professionally and to share her skills as a teacher and as a leader. Already Ms. Gonzalez and I have discussed a number of projects that we will be able to collaborate on making both of our schools thrive and offering a stronger base for Montessori within Chicago Public Schools; something the faculty and I have worked diligently upon this past school year. With Ms. Gonzalez on the administrative team at Suder I know that our efforts at building professional development between our schools will only soar.
I know that all of us are saddened to see Ms. Gonzalez leave Drummond after so many wonderful years and it is my hope that you and your children might be able to join me in hosting a picnic to celebrate our time with her on August 1st from 2 to 4pm at Walsh Park. Please come and share your favorite stories and memories with Ms. Gonzalez. Please bring your own lunch and enjoy some cake and refreshments that will be provided as we celebrate this exciting move in Ms. Gonzalez’s’ professional career. If the 1st happens to be a “rain day” we will hold the picnic in our gymnasium same date and time.
Please also rest assured that our Early Childhood cycle, along with the help on Ms. Gonzalez, have met with me several times in the past weeks to discuss and interview the optimal candidate to best fulfill Ms. Gonzalez’s vacancy. We are excited to invite Ms. Johanna Andrade into our faculty. She has a wonderful mix of Montessori experience as well as public school experience and we are looking forward to working with her.
In closing I want to thank Ms. Gonzalez for several years of service at Drummond both as a traditional teacher and as a Montessori teacher. She has worked with and inspired hundreds of children, parents and colleagues over the years and deserves our full support as she moves on to new challenges and experiences that I know she will conquer with ease. I look forward to working with her in her new role; one that I know will bring her great happiness.
Please plan to join us on the 1st of August.
Sincerely,
Mark Neidlinger
CC: Maria Luisa Gonzalez and Johanna Andrade
