Board of Directors
When our school obtained 501 c(3) non-profit status a Board of Directors was established under the name of Montessori Education Trust. This group has embraced the vision of the school and works to support and promote that vision in our community. They are charged with planning for what the school may look like in 10, 20 , or 30 years. As one Montessorian put it, “An effective Board is working to create the school we want for our grandchildren.” Our Board members have been very involved in the first Capital Campaign that took place in 2008-2009 and also our "Building Peace" Campaign for the addition to our Gordon Avenue school in 2017-2018. They are truly ambassadors of our school!
Soren Jones
MSC Admin Director, Board Treasurer
Soren is a Virginia native. He spent several years between Santa Cruz and Berkeley California where he got his undergraduate degree in History at UC Berkeley. Soren worked for the Oakland Unified School District as a teacher in Elementary Afterschool Programs. He worked on numerous research projects including an oral history of appalachian traditional music and an archaeological dig in Greece in 2016.
Soren Moved to Charlottesville in 2017 and started at MSC as an office manager. He completed his Montessori Leadership Credential in the Spring of 2024 through CGMS.
Kelly Carwile
Director,
Kelly grew up in Washington DC and moved to Charlottesville after graduating from Washington College. She quickly fell in love with the area and settled in the downtown area of Charlottesville. She currently lives with her husband, Chris, and her two sons Reed and Ford, both of whom attend and love Montessori School of Charlottesville.
Gloria Boesenberg
MSC Program Director, Board Member.
Gloria grew up in Indiana, where she received a B.A. in Psychology from Earlham College. Besides working with children, she has also enjoyed working as a nursing assistant with the elderly and as a house parent for adults with developmental disabilities. Gloria joined our community as an assistant in 2014, and she completed her Early Childhood teacher training with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2018. She finished her M.A. in Montessori Education and Leadership at St. Catherine University in 2023. In her free time, Gloria spends time crafting, reading, wandering outside, and appreciating her family.
Vrinda Abharyankar
Board Member, MSC Guide
Vrinda was born and grew up in India. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education from SNDT University in Mumbai, India and her Montessori training at VCMS, Richmond VA. Prior to joining MSC, she worked with COER (Center for Opportunities in Education and Rehabilitation) where she worked with typically developing children and those with special needs, a rare experience as mainstreaming in India. Vrinda served as the Rainbow Room assistant in the fall of 2011 and took over the lead teacher position in the fall of 2018. Outside of the school she likes to cook and go on hikes with her family.
Lindsey Munson
MSC Administrator, 1990-2024 Emeritus Member
Lindsey grew up in Staunton, VA. and graduated from UVA with a degree in Sociology in 1979. Lindsey came to the school as a parent of Caitlin and Jake in 1987 and worked with the original owner of the school. She became the Administrator of the school in 1990 and transitioned to a remote bookkeeper/advisor role in the summer of 2024.
Lindsey travels to Carlisle, MA as often as possible to spend time with her precious granddaughters Amelia and Lindy (and their parents!) She and her husband James also enjoy bluegrass festivals and exploring Virginia State Parks in their RV. With her new role they are excited to “go farther and stay longer”.
Emma Givens
Board Member,
Emma Givens is an educator and leader with over 15 years of experience in training, leadership development, and talent strategy. With a background in theater and hospitality, she brings a thoughtful, service-driven approach to her work. Passionate about education, Emma is all about creating a supportive, growth-focused environment for both students and educators. She values collaboration and continuous learning in everything she does.
Caitlin Riopel
Chair,
Caitlin grew up in Batesville, Virginia. She has a BA from New College of Florida and a Masters from St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She spent a decade working at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville and has worked for the Equity Center at University of Virginia since 2022. She attended University Montessori School in Charlottesville as a preschooler. Her son, Kingston, started MSC in the Moonbeam class in 2018 and her son, Myles, is a kindergartener in the Dandelion classroom.
Jim Puopolo
Board Member, Alumni Parent
Jim was born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia. He has a 10-year-old son, Milo, and a wife of 13 years, Summer. When Milo started preschool in 2016 at MSC Jim knew almost nothing about Montessori education.
Jim had a wedding catering business for many years and now has artificial turf business based in Charlottesville. His real passion is spending time with his wife and son, enjoying the outdoors, and traveling with friends and family.