Monica Rodriguez

A native of Santa Monica, CA, Monica has spent 22 years in independent schools. Before entering the world of education, she had a career in crisis management and counseling. Monica earned a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Illinois-Chicago and her M.A. in Spanish from Middlebury College. She is also certified as a teacher for grades 1-6 through the Association Montessori International (AMI).

She spent her early years teaching in Chicago at Near North Montessori School, Alain Locke Charter School, and Countryside Day School. She then spent eight years at Morgan Park Academy, where she began by teaching AP Spanish Language and Literature and coaching the Model UN team. She also served as department chair, assistant upper school principal, director of global studies, and director of the academic summer institute. Her final role was as the academic dean.

Monica then worked as the upper school director at Latin School of Chicago where she was responsible for daily operations, curricular scope/sequence, global studies, college counseling, student wellness, and several other major initiatives.

In July 2020 Monica became head of school at The Montessori School of Raleigh, a PK-12 Montessori and IB World School. Monica is most proud of launching the Suzuki violin program at the early childhood and elementary levels, creating a DEI committee, establishing the Infant Program, implementing a 1:1 laptop program for middle/high school students, stabilizing the school financially, improving the compensation/benefits package for employees, building a culture of safety and security, successfully navigating the pandemic, and launching a strategic plan.