Greetings from Dr. Jeff Beedy

“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.”

-Maria Montessori

I am thrilled to be joining the Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy community. I am drawn to your school’s philosophy, the people, and the physical beauty of your learning environment. 

My life’s passion has focused on understanding how children think, reason, and develop as they interact with the world. I have a deep respect for Maria Montessori’s approach to educating young people and have employed her work in the schools I have led around the world. At Harvard, I was fortunate to study with Carol Gilligan and Lawrence Kohlberg whose work was informed by Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget. After graduation from Harvard, I served as a teaching assistant for Robert Coles in his popular course Social Reflections of Literature. Dr. Coles taught me the value of listening to and appreciating the moral voice of young children.  Since Harvard, my work as head of school has allowed me to put my theories of whole child development into practice. As the founding head of KIS, Jeju, I was offered the opportunity to create an educational curriculum for the entire school. I chose the educational theories of Jean Piaget, Robert Coles, Howard Gardner and Maria Montessori to ground our educational model. I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to and learn from the Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy.

My wife, Karyn and I have been fortunate to travel the world as educators. Karyn has enjoyed success around the world with her innovative Music PLUS program. We are thrilled to have the opportunity join and make a positive contribution to an innovative school community. 

I want you all to know that I will work to create a caring and inclusive community. I believe people work best in a community where they are known, needed, cared for, and have an opportunity to shape their environment.  I understand people are motivated to work in an environment where autonomy, mastery, and purpose are prized and encouraged.  I believe my skills as an educator, visionary, and strategic planner match with what the Joseph S. Bruno Montessori School needs in their important and exciting transition. I trust I can give a lot and also learn a great deal from the community that Theresa and her team built over the past 30 years.  I want to also thank the board of trustees for their thorough and inviting search process. 

We look forward to seeing you all in July.

Dr. Jeff Beedy