The largest independent school on Martha's Vineyard
Board of Trustees
Ex Officio Member:
Debbie Jernegan, Head of School
The Board of Trustees is responsible for governance of the school, ensuring adherence to the school’s mission, and supporting the Head of School of VMS. The Head of School is responsible for the daily operations of VMS.
Alexandra Bendavid
Katelyn Carvalho
Treasurer
Mike Desrosiers
Sarah Hughes
Tilma Johnson
Claire Kozlowski
Lora Ksieniewicz Antinori
Margo Lee
Erin Ready
Chair
Peter Ryan
Kristen Scheller-Menard
Christina Simmons
John Talanian
Vice-Chair
Olga Valach
2030 Strategic Vision
The Plan for the Future
Having celebrated the 50th anniversary in 2025, Vineyard Montessori School’s Board of Trustees identified strategic priorities to be a strongly positioned community school, serving infants through Grade 8 on a campus that is accessible to all. VMS is a leader in innovative education, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice is interwoven throughout all facets.
Progressive Programming:
- A forward-thinking educational model that prepares students for the future by engaging them in a wide range of dynamic, cross-disciplinary learning experiences.
- Expanded curriculum with real-world learning that addresses both global and local challenges.
Community Ties:
- Resources and services create a holistic approach to remove barriers to learning and promoting family and student success.
- VMS leads as a vibrant community hub with a culture of progressive learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility.
Enhanced Infrastructure:
- A Physical Campus includes accessible buildings, additional classrooms, walkways, and playgrounds.
- A sustainable financial model to ensure equity for all families.
