School Director/ Head of School and Founder
21 years at VGM
My name is Ann Phillips, and I was trained in the Montessori method at the Seton Montessori Institute. I began teaching in 1998 at Highland Park Montessori School, where I completed my practicum training and then held a lead teacher position for four years. After moving to Libertyville with my family, I founded A Village Green Montessori in 2002 and continued as the lead teacher until 2012. We celebrated Village Green Montessori’s 20th anniversary last year, and I’m looking forward to many more special years with our students!
My respect for the Montessori method of teaching grew as I witnessed an atmosphere where younger and older children work together, forming a community much like a family or neighborhood. The school was named after my childhood street, where I grew up the youngest of six children in a wonderful neighborhood. What made that street truly special was the genuine care and support we had for one another. When I established VGM, my vision was to create a place where children could experience the same sense of belonging that I cherished during my own childhood. I wanted to build a school where community and kindness mattered—a place where children felt loved, accepted, and found joy in learning every day. A school that would instill in them a sense of loving kindness and a desire to be good people in the world.
Developing respect, compassion, self-esteem, grace, courtesy, and kindness are the primary goals of A Village Green Montessori. VGM was created to provide a warm, happy environment where children come joyfully and grow at their own pace to their fullest potential. I am privileged to work with an amazing group of loving teachers who are dedicated and enthusiastic, making VGM a great place to be a kid!
I live in Libertyville with my husband, Don, our French Bulldog, Payton, and our Pug puppy, Poppy. My daughter, Lauren, completed her doctorate in Applied Behavioral Analysis and is a clinic director in Sacramento, CA, where she works with therapists, schools, families, and children with behavioral challenges. She is married to Colin, and we are over the moon excited that they are expecting our first grandchild this year! My son, Sean, works in Des Moines, IA at Vision Financial Group as a Chartered Financial Analyst. I enjoy photography, yoga, movies, reading, and writing. I love spending time with family and friends and hope to make everyone feel like a part of the VGM family. Welcome to our school!
