School Director/ Head of School and Founder
21 years at VGM
My name is Ann Phillips, and I am the Founder and Director of A Village Green Montessori. My journey in Montessori education began at the Seton Montessori Institute in Hinsdale, Illinois, where I was trained in the Montessori method. In 1998, I began my teaching career at my sister’s school, Highland Park Montessori, where I completed my training and served as a lead teacher for four years.
In 2002, after moving to Libertyville with my family, I founded A Village Green Montessori, named after my childhood street, which signifies the strong sense of community I cherished growing up. My vision was to create a nurturing environment where children feel a deep sense of belonging, much like the neighborhood where I was raised as the youngest of six children.
For over two decades, our mission at VGM has remained true: to cultivate a school community where kindness, respect, and compassion are at the heart of learning. I am committed to ensuring that every child who walks through our doors feels loved, accepted, and inspired to grow into good people who contribute positively to the world.
The Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of a mixed-age community where younger and older children learn together, has greatly influenced my approach to education. At VGM, our goals are to foster respect, self-esteem, grace, courtesy, and kindness in our students. We provide a warm, joyful environment where children are encouraged to grow at their own pace and reach their fullest potential.
I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside a team of dedicated and enthusiastic teachers who share my passion for making VGM a special place for children.
I live in Libertyville with my husband, Don, and our two dogs, Payton, the french bulldog and Poppy, the pug. My daughter, Lauren, holds a doctorate in applied behavioral analysis and is a clinic director in Sacramento, CA, working with children with behavioral challenges. We are beyond excited that she and her husband, Colin, have recently welcomed our first grandchild, Maya Lou. My son, Sean, is a partner and chartered financial analyst at Vision Financial Group in Des Moines, IA. In my free time, I enjoy photography, yoga, movies, reading, and writing, and I cherish time spent with family and friends.
Welcome to A Village Green Montessori, where we hope you and your child will feel like a part of our extended family.
