Board Meeting Schedule and Minutes

Adam Kozak has a background in teaching and academic research. As the parent of students at MPA, he is a firm believer in Montessori pedagogy and is proud to serve MPA as a member of the Board of Directors.

As a Human Resources professional, Shannon Munda has worked in business operations across various industries since 2003, helping organizations streamline systems and support sustainable growth. Her two sons attend MPA, the older starting in the Young Child/Toddler program in 2021. “As both a parent and a professional, I value MPA’s commitment to following each child’s unique path — a philosophy I deeply believe helps children truly flourish.”

Karla Aldana holds a Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management and has been preparing taxes since 2004. She opened an accounting firm in 2009, and throughout the years, owned multiple businesses. That hands-on experience has shaped her approach to financial management and strategic planning. Karla’s a proud MPA parent whose family has been part of the MPA community since her children were toddlers. Karla has a love for decorating and harmony, which reflects her deep attention to detail in every aspect of life.

Jan is a grandmother whose granddaughter attends MPA.  She is a retired IT professional with an MBA and PMP(R) (Project Management Professional certification) and has traveled the globe implementing business systems.  Her greatest joys are watching her 6 grandchildren learn & grow, her church where she is part of the voice and handbell choirs, and pottering around in her flower gardens.  She also enjoys travel, reading, embroidery and sewing. Life has taught her the value of a quality education. MPA, with its focus on the whole human learning experience is inestimable.

Kelli M. Yugsi, MBA, has a background in regulatory compliance risk and operations management in the banking industry. She also brings experience in evaluation and non-profit management. As a parent, Kelli values MPA’s whole-child approach to learning and development. She lives with her husband and three children in Loves Park.

Mark Muccianti and his wife Jessica have two children who attend MPA and will finish 6th grade in 2026.  Mark’s career has primarily been in Finance, which he has leveraged at MPA as Treasurer during his first 4 years of being on the Board.  Mark’s family loves to travel and explore new places.  He stays active by coaching his daughter’s softball team as well as riding ATV's with his son mostly, but at times with the whole family.  

Sara Okey is a dedicated high school English teacher and adjunct English professor with over 20 years of experience. A lifelong admirer of Jane Austen, she enjoys sharing her timeless stories with students. Sara’s daughter has been part of the MPA community since spring 2023, where she has made many friends and learned from inspiring teachers. Outside the classroom, Sara is a passionate dog lover who also enjoys hosting and supporting foreign exchange high school students.

Liz Nishitateno’s life before MPA included a chemistry degree, years of teaching English in Japan, and advanced studies into holistic medicine (Homeopathy, Nutrition, Intuitive Healing, etc.). Now, when she is not running her husband’s pottery business, she is working with clients holistically. Liz has enjoyed watching her three kids develop and grow at MPA since 2020. She has a plethora of ideas for enriching school life for MPA students and loves bringing them to both the classrooms and the Board’s Fun(d) Development Committee. In her free time, Liz finds her center by cooking, gardening, traveling, creating, and learning new things with her kids.

A former MPA parent, Renee Schott has a passion for facilitating and supporting success for all students. She’s fortunate to pursue this both through her service on the MPA Board of Directors and in her professional life. At Rockford Public Schools, she has served as a teacher and building administrator and currently works as the Director of Master Scheduling. In her free time, she enjoys jigsaw and logic puzzles, books, Lego sets, and the occasional burst of crafting.

Luis is a business owner with a background in operations, logistics, and event management. Serving on the MPA Board is meaningful to me because I care about creating opportunities for students and supporting a school that has been important to my family. I enjoy solving problems, working with people, and finding practical ways to help wherever I can. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me reading and learning about a range of topics, including economics and history, or my Catholic faith, or spending time with family and friends as I continue learning and growing.

Gloridy Taloff is a mental health therapist working with children and families since 2017. Her daughter, Mia, joined MPA's ELI classroom in 2023 and has recently bridged to ELII. After finding a community in MPA that welcomed her family, Gloridy chose to join the school board in 2024. Gloridy was the chair for the fund development committee and tackled everything from fundraising/donations to decorations and anything in between.