Chicago’s Near North Montessori Educators and School Staff File to Unionize

CHICAGO – Today, an overwhelming majority of educators and school staff at Chicago's Near North Montessori school have filed cards with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) affirming their intent to form the Near North Montessori Union.

“By filing these cards today, our dedicated teachers and staff have made clear that we want to form a union,” said Cynthia Castiglione, Junior High Head Teacher. “This action will help us come together with one unified voice, ensuring we will be best positioned to support our school's mission and model its values for our students.”

Near North Montessori was founded in 1963 and is one of the country's oldest and largest Montessori schools. About 110 educators and staff are employed at the school and are eligible to be in the new union.

Like all Montessori schools, Near North operates under an educational philosophy that centers around a strong partnership between the child, parent, and school with a focus on community, creativity, diversity, and a culture of respect and dignity for all.

"As educators and staff, we deserve to experience the same democratic and collaborative work environment that we provide for our students," said Clare Gervasi, 3-6 Lead Teacher. "A union will help establish our voice, improve transparency in decision-making, and ensure we continue to attract and retain the very best professionals to serve our students here at this world-class school."

There are 5,000 Montessori schools nationwide; employees at dozens of the schools have unionized and bargained contracts, including at Rogers Park Montessori in Chicago, which is represented by the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT). Near North serves more than 550 students in early childhood through junior high. Near North also provides before and after school care and offers a unique rooftop urban farm as the cornerstone of its' outdoor curriculum.

Now that cards have been filed with the NLRB, Near North Montessori workers will request voluntary recognition of their union from the employer. If it is not granted, an election will be held. Ballots would be expected to be cast later this spring. After a majority of workers vote "Yes," their union will be officially certified as a local in the IFT.

"We are thrilled that the incredible teachers and staff at Near North Montessori have committed to prioritizing the needs of their students and school by signing cards to form their union," said IFT President Dan Montgomery. "A strong union provides the best opportunity for workers to not only improve their pay and working conditions, but to have a powerful voice to help students reach their inherent potential. As IFT members, our colleagues at Near North will be part of a statewide family of workers who share their values and stand with one another to improve education and services for students. IFT will proudly welcome the Near North professionals to our union."

“We love what we do and are proud to work at Near North Montessori, so we are so excited to take this step to form our union,” added Beatrice Koonmen, 6-9 Assistant. “We look forward to working collaboratively with the administration to build upon our joint commitment to the Montessori philosophy and helping our students grow and thrive.”

The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) represents 103,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in PreK-12 school districts throughout Illinois, faculty and staff at Illinois’ community colleges and universities, public employees under every statewide elected constitutional officer, and retirees. The IFT is a state federation of the American Federation of Teachers.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents 1.7 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.