February 12, 2025
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Montessori school gets the go-ahead in Ottawa

Trinity Rose Montessori School to begin classes in September

By Charlie Ellerbrock
Starved Rock Country Community Foundation will provide fiscal sponsorship for the school opening in fall 2025 under the guidance of the Association Montessori Internationale and Executive Director Suzannah R. Walter.

The Ottawa City Council gave approval for the Trinity Rose Montessori School to conduct classes in the education building adjacent to the Trinity Lutheran Church at 717 Chambers St. beginning this September. The school will open under the guidance of Association Montessori Internationale and Executive Director Suzannah Walter. (Photo provided by Fran Brolley)

The Ottawa City Council gave approval Tuesday for the Trinity Rose Montessori School to conduct classes in the education building adjacent to the Trinity Lutheran Church at 717 Chambers St. beginning in September.

Teacher Suzannah Walter, who is head of the school, said the class will be for children ages 3 to 6, and they will be taught in one classroom, as per the Montessori method of education. She has begun giving tours to parents and children and already has started accepting applications.

Walter – a native of Grand Ridge who has 30 years of teaching experience, much of it in Joliet and at one of the biggest schools in the country, located in the Chicago area – is a firm believer in the Montessori way of teaching through self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play among children of different ages.

“I drove from Grand Ridge to Joliet every day for 11 years, taking my boys there for school from preschool all the way through eighth grade, so my heart is truly in it,” said Walter, who will be teaching with Ottawa native and church member Casey McGrath. “I am a believer. … It’s just a delightful way to teach children, and we can’t wait to get started.

“Some people have heard of Montessori, and others know very little about it, so I love educating the parents about it a little as well.”

Also on Tuesday, Mayor Robb Hasty read into the record a proclamation declaring March 29, 2025, as Margaret Seeman Day in the city. Seeman will be celebrating her 105th birthday that day.

In other action, the council:

  • approved an employment agreement making former Ottawa Police Chief Brent Roalson a part-time code enforcement officer.
  • approved an employment agreement with Dom Arroyo and Frank Youngblood to be part-time facilities assistants with North Central Area Transit.
  • reappointed Jeff Newbury to the fire pension board.
  • approved the expense of $13,840 to John’s Sales and Service of Oglesby for the parks department break room.
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