Currently, Janita is a New Teacher Coach with the Institute for Urban Education (IUE) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, mentoring and coaching first- and second-year teachers as they navigate the early stages of their careers. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Start at Zero, where she leverages her Montessori expertise to partner with parents in supporting healthy early childhood development. Janita is deeply committed to teacher development, student-centered learning, and equity in education, believing that strong foundations in early childhood set the stage for lifelong success.

Monica Nance

Monica L. Nance is a career educator.  She has spent 41 years working in public and charter schools as a classroom teacher, Instructional Coach, and Curriculum Coordinator.  As an Instructional Coach she has served in this role in both traditional educational settings as well as in two  Montessori Public Schools.  She is currently serving as the Professional Learning Coordinator with Kansas City Public Schools where she leads professional development for building Instructional Coaches K-12 as well as supporting new/beginning teachers through professional learning and securing mentors for them.

Ms. Nance earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Drake University, after which time she began her career as an elementary school teacher.  She went on to earn a Masters in Education degree from Webster University and certification in English as a Second Language at Southeast Missouri State University.  She has also received her AMI Montessori Core Principles Certificate.  

As a career educator Ms. Nance has served in numerous leadership roles from mentoring new teachers, serving on the Missouri Literacy Association Board of Directors as an at-large member and serving as president and vice president of the KCMO chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated.  She has continued her love for teaching, serving as an adjunct professor in the College of Education at Webster University (Kansas City campus) and an affiliate professor for the Montessori Graduate Program at Loyola University of Baltimore, Maryland.  

Ms. Nance is a native and current resident of Kansas City, Missouri and is a graduate of the Kansas City Public Schools.  She is the proud mom of two adult children and six grandchildren.  Both of her children and one of her grandchildren are products of Montessori education in Kansas City Public Schools.  Being a champion for children and supporting teachers has always and continues to be her most valued contribution to the profession of education.