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Rich Ungerer
Rich Ungerer has spent a lifetime championing education and advocating for the Montessori philosophy on a global scale.
Raised along the shores of Long Island Sound in Stratford, Rich grew up water skiing and fishing by the age of six. A diver on his high school swim team, he graduated in 1964 and headed to Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science in 1968. He then embarked on two master’s degrees simultaneously, completing an M.A. in Theology with a focus on Social Ethics at Boston University, and an M.A. in Social Planning from the Boston College School of Social Work in 1972.
Drawn more to the complexities of policy than to pastoral or clinical work, Rich began his career in Washington, DC, as a Special Assistant in the U.S. Office of Education, working on educational policy issues. His subsequent 44-year career was devoted to improving education at every level—from early childhood to adult learning.
He spent 15 years in DC, and then relocated to New Jersey in 1988, where he lived until 2003. During these first 30 years, he held numerous leadership roles, including heading the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, the National Society for Internships and Experiential Education, and the Organizational Development Network. Each position deepened his commitment to creating impactful educational opportunities.
In 2003, Rich returned to Connecticut and the familiar waters of Long Island Sound, settling in Westport, where he still resides. Soon after, he took on the role of Executive Director of the American Montessori Society, a position he held until his retirement in 2017. Even in retirement, his dedication to education remains strong. As a senior advisor to the Wisdom International Education Group, a leading proponent of Montessori-based education in China, Rich has visited the country seven times to support and expand its Montessori initiatives.
Recently widowed, Rich is excited about the Y’s Men community, eager to form new connections and dedicate his time to meaningful service. One of his key projects is supporting the development of the Blau House and Gardens in the Coleytown neighborhood, which he and others are transforming into a local hub for community activities.
And while education has been his lifelong focus, Rich’s love for Long Island Sound endures. If you ever need an extra pair of hands hauling sails or have a spare seat on your fishing boat, he’s your guy!
By Clarence Hayes
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