Dr. Vanessa M. Rigaud

Dr. Vanessa M. Rigaud serves as the Director of Learning and Research at the American Montessori Society, where she brings together her passion for Montessori education, leadership, and innovation. Her career has spanned roles as Associate Professor and Program Director of the Montessori Institute at Xavier University, and Dean of Curriculum and Learning and Director of Education–Lower School at the first AMS-accredited in Asia and IB PYP-authorized world school in Qingdao, China. With over 25 years of teaching and 20 years of administrative experience, Vanessa has guided learners and educators across public and private Montessori schools in the United States and abroad. She holds Pre-K–6 public school certification, MACTE Montessori Early Childhood and AMS Elementary I–II credentials and is a trained CLASS Teachstone observer. She also works as a consultant and regularly shares her insights through publications and presentations at national and international conferences.