Email: rsippel@santanlc.com
Rita Sippel, a 2nd generation Arizona native was inspired to work with children intelligently and proactively from an early age. Growing up in an industrious family of 8 and being an Aunt to over 25 nieces and nephews influenced Rita toward a life of service.
After graduating from a small liberal arts high school in Scottsdale, Arizona she traveled to Ohio to begin her undergraduate degree in nursing. Her goal was to be an excellent pediatric nurse. After her first round of clinicals she realized she needed more experience with healthy children to accomplish this goal well and to teach others how to prevent illness and misfortune. With this new goal Rita began working in a highly regarded Montessori school and AMI training center in Phoenix, Arizona under the close direction of the AMI Montessori trainer. After Rita finished her AMI Primary Montessori training she began work towards her degree in elementary education while she worked as a lead Montessori directress for three years. Upon graduation with excitement Rita began teaching in local public school eager to incorporate the child centered beauty and depth of the Montessori philosophy into her work as a public school teacher. After teaching Kindergarten and First grade for four years Rita was ready for the next challenge. Desiring to fulfill a personal dream to open a school of her own in order to have more influence in creating a child centered thriving school environment conducive to learning Rita began her masters degree program in Educational Administration and Supervision. Rita worked as a K-12 Title I Teacher/Director and grant writer for three years and a Reading First Reading Coach for a year before she co-founded San Tan Montessori, a preschool through first grade private school that was the beginning foundation of San Tan Learning Center’s thriving K-7 educational program. For the last six years Rita has worked as the Educational Director for San Tan Learning Center where she supports and influences the program through research, grant writing, and collaboration to provide the most optimal learning environment to meet the individual needs of the children served at San Tan Learning Center.
Rita is married to Dr. Kris Sippel and lives in Gilbert, Arizona. Rita is raising four children with her husband Kris spanning from age 10 to 1 and she is extremely grateful for the support of the San Tan Learning Center school community.