Michaela Galasso Williams co-founded the first Montessori pre-school (ages 3-6) in Baton Rouge in December 1966 at St. Agnes School downtown. In this rare photo above at left (face slightly covered, only due to web template of this page, unfortunately) is Co-Founder Vera Cramer and to the right, Michaela Galasso. Formerly first oboist with the Baton Rouge Symphony, Michaela was a graduate of Eastman School of Music where she met her husband, the late Dr. Michael A. Galasso, who was concert master of the B.R. Symphony until his untimely death in 1965 after his performance of the Bruch Violin Concerto. In 1968, after moving the family of 5 children to New Jersey for Montessori Studies, Michaela established a Montessori school in her home, in Baton Rouge (see photo below). In 1971 she moved her school to the present location on Highland Rd. near LSU.
Michaela Galasso at right reading to the children at her home Montessori school established in 1968 at 644 Castle Kirk Drive.,Baton Rouge.
Montessori Begins in Baton Rouge at St. Agnes in downtown Baton Rouge. Back Row at right is Michaela Galasso and to her left is Vera Cramer. Unsure at this time who is at left on back row.