Meet Janis – MMC’s New Principal

Senior School students recently interviewed MMC’s new Principal, Janis Coffey, at a Brighton Campus assembly. Here’s what they learnt.

Janis Coffey is an experienced educator who has recently joined the Melbourne Montessori College community as the new Principal. She was previously the Principal at North‑Eastern Montessori School and has held leadership roles in other independent schools in Victoria.

Originally from Philadelphia, Janis moved to Australia for what was meant to be a six-month stay but ended up making Melbourne her home for more than 23 years. She began her academic journey studying the arts before pivoting into education and has become a respected voice in child-centred learning and positive school cultures.

Outside of education, Janis is a creative polymath: she loves cooking, speaks French, enjoys furniture flipping, and even directed her own short film. She has dabbled in voice acting and was involved in the performing arts early in her life. As a mother, Janis often watches some favourite Netflix shows with her daughter and shares her home with a beloved cat.

Want to know more about MMC’s new Principal? Here are some of the questions that Isha, Levi and Abbey put to Janis.

What is a hobby people wouldn’t expect you to have?

I enjoy creative writing. Writing is a past-time that you can get lost in and get into flow – that feeling when you lose track of time and are completely immersed in something.  It can feel arduous at times, but it is also really joyful. I guess that reminds me of the adage – the best things in life you have to work for. I have written, directed and produced a short film before, so seeing my writing come to life is exciting. I’m thinking about a new idea for a stage play – I think that will be my next writing project.

I also have a penchant for salvaging furniture items and giving them new life again with my power sander and a new lick of paint! I try my best to keep things out of landfill, and I guess this is my way of doing something good for the earth that is also creative at the same time.

What do you like about MMC and what are your plans for the near future?

What I like about MMC are the people! All the teachers and staff members really care about what they do. In the Montessori approach, we talk a lot about ‘the prepared environment’. So, my plans are to consider how we can prepare the physical environment as well as the psychological environment of the College to be the very best it can be to cater for the needs of our students. We want to see students engaged and learning in real-world situations, doing meaningful work, and to feel safe, supported, cared for and welcomed into this community. I plan to work with the Heads of Campus and the rest of the team to create an environment to achieve just that.

We want to see students engaged and learning in real-world situations, doing meaningful work, and to feel safe, supported, cared for and welcomed into this community.

What are some of the challenges of being a principal?

One of the challenges of being a principal is the complexity of the role. Every day is different. Sometimes I find myself having conversations about testing soil, and the next minute I’m talking about decodable books. I am always learning and I have never forgotten the importance of seeking advice from others. Knowing what you don’t know is critical.

You also have to be ready to respond to important things happening in a school, and you have to be really good at managing stress so that you can make good decisions. A good leader is able to make good decisions consistently and in my view, those decisions should always put people first. What is best for the student has always driven  my decision-making.

I heard you’re from America, tell us a bit about that?

I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After completing my undergraduate degree from Seton Hill University, I began working at a law large firm in Philadelphia. In 2003, I decided to pursue further studies and I moved to Melbourne, which is now my home.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love doing anything creative. This includes cooking! I enjoy creating and experimenting with different recipes and foods, and I also love baking. There’s something exciting about gathering a range of ingredients and creating something that other people enjoy. It brings me joy to cook for others and to share delicious food together.

I also aim to practice yoga at least two to three times a week. It helps me stay balanced and focused.

What does being a Principal mean to you?

Being a Principal is a big responsibility. I see that it is my role to serve the community, with the students at the top of the priority list.  To serve a community like MMC, it’s important that I am open and honest with staff, parents, our College Board, and our students. Integrity is important to me, and what I say I do, I do. And what I say I can’t do, I won’t do.

I don’t make compromises when it comes to people’s wellbeing. Much of my professional background has been dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of children, adolescents and school staff. Wellbeing will always be a consideration in my work as a Principal. Being a Principal also means that I need to be a good listener. I listen. I observe. I take people’s perspectives into account in my work.

So, in summary, balancing multiple perspectives, prioritising the needs of students and the wellbeing of the community in general, and acting with integrity is what it means to me to be a Principal.