Leadership
Miriam is governed by a Board of Directors, comprised of 21 wonderful volunteers who generously support Miriam with their time, talent and treasure.
Meg Bamford, our Head of Miriam School and Learning Center, reports to the board and is responsible for all facets of the organization. Miriam's K-12 school has two heads, Vicki Thurman (high school) and Mary Cognata (lower/middle school), and Beth Rose leads the Learning Center.
Head of Miriam School and Learning Center - Meg Bamford
Meg Bamford is the leader of Miriam School and Learning Center, overseeing the long-term vision of the organization. She has devoted her entire career to educating students with special needs.
Miriam captured my heart almost instantly. The deep-rooted commitment of Miriam to serve children who learn differently in the St. Louis community is a dream come true for me.
Prior to becoming the executive leader of Miriam in July 2022, she was the Head of Radcliffe Creek School, an independent school in Maryland with a mission very similar to Miriam’s. Previously, Meg was Director of Student Services in a New Hampshire district, a senior leadership position she rose to after serving for 10 years as a reading and writing specialist.
Meg began her career teaching fifth grade in the inner city of Chicago. Inspired to work with children with learning differences, she then was an elementary and middle school teacher at Landmark School, in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, a school for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Meg was a unique learner herself and credits the teachers who recognized her strengths and helped her build on them as her inspiration for a career in special education.
Head of Miriam Lower/Middle
Mary Cognata
Mary Cognata has been the Head of Miriam Lower/Middle School since July 2018, serving as Associate Head for 8 years prior to that.
Ms. Cognata came to Miriam in 1999 and served as a classroom teacher for 11 years, also working through Miriam Learning Center to tutor community students and lead social skills groups.
Before coming to Miriam, Mary taught grades four and five in the St. Louis Archdiocese for 13 years.
Miriam High School Principal
Vicki Thurman
As Principal of Miriam High School, Vicki Thurman oversees the education of our students in grades 9-12 and works with Miriam’s Transitional Services team to provide support for our graduates.
Thurman brings more than 22 years of educational experience with her to Miriam School and Learning Center. Before joining Miriam in July of 2023, she worked as Director of Student Support Services at MICDS.
Director, Miriam Learning Center
Beth Rose
Beth Rose oversees Miriam Learning Center since 2007 and has worked as MLC Director from 2007-2009 and from 2011 to present.
Previously, she was the Executive Director for Good Shepherd School for Children, an inclusive early childhood and therapy center, from 2009-2011 and she was also the Director of Program Development and Fundraising at The Center for Head Injury Services for 10 years prior to 2007.
Miriam School and Learning Center 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Members of the Board of Directors are the primary volunteer leadership at Miriam School and Learning Center. The board contributes to defining Miriam’s mission and governs the fulfillment of that mission. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a part of this incredible team, email us today.
President Kristen Bowser
Immediate Past President
Andy Greenberg
Vice-President of Governance
Andy Greenberg
Vice-President of Administration
Adrien Webb
Secretary
Donna Wendel
At-Large
Judi Scissors
Board Members
Carol Cohen
Jeff DePlanty
Adrienne Eaglin
Josh Hutkins
Rachel Jesen
MyIsha Jordan
Susie Luten
Fred Niemeier
Steve Rosenblum
Darcy Scharff
Barbara Silver
Cathy Steele
Raymond Steitz
Karen Teitelbaum
Mary Unnerstall
Sarah Vehige
Marla Wild
Diana Wittig
Judy Zafft