Shelton admits learning-different students of any race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Dr. Robert G. (Bob) Pickering Memorial Fund

Dr. Robert G. (Bob) Pickering, who worked at Shelton from June 1990 through May 2014 as treasurer and director of finance and manager of the maintenance staff, died on March 15, 2023. He was the husband of Dr. Joyce Pickering, Shelton's Executive Director Emerita and a member of our Board Executive Committee (ex-officio).

While working at Shelton, Bob found Shelton's Midway and Hillcrest campuses and negotiated the purchases. 

Throughout his career, Bob also held numerous leadership positions in schools and school systems countrywide, including as headmaster, principal, superintendent and superintendent director.

The American Montessori Society bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on Bob in 2016. His firm belief that all children should have access to a high-quality education led him to spearhead the first public Montessori school in the United States. In 1967, the Hilltop School opened in Reading, Ohio, where he served as superintendent.

Bob also did significant work internationally, specifically in South America, where he established the first Montessori program at an American school overseas. Additionally, he served as superintendent at The American Elementary & Secondary School of Sao Paulo, Brazil, The American School Foundation in Mexico City, Mexico, and president of the Association of American Schools in South America.

Before his work in South America, Bob was elected to the AMS Board of Directors, where he served for seven years, including two as board president. Upon his return, he was reelected as treasurer, and served for three years. He was also chair of the AMS Finance Committee.

Bob received dozens of awards and accolades, including The National Brazilian Award of Merit, Medalha Marechal Trompowsky; the Leadership in Education and Culture Distinguished Leadership Award, Southwestern Ohio Education; a Peace Medal from the Consulate General of Israel in Sao Paulo, Brazil; and an Award of Merit from the Association of American Schools in Brazil.

In addition to his wife Joyce, Bob is survived by seven children,13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, including daughter Jessica Newman and son-in-law Joey Newman, who work at Shelton. Four of the Pickerings' grandchildren have attended Shelton and two are current students.

A complete obituary can be found at this link.

Give Today!