Dr. Monisha Gibson is an accomplished educator, leader, and advocate with more than 20 years of experience in education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature from the University of Virginia, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University, an Advanced Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Long Island University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport. Dr. Gibson and her husband, Johnathan Gisbon, are the founders of the Maritime Odyssey Preschool, Norwalk’s largest early childhood center, which serves nearly 300
children each year. Together, they also operate additional preschool programs, out-of school time initiatives, and summer camps that support youth ages 4–12 across the city of Norwalk.
Dr. Gibson’s leadership extends well beyond the local level. As the former Director of Early Childhood Strategy for Social Venture Partners Connecticut, Dr. Gibson served as a lead advisor to the Commissioner of Early Childhood on initiatives that led to the creation of the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment, a historic $300 million permanent state fund dedicated to strengthening and sustaining early childhood education.
Dr. Gibson often reflects on the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” For her, advancing educational equity is inseparable from advancing justice.
