Montessori Training

Hello from Erie, PA!

My name is J.J. Penfield and I am the Elementary Guide at Montessori In The Woods, a small private Montessori school in Erie, PA.   I earned a B.S. in Psychology from Penn State in 2008 and my PA Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education, K-6, from Mercyhurst University in 2009.  

When I returned to college in 2006 my goals were two-fold--to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, and to be able to afford to send my children to college.  As I embark on my new career as a Montessori Guide, my son is about to begin his collegiate carreer at Penn State this fall.  I have found myself in a financial predicament.  I cannot afford to pay for my much needed Montessori Elementary Training and my son's upcoming college tuition and room and board.  

Why Montessori?

After 4 years of long-term substitute work in the public schools of Erie County, I applied for a position as the Elementary Guide at Montessori In The Woods.  Never guessing that I would be chosen to be an interviewee, let alone being selected for the position.  Each and everyday, I count my blessings.  I have found what makes my heart and soul sing teaching at Montessori In The Woods and using the Montessori Method.  

Goal

I plan on completeing my Montessori Training through North American Montessori Center (NAMC). www.montessoritraining.net  I can complete my entire training online with this particular program.  Being a mother of two amazing and extremely busy young people and the wife of a husband that is established in his career as a locomotive engineer, I require the flexibiltiy that an online education program offers.  I can also achieve my required training at 1/3 of the cost of other training programs!  If I am able to reach my goal of $3000, I will be able to pay for my entire Lower Elementary Montessori Training!     Montessori In The Woods is a 501 (c)(3), so your donation is tax-deductable!  Please Pledge!