08/10/09

Jane Hartway is currently in her fifth year of working with children in Montessori classrooms on and near the Sammamish Plateau.  She first discovered Montessori preschools from her good friend Marnie, a Montessori teacher herself.  Her daughter, Elora, started at a local Montessori preschool and attended for four years until she started first grade at her local public elementary school.  Her son Sammy finished his third year of Montessori preschool and started kindergarten this fall at his big sister's elementary school.

Jane first started as a volunteer assistant teacher in her daughter's classroom and then became a paid assistant the following year.  She then took her early childhood Montessori training from the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest and received her early childhood (ages 2.5 to 6) teaching credential from the American Montessori Society.  She has been lead teaching in full time and part time Montessori classrooms for almost three years.

Jane also has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and in Social Work from New Mexico State University and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington.  Her interests include languages (her goal is to become fluent in Spanish within a year or so), fiber arts (especially knitting), and books, books, books.  She loves learning something new!

Jane feels passionate about her work with children and loves the one-on-one time she shares with a child  while giving him or her a lesson.  She feels that the Montessori philosophy provides a perfect framework for creating a preschool classroom that gives children the ability to feel independent and self-confident, learn at their own pace, and create a love of learning that will last throughout their lifetimes.

Veronica Juarez is currently in her twelfth year working with preschool children, primarily in Montessori classrooms located on the Eastside.  She first learned about Montessori preschools when her daughter Carolina began attending a local Montessori school at age one.  She immediately fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and materials.  She researched Montessori extensively and knew she had to be a part of it.  She then started working at Carolina's Montessori school as a childcare supervisor as well as an assistant teacher and a Spanish teacher.  Carolina attended Montessori school through second grade and then transitioned to public school.  Veronica feels this early preschool experience gave Carolina learning advantages that carry through to her excellent progress in school today as an eighth grader and will continue to do so throughout her lifetime.

Veronica took her Montessori assistant teacher training from Chelsea House Montessori in 2002.  She also holds a Master's Degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Metropolitan University of Mexico that she earned in 1983. 

Veronica feels it is an honor and privilege and a tremendous amount of fun to work with young children.  She also feels strongly about passing on her cultural traditions.  She takes pride in the accomplishments of her students who learn, comprehend and speak Spanish.