Contact Us
If you are interested in finding out more information about Journey
Montessori Academy, please contact us. We will
be happy to send your more information or answer any questions you might have about our school.
Job Opportunities
We are looking for experienced Montessori teachers and assistants that are interested in joining our school. Please submit your resume to us.
Mission
The mission of Journey Montessori Academy is to provide a personalized education, using the Montessori method and philosophy, to support each student's development while fostering a love of learning. Our mission as educators and parents is to foster independent, confident, compassionate, academically prepared, and socially responsible citizens, who will be lifelong learners and problem solvers.
Teachers
Valerie Miller, Head of School
Valerie received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Valerie student taught in first grade, with experience in fifth grade, English as a second language, and
first grade at a private school. Valerie also studied abroad in Sweden where she had a chance to learn about
their school system, observe a variety of schools, and teach some lessons to fifth grade students.
She continued her education at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis and received her Master of
Arts in Education with a focus on Special Education and Elementary Education. Valerie then student
taught in a class for children with autism and a class for children with severe disabilities.
Valerie was a daily elementary substitute teacher for St. Paul public schools, taught third grade at
Museum Magnet school in St. Paul, was a long term substitute teacher for children with learning
disabilities at Dayton’s Bluff in St. Paul, and taught children with moderate to severe developmental
disabilities at Westwood Elementary school in Bloomington, MN before having her own children.
Valerie discovered Montessori education while at home with her children. Valerie completed
the Montessori diploma program for Primary (ages 3-6), Lower Elementary (ages 6-9), and
Upper Elementary (ages 9-12) through North American Montessori Center and Portland State University.
She attended the NAMTA Montessori Conference in October, in Bloomington, MN and the AMS Montessori
Conference in Washington D.C. at the beginning of March. She has visited a variety of Montessori
schools in the area, observed a variety of teachers and programs, and volunteered in Montessori classrooms.
Valerie has been married to Scott for 13 years and they have 3 dear children. Valerie enjoys the outdoors,
camping, walks through nature, swimming, laughing, reading, learning, and spending time with her
family. Valerie feels blessed to be living her dream of opening a school that teaches to the individual child.
Margaret Paradise, Elementary II Teacher
Margaret received a Bachelor of Arts in English; Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis and
a Bachelor of Arts in Education; Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Margaret was the president of the student education association and led the organization to state
wide recognition. Margaret continued her education and received her Master of Arts in Education
from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her Master’s Thesis is "Students’ Perceptions of Learning through
Multiple Intelligences." Margaret student taught fifth grade, taught sixth grade at an elementary school
in Omaha, Nebraska, and sixth grade at Minnetonka Middle School East in Minnetonka, MN. Margaret
continues to teach at the college level as an adjunct professor for the University of St. Mary’s
graduate program in education through Performance Learning Systems. Margaret taught at World Learner
Montessori School in Chaska, MN as a long term substitute teacher. Her time at World Learner School made
her realize that her philosophy and approach towards teaching were very similar to the Montessori way.
Margaret is completing her Upper Elementary (Elementary II) training through North American Montessori
Center. Margaret attended the AMS conference in Washington DC at the beginning of March.
Margaret continues to add to her repertoire of classes, and is in the process of starting the
Middle School endorsement program at the University of St. Catherine’s with a certification in math, as
well as science. Margaret’s love of sports and the great outdoors has gotten her involved in everything
from tennis instructor and soccer coach, to den leader and environmental education. Margaret also
took a position as a Mad Science and Chess instructor. Both these programs fostered her love of math
and science and energized her desire to teach full time. Margaret has been married to Steve for 18 years and
has two dear children. She is excited to be a part of Journey Montessori Academy at its inception and
looks forward to the journey ahead.
2008/2009 Enrollment
Enrollment for the 2008/2009 school year is now open! Please check out our curriculum for more details on what we offer. You can also check out our admissions page for more information on the enrollment process. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Tutoring now available!
We now provide reasonably priced tutoring for all ages in all subjects. We offer one-on-one tutoring at times that are convenient for you. Students are not required to attend our school to take advantage of our tutoring program - all are welcome! Please Contact Us for more information or to schedule a time.