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.
Now on Facebook!
Our Facebook page will have school news, events, and information we find valuable for all families (even those not enrolled at Journey). Check it out and become a fan!
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 Bloomington, MN and the AMS Montessori Conference in Washington D.C.
She has taught at Journey Montessori Academy since its inception.
Valerie has been married to Scott for 14 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 running a school that teaches to the individual child.
Amber Neale, Elementary I Teacher
Amber received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in mathematics from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
in May 2009. Through practicum and student teaching, she experienced teaching in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Wayzata, and Mounds View in classrooms for
kindergarten through 8th grade. In the licensure program she began coursework for her Master of Education degree with an emphasis in
Elementary Education and Mathematics, while student teaching in an Elementary 2 classroom (grades 4-6) at a Montessori school in Saint Paul.
Amber is passionate about education, especially reading and mathematics, and found the Montessori Method fit well with her philosophy.
Amber has been a member of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics as well as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics since 2009.
In 2009 she attended the NCTM Fall conference in Minneapolis and the 2010 MCTM Spring conference in Duluth.
Amber has tutored K-12 mathematics privately for the past three years. She enjoys knitting, rock climbing, reading, and making trips up to the
North Shore. She has lived in the Saint Paul area for many years, but recently moved to Northfield to enjoy a small town experience.
2011/2012 Enrollment
Enrollment for the 2011/2012 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.
Summer School
We had a fun summer and learned a lot about different countries around the world during our "Passport to the World" program. Check out our Summer Program to see where we went this summer. We will be back next summer for another world tour!