About Our School

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About Our School

Miss Jennifer

Welcome to my passion.

You know you are doing what you are supposed to when you enjoy it, think about it often, can separate it from other parts of your life, and can't imagine doing anything else.

Greenhouse Montessori was create from a passion for providing an environment for children to learn and have fun. The "greenhouse" was originally a place for children to have themed birthday parties where they could play, interact, and learn, without even realizing that fun and learning could be the same thing. As a former elementary teacher, I incorporated learning, fun, and respect, in my classroom at every opportunity. When it came time for my child to go to school and into the care of others, it was with much trial and error that Montessori Education was found. The idea of giving young children the knowledge to be independent, self-disciplined, focused students who work at their own ability, no matter the age, was very intriguing. As the preschool was started, the Montessori philosophy parallelled my beliefs so much, I then decided to take training to become AMS certified.

Greenhouse Montessori is what I want for my own children, a place of love and learning that encourages discovery and individuality. The learning family that we have at our school is very special. Family involvement is an important part of Greenhouse Montessori and the relationships built among the children, teachers, and families are irreplaceable. This school is as much a part of me that I am of it. I appreciate the importance of the development of the brain from 0-6 years and know that the students in my school are being molded during the time with us

Miss Lauren

This place has been a part of my life for over four years. It is my home away from home and I truly enjoy coming to work for something I strongly believe in everyday. I began as a party planner, transitioned into assisting and teaching, and am now happy to help as an office assistant. My main goal is to provide support throughout the school to help get through day-to-day as smoothly and successfully as possible. I am available to help in any way I can to continue the growth of our beautiful community. I am so fortunate to work with the students, parents and staff here at Greenhouse and I look forward to creating and experiencing another year of wonderful memories.

Miss Jane

Jane Duffey has been a Montessori Teacher for eight years.

She has her International Montessori Institute Primary Certificate and her American Montessori Society Certificate as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development. She holds an Arizona State Certified Public School Teaching Certificate.

Jane and her husband Rick have recently relocated from the northwest valley in Glendale where they raised their three children. They enjoy spending their free time with their children and their families who live in the Tempe and Gilbert areas.

Jane devotes time to volunteer work with her church and with the DrugFreeAZ.org non-profit organization. She loves anything crafting, reading and spending time with her grand-daughter!

Jane shares our vision in the Mission of Greenhouse Montessori to continue to positively impact the Children and Families of the East Valley communities!

Miss Selenne

My name is Selenne Castruita I'm from Mexico. I grew up in a little town called Santa Ana until I was 18 years old, after that I had to move to Hermosillo to get my degree in psychology. When I finished, I started my masters in education but I did not finish it because I started working in a childcare as a principal for about a year. Then, I had the opportunity to work with little kids in a pre-school called Aprendiendo a crecer. Finally, in 2006 I decided to move to Arizona to study English while I was working for the first time as a Montessori assistant teacher doing outdoor enviroment.

Mr. Raymond

Raymond Punsalang Gonzales marks this year as his 12^th year in the field of teaching. Worked on several jobs (mostly related to public relations), Mr. Raymond finally found satisfaction and fulfillment on a very rewarding profession in the field of education. After almost eight years of teaching in an international and religious school in Taiwan, R.O.C, he migrated to the United States and took his Montessori teaching certification for early childhood education at Montessori Teachers Education Center in San Francisco, CA. or MTEC-SFBA under the expertise of Dr. Pamela Rigg.

Mr. Raymond took every opportunity to acquire more knowledge about the method of teaching of Dr. Maria Montessori which according to him is well-known to his home country as “schools with high-quality education”. He attended Annual Conferences conducted by the American Montessori Society in Boston, San Diego, Chicago and recently in San Francisco. He had worked for the past three years as an Assistant and Head Teacher in age 3-6 class at Montessori School of Brentwood in California where he further enhanced his Montessori teaching skills. He is currently completing his Infant-Toddler certification at MTEC-SFBA and looking forward to graduate this coming year. He is a member of the American Montessori Society for three years now and one of the newest members of our family as Lead Teacher in Toddler House at Greenhouse Montessori this year.