My Path 

By Raven Lloyd   

 

My career in Montessori began in 1992 in Evanston, Illinois where I worked as an assistant in a primary classroom for two years. I knew then that I wanted to get certified as an AMI teacher so I returned to school and earned my BA from PSU in 2001. Throughout this period I worked in a variety of Montessori schools. This experience helped me to make an informed decision about which Montessori training I felt was the most true to The Montessori Method. I began my AMI Primary training with Ginni at MINW and earned my certification as an AMI Montessori Primary teacher and my Masters in Education from Loyola in 2005. 

 

That same year my husband and I moved to London, England and I was hired to assist in the elementary class at The Maria Montessori School in Hampstead. I found that I really enjoyed working with the elementary children and decided to train as an Elementary teacher. This was an amazing experience as there were teachers from all over the world on the course which was also the 2nd elementary course ever taught in London! The first was taught by Mario Montessori. The course was taught over three summers and each year I was able to apply some of what I had learned with the children during the school year. I earned my AMI elementary diploma in the summer of 2009.

 

Having completed these two training experiences in two very different cities I really came to appreciate my Primary training in Portland. Three things spring to mind: the size of the training center, the MINW staff and the city of Portland! Portland is a great place to live in while training. So much effects us during our training; our daily life, commuting ( I rode my bike every day to MINW), eating, computers and copy centers, stationary/ office stores, coffee, relaxing etc... It is extremely valuable to have a balance in our lives while we are training as it can be a stressful and busy time. Portland has it all and it is not difficult to access all the resources you need during your busy days of training. Even the airport is easy to get to with MAX!

 

I feel that MINW is a very special training center for these reasons. It is welcoming, relaxed, comfortable & centrally located. Both the course and the environment are thoughtfully organized to give each student the best possible experience during his/her training.