Montessori Professional Development Fund
A program that provides Montessori
training and professional development.
training and professional development.
The Penn-Mont Academy Montessori Professional Development Fund (MPDF) was established in an effort to provide opportunity for Penn-Mont teachers to further their Montessori Training and Professional Development. We need your assistance in funding this ongoing effort. Please make a gift today. You can learn more about the MPDF below.
ABOUT:
Montessori Professional Development Fund
Purpose
To support the professional development of Penn-Mont Academy’s educators in their important roles as Montessori teachers and school leaders.
Background
- As a school accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), Penn-Mont adheres to high standards for professional staff.
- All lead classroom teachers must receive AMS Credentials for the specific level they teach. Additionally, ongoing Montessori Professional Development is required for teachers to maintain their active credentials as well as grow in their ability to deliver an authentic Montessori education for children.
- Administrators of accredited schools are required to receive a Montessori Administrator Credential and participate in ongoing Montessori Professional Development.
Benefits
The Montessori Professional Development Fund (MPDF)
Continuing Montessori Professional Development
Every year Montessorians from around the world attend the American Montessori Society’s annual conference. Workshops address curriculum, child development, leadership, public policy, research, and much more. Participation earns the contact hours required to keep Teacher Certifications active. The cost of registration, hotel and travel expenses are currently shared by the teacher attending and the school’s operating budget, which limits these opportunities. Your support allows us to send more teachers to this event each year.
American Montessori Society Webinars
AMS offers on-demand videos on topics specific to Montessori education presented by leading educators and professionals in the field. Penn-Mont is utilizing these webinars during teacher in-service days, as well as making them available to individual teachers who express interest in various topics. Your support allows us to provide more of these webinars and videos to our faculty.
Montessori Consultants
Part of the school’s process of continuous assessment and growth involves inviting consultants to our school to observe our programs and offer recommendations. These consultants can help an individual teacher or an entire program. Consultations are a required part of our self-study and re-accreditation process. Your support allows us the opportunity to learn more from our peers and experts in the Montessori field.
Teacher Incentive Grants
Grants allow teachers to apply for funding to support particular projects, areas of curriculum development, etc., based on their needs and interests. Your support allows us to fund more teachers and more projects.
Honoring the Champions
of Penn-Mont
of Penn-Mont
The Penn-Mont Montessori Professional Development Fund was established in an effort to have the monetary resources necessary to provide Penn-Mont teachers the opportunity to further their Montessori Training and Professional Development.
In an effort to secure and perpetuate resources for this fund, Penn-Mont initiated the Gerald P. and Aline D. Wolf “Heart of Penn-Mont” Honoree. This distinction is named in honor of our founders Gerald and Aline Wolf. Penn-Mont honors individuals considered true champions of our school by virtue of their leadership, dedication or philanthropic efforts.
Gerald P. and Aline D. Wolf
“Heart of Penn-Mont” Honorees
“Heart of Penn-Mont” Honorees
DanceOfLightPhotography.com (c) 2011
2019 Honoree: Donna D. Gority
Penn-Mont Academy recognized Donna D. Gority as the 2019 Heart of Penn-Mont honoree. A name well known in the Blair County community, Donna is a Penn-Mont Alumni Parent, Past Board of Directors member, committed philanthropist, and HUGE Penn-Mont advocate. Donna was married to John Gority. Their daughters, Shannon Gority and Bridget Peters are both Penn-Mont alumni having attended during the late seventies to early eighties. Donna has served on the Penn-Mont Board of Directors, as both a member and President, as well as on the Strategic Planning Committee and the Secure the Dream Capital Campaign Committee – focused on a new school building for Penn-Mont.
Penn-Mont honored Donna during a reception held in November 2019. Gifts can be made at https://www.pennmontacademy.com/giving/donate/
2018 Honoree: Nancy Gurman
Nancy supported the growth of Penn-Mont in significant ways for more than three decades as a parent, volunteer, board member, philanthropic donor, and advocate. She served on the Board as well as many committees and task forces including Education, Nominating, Finance, Strategic Planning, and Accreditation. Her seminal contribution to the school took the form of her leadership in the resurrection of the school’s elementary program. She also championed the “Secure the Dream” capital campaign. Additionally, Nancy Gurman, Esq. shared her extensive legal background as an attorney throughout the years advising and guiding the Board in governance of the school.
2017 Honoree: Judy Grove “Miss Judy”
Judy Grove is highly regarded by colleagues, parents and former students as a caring, compassionate, and inspirational Montessori teacher. With a career spanning over 35 years, Miss Judy served as a Preschool Lead Teacher at Penn-Mont Academy. Montessori trained at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (CMTE) in New York, Judy joined the faculty of CMTE in addition to her classroom duties. Judy has a passion for working with special needs children, as well as a great love for geography. Miss Judy continues to be committed to Penn-Mont and quietly shares her love of Montessori with others.
2016 Inaugural Honoree: Michelle Hartye
Long-time Head of School, true Montessori educator, and engaged community leader, Michelle Hartye, made a decision early in her career to become a Montessori teacher and administrator. It had always been Michelle’s vision that professional development opportunities be afforded to other dedicated Penn-Mont Academy teachers and professionals. This vision ignited the inspiration behind establishing the Montessori Professional Development Fund.
