During this period of early adolescence, we create opportunities through a prepared environment that allows students to learn about themselves, their communities, and how their unique self contributes to those communities. It’s about finding yourself, and your place in the world. It’s about calibrating your inner compass.
"The adolescent must never be treated as a child, for that is a stage of life that he has surpassed. It is better to treat an adolescent as if he had greater value than he actually shows than as if he had less and let him feel that his merits and self-respect are disregarded.”
- Maria Montessori
Compass
Montessori Junior High
7th and 8th Years
Kristina Weidenfeller, Adolescent Guide
B.A. Michigan State University, Special Education K-12
M.A. Michigan State University, Curriculum and Teaching
AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies, Compass Montessori, Golden, CO
The Children's House experience (2009 - present):
Elementary Summer Support, Kitchen Director, Adolescent Guide
Kristina has been a parent at TCH since 2006, and an employee since 2009. She has had many roles during her tenure; room parent, summer yoga instructor, coach, Kitchen Classroom, Earth to Table, and Junior High Guide. She enjoys time with her family, outdoor sports of all seasons, reading, and new adventures. Kristina appreciates that TCH community provides so many opportunities for not only students to explore and share their interests, but adults are encouraged to as well.
Tori Craig, Adolescent Guide
B.A. Psychology, Portland State University
C1 French Language Diploma, Universit© Lumire Lyon 2
AMI Montessori 6-12 Diploma, Centro Internazionale Studi Montessoriani
The Children's House experience (2021 - present):
Primary Classroom Support, Junior High Associate Guide, Adolescent Guide
After a decade working with nonprofits and farms for food justice, Tori realized being with young people was the common feature of her favorite jobs and decided to pursue teaching. She is energized by the potential for creativity and change she finds in the classroom. The Montessori method felt like home right away. Her favorite of Maria Montessori's books is Education for Peace. Tori grew up in Cincinnati, OH and Portland, OR where she learned to love the northwoods. She lives in Maple City at the end of a dirt road.
Isabel Forster, Adolescent Guide
B.A., Oglethorpe University, International Studies
MSc, London School of Economics and Political Science, Environment and Development
The Children's House experience (2025 - present):
Adolescent Guide
A native of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Isabel bounced around the East Coast United States, United Kingdom, and Norway for her higher education. She recently pursued a postgraduate at the London School of Economics Department of Geography. When not reading and writing, Isabel enjoys learning about all things ecology and exploring the great outdoors. She is thrilled to join The Children's House community as an Adolescent Guide this year and continue her education in the Montessori method.
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