Arlene Schroeder — Sunflower Classroom Teacher
Originally from New Jersey, Arlene first moved to Portland, OR in 1989. Her family’s love of travel is an innate part of her. As soon as she could venture out on her own she did. First she moved to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina, and then to London, England to study at Regents College. After spending a summer with a backpack exploring parts of Europe, Arlene moved to Portland, OR.
She received a BS in English Literature from Lewis and Clark College. During her first few years in Portland, she worked in a local natural foods store researching products and expanding their specialty foods, creating their recycling system, setting up services to donate food and bookkeeping.
An opportunity to return to London arose and Arlene spent another three years in Europe traveling and working. Arlene’s interest in Montessori philosophy was first piqued while teaching art classes in London. Many of her students attended a Montessori school. Upon returning to Portland in 1995, her interest in teaching grew.
In 1999 she received her Primary diploma from the Montessori Institute Northwest and soon after began working with children in the Sunflower classroom here at VMS. During those early years at VMS, Arlene worked to complete her Masters degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Marylhurst University.
Arlene still travels whenever she can, with the added joy of sharing the wonders of the world with the children in her classroom. In her free time she enjoys craft projects, gardening, swimming, kayaking and working to improve her 107 year old home.
BS English Literature – Lewis and Clark College 1991
Montessori Teaching Certificate – Montessori Institute NW 1999
Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies – Marylhurst University 2000
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