A warm welcome to all the new and returning families! We look forward to working with everyone to make this experience the best possible for your children. Here is some introductory information about the staff at St. Timothy’s this year.
Debby Woodworth
Director and Teacher
I am the Director of St. Timothy’s Montessori School. I am in my 25th year of Montessori education in the Albuquerque area and my 9th year here at St. Timothy’s Montessori School. I received my Montessori training through the National Center for Montessori education, a satellite program through San Diego State University. I taught and directed over the past 26 years and have served as a Director since last year. I feel the Montessori approach is one that encourages a love of learning through hands-on experiences. This approach to teaching young children allows the child the freedom and independence to explore while encouraging respect for the environment and other individuals.
I live in Corrales and I have a 19-year-old son, Clayton who is a sophomore at UNM. I also have a stepdaughter, Brenna, who has 4 little boys. In my spare time I like to play golf, travel, dance, work in my yard, and read. As a child, school was always a very positive and memorable time for me and I hope to help create that atmosphere for your child and family this year. I am excited to see the old faces and meet the new ones!
Antoinet Vigil
Preschool-Kindergarten Teacher
I was born and grew up in the Netherlands, as one of five children, worked as a licensed R.N. since 1981, and came to New Mexico in 1988 and married my husband Abe, who was an Architect at Merrick and Co., raising my daughter (who is now a 19 year-old sophomore at UNM). I discovered many educational philosophies, and eventually taught her and other students, in the area of reading, writing, math, music, science, and social studies using the principles of Maria Montessori, Glen Doman, and Romalda Spalding. I am a certified N.C.M.E./A.M.S Montessori teacher and have worked for 16 years with children ages 2-6. I am looking forward to working with your children and getting to know all of you. I have always felt so privileged being able to work in a Montessori classroom, knowing that in such an environment the child’s needs can be met with knowledge, grace, discipline, and compassion. The levels of freedom and independence that they learn and experience allows them to truly follow their hearts and minds, and the possibilities for them to develop into beautiful, well rounded people are endless.
I am also very grateful that in this school, we are able to implement the respect for God and His many ways of passing on His teachings through a variety of world religions throughout the planet. The child will learn to understand that it is God working through all of us that is truly teaching how to take the next step in their learning process and to have respect for all life.
Dawn Miller-Castle
Preschool-Kindergarten Teacher
My family and I recently relocated to Albuquerque from Kauai, Hawaii, last year for my husband’s career. It’s been quite a change (a bit drier), but we have all adjusted very well. In addition to the big move we also gained a new member of the family. Our daughter just turned one and we have a three year-old son Tyler who is a student here at St. Timothy’s. We have been busy ever since.
I am very excited to begin this school year at St. Tim’s. The fit was perfect for us in every way! I have been teaching at Montessori schools for the past 14 years and I earned my Montessori credential in 1998 after I began working as an assistant in a Montessori School in California. I was so impressed by the method that I chose Montessori over earning my CA Teaching Credential and have been sold ever since.
Carolyn Joule
Early Preschool Teacher
I am an Albuquerque native and attended St. Mary’s grade and high school here for 12 years. After attending UNM for 2 years I married and moved to several different states and countries. I have 2 grown children and have loved working with young children for over 30 years. I have been back in Albuquerque since 1992. My hobbies are spending time with my family and friends, walking, attending the symphony, musical events and traveling when I can. I have been a Montessori Teacher for 2 ½ to 6 year olds since 1998. I am excited to be in my sixth year at St. Timothy’s teaching the Early Preschoolers. I love this age group and look forward to another great year and working with the new and returning families.
Maria Sisneros
Preschool-Kindergarten Assistant
I am glad to say I have been a part of St. Timothy’s since 2002 and have always had a passion for working with children and watching their minds and bodies grow. I also have three children of my own: Patricia who is 17, Thomas who is 13, and my youngest is Jeremy, who is 3. Jeremy is in the Pre-Kindergarten class and loves his time in the classroom. I enjoy spending time outside of school with my family. Our family spends our outside time traveling to different states to race cars. I am looking forward to a wonderful new school year working with your children and hope to assist you in any way so that we have a great year together.
Laura Armijo
Preschool-Kindergarten Assistant
Hello everyone and welcome to St. Tim’s. I am one of the preschool kindergarten assistants in Ms. Antoinet‘s classrooms. I’ve been with St. Tim’s Montessori for 5 years. I began working with St. Tim’s as Ms. Carolyn’s assistant in the early preschool classroom. Then decided to relocate to Taos for a year then returned to Albuquerque and St. Tim’s as well. I am in the process of taking my Montessori training. I love working with children and I have four of my own: Santiago, 20; Angelina, 19; Christian, 15, and Noah, 8, an alumnus of St. Tim’s.
