My name is Lizbeth Peñaloza, and I am part of the Montessori Explorer School team. Serving in the role of Family Services and Office Administration.
My journey into early childhood education was inspired by my own experiences in elementary school. During that time, I was fortunate to have teachers who nurtured my curiosity, encouraged me to ask questions, and supported my emotional growth. Through activities like story time, group projects, and guided exploration; I learned the values of collaboration and self-expression. These formative experiences sparked my passion for working with young children and ultimately led me to pursue a degree in early childhood education. I now aspire to create the same supportive and inspiring environment for others that my teachers once created for me.
I was first introduced to Montessori Explorer by a current employee whose genuine enthusiasm sparked my interest. Although I was initially unfamiliar with the Montessori method, her passion led me to explore it further. After touring the school and gaining a deeper understanding of the Montessori philosophy; I felt an immediate connection and recognized that this approach to education aligned strongly with my values and aspirations. I knew then that this was the right path for me.
A defining moment in recognizing that early childhood education was my true calling came when I began working directly with young children. I discovered how deeply rewarding it was to support their growth and development. The amount of joy and fulfillment I found in nurturing their learning as well as their well-being are the inspirations for me to set my path in early childhood education.
What I love most about working with children is witnessing their growth and knowing I’ve contributed to helping them reach their full potential. The Montessori approach is unique in that it supports children’s development through independence and self-directed learning from a very young age. It’s a method that respects the individuality of each child while guiding them to become confident, capable, and curious learners; this is something I am proud to be a part of.
In the classroom, I strive to model key qualities such as patience, empathy, consistency, and active listening. I also emphasize and demonstrate core values including perseverance, kindness, respect, honesty, and responsibility. I believe these qualities and values are essential for creating a safe, nurturing, and develop mentally supportive environment where young children can thrive both emotionally and academically.
One of the things that brings me the most joy in my day-to-day work is witnessing a child’s moment of discovery, when something finally clicks, and their eyes light up with understanding or excitement. Whether it’s learning a new skill, expressing themselves creatively, or forming a connection with a peer, being part of those milestones is incredibly rewarding. These small but meaningful moments remind me of the impact we have as educators and make each day feel purposeful.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from children is the value of being fully present and enjoying the moment. Their natural curiosity, honesty, and ability to find joy in simple things have taught me to slow down and listen more attentively. This also means appreciating each experience. This serves as a daily reminder to approach teaching with patience, creativity, and genuine care.
Outside the classroom, I find inspiration and grounding through activities that help me connect with both myself and the world around me. Creative outlets (such as reading, challenging puzzles, and art) help keep me inspired and enable me to bring fresh ideas into my teaching. Most importantly, spending quality time with family and friends reinforces the importance of connection and joy; which are the values I strive to instill in my work with children.
My current certifications and training are as followed: CPR and First Aid, Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct Prevention, Understanding and Preventing Sexual Harassment, Pest Control Management, and Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment. I have extensive experience working with children, as well as experience in office administration.
Note: For admissions and tour inquiries, please contact our family services staff.
