From Suzanne:
I am an artist with over tweny years experience in computer layout
and design. I graduated from Southwest State University in Minnesota with a BA degree in Fine Art. In 2003 I authored
my first book - "From Creative Chaos to Livable Learning". I have chosen to sign my work as S.V. Wilhelmi
in tribute to my favorite Montessori author, E.M. Standing.
The JMJ in our company name - JMJ Publishing, stands
for Jesus, Mary and Joseph (the Holy Family). My grandmother, Josephine, practiced the old Catholic tradition of writing the
letters J.M.J. at the top of every letter she wrote. She was the prayer warrior of our family and this site is dedicated to
her.
Livable Learning is my term for preparing the heart and the home, and is based on the key elements
of Montessori's moral and spiritual preparation of the teacher, the proper preparation of the learning environment.
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| Suzanne and her kids - Christmas 2008 |
God has blessed us in so many ways. We have been homeschooling since 1996. Our oldest
son homeschooled only his last three years of high school - although he had begged me for six years previous to homeschool
him. He graduated from St. Mary's University in Winona, MN in May 2007, majoring in Writing and Theology and is currently working in retail. Our second son homeschooled
from 8th grade through high school graduation and then attended St. Mary's University in Winona, MN for two years, majoring
in Theology and Youth Ministry. His first year in college, he was a seminarian at Immaculate Heart Seminary, discerning
a vocation to the priesthood. In 2005 he chose a new career with the Coast Guard and he's loving every minute of it.
The younger six are my "Montessori" bunch. Rachel 17yo loves
Montessori and has audited most of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Level I and II trainings with me. We are learning so much together! In fact she is often educating me. My other kids
are 15yo Joseph, 13yo Michael, 12yo Therese (Trez), 10yo Thomas and 8yo Isaac.
I have completed Level
I training for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at Altoona Iowa and Level II training at All Saints Church in Stuart Iowa and both sessions I had Carol Dittburner for my
trainer. I am planning to attend Level III training at Winterset Iowa this summer 2010. Rachel my 17yo daughter has audited
four sessions of summer of training along with me and through that experience developed her passion for the Catholic faith.
She is planning to major in Catholic Theology and wants to attend Franciscan University in Stuebenville Ohio for college.
In addition to my love of Montessori materials and the Catechesis I love working
with children. In 2007 I started doing child care in my home and the kids call our business Cheaper by the Dozen Daycare.
Our home is definitely a large family environment - and some days we have it all together and some days we don't. But
we would never trade our life for any other.
