Pinewoods Montessori School

Pinewoods Staff Spotlight: Sandi Wheelis

This month, we're highlighting Sandi Wheelis, Pinewoods Montessori School's amazing Director of Operations.

Since joining Pinewoods in 2023, Sandi has brought more than 20 years of experience in operations, financial management, and education to our community. Her career has included contributing to the development of the Lexile Framework and serving as a preschool director in Durham, experiences that continue to inform her work today.

Behind the scenes, Sandi plays an essential role in supporting the day-to-day operations of Pinewoods, helping ensure that our school runs smoothly for students, families, and staff alike.

Outside of school, Sandi enjoys trail running, helping manage her farm, and spending time with her family, especially her granddaughter.

Thank you, Sandi, for your dedication and all that you do for the Pinewoods community!

Staff Spotlight: Jennie Marienthal

We are excited to spotlight Jennie Marienthal, one of our wonderful Primary Assistant Guides at Pinewoods this school year.

Originally from Scotland, Jennie’s Montessori journey began while searching for a preschool for her daughter in the UK. She immediately connected with the Montessori philosophy, and after moving to the United States, she completed her Montessori certification and went on to serve as a Primary Lead Guide for 15 years.

Jennie shares that one of her greatest joys as a Montessori guide is watching children discover their independence and confidence:
“‘I DID IT’ are my three favorite words.”

She loves observing and guiding children as they grow, while also building strong relationships with families throughout the three-year cycle.

Outside the classroom, Jennie enjoys musical theater, concerts, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband Scott, their children Grace and Blair, and their dog Dougal.

When asked what inspires her about Pinewoods, Jennie shared:
“I see staff who care and respect each other and the families and want to do everything they can to make sure that the children are loved, safe and happy and become independent little humans.”

We are grateful to have Jennie as part of our Pinewoods community.

Sandpaper Letters introduce children to the shapes and sounds of the alphabet through a multisensory approach. Each letter is cut from textured sandpaper and mounted on a smooth board, allowing children to trace the form with their fingers while hearing and repeating its sound. This tactile experience helps build muscle memory, making it easier for children to recognize and later reproduce each letter when writing.

Rather than focusing first on letter names, this material emphasizes phonetic sounds, which supports early reading skills. By engaging touch, sight, and hearing all at once, Sandpaper Letters create a strong, lasting connection between symbol and sound. This hands-on exploration encourages independence, confidence, and a deeper understanding of language as children begin their literacy journey.

Gather ‘round, Pinewoods community! 🌸 Join us for our All-School Spring Picnic on Friday, May 15th, from 5:30–7:30 PM at Pinewoods Montessori School. Pinewoods families are invited to bring a favorite dish (or whatever is easiest for your family) to share, along with a blanket and/or camp chairs to gather on. Let’s reduce waste together by bringing our own utensils and plates. PWMS will provide ice water, but feel free to bring your preferred non-alcoholic drinks. 🥤

We have permission to use the old bank and the parking lot of the insurance company across the street for overflow parking. Feel free to drop off items first and then park if that’s helpful. Buffet tables will be set up at the end of the parking lot for shared dishes.

If you're able, feel free to bring a friend to introduce them to the Pinewoods community experience. We’d love to share what makes Pinewoods Montessori so special, and we’ll have information and friendly faces available to answer any questions. 🤗

A few safety reminders: we ask all parents to supervise their children during the picnic. Children must be accompanied by an adult when entering the building to use the restrooms. To help our YCC families, please reserve parking spots in our main lot for them so they don’t have to cross Millstone with children and picnic items. 🚗

We can’t wait to gather together—see you there! 🎈

Devon Moore is our Co-Curricular Programs Director at Pinewoods. Originally from Aberdeen, North Carolina, she earned her B.A. in Linguistics from UNC-Chapel Hill and later completed her M.A. in English Literature at the University of Vermont. While in Vermont, she worked with Vermont Afterschool, leading programs for Lower Elementary students.

Devon discovered Montessori while nannying for a child enrolled in a Montessori school. After observing in the classroom and studying The Absorbent Mind, along with completing a Montessori Fundamentals course through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies, she knew she wanted to pursue Montessori education. She has experience as a literacy coach, teacher’s aide, paraprofessional, and teaching assistant, and holds a Montessori Fundamentals certification.

Devon lives in Carrboro with her husband and two dogs. She enjoys running, yoga, and watching movies, and values the strong sense of community at Pinewoods.