The Montessori Alliance of West Virginia was founded in 2023 by Melissa Menon (President), Caitlin Wakefield (Treasurer) and Spencer Martel (Secretary) to connect Montessori schools, guides and communities across the state. Between the three of them they have over 30 years of Montessori experience in the classroom, in administration, as instructional guides and advisors. They strive to provide Montessori resources for WV schools and make connections across the state.
Melissa Menon | President
A founding member of the Montessori Alliance of West Virginia, Melissa Menon currently serves as president of the organization. She earned an Early Childhood Montessori credential through Center for Guided Montessori Studies and has spent the last 10 years working in early childhood classrooms, elementary Montessori classrooms, and as an administrator, developing quality Montessori programs in West Virginia’s Kanawha Valley. Melissa first became dedicated to Montessori education when her children entered an early childhood program in the early 2000s, and she entered the classroom as an EC assistant. Melissa is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of Montessori education in West Virginia and supporting Montessori professionals throughout the state.
Caitlin Wakefield | Treasurer
As Treasurer for the Montessori Alliance of West Virginia, Caitlin Wakefield is eager to connect with the Montessori community across the state. She has worked in Montessori education for over a decade and holds a Montessori Elementary I-II IMC credential from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies with experience in 6-12 environments. Caitlin has worked with CGMS in various roles: alumni coordinator, instructional guide, residential instructor, practicum advisor, coach and field consultant. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Recreation Management from Virginia Tech and has a passion for nature, the outdoors and Leave No Trace. Currently Caitlin is working as a Mental Health Educator for Fayette County Family Resource Network, where she teaches children from Kindergarten to 9th grade in Fayette County Public Schools.
Spencer Martel | Secretary
Spencer Martel currently serves as secretary for the Montessori Alliance of West Virginia as well as field consultant and practicum advisor for The Center for Guided Montessori Studies and The Authentic Institute of Montessori. She supports her student community with Orton-Gillingham literacy tutoring and guides in the elementary program at Mountain State Montessori school in Fayetteville, WV. Her passion for the Montessori pedagogy permeates all she does, whether living it at home with her husband and toddler or offering all she can to her friends and colleagues. Having worked with Montessori schools since 2015 in West Virginia and South Carolina, Spencer is dedicated to growing in her knowledge and experience and championing Montessori for all adults and children. Spencer holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from The College of Charleston, an AMS EI credential and an AIM EII credential.
Dawn Woodburn | Board Member
Dawn has been directly involved with the Montessori method since May 2009, when her oldest daughter, Noelle (now 17), began as a Primary student at The Clarksburg Children’s House. She was one of the original founding members of the Parent Advisory Board at TCCH and served for 3 years until her youngest daughter, Ivy (now 14), enrolled. In the Fall of 2013, she became a full-fledged staff member as an assistant in the Primary classroom. Ms. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Management from Western Michigan University. She graduated from The Center for Guided Montessori Studies in October of 2024 with a full credential in Montessori Leadership and is now a MACTE-certified Head of School. She earned her Primary Montessori Certificate from the North American Montessori Center in 2015. When not at school, she loves to read, cook, refinish furniture, go on adventures with her girls, fish with her husband Pat, and play with her dog, Sophie.
Montessori Alliance of WV 