Our Story

Our Name

Named in honor of Wilder Graves Penfield (January 26, 1891 – April 5, 1976), the school reflects Dr. Penfield’s unwavering integrity, compassion, and dedication to improving lives. Dr. Penfield is known for his trailblazing advancement in mapping the brain by revolutionizing brain surgery with the development of the “Montreal Procedure”. Beyond medicine, Dr. Penfield was a gifted writer of historical novels and medical biographies and a passionate advocate for education. He co-founded the Vanier Institute of the Family to promote and guide education within the home, recognizing it as “humanity’s first classroom”. His extraordinary contributions earned him the title of “the greatest living Canadian.”

Our Background

Penfield Academy was born from the growing concern of experienced educators after identifying challenges in literacy and math skills and listening to the needs of families and children. Realizing the need to build a strong foundation in literacy and math, Penfield Academy is geared towards children aged 4-8 and the school will grow with the students. Drawing on these educators extensive Montessori background, and to address the needs of future generations, Penfield Academy blends the Montessori approach, STEAM, and nature-inspired learning to bring the Ontario curriculum alive.

Our Team

Sally Hooper, PhD.

Sally is a lifelong educator and an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education at Brock University, with over 30 years of diverse experience in education, business, and community service in Canada, Australia and several countries in Africa. She has been involved in strategic planning, organization development, and change processes in public and private organizations.

Putri Sukmantari, EdD(c), RECE

Putri owns and manages a school in Indonesia. She had trained over 1000 Indonesian teachers in 3 provinces funded by the Rotary International. Putri is a Montessori directress, curriculum developer, an adjunct professor at Brock University, and is currently pursuing a doctor of education degree at University of Toronto. As a practitioner and academia, Putri is interested in inquiry-based approaches.

Khairoon Adam, RECE

Khairoon has over two decades of experience in different classrooms in Canada and several African countries. She brings in a wealth of knowledge of classroom management, curriculum, and is a trained Montessori directress. Khairoon has a passion for children’s literacy and the development of speech in children. She has a successful track record in working and supporting children academically throughout the Niagara region.