Amy Jo Klingsten joined MSOW during the 2022-2023 school year as a substitute teacher / school support specialist. She has worked in the early childhood field for over 25 years in a variety of settings and has been a volunteer at church in children’s ministry for many years. Amy Jo is a recent graduate of UW-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree with a focus in Early Childhood Education. Amy Jo also is a graduate of Waukesha County Technical College with an Associate Degree in Child Care and Development and a Teaching Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from Alverno College. Because she is passionate about life-long learning, Amy Jo will be pursuing graduate studies in Montessori Education and an Infant/Toddler Montessori Credential.

In Amy Jo’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, four children, and three pet guinea pigs. She enjoys reading, hiking, playing piano, participating in church activities, and attending her childrens’ music and sporting events. While Amy Jo was a student at UW-Whitewater, she participated in field work at a Montessori School in Milwaukee and immediately became interested in the Montessori philosophy. As Maria Montessori once quoted, “The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” Amy Jo is blessed to be part of the MSOW community of educators, staff, families, and children. She is very excited to be working with our youngest learners in Pre-Children’s House at MSOW as an assistant teacher!