Recent Reviews & Evaluations
The California University of Pennsylvania Network for Accomplished Teaching (CALNAT) sponsored a four-day intensive writing retreat at Jumonville on January 31-February 3, 2008. The retreat was held to assist teachers in their journey to achieve National Board Certification, the Nation’s highest certification in teaching. National Board Candidates (teachers) worked with National Board Teachers and Facilitators throughout their stay at Jumonville as they prepared written entries to be scored. The Inn was the ideal setting allowing for individual and group collaborative work in a peaceful and comfortable environment. We plan to return for a summer National Board Preparation Retreat this summer and will certainly be back next January. – Dr. Beverly J. Melenyzer, NBPTS Facilitator, California University of Pennsylvania
“The Inn was the perfect setting for our National Board writing retreat. It was small enough to keep everyone in close contact but large enough for everyone to be able to have some personal space for writing. I look forward to future writing retreats at Jumonville!” – Marsha Ferrara, NBCT, Belle Vernon Area School District and CalNAT Facilitator
“The peaceful setting allowed for intense concentration while we worked to meet our goals.” – Jody Grove, NBCT
“The beautiful Inn and surroundings offered the comfort of home, the beauty for reflective thinking and the space to accommodate large group or small group activities, as well as privacy when needed. It contributed to the camaraderie that is so much a part of the National Board incentive.” – Carol Manack, NBCT
“I was able to relax and concentrate on the huge, but honored task ahead of me. The spacious, homey atmosphere helped me to feel more comfortable away from my family. We even hiked up to the beautiful cross! I am certainly looking forward to coming back in the summer to continue my endeavor.” – Debra Soltis, candidate for NBCT
“Growing up in the area, the Jumonville camp has provided a quiet, reflective place through the various phases of my life. Now, as I complete the rigorous National Board process, the Inn and camp again met my needs for a quiet, reflective setting and homey atmosphere at the Inn. The camp staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs.” – Michelle Komacek, Uniontown Area School District, NBCT candidate
“I used to come here with my family to hike up to the cross and did not know what else was actually here. My Dad was surprised to hear that we were staying in the Inn, and not in the cabins. It turned out to be a wonderful experience. As National Board Candidates, we were able to share professional and personal fellowship, and to compare or strategies that will help us to achieve our goals. Thank you for having us, and thanks to the staff for making us feel so welcome!” – Colleen Arnowitz
“This was my first trip to Jumonville. Working toward National Board Certification is very challenging and rewarding. I really appreciated having a quiet place to write and put my thoughts together. It was also great to spend time with other teachers. There was a lot of support and individualized attention. I feel like I accomplished a lot during my weekend. Thank you!” – Rebecca Broznick, Take One! Candidate
“The Inn at Jumonville was such a peaceful place to have a writing retreat. With its homelike atmosphere, I was able to relax and reflect on my writing. It also enabled me to participate in “family” conversations with my colleagues. When I was younger, I attended Jumonville for camp. What a nice opportunity to come back and revisit from a different perspective. Thank you for your hospitality!” – Shelly Cardinale
“I thought that the Inn was an ideal place for the writing retreat. It is such a peaceful place to work in a relaxing atmosphere. I really was able to focus on my writing. We were able to work as a group or as an individual, whatever our needs were. I attend camp here over the summer and know how much of a benefit it is in allowing me to focus. Thank you!” – Jim Poindexter Take 1 candidate