All Preschool teachers at Four Seasons Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten are registered through the province and hold current first aid tickets, have passed criminal record checks and have experience working with young children.
At Four Seasons Montessori we believe strongly in employing teachers who listen and engage your child to encourage the best possible learning experience in their early learning years.
I was born and raised in Prince Rupert. My family lineage is comprised of teachers: my mother had a degree in bio-chemistry; my father was a vice principal in Prince Rupert; my grandmother taught in Port Alberni in the 1920’s. My formal education originated in music and culminated with a music diploma and grade 10 Royal Conservatory. I continue to pursue my passion for music at the piano. It was my background in small business that led me to join Four Seasons in the capacity of ‘retooling’ the administration. I soon fell in love with the Montessori method and purchased the school in September 2010. My dedication to Montessori as an educational model is reflected by my work with the Vancouver Island Montessori Association and professional development in Early Childhood Education.
I grew up in the Don Valley, on the outskirts of Toronto, in the 1960’s when there was still farmland and the river system flowed through our backyard. My love of teaching began as a child when I would play ‘teacher’ with my three younger sisters. I come from a family of artists so it seemed natural for me to be drawn to the arts. I attended the Alberta College of Art & Design in Calgary and after receiving my diploma in graphic design, decided to move to Vancouver. I took a position managing, purchasing art supplies, and teaching art classes to 3 to 6 year olds at the Kids Only Market on Granville Island for 5 years. One day in 1992, a teacher who regularly purchased art supplies from me, confessed that she had been borrowing my art ideas for her Montessori school. I asked her what Montessori was and she invited me to an introductory community meeting about the philosophy. I was attracted to the possibility of expanding my teaching with young children, and enrolled at the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. in Vancouver. I completed my Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary teacher training in 1994. I went on to get my Early Childhood Educator license in 1995. I began my career teaching in Richmond, then taught in North Vancouver, and moved to Nanaimo in 2004 with my husband and son. In 2009, I began a three year degree program while teaching so that I could upgrade my art diploma. I graduated in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Design. I obtained my Independent School Teaching Certificate with the B.C. Ministry of Education, certifying me to teach Montessori Kindergarten. My husband, son and I enjoy road trips and camping together. I love to read and write creative non-fiction, garden, practise yoga, and take long walks in nature.
I was born and raised in Costa Rica where I studied Preschool Education as well as courses in Law, Political Sciences and Tourism. While studying Preschool Education I got a part-time job in a private childcare centre with a Music emphasis. After 3 ½ years in the education field I moved to Canada in 1994 where I started my family and raised two daughters. When my children were young I volunteered at Family and Group Childcare Centres. In 2002 I did a practicum for the ECE program at the Nanaimo Montessori where I worked for a year. I was so excited and intrigued about this beautiful way of teaching that I decided to take some training at the North American Montessori Training Centre. In 2003 I joined Four Seasons Montessori and by 2010 we opened a school in Nanoose Bay that I created and managed for 1 year. Unfortunately the centre closed after 1 year, but I was able to come back to the Hammond Bay location. Currently I am the lead teacher in the Preschool classroom. As part of my curriculum I teach the children Spanish twice per week. I have two daughters and one grandson. I love to spend time with my family and friends, dancing, walking and exploring this beautiful island.
I was born in Richmond, B.C., then moved to Black Creek on Vancouver Island when I was very young, and eventually moved to Campbell River where I lived for 16 years. During this time I had two daughters. While my youngest daughter was enrolled in a wonderful preschool, I was invited to consider a job in the ECE field. I spent the next two years completing my ECE training while I worked then went on to teach many years in the field. In 2004 my daughters and I moved to Nanaimo. I took a position as a support worker for the CDC which is where I was first introduced to Four Seasons Montessori. I had not heard of the Montessori method. I was intrigued, so when my contract with CDC ended I decided to take the Montessori training through the North American Montessori Association. I have been at Four Seasons Montessori since 2006. I love that I can put into practise my Montessori teaching with my two year old daughter.
I was born in Vernon, B.C. and raised in North Vancouver where some of my family still resides. My first exposure to the early childhood field was when I enrolled my daughter in a Burnaby Parent Participation Preschool. The parents each contribute a job within the preschool; I was the cooking parent for the first year, and then the teacher’s helper for the second year. I also did “duty days” each month which meant I was in the classroom with another parent under the guidance of the qualified teacher. By the time my daughter moved on to kindergarten, I had decided to pursue a future in the field. In September of 1990 I enrolled in a part-time ECE program offered through Burnaby Continuing Education. During the 4 years I took to complete the program I volunteered and subbed in order to obtain the required 500 hours and to become fully qualified by the time I received my certificate. My first job was in a privately owned preschool in East Vancouver where I worked for 4 years. I spent some time away from the field and worked at Lewiscraft as a clerk, then as an assistant manager in their Burnaby location. When I moved to Nanaimo in December of 2004, I continued to work for Lewiscraft as a manager until they closed in 2006. I maintained my ECE qualifications and re-entered the field in 2006. I worked at a Ladysmith preschool until the fall of 2012, then started working part-time at Four Seasons in 2013. In September 2014 I accepted a permanent position in the all day Montessori program. In my spare time I enjoy working around our 5 acre property, walking our dog along the Nanaimo River, canoeing on Quenel Lake, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, and painting.
