All Preschool teachers at Shawnigan Lake Montessori Preschool and Childcare are registered through the province and hold current first aid tickets, have passed criminal record checks and have experience working with young children.
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 first became interested in Montessori education when I was 21. I was working as a substitute teacher in a Montessori Preschool in Victoria during 6 months of traveling around Canada, prior to my decision to immigrate to Canada. Several years later, while helping my husband to build a house on Pender Island our daughter attended a small Montessori preschool and I was inspired by her wonderful Montessori teacher to go on and take the Montessori teacher training at St Nicholas Montessori Centre in London when we returned to live in Britain.I then taught in Montessori schools in England and Scotland for 9 years, 4 years of which was as Head Teacher of a small rural School in the Scottish Glens.
On our return to Canada in 2003 I was fortunate to find a Montessori school that was a good fit for both my daughter and myself. I taught for 4 years at West-Mont Montessori School in Metchosin in their pre-school/kindergarten class. I then became the instructor of the West-Mont Montessori Teacher Training program in 2009 and started working part-time as Head Teacher at Shawnigan Lake Montessori. I left to begin my own Montessori program, Cedar Montessori, but was excited to return to join Keith Bennett when he took over the school in 2015.
I really do have the very best of job combinations; spending my days in a beautiful Montessori environment, supporting children in their love of learning and also spending time sharing my passion for Montessori education with future Montessori teachers!
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 Four Seasons Montessori school in September 2010 and Shawnigan Lake Montessori in September 2015.
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.
