About Us
Staff
- Tracy Baudais, B. Ed., International Montessori Teaching Diploma, Directress
-
About
CASA ACQUA
Tracy holds her Bachelor of Education Degree, which she received from the University of Manitoba in October 1999. She also holds her International Montessori Teaching Diploma in Pre-School/Kindergarten and plans to continue her Montessori studies through distance learning courses.
Tracy began teaching in a private Kindergarten program in Calgary. During these three years, she was also the Special Needs Program Coordinator and worked with children at the school as well as a daycare.
Tracy went on to teach at Renfrew Educational Services in Calgary, which focuses on helping children with special needs including autism, Down's syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, as well as speech and global delays. After working for two and a half years at Renfrew, Tracy moved back to Saskatchewan. Here she started her own tutoring company and also wrote curriculum for a local church’s Sunday school program.
Tracy strongly believes that young students learn through their senses and through fun, interactive, and hands-on learning experiences. She also believes that children need to feel emotionally safe and cared for in their learning environment before they can reach their academic potential.
Tracy has a passion for teaching and is interested in pursuing speech pathology. She is excited and looking forward to her third year at Maria Montessori School.
- Regina Wood, Enhanced Dip. ECE (Germany), International Montessori Teaching Diploma, Directress
-
About
CASA TERRA
Regina was born in Heusweiler, near Saarbrücken/German at the border to Alsace-Lorraine/France. After graduation from high school, Regina entered a year of apprenticeship at a community kindergarten. Upon completing this year of learning in the practical field of Early Childhood Education, Regina entered a three year program at the Technical School of Social Pedagogic in Saarbrücken to obtain her diploma in Early Childhood Education. One year out of the three was spent fulltime in a Preschool/Kindergarten. During this time Regina had to prepare and implement a theme based curriculum in the classroom where she was interning.
At the age of 21, Regina decided to travel abroad and explore parts of the North American Continent. It was here in Saskatoon where she took root in 1989 and pursued her career as an Early Childhood Educator, first as a nanny and later as the coordinator for an after school care program. From 2003-2007 Regina worked in Hinton, AB as a Preschool Teacher and Director for Growing Adventures Preschool.
Regina has been employed at Maria Montessori School since 2008. She began as a substitute Educational Assistant and soon moved to permanent part time Educational Assistant. Regina has also worked as a substitute Educational Assistant in our Upper and Lower Elementary classrooms.
In 2008 Regina enrolled in the Preschool/Kindergarten Montessori Teacher Training Program and received her International Montessori Teaching Diploma. Regina has been the Casa Terra Directress since 2009. Regina’s philosophy as Directress is to embrace all children as successful learners and her program planning is focused on her students’ interests, strength and needs. The Casa classroom is not just a place for learning, but is also the medium for learning. Regina strongly agrees with Maria Montessori’s belief that a teacher should seek to teach children not a curriculum. The child itself is put at the center of the Directress’s energy. Regina’s goal as a Directress is to invite learning through solid, researched-based strategies offered in a nurturing, supportive environment.
- Kristy Woods, B. Ed., International Montessori Teaching Diploma, Directress
-
About
CASA SOLE
Kristy is very excited to be returning to Maria Montessori School as Casa Sole morning Directress. For two and a half years, before going on maternity leave in 2010, Kristy held the position of Casa Acqua Directress. In January of 2011, a year after the birth of her daughter, Kristy returned to MMS to fill the role of Educational Assistant in our Casa Sole classroom.
Kristy received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2004. After graduating, Kristy worked at a daycare/preschool for three years, where she gained much experience working with young children. During this time, her role included working with children on their speech and language development.
Kristy also holds her International Montessori Teaching Diploma in the Preschool/Kindergarten program.
Kristy has a passion for working with young children and being a part of their growth in learning. She believes in the importance of providing an environment in which all students have the opportunity to succeed in reaching their potential and that Maria Montessori School offers a caring, warm, welcoming environment to all.
Kristy brings many new ideas and fun learning experiences to the Montessori program and is looking forward to a great year in Casa Sole!
- Esther Oyewusi, B. Sc., Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Diploma (MCI), Directress, Educational Assistant
-
About
CASA SOLE
Esther and her family migrated from Kuwait to Canada in April 2011 and is delighted to be working at Maria Montessori School.
Esther joined the Maria Montessori School community in May 2011 as a substitute and is eager to begin her new role as morning Educational Assistant and afternoon Directress in our Casa Sole classroom for the 2011/2012 academic year. She is very passionate about everything Maria Montessori School has to offer.
Esther has over 8 years of experience in teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany which she obtained from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria. In 2007 she acquired her International Montessori Teaching Diploma from the Montessori Center International (MCI) in London, England.
Esther believes in the Montessori method and the prepared environment to nurture every child's curiosity and natural inclination. Esther is looking forward to working with the teachers, the children and their families and is pleased to be a part of MMS family.
- Lisa Denis, B. Ed., International Montessori Teaching Diploma, Directress
-
About
LOWER ELEMENTARY A
Lisa was born in Saskatoon, SK. As a young teen, she moved with her family on to an acreage east of the city, and attended Aberdeen Composite High School. Today, she lives in Osler with her husband and her 4 boys.
Lisa attended the University of Saskatchewan where she received her Bachelor of Education Degree in 2000. She also holds her International Montessori Teaching Diploma in Lower Elementary, which she received in 2008.
Lisa has taught preschool, run her own home daycare and most recently, taught at Allegro Montessori School.
We are very pleased that Lisa is joining our MMS team in the fall of 2011 as the Lower Elementary A Directress. She loves helping children succeed by providing them with many experiences and activities that are designed to help them find what they are most interested in and passionate about. Throughout each school year she enjoys watching each child strengthen and develop in all areas while having fun along the way! Lisa is passionate about reading as well as literacy and she hopes to bring to her students a positive experience that they will always remember.
- Lacey Norheim B. Ed., B. A., International Montessori Teaching Diploma (In Progress), Directress, Educational Assistant
-
About
LOWER ELEMENTARY A
Lacey was raised on a cattle farm just outside Saskatoon where she was actively involved in 4-H, showing cattle, public speaking, and record book keeping. She is still a mentor today with the peewee members and strongly believes in the 4-H motto "learn to do by doing."
Lacey completed her Bachelor of Education degree where she won the J.C. Bates Internship award for outstanding student teaching and graduated with distinction. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English with a minor in History, both from the University of Saskatchewan.
Lacey has enjoyed a variety of teaching experiences with Prairie Spirit School Division and has enjoyed substitute teaching at MMS during the 2010-11 school year. She believes that children learn through a hands-on, interactive approach that allows the students to be responsible and in control of their learning. This then creates a passion for life-long learning, which Lacey shares with her students. Lacey is very excited to join the MMS team full time.
- Dana Willms, B. Ed., International Montessori Teaching Diploma, Directress
-
About
LOWER ELEMENTARY BDana was raised in Saskatoon, SK. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2002 with her Bachelor of Education Degree and also holds her International Montessori Teaching Diploma in Lower Elementary.In September of 2002 Dana married. She then relocated to Edmonton with her husband where she worked for Edmonton Public schools as a substitute teacher and also enjoyed teaching a dynamic dance fitness class.
In 2009 she moved back to Saskatoon with her family and enjoyed substitute teaching at MMS. In March of 2010 she began teaching on a part-time basis in the Lower Elementary classroom and enjoyed a wonderful year in 2010/2011 as a full time Directress of the Lower Elementary B classroom.
Dana is passionate about each student's academic success and literacy, she believes that if children have a pleasant experience in school it will encourage them to be lifelong learners. She feels excited and privileged to be part of Maria Montessori School and is looking forward to the 2011/2012 school year.
- Marie Prevost, B. Ed., International Montessori Teaching Diploma, Directress
-
About
UPPER ELEMENTARYMarie was born and grew up in Saskatoon, working with children at home through a family daycare her mother ran. She took on a full time daycare position throughout high school. During these years, Marie developed a special interest in the education of middle or upper years students. She went on to attain her Middle Years Bachelor's of Education Degree from the University of Saskatchewan.
Marie is extremely excited to be part of Maria Montessori School. Marie started at MMS in 2009 and had the opportunity to meet many of the students and staff. During her time at MMS, she fell in love with the Montessori philosophy of education and was drawn to explore it further. Marie maintains an energy-filled approach to learning that is infectious to her students! She loves to learn about the students’ lives and interests and integrate this into the classroom learning.
Marie is starting her third year as an Upper Elementary Directress at MMS. She has recenty completed her International Montessori Teaching Diploma in Upper Elementary. She is also excited about her growing Upper Elementary class moving into a larger room in the coming year!
- Audrey Medwayosh, B. A., Educational Assistant
-
About
CASA ACQUA
Audrey comes to us from Vancouver, where she recently completed her Bachelor's Degree, with an emphasis in English. Audrey enjoys travelling and is endeavouring to learn more about different cultures as interactively as she can before returning to school to complete her Bachelor of Education degree and perhaps even her Ph.D.
Audrey has already travelled to many different places and has spent some time living in New Zealand. Her adventures have broadened her world view greatly, and she hopes she can convey this in her role as an Educational Assistant.During her time helping run a summer art camp for children aged 6 to 12 years, Audrey was able to use her passion for education alongside her creativity to foster a nurturing learning environment.
Education has always been something that Audrey has been passionate about and she is so excited and pleased to have the opportunity to work within the education system. She believes that children thrive best in a safe and happy environment in which they can harvest their own personal strengths. She looks forward to enabling this environment in the classroom.
In her spare time Audrey maintains her food blog, crochets everything including the cat and makes sure her fiancé stays well fed!
- Tinbite Wondmagegnhu, B. A., Educational Assistant
-
About
CASA TERRA
Tinbite was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After graduating from Addis Ababa University in Sociology and Social Administration, Tinbite was employed by the Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) where she worked as a social worker for three years.
Tinbite (together with her family) then moved to Sweden where she completed post-graduate courses in Early Childhood Intervention Education and Health. During this time, Tinbite also worked as a personal assistant. After a few years stay in Stockholm (Sweden), Tinbite and her family moved to Quebec and then to Saskatoon.
Tinbite was very excited to take on the role of Educational Assistant in Maria Montessori School’s Casa Terra classroom in November of 2010. She is looking forward to another wonderful year with the students and their families.
- Laureen Schensney-Chery, B. Ed., B. A., Educational Assistant, Learning Support Directress
-
About
LOWER ELEMENTARY BLaureen has always had a passion for teaching and learning. She recently completed her Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Saskatchewan, after raising three beautiful daughters. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the U of S (major in English, minor in French). Previously she spent nine years as an Educational Assistant in the Prairie Spirit School Division, and before that, spent seven years working with adult learners in the Yukon.Laureen has combined her love of learning with travel. After high school she studied for a year in France, and more recently, participated in a service learning tour of Guatemala.
Making Saskatoon her new home. Laureen is excited to be part of the Maria Montessori School community, and she embraces the opportunity to learn and dream alongside her students.
- Lori Healy, International Montessori Teaching Diploma, Educational Assistant
-
About
UPPER ELEMENTARY
Lori is entering her eleventh year as an Educational Assistant at Maria Montessori School. This year, Lori is excited to be working in our Upper Elementary classroom. She has previously worked as an Educational Assistant in our Lower Elementary and Casa classrooms.
Lori has worked and volunteered in various schools and community groups throughout the city. Her involvement includes areas pertaining to Adlerian philosophy, mediation methods, environmental and peace issues and children's and youth organizations.
Lori received her International Montessori Teaching Diploma in Preschool/Kindergarten in September of 2006. She also holds her Certification as a Yoga Teacher.
- Kaitlyn Dyck, Educational Assistant
-
About
UPPER ELEMENTARY
Kaitlyn grew up in Saskatoon where she graduated from Bishop James Mahoney High School. She has always had a passion for working with children and especially enjoyed her time volunteering at Elmwood Lodge.
In 1998, she joined Kees Tae Kwon Do, where her mentor Master Duk inspired her and showed her the importance of setting goals and the steps needed to attain these goals. Further, develop an action plan, foresee obstacles, visualize the goal, take daily actions to achieve this goal and most importantly, never give up no matter how tough things got. This process allowed Kaitlyn to achieve her Black Belt and to become a member of Team Saskatchewan in 2006. She also assisted with teaching children’s classes, which gave her the opportunity to support and help others work towards achieving their goals.
After high school, Kaitlyn attended the University of Saskatchewan taking Arts and Science classes, as well as working as an Educational Assistant for the Catholic School Board. Kaitlyn then had the opportunity to sub at MMS and was warmly welcomed by students and staff members.
Kaitlyn has a strong commitment to help with the personal development of students. She believes it is very important for students to have self confidence, feel empowered, be inspired to be the best that they can be and reach their full potential. Kaitlyn is very excited to become a member of the Maria Montessori School team and is looking forward to to the upcoming year.
- Jay-Lynn Zerebesky, Dip. Admin Assist. (Hons), Montessori Special Education Certificate (In Progress), Educational Assistant
-
About
UPPER ELEMENTARY
Jay-Lynn joined the MMS team in 2010 as After Care Program Supervisor. We are pleased that she is returning to MMS in the Fall, this time as an Educational Assistant.
To assist her in this new role, Jay-Lynn is currently enrolled in the Montessori Special Education Certificate program, which she will complete in the Fall of 2011. As well, she continues to work towards her Bachelor of Arts Sociology Degree and is currently in her third year at the U of S. Jay-Lynn also holds her Administrative Assistant Diploma (Honours) and current First Aid & CPR certificates.
Jay-Lynn’s past experiences include working with the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association, Ministry of Social Services, YMCA, and Boys and Girls Club. Jay-Lynn has been a foster sister since the age of 12, and she feels that this has been the greatest motivation in her life, showing her the emotional and physical diversities of each child and importance of love. Guiding, learning and growing with children is where her true passion lies and what better place to do this than at Maria Montessori School!
- Jane Wollenberg, B. Ed., French Directress (Upper Elementary), Lead Directress
-
About
LEAD DIRECTRESS
Teaching is one of Jane’s passions in life, and she has had the opportunity to teach in many different settings, both in Saskatchewan and in other parts of Canada and the world. She knew immediately while studying history at Brock University that teaching was what she wanted to do. A few years later she retuned to the University of Saskatchewan where she received her Bachelor of Education degree.
She has taught preschool in Toronto and elementary education in Australia where she was also privileged to work on innovative literacy projects and special programs with Aboriginal children. Jane’s diversified and extensive experience provides her with a rich background informing her work at Maria Montessori School.
Jane balances her teaching career with a very busy volunteer schedule. She is the President of the Saskatoon Symphony and plays the cello in the Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra. She is also a member at large on the Advisory Board for the Breaking the Silence Conference held each year by the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan.
- Marsha Matheson, Art Directress
-
About
ART DIRECTRESS
Originally from Calgary, Marsha and her family moved to Saskatoon in the Fall of 2008. After graduating from the Cinema Television Radio and Stage program at SAIT in Calgary, Marsha went to work for the CBC where she stayed for 14 years. Marsha went on to a career as a graphic artist and this talent lead her to The Calgary Waldorf School where she worked for seven years as an Art Teacher and Educational Assistant.
During the 2008-2009 school year, Marsha substituted as an Educational Assistant in our classrooms. Her interest in the Montessori method of education and her gift for connecting with the children lead her to join the school on a fulltime basis.
Marsha is extremely pleased to be able to use her many artistic gifts and talents to guide an Art Enrichment Program for our students. Marsha is looking forward to another year of working with the students and enlivening the school with her creative and artistic talents.
- Nicole Elliott, B. Ed., M. Ed. (In Progress), B. A., Music Directress
-
About
MUSIC DIRECTRESS
Nicole Elliott has been a music educator for 19 years. She is the Program Manager of the Community Music Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan where she's also taught for the past 12 years. The CMEP (music program) is an early childhood music program based on Kodaly, Orff & Dalcroze methods.
Nicole currently has a staff of 14 there whom she trains and mentors. She has also taught Suzuki Piano for 17 years, and she is one of 5 teacher trainers in Canada for Suzuki piano.
Nicole has a B.A. in Psychology from the U of S, an ARCT (teachers pedagogy) from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, Kodaly training and is currently working towards her Masters in Education.
She is a sessional lecturer at the U of S teaching 4th year students in Education who are interested in developing music programs in the elementary school levels.
Nicole is a frequent clinician, adjudicator and presenter in various music conferences across North America, and recently in Australia and England. She is passionate about music and about children. Her enthusiasm comes across in every aspect of her teaching.
She is also a mother of 3 girls, ages 19, 17 and 6.
- Jessica Anderson, B. A., Bilingual Certificate, French Directress (Casa and Lower Elementary)
-
About
FRENCH DIRECTRESS (CASA AND LOWER ELEMENTARY)
Jessica grew up in Saskatoon and spent her school years from kindergarten to grade 12 in French Immersion. Jessica has always loved the French language and has been immersed in it since birth. Her mother immigrated from Belgium.
Jessica received her Bilingual Certificate in 2005. She also holds her Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Linguistics which she received from the University of Saskatchewan in 2010. During her time at the U of S, Jessica received bursaries to enable her to spend summers studying French at both Université Laval and Université de Montreal.
For the past year she has been working as an Educational Assistant for the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, as well as taking correspondence classes in the Speech and Language Pathology Assistant Program at Grant MacEwan University.
This will be Jessica's first year at Maria Montessori School. She is excited and enthusiastic about the opportunity to be a part of our French program. She has a passion for the French language and looks forward to the upcoming school year.
- Tena Fehr, Before Care Program
-
About
BEFORE CARE PROGRAM
Tena began working with children at the age of 12, babysitting after school and during the evenings. On Sundays Tena taught Sunday School, and her summers were spent helping out at Bible Schools. When Tena was 16 years old, she was hired by a couple to help care for their 4 children, while their mother recuperated from an illness. She continued to help this family for 2 years while she continued her schooling. At age 18, Tena left Canada for the United States for a one and a half year term with a volunteer program. During this time, Tena worked in a day care centre while beginning her training in early childhood development.
When Tena returned to Canada, she married, began her own family and established her own preschool. She continued to teach preschool for the next 10 years in Hague, Osler and Aberdeen.
In 2003, Tena moved to Circle Drive Place where she continues to live and work caregiving for the resident seniors. In 2006, we were delighted to have Tena take over the role of Before Care Program Supervisor at Maria Montessori School. Tena has also worked as After Care Program Supervisor.
Tena truly enjoys her time with the children and is looking forward to another year of watching them laugh, learn and grow.
- Julia LeBlanc, Early Childhood Education Certificate Level II, Afternoon Extended Care Supervisor, After Care Program
-
About
AFTERNOON EXTENDED CARE / AFTER CARE PROGRAM
Julia has always had a passion for working with children and is excited to have the opportunity to join the Maria Montessori School team.
Julia was raised in Brooks, AB and moved to Saskatoon with her husband in the summer of 2010. She holds her Level Two certification in the Early Childhood Education, which she received from Bow Valley College in Calgary. She is currently working toward her Level Three certification at SIAST.
Julia has been working with children since the age of 18. She has worked both part-time and full-time in day cares and taught her own preschool class for four years. While preparing fun and creative weekly lesson plans for the 3 to 5 year old age group (which included singing, crafts and dramatic storytelling), Julia used methods and materials that engaged the children and invited them to learn in fun and creative ways.
She believes that each child is unique and is eager to develop individual relationships with them so that she can understand their individual needs and respond to them. She is now focused on her new position at the MMS and is greatly looking forward to getting to meet the students and their families. Julia has enjoyed many great and fulfilling experiences and is looking forward to bringing her joy and enthusiasm for teaching children to Maria Montessori School.
- Kelly Bjorndal, Cert. Business Admin., Dip. Admin Assist. Legal (Hons), Office Administrator and School Manager
-
About
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Kelly (and family) joined the Maria Montessori School community in 2002 when her daughter started school there. Since then, she has enjoyed being actively involved in multiple school activities.
Kelly has many years experience in office administration. She also holds a Business Administration Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan and an Honours Diploma from the Legal Secretarial program at the Saskatoon Business College.
Kelly very much enjoys working with the Board of Directors and teachers and especially with the children and their families. She is looking forward to yet another wonderful school year.
