• Kamloops Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten
• Kamloops Montessori Academy Preschool/Kindergarten
• Aberdeen Hills Preschool and Kindergarten
• Sahali Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten
• Kamloops Village Garden Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten

Teachers

Holly Schafer, Administrator

Holly is licensed Early Childhood Educator and Montessori Primary Teacher with over 25 years experience working with young children in many different capacities.

Prior to attending the Early Childhood Education Program at Okanagan University College, Holly taught preschool in New York, NY where she ran a program for two to three year olds called the “Two Group”.

Upon completion of her studies in the Early Childhood Education field in 1993, she was hired as an Assistant Teacher at the Okanagan Montessori Preschool in Kelowna, B.C. This was a wonderful experience! Having been exposed to many preschool and day care environments, Holly found what she believed to be excellence in Early Childhood Education. Holly found her niche in the Montessori classroom and could never imagine a career that could be as fulfilling and inspiring as working with children in a Montessori environment.

Holly went on to take her St. Nicholas practical training and examination at Pacific Montessori School in Victoria during the summer of 1995. In March of 2002, she completed The Montessori Foundations Level 1 Certificate at The Western Montessori Teachers College in Port Moody, British Columbia. Because of her dedication and love for children, appreciation of the Montessori Method, and the desire to offer such a program to the families of Kamloops, she made the decision to open the Kamloops Montessori Preschool Kindergarten and Kamloops Montessori Academy in 1998.

Since the opening of our programs at our main campus at our Greystone location, we have expanded our programs to the Aberdeen Hills Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten, Westsyde Country Day Montessori and the Sahali Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten.

Lin Roth

A friend introduced Lin to the Montessori Method when her sons were preschoolers. She identified with the philosophy and began using many of the activities at home. She is once again using sandpaper letters and sharing in the discovery of the many wonders of our world, and enjoying every minute of it!

In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree, Lin holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education including specialties in Infants and Toddlers and Children with Special Needs, completed in 2002 at UCC. In addition to a Montessori teaching Diploma, Lin has a Library Aid Certificate with experience in elementary school libraries, and a background in teaching music. She began working at the Kamloops Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten in 2000.

A highlight for Lin was a trip to Italy in the spring of 2009 where she visited several Montessori schools in Rome and Naples. It was inspiring for Lin to see the site of the original Montessori school in the San Lorenzo district of Rome, which Maria Montessori began over 100 years ago, and to observe the classes there. Montessori truly is a universal philosophy of education dedicated to the whole development of children in all areas of life.

Michealla McNamara

Michealla completed her Early Childhood Education at UCC in 1999 and has since been employed at the Kamloops Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten and the Kamloops Montessori Academy. After completing her ECE education, Michealla went to Calgary Alberta, where she completed her practical training and examinations via the Montessori St. Nicholas Centre. In December 2001, Michealla received her Montessori Teaching Diploma from Montessori Centre International, London, England.

Michealla thoroughly enjoys teaching the Montessori method and plans to continue expanding her knowledge in this area through distance education and workshops.

Kirsten Pejril

Kirsten was born and grew up in Savona, British Columbia. She always had a natural admiration for children, so in 2008 Kirsten decided to follow her heart and become a teacher. In June 2010, she completed the Bachelor of Elementary Education degree from Thompson Rivers University. She also has received her Bachelor of Arts degree as well as her Early Childhood Educator Assistant diploma. After learning about and gaining respect for Montessori education, Kirsten completed her Montessori teacher training through “The Center for Guided Montessori Studies” in December 2010. She looks forward to learning more about the Montessori method and is excited to be a part in your child's education.

Kristin Glassel

Kristin is a long time Kamloops resident with a passion for teaching and quality education. In 2008, she completed her Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. Kristin has completed her Montessori training for working with children 3-5 years of age, and she also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Ceramics and a minor in Drawing. Kristin is a lifelong learner and is always striving to bring new and exciting activities and experiences into the classroom. Kristin is very excited to be a part of the Kamloops Montessori team and looks forward to her future in Montessori.

Dawn Boissonneault

Dawn was born and raised in Kamloops, BC. Being the eldest of 4 children she naturally began caring for children at an early age. She has coached preschool-age children in several sports such as skiing, soccer and swimming and ran an after school club for the City of Kamloops. Dawn began working at Kamloops Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten in 2007 and quickly discovered how amazing the Montessori Method is. She then pursued her ECE Assistant in the fall of 2008 and continues to attend various training workshops and seminars. In the spring of 2009 she moved up to Prince Rupert, BC where she worked as a support worker for a child with special needs. Joining us again this year she is very excited to be teaching at Kamloops Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten. She looks forward to what the upcoming year will bring!

Irene Penzkofer

Irene Penzkofer was born in the Philippines. In 1999 she received her Bachelor of Arts degree - major in English from the University of Mindanao - Philippines. She has also completed a six month caregiver course for the care of children and the elderly. In 2002, she moved to Kamloops and took a position in child care. She started working at the Kamloops Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten in May 2007. She enjoys learning with children and teachers and looks forward to furthering her career/training at Kamloops Montessori. In December of 2007, she completed her teacher assistant course (Early Childhood Education) at Thompson Rivers University and in March of 2009 she completed her Foundations in the Montessori method training at Western Montessori Teacher's College. Irene is always looking forward to the school year and to enhance the learning experience for the children.

Shalyn Goddard

Shalyn Goddard is the mother of three boys, Treysen, who is 8, and attends grade 3 in a Montessori classroom, Kaiden, who is 4, and attends Aberdeen Hills Montessori, and her newest son Gage, born summer 2010.

In 1999, she moved to Kamloops from Quesnel to attend TRU where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2003, as well as a Bachelor of Elementary Education Degree in 2006. In March 2008, Shalyn completed her Montessori Foundations course at the Western Montessori Teacher College in Port Coquitlam, BC.

Shalyn has been teaching at Aberdeen Hills Montessori since September 2008. She loves working with the children and being a part of their development.

Rhonda Ward

Rhonda Ward has been teaching at Aberdeen Hills Montessori since September 2005. She enjoys working with the children and having the opportunity to observe and assist each child’s accomplishments.

Rhonda graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at UCC in 1999 with honours. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education as a preschool teacher and as the Children’s Program Coordinator for Parents Anonymous for the Kamloops Family Resource Society. In March 2008, Rhonda completed her Montessori Foundations course at the Western Montessori Teacher College in Port Coquitlam, BC.

In May 2010, Rhonda became a mother to her first child named Addison. She is currently on maternity leave and looks forward to returning in 2011.

Dasha Soth

Dasha comes to us form North Vancouver, where she has been a Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten and Music teacher for over 10 years. Prior to her years in the 3-6 classroom, Dasha had taught in the elementary level for four years. In addition to her ECE and Montessori Teaching Diploma, Dasha holds a Master's degree in Music and Russian Language. Dasha has moved to Kamloops with her husband and two sons and is very happy to have joined the Sahali Montessori School in the position as Directress.

Jonalee C. Bandoquillo

Jonalee, who is fondly called Joy, came to us directly from the Philippines in September 2009. Joy graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education Major in Teaching the Early Grades (K-2) from the University of the Philippines. She tops the licensure examinations given to thousands of aspiring teachers all over the country in 2007. Before coming to Canada, she is on her 2nd year of graduate school taking Masters in Education Major in Reading Education. In November of 2009, she completed her Montessori Foundations Level 1 Certificate at The Western Montessori Teachers College in Langley, British Columbia. She also took some ECE courses in TRU. She is passionate about her work with children spanning 5 years of experience. She is delighted and grateful to be part of this pool of experienced and well-trained Montessori educators who are committed to advance the best education for preschool children.