Pinetree Montessori Staff
Managers
Ms. Stephanie
My name is Stephanie Malysz and I graduated from Simon Fraser University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. In March 2018, I started at Westwood Montessori as a teacher in the Out of School Care program. I have been the Manager of the Pinetree Location since April 2019. I have worked with children since I was young through volunteering and being a nanny. I enjoy working with the teachers, connecting with parents and being around the children to see them learn and experience new things. I love being a part of the Westwood family and I look forward to being here each and every day.
Daycare I Staff
Ms. Maryam
My name is Maryam, I have received my Early Childhood Education from Vancouver Career College and a BA degree in Graphic Design. I have been working with children for over 6 years. I love working with children for over 6 years, I love working with children because there is not a single day at work that is the same! I am looking forward to working with your children and to get to know all of you.
Ms. Julia
My family and I moved here from Korea. I have been working with children for over 10 years in both Korea and Canada. In Korea, I received a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and in June 2015 I obtained my Early Childhood Educator in British Columbia. I love children and find working with them brings great joy to my life. I feel like I have learned just as much from my students as they have from me and most of all, I want them to know how very special they are in the world during their school days. I look forward to meeting new children and families at Westwood Montessori.
Ms. Amerlin
My name is Amerlin. I have received my Early Childhood Education Assistant from Pacific Rim Early Childhood Institute. I have always enjoyed being around young children and it has been my dream and passion to work with and nurture them. Working with young children brings me immense joy, and I consider it both a privilege and a calling to be a part of their early educational journey. I look forward to the upcoming school year and the opportunity to meet each and every one of you!
Daycare II Staff
Ms. Christine
I obtained my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from Queen’s University and my Association Montessori International and ECE certificate from the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia. Since then I have been working with children in various ages for more than 15 years found my heart settle for children age 3 to 5. I believe the Montessori environment can help cultivate all children to become truly capable and confident individuals by focusing on their moral behavioral, emotional and intellectual development.
Ms. Viviann
Hi! My name is Viviann Lu. I graduated from School of Visual Arts with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. I have received my Early Childhood Education Certificate from Vancouver Career College. I grew up babysitting my baby cousins, volunteering with children, and teaching arts. I realized at a young age that I love learning new things, teaching, and spending time with children of all ages. The best part about working with children is seeing them grow and problem solve in their own unique ways. I love helping the children find their interests and strengths, and guide them through the things the need to work on. I look forward to meeting all the children and their families at Westwood Montessori.
Ms. Lydia
Hello my name is Lydia Choi. I grew up in Korea and came to Canada in 2010. I am certified early childhood educator and infant/toddler educator. I have been in the early childhood field since 2017. I love educating and caring for children, and how their individual personalities make every day unique and special. I believe that having fun is a big part of learning. Children learn by doing, exploring, collaborating and playing. I am so happy to be a part of the Westwood Montessori team. I look forward to getting to know the children and families within the centre and building positive and lasting relationships with the children I will be working with. “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson.
Junior Toddler Staff
Ms. Joy
Hi, my name is Joy Huang. I am a mother of two, My daughter is 20 years-old and my son is 18 years-old. My husband is a computer engineer. I have worked with children nearly all my life. When my children were little, I volunteered as a Beaver, Cub, and Scout Leader. In 2009 I received my Early Childhood Education Certificate and in 2010 I received my Infant and Toddler Certificate. I have been working with infants and toddlers at SFU Childcare Society since 2010. In 2015 I decided to work close to home so I choose Westwood as my next journey. I really enjoy working and growing with this team.
Ms. Selena
My name is Selena Yim and I am from Hong Kong. I have achieved an Early Childhood Education Certificate from Sprott Shaw College in 2017 and an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from the North American Montessori Center in 2018. Besides teaching children at daycare, I have a history of teaching the piano. Because of the skills and the background of teaching that I have built up throughout the years, I strongly believe that Early Childhood Education is a wonderful path for me. I want to use all that I have acquired to teach children.
Ms. Julie
My name is Julie Zhu. I have received my Early Childhood Education Assistant Certificate from Douglas College and have been working towards the ECE Certificate as well. I have been a part of Westwood Montessori family since 2021. I really love working with these wonderful children and watching them learn and grow every day. As a teacher, I am dedicated to encouraging and supporting each child to explore and have fun in their early learning. I look forward to meeting your little ones at Westwood Montessori.
Ms. Mei
Hi! My name is Mei. I have been working with young children as an ECEa since 2019. Over the past years, these young children always surprise me, delight me, and teach me more than I dreamed of. I am interested and passionate about helping young children, and watching them learn and achieve. I am looking forward to meeting the new families and your little ones in September.
Senior Toddler I Staff
Ms. Mary
I obtained my early childhood education, infant and toddler, special needs diploma from MTI community college. I have been working full time in the senior toddler program at Westwood Montessori since May 2009. I believe children are very special and unique. I really love working with them especially the young ones. Observing children and keeping them happy and safe brings a sense of joy and achievement to my heart. My goals as a teacher are to help children build confidence in themselves, develop social and problem-solving skills, thereby enabling them to advance to their next level at daycare.
Ms. Jean
I have obtained my International Diploma in Montessori Studies from London Montessori and have my full licence as an Early Childhood Educator and Infant Toddler Educator. I have worked in International Kindergarten and Montessori Centres for more than 15 years starting from when I lived back home in Singapore.
Working with young children has always been my passion and love. I love to interact with them, watch the little steps that they take and enjoy the little moments which we share that bring so much joy to my heart. I strongly believe these little toddlers have such an absorbent mind. So as educators, it is our responsibility to guide them as they problem solved and provide many opportunities for them to learn life skills that will teach them independence and social skills as they grow from one level to another
Sr Toddler II Staff
Ms. Jeong
Hi my name is Jeong and I grew up with a love for teaching so I pursued my passion of becoming a teacher in Korea. In 2008, I received my Early Childhood Education, Infant and Toddler and Special Needs Educator Certification here in BC, and became a full time childhood educator. My main goal as a teacher is to make sure that all my students are safe and happy to be at school. I can’t wait to meet all of your children.
Ms. Marjan
Hello, my name is Marjan Joulaei, I have dedicated myself to being a lifelong learner. I have gained my Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Iran and I received my ECE and ITE licences in Canada. I have been teaching for the past 20 years. Back in my country I was a high school math teacher. I have been working with children under 12 for 10 years, 6 of those years have been specifically dedicated to infant and toddlers. Pure soul and love, fresh brains and minds and a warm smile and hug are three reasons why I am attracted to this job everyday more than yesterday. In my philosophy infant and toddlers need love and care more than anything else, for sure the children’s safety takes priority. Infant and toddlers learn with all five senses and in different ways. As a teacher I strive to find the children’s interests and individual characteristics to make them ready for their bright futures.
Preschool AM/PM Staff
Ms. Jovana
My name is Jovana. I have been working at Westwood Montessori since 2004. I graduated at Western Montessori Teacher's college in 1996 and completed additional requirements for my International Diploma for Montessori Method of Education in the same year. I am a fully licensed Early Childhood Educator since 1990. I enjoy working with preschool and Kindergarten children very much; it is rewarding to see them become independent learners through prepared environment. It is nice to be part of this process where child builds a base for future achievements. I am looking forward to the dynamics and challenges of the new group every September.
Extended Preschool Staff
Ms. Christine C
I am Christine (Ching-Chin) and I am from Taiwan. I have been living in Canada for more than 10 years. In 2006 I earned my Early Childhood Education certificate from Vancouver Career College and in 2008 I joined Westwood Montessori. Working with children is fun and challenging but watching them grow and develop through our program is the best part of this job. I hope all the children and parents enjoy their days in our Centre.
Ms. Crystal
My name is Crystal Chen. As a child care teacher for four years, I have developed a great enthusiasm and love for early childhood education and was determined to pursue my passion in this field. I love being with children of all ages. My idea in teaching is to combine education with fun activities, so this variety would inspire children to enjoy being at school and hope to unlock their potential.
Out of School I Staff
Ms. Kyra
Hi my Name is Kyra. I graduated from Douglas College in 2018 with a psychology counselling degree. It has always been my passion to work with kids and youth ages 5-17. Thankfully, I have many years of experience working with children in a variety of locations as well as raising 3 beautiful children of my own. Working at Westwood gives me a rewarding feeling now I am making a difference in every child’s life as a teacher or as a friend. Seeing every child excel to the full potential is very rewarding for me.
Out of School Care II Staff
Ms. Laudan
My name is Laudan. I have been working in the Out of School Care program at Westwood Montessori since 2007. I also have my Class 4 driver’s license so I can drive the children on the School Bus to and from school and all over the town for Pro D days, Spring Break and the Summer program.
I have a teaching diploma and used to teach in Elementary programs in Tehran. I also studied and received my Early Childhood Education diploma in Canada. I love children and believe it is a privilege to work with them and watch them grow throughout the years before they graduate from the Elementary school program.
Ms. Azin
My name is Azin. I have my Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Iran and I have been working with children over 17 years. I started working with children in 2003 where I worked in Daycares. Over time, I proceeded to have my own Daycare in Coquitlam. This is my fifth year working at Westwood Montessori and I absolutely love the school and the students. I have a substantial passion for teaching and working with children. I work very hard to engage students in learning with high-energy and a productive environment. I love my job and I believe very strongly in the power of education. My goal is to help children reach their fullest potential.
Out of School Care III Staff
Ms. Linda
Hi my name is Linda. I’ve been working in childcare, both public and private for approximately 11 years. I absolutely enjoy working with children. My responsibilities as a caregiver are to provide a safe, fun and nurturing environment for kids to express themselves in a healthy and creative way. I truly enjoy coming up with a variety of crafts and activities to help stimulate on a daily basis. My hobbies are entertaining during the holidays, are, decorating and design and being physically fit in any way I can. I really love to see children flourish and grow in my care and I consider it a privilege to take on this important role, as caregiver to your children.
Ms. Sarah
Hello, I'm Sarah Mary Joseph. I have a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy (Neurosciences), from India, and used to work with children with different needs. I have been working as an Out-of-School Care teacher for the past one year and am excited to be a part of Westwood Montessori. As a parent and teacher I like to imagine every child as a unique lock waiting for the right key to unlock their potential. I love to use arts, crafts and games as learning tools to encourage children to explore and expand their potential. Looking forward to meeting and building relationships with your little ones.
