Led by Floarea (Tina) Stanila, a licensed Early Childhood Educator and Montessori teacher, Lily of the Valley Montessori is grounded in true passion for nurturing young learners. Tina has dedicated her entire career to teaching in various Montessori, Reggio?Emilia, and daycare environments, gaining deep experience and insight along the way. She moved to Maple Ridge with her family, and draws from both her professional and personal life as a parent to craft a supportive learning environment.
Our Preschool Teachers:, Pegeen Hammer - Pegeen was introduced to the Montessori method of education when her youngest child attended a Montessori preschool. She was fascinated by the Montessori theories and methods and chose to embark on her own path to become a Montessori Early Childhood Educator. Pegeen received her diploma in Montessori Education at Western Montessori Teacher's College and went on to complete her certificate in Early Childhood Education. I strive to bring to my preschool class a rewarding, hands on learning environment where each child is treated as the wondrous individual that they are. As a Montessori teacher, it is my job to follow the children's special sensitive periods and present learning materials to aid in the accomplishment of independence, competence and confidence. Jody Schindler - Bio to be posted soon. Our Elementary Teachers:, Donna McNutt - Donna graduated from Western Montessori Teacher's College in 1994 and has been with Meadow Montessori School since 1998. She taught in the reschool/kindergarten classroom for seven years and also taught the music program having reviously worked as a music teacher for ten years. Donna went on to complete a comprehensive Montessori elementary school training program through Vancouver School Board Training Institute. She began teaching in the elementary classroom in September of 2005 and has her Independent Schools Teaching Certificate. Bonnie Nussbaumer -Bonnie comes to Meadow Montessori School with many years of teaching experience in the public system. She has her Bachelor of Education Degree and her teaching certificate from the Independent Schools; as wellshe is a trained Elementary level Montessori educator.She started with Meadow Montessori School in the fall of 2005 in the preschool/kindergarten and then moved to the elementary classroom in the fall of 2006. Effective the 2007/2008 school year, Bonnie is a teacher in the upper elementary program and is also the principal of the school. Testimonials:, When our daughter had to go to school we didn't specifically go looking for Montessori we just knew that good enough was not the standard that we wanted to set for our child. I had a horrible experience in public school so I wanted private; Dad had a great experience in public school so he felt differently. I conceded and we visited several public schools.
Bright Star Montessori School is committed to the needs and development of the child in the intellectual, social, physical and emotional realms. Based on the principles set out by Dr. Maria Montessori, each child will have an opportunity to develop his / her potential to the fullest, while respecting the needs of the individual, as well as the group.
Our Daycare Centre is designed to create an environment of trust, where each child feels safe and secure both physically and emotionally. The Centre is a learning place where social and intellectual growth occur as each child experiences him or herself in relationship to others and the environment, through play.
In a safe and trusting environment each child will learn to recognize, respect and support the rights of others. Each child has the right to move at his or her own pace and to develop at an individual rate.
By being provided with an atmosphere which is friendly, supportive, accepting and positive, each child will have the freedom to make decisions and choices, thus developing self-confidence and self-reliance.
We believe that daily doses of hugs, humor and smiles, together with continuing individual attention, will keep our Centre a safe and friendly place.
Welcome to Creative Kids Learning Centers! Over the past 15 years we have specifically designed our programs to provide an emotional, social, physical and intellectual foundation for learning, as we call "Planting the seed for further education". Working closely with parents through a happy, fun and unhurried atmosphere, we strive to develop an interest in learning, focusing on fun, stimulating, social and academic based programming. We want every child and family to feel special and welcome when they come through our doors and we feel our strong reputation in the community is because of this goal. Please feel free to visit our website or give us a call for more information.
Children pass through sensitive periods of development early in life. Dr. Montessori described the child's mind between the time of birth and six years of age as the 'absorbent mind'. It is during this stage that a child has a tremendous ability to learn and assimilate from the world around him, without conscious effort. During this time, children are particularly receptive to certain external stimuli. A Montessori teacher recognizes and takes advantage of these highly perceptive stages through the introduction of materials and activities which are specially designed to stimulate the intellect.