School Staff
Preschool / Kindergarten Teachers
Lavender
Sara Mackenzie
Teacher
Sara Mackenzie has worked at Maria Montessori Academy since 2006. Upon completion of her Montessori and Early Childhood Education with the Angela Martin Montessori Training center, Miss Sara has thoroughly enjoyed her time working with the Preschool/Kindergarten classes. She is passionate about watching young children discover their individual potential and providing them with the fundamental skills they will use throughout their lives. When Miss Sara is not at MMA, she can be found enjoying her time with her family.
Diane Stewart
Teacher
Diane Stewart joined the Early Years program at Maria Montessori Academy in 2023 as a Preschool Teacher in Lavender. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Communications Degree, a Montessori Early Years Diploma, A BC Independent Teacher Certificate and an Early Childhood Educator Certificate. She also spent many years teaching and coaching various snow sports. Away from school Diane can almost always be found outdoors with her family, running with the horses, or with her nose stuck in a book.
Bluebell
Janelle Doucette
Teacher
Janelle Doucette has been a preschool kindergarten teacher for more than 20 years at MMA. She has a BFA from Concordia University and a Diploma in Education from McGill University. After moving to Victoria in 1991 she studied at the Angela Martin training center and obtained her Montessori diploma. She loves working with children and their families, and being able to see how Montessori education can make such a difference in their lives. Janelle loves the community that MMA offers and enjoys teaching in such a positive and supportive environment. She is a mom of two children who both went to MMA and are now in University. When she is not working, Janelle loves cooking, playing with her family, and going for walks with her two dogs, Max and Zoe.
Joanna Mason
Teacher
Biography coming soon!
Sunflower
Tania Bennato
Teacher
Biography Coming Soon!
Willow Polis
Teacher
Willow Polis began at MMA in September 2020. She completed her Montessori ECE training at the Angela Martin training centre in 2006, since then she worked at St. Christopher’s Montessori School in Oak Bay. Miss Willow loves spending time with her husband and two boys. In her spare time, Miss Willow can be found going for a hike with her family, going to yoga class or trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.