All of our classroom teachers are BC Certified teachers with Montessori certification. Our specialty subject teachers are all BC Certified teachers with background knowledge in Montessori philosophy. In our preschool/Kindergarten classrooms, our teachers all have their Early Childhood Education certification as well as teaching credentials through the provincial regulating bodies.
We boast low student to teacher ratios with each classroom having one classroom teacher and one Classroom Assistant.
Please see our full faculty list below.
Administration
Christine Tuttle
Principal
Christine Tuttle has been a member of the MMA family since 2007. Miss Christine graduated from the University of Victoria in 2006 and went on to pursue her true passion; education. After graduating from UBC with a B.Ed, Miss Christine came to MMA as a teacher in the Gamma classroom and immediately fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. Miss Christine went on to complete her Montessori certification and in 2015, she was hired as Vice Principal. In 2024, Christine took over the Principal position. Outside of school, Christine loves spending time with her family, sports, gardening, and reading books in the sun.
Haley Rymer
Vice-Principal
Haley Rymer has worked at MMA since 2011 teaching. Haley began in Omega teaching science to grades 9-12 students and took on the Vice Principal position in 2024. She received her bachelor of science in Biology at the University of Victoria in 2009 and went on to get both her teaching certificate and her Montessori certification. Haley brings an inquiry based, hands on approach to science that encourages students to explore and make their own discoveries about the world around us. When Haley is not at school she enjoys cooking, hiking and spending time with her family.
Office Admin
Chanel Emershy
Cory Waugh
Deborah Arcuri
Deborah Arcuri has been a member of the MMA office team since 2007. Miss Deborah has a wealth of experience having previously been the Office Administrator at Greater Victoria Christian Academy and West-Mont School. When Miss Deborah is not at school she loves to spend time with family, especially her grandchildren. Her passions include line-dancing, scrapbooking, walking, and travelling with her husband, Ron.
Jennie Lewis
Jennie Lewis has worked at Maria Montessori Academy since 2011 as our Financial Comptroller. Miss Jennie loves working at the school and being responsible for the accounting operations of MMA. Miss Jennie has a CPA, CA designation as well as a Master’s in Public Administration. When she is not working, she is spending time with her family, gardening, or practicing yoga.
Preschool/Kindergarten Classroom Teachers
Lavender
Sara Mackenzie
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
Bio coming soon!
Bluebell
Janelle Doucette
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
Bio coming soon!
Sunflower
Kyung-Hee Kim
Kyung-Hee Kim has been part of Maria Montessori Academy since 1996. She started her teacher training at the Angela Martin Montessori Teacher Training Centre and completed both Early Childhood and Elementary level of training in 2001. Kyung-Hee also has an Early Childhood Education certificate as well as a BC Independent Teaching certificate. Inspiration from her own children who have attended Montessori schools in Korea, she found her passion as a Montessori teacher. Kyung-Hee finds joy in observing the developmental and growing process of her students during the Preschool and Kindergarten years. In addition to teaching, Kyung-Hee is often hiking with her two dogs at the Mt. Doug trails. She also enjoys training at the Pilates and Barre studios.
Helane Ellis
Helane has been Montessori Teacher for 3-6 year-olds for 25+ years and has her B.Ed from UBC and ECE credentials from U.Vic. Miss Helane has been involved in Montessori teacher training focusing on communication and guidance as well as creating workshops for zoology and botany. That experience brought together two of her passions; mentoring teachers engaged in their Montessori Training and bringing natural science alive in the classroom. In recent years Helane has been looking at the brain/mind connection and how emotion, memory and critical thinking are processed. Learning how our mind works can bring a conscious awareness of these processes. Learning how to identifying our thoughts and feelings calms the mind and enables us to make more skillful decisions. These are the building blocks of emotion health. Miss Helane loved being a part of Sunflower’s Kindergarten Team since September 2018.
Sweet Pea
Cindy Shun
(Cindy)Hyun Soon Shin is from Korea. Although she doesn’tt know exactly what led her to leave her comfort zone and come to this beautiful but unfamiliar country, she is glad she came. Cindy loves education, and loves working with children She has worked in in elementary schools for 22 years and loves watching the growth that comes with learning. She was always impressed by Waldorf education, which originated in Germany, and applied some of its methods to my classroom. This interested quickly inspired further exploration of Montessori education, which she believes is education for life. She is very excited to be part of the team at Maria Montessori Academy beginning in September 2024. In her free time she loves going to PKOLS (Mount Douglas) with her kids and her dog, Thorney.
Willow Polis
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.
Elementary Classroom Teachers
Alpha
Jess Schellenberg
Jess Schellenberg began working at MMA in 2023 on-call, while also working in the public school system. She quickly fell in love with MMA and the Montessori method and began teacher training. She graduated from UVic in 2019, and holds a double major in Political Science and Environmental Studies with a minor in Education. After graduation, she managed a youth focused national food security program and spent summers working at an urban farm. She is passionate about social and environmental justice and making the world a better place for young people.
Beta
Jaz Grewal
Jaz Grewal began her journey at MMA in 2018 as a Classroom Assistant in Lower Elementary. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria. After completing her university education, Jaz worked as a Youth Worker with Immigrant and Refugee children and youth. She started her Lower Elementary Montessori training during her time at MMA , and completed her training in August 2022. Jaz is passionate about mental health awareness, and has been facilitating the Zones program in Lower Elementary. In her spare time, Jaz enjoys watching hallmark movies, dancing , singing, and spending time with her loved ones.
Gamma
Jodi Brown
Jodi Brown began her Montessori career by embarking on her AMS certification in 2009, and immersed herself in the MMA community immediately upon arriving in Victoria in 2014. She is now the directress in Gamma. Miss Jodi holds a BA degree from Whitman College in Washington, and attained her teaching credentials from Western Washington University. Prior to MMA, her diverse experience included teaching English in the Japanese public school system and physical education to elementary students in Australia. Miss Jodi has a busy family life with three children, and enjoys running, reading and taking in all of Victoria’s wonderful natural surroundings.
Kappa
Sandra Haywood
With twenty-five years teaching experience, Miss Sandra has taught at preschool and lower elementary levels, but has happily settled in Upper Elementary. She has a graduate degree in Library and Information Studies, with an emphasis on award-winning young adult literature. So it comes as no surprise that Miss Sandra loves the way story is woven throughout the Montessori curriculum. When not teaching, she enjoys reading, hiking and cycling.
Lambda
Rhianna Wickson
Rhianna Wickson began working at MMA in 2023, but she actually began her journey at MMA as a student! She is now a teacher in Upper Elementary. Rhianna holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Ottawa where she took a broad range of courses including psychology, sciences, computer science, music, and history. During university, Rhianna worked as a learning & technology mentor where she taught students organizational skills and about adaptive technologies. Following university, Rhianna moved to California where she completed her Elementary I-II certificate through Montessori Teachers Education Center (Bay Area). After working as a teacher in Berkeley, Rhianna moved back to her hometown, Victoria, and continued her teaching journey at two other Montessori schools before excitedly landing at MMA. In her free time Rhianna enjoys travelling locally and abroad, diving deep into history (20th century, Disney, world wars, culture), playing badminton & basketball, baking, and spending time with her loved ones & many animals.
Delta
Rachel Hartsook
Rachel Hartsook has been teaching at Maria Montessori Academy since January 2009. She first taught preschool/Kindergarten music and worked as a classroom assistant, while completing her Montessori Elementary credential. Miss Rachel has been the Delta teacher since 2011. Miss Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria, and she completed her Masters in Education Leadership from Vancouver Island University in 2022. She loves teaching her students about the world, focusing on peace, diversity, and building relationships through community. In her spare time Miss Rachel enjoys reading novels, singing in a community choir, and exploring various beaches and parks with her family.
Sigma Classroom Teachers (Middle School)
Lee Patterson
Lee Patterson has worked as a Sigma Director since 2015. Since joining the MMA community, he has been involved with coaching ultimate frisbee, guiding his math students to build playground equipment, and leading as many outdoor education experiences as possible. Lee is a graduate of the University of Victoria, having completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in French, as well as a Bachelor of Education, with a middle school focus. He is also a graduate of the Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program (CMSTEP).
In his free time, Lee enjoys a wide array of activities, including: swimming, ultimate frisbee, hockey, skiing, kitesurfing, camping, cooking, reading, and gardening.
Morgan Reid
Morgan is motivated to help students learn deeply about things they’re interested in, so as to help them build their confidence, resilience, and love of learning. He has taught a range of subjects including Math, Laboratory Science, and Social Studies. Experienced in public, private, and post-secondary schools, Morgan holds a B.Ed. in Geography from Simon Fraser University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of BC. Morgan holds Montessori Secondary I and II credentials from the Cincinnati Secondary Montessori Teacher Education Program, which he completed from 2020-2022. On any given day you might find Morgan exploring the Salish Sea by sailboat or zodiac with his family, reading science fiction, or making pizza in his backyard wood-fired oven.
Sarah Gord
Sarah Gord joined MMA in 2022. After earning her Bachelor’s in History and English, she moved to Norway to teach English, politics, and writing to high school and college students. She then moved to Oakland, California, where she completed her Master’s in Education and taught middle school for five years. While in Oakland, she co-coordinated a drama program and directed two shows per year. She is passionate about working with middle school students and supporting their growth and wellbeing. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys running, exploring new restaurants, and reading Shakespeare.
Omega Classroom Teachers (High School)
Kathy McIntosh
Kathy McIntosh first joined MMA in 2018. She has a BSc. in Chemistry and a DVM. She practiced as a veterinarian in Calgary and Regina for 10 years before getting her BEd. from the University of Calgary in 2004. She has taught Mathematics and Science for Grades 6 – 10 for over 10 years in different private schools in Calgary. She teaches Mathematics for Grades 9, Foods 9 &10, Culinary Arts 11 & 12, Life Sciences 11, and Anatomy & Physiology 12. When she is not teaching enjoys cooking, baking, knitting, running and spending time with friends and family.
Brooke Rose
After graduating high school in Toronto, Miss Brooke made the trek across Canada to attend UVic for Creative Writing. After graduating with a BA in Hispanic Studies (plans change sometimes!) she travelled around Mexico for a while. Soon after, a BEd from UVic occurred, which led her to MMA in 2008. She was the French teacher and part-time in Sigma, to start, then full-time Sigma teacher from 2009-2017. She received her Montessori certification in 2013, from Houston, Texas. In 2017 Miss Brooke decided it was finally time for her to graduate Middle School, and she moved into Omega, where she’s been ever since. Outside of school, Miss Brooke loves exploring this beautiful island, road trips, pretending she’s a backup singer, reading, taking photos, and plugging away at her novel.
Breanna Bland
Breanna Bland moved to Victoria in August 2022 after working with the Edmonton Public School Board. She started working with MMA as a Teacher On-Call at the start of 2023 and, as of November 2023, transitioned to a full-time position, eagerly embracing her new role with Omega. Outside of the classroom, Breanna enthusiastically delves into various hobbies, cares for her plants, enjoys exercising , and spending quality time with her cat. As an avid Wordler, she takes pride in her accomplishment of nearly 500 Wordles with an impressive 97% success rate.
Riley Sandbeck
Mr. Riley is a proud graduate of the University of Alberta, where he earned a major in Mathematics and a minor in Drama. In his 20s, he pursued his passion for the arts as a professional stage actor in Vancouver, performing in over 30 productions. He returned to his first love—teaching—in 2018 and has been a valued member of the MMA faculty since 2020. At MMA, Mr. Riley brings his dynamic background to the classroom, teaching a mix of math and science while inspiring students beyond academics. He plays an active role in extracurricular activities, mentoring students in the school musical and starting several clubs over the years. Outside of school, Mr. Riley enjoys playing board games, painting miniatures, and hitting the golf course. His diverse interests and enthusiasm enrich the MMA community both inside and outside the classroom.
Specialty Teachers
French
Dominique de Chantal
Dominique de Chantal has been teaching upper level French at MMA since 2014. Dominique has a French Canadian background and took her teaching education at UVIC along with a bachelors of English Literature. She also has a bachelors of Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership from Mount Royal University. Dominique is an active equestrian and loves spending her weekends competing or camping with her Appaloosa horse Elmo. Keep an eye out for them around Elk Lake Park.
Stéphanie Charlebois
Stéphanie Charlebois, originally from Penetanguishene Ontario, has been member of the MMA team since relocating with her family in 2016. She holds a degree in Physical Education & Health from the University of Toronto, a BC Independent Teacher Certificate and is a MACTE certified Casa Directress. Mme Stéphanie has shared her love of French language and culture throughout her 10+ year career in Toronto, teaching exclusively in French and bilingual Montessori classrooms and running her own business, Tante’s Childcare. Her family of four is fully immersed in life on Vancouver Island, each pursuing their passions of which rugby, cycling, hiking, gardening, canoeing and rowing top the list.
Arts Education
Susanne Ledingham
Susanne Ledingham has been involved with art education for over 20 years. After moving to Victoria in 2004, Miss Susanne began working at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, developing art programs and teaching art classes. Using her experience both as an artist and as an art historian, Susanne brings a multi-cultural emphasis to her classes while focusing on process and play in order to gain mastery and skill. When Miss Susanne is not thoroughly enjoying herself in her MMA art studio, she can be found kayaking on Mayne Island, taking in a yoga class, playing around with her own art projects, and having tons of fun with her family.
Sandi Henrich
Sandi Henrich has been teaching art classes and developing art programs and workshops in Victoria since 2002. Her teaching approach is centered on encouraging creative expression and process-based art exploration. Miss Sandi has a degree in History in Art from the University of Victoria and a background in visual arts. When she is not making art, Miss Sandi loves to spend time with her creative family enjoying the beauty of nature.
Madi Phaff
Local artist and educator, Madi Phaff, has been interested in all things art for as long as she can remember. Miss Madi began her art journey at the University of Lethbridge, where she completed two undergraduate degrees in 2020. While working on her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Miss Madi focused on drawing, oil and acrylic painting, printmaking, as well as dabbling in installation art and photography. Miss Madi obtained her Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge and now enjoys teaching Upper Elementary art at Maria Montessori Academy as well as children’s and adult art classes at McTavish Academy of Art and Paint Box School of Art. Most of Madi’s inspiration for her artwork is found in nature, with a specific focus on patterns in nature. In her off time, Madi enjoys hiking, camping, BBQ-ing, baking, learning about and spending time with nature, attending local music events, and quality time with her husband and friends. “Teaching art and creating are my biggest passions in life. Art making allows for thoughtful time to consider how to leave our world a better place than we found it. Through time and thought, these creations become tangible treats for the living.”
Music Education
Stephanie Smith
Stephanie Smith first came to MMA as a substitute teacher and then joined MMA permanently in 2023 as the K-12 Music teacher. She holds a B.A. and B.Ed. from Concordia University of Edmonton and has 10+ years’ experience teaching all age groups (0-99) group and private music lessons. Through a musical lens, Stephanie is passionate about connecting the personal to the wider cultural, social, and political context and sharing with her students the power of storytelling that music has. When she is not teaching, she enjoys going on road trips with her 2 naughty dogs and fabulous partner, playing piano and crib, swimming in the ocean, and being a chemist in the kitchen still searching for the perfect combination of ingredients to make her gluten-free/dairy-free/egg-free baking light and fluffy.
Physical Education/Outdoor Education
Andrew Farrell
Andrew Farrell began at MMA in 2007 as a PE and Outdoor Education Teacher as well as a Classroom Assistant in Serenity. Andrew finished a Geography Degree at the University of Victoria in 2002, followed by teaching English in Japan, then returning to the west coast to complete a Bachelor of Education at UBC in 2004. His first teaching stint after UBC was as a Social Studies Teacher in Comox, moving there so that he could be on the mountain on a more often. Andrew left MMA for a year to run an alternative school but returned on an on-call basis in 2017,and is back to four days a week in 2018. Andrew and his wife have two young daughters at home, who love to go camping, biking, paddling, swimming and playing in the snow with their dad as often as possible. Andrew loves the outdoors, snowboarding, and paddling. Growing up in Ontario, Andrew played all sports that were in season. He continues to stay active outside of school chasing his daughters around playgrounds and beaches and playing squash on a regular basis.
Lisa Hefner
Lisa began her career with a degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership and has been working as a Guide, Outdoor Educator, and Program Manager since 2008. Throughout her career, she has led single- and multi-day trips in a wide variety of environments, from underground to mountain top, river to sea, and is certified to instruct in an array of disciplines. Her biggest passion is outdoor education, and she loves to empower her students by teaching them the outdoor skills needed to safely enjoy our majestic outdoor world, as well as the wonderous natural history and ecology of those environments. Wanting to further her career in education, Lisa graduated with a B.Ed in 2020 and worked as the Outdoor Education and Leadership Specialist at a school in Calgary before moving west in 2021. She has been working at MMA since September of 2024.
Alanna Youngberg
Miss Alanna began her journey at MMA in 2016 as a Sigma teacher. She holds a BA from the University of Victoria, where she studied English Literature and European History. After completing her degree, Miss Alanna spent time volunteering in West Africa, South East Asia and Cuba. She eventually returned to Canada to complete her Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia Okanagan. She spent 4 years teaching middle school Physical Health and Education and Social Studies in Kelowna. She eventually found her way to Victoria where she worked in the Victoria School District before discovering MMA in 2016. She has coached numerous teams including volleyball and badminton. In her spare time, Miss Alanna enjoys travelling, snowboarding, playing volleyball and tennis, and spending time outdoors.
Inclusive Education Team
Chantel Nairn Elementary Inclusive Ed. Coordinator (on maternity Leave)
Chantel Nairn is a dedicated educator with 17 years of experience in the field of elementary education. Since joining MMA in 2017, Miss Chantel has served in various capacities, including as a classroom teacher, learning assistance teacher, and currently as the Inclusive Education Coordinator. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Miss Chantel has also completed Montessori Elementary I-II Credentials. She has further specialized in Orton-Gillingham Multi-sensory Math programs, including Basic Concepts, Extending Basic Concepts, and Coaching and Mentoring. Miss Chantel’s love for reading and math is evident in her teaching style, and she is passionate about sharing her knowledge with her students. When not at MMA, Miss Chantel enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, forest, or bike park.
Kristi Repay Senior Inclusive Education Coordinator
Kris Repay graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and most recently completed her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She has experience in inclusive education both as a teacher and as a parent of two children with designations. Her background has given her a deep understanding of the challenges that neurodiverse students and their families face and is committed to providing support and resources to help all students succeed. Kris is passionate about inclusive education and believes that every child deserves access to quality education that meets their unique needs.
Jessica Lambrick
Jessica Lambrick began at MMA in 2019 as an Inclusive Education Teacher. She graduated from the University of Victoria in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Education. Miss Jessica brings with her a love for reading and enjoys igniting the passion of reading in all students. In her spare time, Miss Jessica can be found frolicking in her garden with her children, her partner and their little dog, Ruby.
Leslie O’Hagan
Bio Coming Soon!
Jenny Szulc
Jenny Szulc graduated from Queen’s University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and has further specialized in Special Education, earning her certificate in 2023. She enjoys connecting with her students in Learning Support and supporting them in their individual development as lifelong learners. Miss Jenny has travelled and worked abroad for years before settling with her family in Cordova Bay. When Miss Jenny is not at work, she is passionate about growing food and enjoying her backyard chickens.
Basil Kazakos
Mr. Basil is new to the school, bringing a lifetime of teaching and facilitating experience along with him. He has studied at different universities, guest lectured at a few, taught across Canada in a variety of locations and unique situations. Along the way he was Head of Schools for The Toronto Montessori Schools. When he is not at school, he works on the third draft of his book where he shares his experience and perspective of education, plays bass and guitar, practices T’ai Chi and exercises at the gym.
Mariel De Castro
Miss Mariel graduated from Redeemer University College with her Bachelor’s Degree in Education: primary/junior division. From Ontario, she moved to Victoria to teach at a Christian school for 4 years as a Kindergarten-Grade 1 homeroom teacher. She has now joined MMA for this school year and is excited to be a teacher in the Inclusive Education Team. Mariel has a passion in supporting students in their learning and celebrating their achievements together. When she is not teaching, she enjoys reading, paddle boarding and going on hikes with her dog.
Guidance Counsellor
Maria Butler
Maria Butler began working as the school counsellor at MMA in 2015. She meets with students from Pre-School through to Grade 12 for personal and/or academic counselling and loves getting to know each student who comes to see her. Miss Maria received a B.A. (hons.) and then a post-graduate teaching certificate (for high school) from the UK. After moving to Canada in 2000, she completed a B.Ed. (elementary and middle school) and then an M.A. in Counselling Psychology a few years later. Miss Maria taught in the UK and in Victoria before deciding to pursue counselling – something she has always felt drawn towards. When not at school, Miss Maria enjoys dance classes and fun family outings with her husband and two children.
Courtney Roskelley
Courtney Roskelley began working at MMA as a counsellor in the lower elementary and preschool/k classrooms last school year (2023-2024). Courtney holds a BEd in Elementary Education from the University of Victoria (2017) and is in the final stages of completing her MEd in school counselling from City University (2024). Prior to working at MMA, most of Courtney’s teaching experiences had been with students with diverse leaning needs. In 2019 she and her husband moved to the arctic, where she spent three years working as an inclusive education teacher in an elementary setting. Currently, Courtney splits her time between MMA and Discovery School, where she works as a high school teacher and school counsellor. Courtney’s approach to counselling involves play based techniques, CBT, and somatic strategies to help students learn, understand, and manage their emotional experiences.
