Toddler Staff

Anna Ossott, Medico Cirujano diploma, AMI (Casa Assistant Course), TMI, ECE
Toddler Program
Anna was born in Venezuela where she went to medical school and specialized in Pediatrics. In 2013, with her husband and five children, she moved to Canada and decided to begin a new path in Early Childhood Education. She was fortunate enough to have a ten-week placement at Clanmore and immediately decided thereafter to become a Montessori educator. Anna took her Infant Toddler training in 2017 and obtained her ECE diploma shortly after that. Anna is loving, caring and passionate about small children as well as enthusiastic when being around them.

Hillary Casalinuovo, RECE, MTC
Toddler Program
Hillary grew up in Alberta, and now resides in Burlington with her husband, son and two daughters. Hillary received her Early Childhood Education diploma from Sheridan College, graduating with high honours. Hillary recently attended Montessori Teachers College where she earned her Montessori Infant Toddler Diploma.

Lucy Salas, BA, MS c., AMI (Assistants Course)
Toddler Program Support
Lucy was born in Venezuela. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Journalism from Andres Bello Catholic University. In 2008 she completed her Master’s degree in Telecommunications and holds a Six Sigma
Green Belt Designation. In 2013, she moved to Oakville with her husband and 3 children, and embarked upon a new career path, starting a partnership home daycare in Bronte Creek, Oakville. In 2018, Lucy was fortunate to find her way to Clanmore and through Clanmore attended the AMI Montessori Assistant’s course. Lucy has worked in positions throughout the school, and is thrilled to currently be part of the Toddler team. Lucy treasures her corporate experience in different countries as an asset in her teaching career. She is passionate about sports and music and is a
volunteer Manager at Oakville Choir for Children & Youth.

Casa Staff

Danielle Barr, BA, ECE (in progress), AMI (Assistants Course)
Casa Program
Danielle Barr is a McGill University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Child Psychology and Child Studies. She is currently completing her Early Childhood Education degree at Mohawk College and has completed her Montessori Assistants Course. She has been working at Clanmore part-time since January 2021 and has worked in both the Casa and Toddler environments, as well as the Summer Camp Programs.  Danielle is a Clanmore Montessori graduate with a deep love of Montessori teaching and principles. She is passionate and enthusiastic about working with children and plans to continue her studies in Montessori in the coming years. Growing up within Clanmore provides her with a unique perspective of the Clanmore experience and the fundamentals of the community.

Carrie Caldarone, AMI
Casa Program
Carrie was born in Toronto and continues to live there with her husband.  She graduated from the Foundation for Montessori Education in 2003.   Carrie has taught at her former school for ten years and was nominated for teacher of the year 2009 in the Toronto Star Newspaper! Carrie enjoys spending time with her family, art, and travel.

Teresa McLean, MTC (Montessori Teachers College), RECE (College of ECE’s)
Children’s Fitness Coach
Casa Program and Summer Program
Teresa graduated from Montessori Teachers College and holds a MACTE diploma. She is also a graduate from Mohawk College with honours in Early Childhood Education. Teresa is also a certified Children’s Fitness Coach. Teresa has done mission work through children and youth programs and she is a mentor with at-risk youth. She has completed specialized training courses to support this work. Teresa is married and loves spending time with her family. She practices yoga and running, she plays various sports, and she enjoys traveling. Teresa has been teaching in a Montessori environment for over 20 years, many years of which have been at Clanmore.

Charlene Roberts, BA, AMI
Casa Program
Charlene has a BA in Sociology and Gender Studies and is AMI certified through the
Foundation for Montessori Education. She began her journey in education by teaching
kindergarten children English as a second language for four years in South Korea. After
becoming passionate in Montessori Education, Charlene returned back to Canada to pursue her
AMI diploma and to be closer with her family. She enjoys painting, cooking, baking new
recipes, and traveling.

Michelle Robin, NNEB, HNC, ECE, TMI
Casa Program
Michelle moved to Canada from Scotland in 1995.  She has diplomas in Nursery Nurse Education Board, Higher National Certificate in early childhood education and Early Childhood Education from Sheridan College.  Michelle has also received her Montessori Teacher’s Diploma at the Casa level from the Toronto Montessori Institute.

Leila Sairally, BA, AMS
Casa Program
Leila has lived and worked in Oakville the majority of her life. She went to St. Mildred’s Lightborn School and studied Communications and Economics at Wilfred Laurier University. Upon completion of her BA, Leila enrolled in the Montessori postgraduate program at Sheridan College here in Oakville. Leila has over ten years of experience in the field of education. Leila is married and has two boys, in her spare time she enjoys reading, hikes, and traveling.

Olena Melnykova, B.Ed. (Early Childhood Education)
Casa Program Support
Olena was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and has a specialist degree in Early Childhood Education from the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University in Kyiv. She has always wanted to work with young children, most importantly in a way that respects each child’s individuality, providing a positive social, emotional, and cognitive early learning experience. Olena has over 10 years of working with children and parents in early childhood education programs and is passionate about guiding and supporting both children and parents alike.  Olena recently relocated from Ukraine and is excited to begin a new life here in Canada. She now lives in Oakville with her family and 11-year-old daughter. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, relatives, her daughter and her dog. She also enjoys reading, learning new things, and hiking. She is happy to be joining the Clanmore team.

Elvira Vincent De Paul, B.A, RECE, AMI (Assistants Course)
Casa Program Support, Reception and Administration
Elvira Vincent De Paul grew up in Mississauga, Ontario and lives with her husband and dog, Theodore.  She attended McMaster University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology.  Later, she attended Sheridan College and obtained her Early Childhood of Education Diploma. Elvira grew up around a lot of family with younger children and grew an interest to work with children as a future career. Her first work experience was at a Montessori School and ever since she grew to love the Montessori philosophy and working in Montessori school settings. She is excited to continue learning and growing as an educator. Her areas of interest include hiking, spending time with family, and working on DIY projects.

Marianne Bedore, BA, AMS
Upper Elementary Program
Marianne was born and raised in Ontario. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Sociology from Western University. Marianne received her AMS Elementary Montessori Diploma from MMTEC (Michigan). She began her teaching career working at Montessori Academy in London, Ontario as part of the team launching its inaugural Junior High program. Marianne has had the opportunity to not only teach at all levels of Montessori (Casa through Junior High) but has done so at schools in China, Africa and Canada. While teaching in China, Marianne traveled to Dallas, Texas for several summers to complete her certificates in Montessori Applied to Children at Risk and her Sequential English Education training. She has most recently taught Upper Elementary in Guelph, Ontario. When Marianne is not in school, she enjoys time in nature, traveling, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Marianne is very excited to be joining the Clanmore team and is looking forward to the year ahead.

Jennifer d’Albenas, BA, B.Ed, MS, RBT Certified, AMS
Lower Elementary Program
Jennifer was born in Windsor and raised in The Bahamas. She received a B.A. in French Studies at the University of Western Ontario, a B.Ed in Primary Junior Divisions at Queen’s University, ON, and an M.S. in Montessori at Barry University in Miami. She is RBT certified and worked as an ABA therapist and traditional K3 teacher in The Bahamas before deciding to complete her Master’s in Montessori where she received her AMS certificate. Jennifer began her Montessori experience in the states and is now living in Mississauga. She loves animals, traveling, watching movies, and exploring.

Kim Ellis-Valicek, BA, TMI
Lower Elementary Program
Kim was born in Montreal, Quebec, and moved to Toronto permanently in 1993 after graduating from Western University. After five years of working in the Institutional Equity Trading Department at Nesbitt Burns brokerage firm, she realized she needed a career change. Kim enrolled in the Toronto Montessori Institute, where she received both her Primary and Elementary Montessori diplomas. She moved to Oakville in 2014 with her husband, daughter, and son. Kim has over twenty years of teaching experience and has taught at other Montessori schools in both Oakville and Richmond Hill. She loves the outdoors, gardening, and walking her dog on nature trails.

Joanne Grassi, BA, Pan America, TMI
Lower Elementary Program
Joanne was born and raised in Woodbridge, Ontario, and has a BA in psychology from York University. Joanne found her passion for Montessori education in 2002 as an Assistant at Maple Montessori School. She obtained her Casa training from Pan American and taught for 5 years before deciding to further her Montessori training, receiving her Elementary qualifications from TMI.  She loves her students who teach her so much and provide priceless memories.  She and her daughter, who currently attends Clanmore, live in Caledon.

Andi Mak, BA, TMI
Lower Elementary Program
Andi was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. In 2008 she came to Canada to master the English language and fell in love with the country. This led her to quit her job and move to Canada permanently in 2009. Andi has a  bachelor of Differential Pedagogy, with an Elementary School Teacher major. She started her career in an Elementary School in Budapest, and 6 years later was promoted to Vice-Principal. She accepted this new role on the condition that alongside her administrative duties she could continue her teaching work.  She has always been interested in alternative teaching methods and found that the Montessori method really resonated with her. In Canada, she completed many levels of Montessori training (Early Childhood Diploma, 2011, Lower/Upper Elementary Diploma, 2015.)  and worked at a school in Toronto before joining Clanmore. Andi has a passion for basketball, and was a semi-professional player in both High School and College. She enjoys theatre, opera and movies, and has a love for traveling, reading, spending time outdoors and with family and friends. Andi lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Renée Osterback, BA, AMI
Upper Elementary Program
Renée was born in Oakville, Ontario. She received her Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Sociology, from Bishop’s University.  After travelling abroad and living in Vancouver for two years, Renée came back to Toronto where she studied and received her AMI Casa Diploma from the Foundation for Montessori Education. She then went to school in Dublin, Ireland for a year and received her AMI Elementary Diploma from Mount St. Mary’s College. Renée worked in a Montessori school in Toronto for seven years before she came back to Oakville to raise her family. Renée has one Clanmore graduate and another daughter who currently attends Clanmore.

Gayle Barrow, BA, AMI, TMI
Upper Elementary Program Support
Gayle was born in Sunderland,  England.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Diploma in Assistants to Infancy (0 – 3 years) from the Association Montessori International Montessori Institute in Denver Colorado.  Gayle pioneered one of the first A.M.I. Toddler programs in Canada here at Clanmore and has presented at the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers’ conference in Toronto.  Gayle is also a graduate of the Toronto Montessori Institute and holds a diploma in Elementary Education.  Gayle is married and a mother of two young children, both of whom attend Clanmore. She has been part of  Clanmore since its beginnings.

Rachel Stewart
Upper Elementary Program Support, Music Specialist
Born in Edmonton, Alberta Rachel Stewart is a classically trained Soprano with advanced
degrees in Voice from both the University of British Columbia and the Manhattan School of
Music. Notable roles she has performed include Elle (La Voix Humaine), Cenerentola (La
Cenerentola), Dona Elvira (Don Giovanni), and Kate (Kiss me, Kate!). She premiered the role of
Amy in Stephen Chatman’s Choir Practice in 2015. In smaller roles, she has been involved with
over 25 different operatic and musical theatre productions. Before her higher education, Rachel
was heavily involved in the choral scene. She has apprenticed under Elaine Quilichini as an
assistant Choral Conductor. While relatively new to Montessori, she has a background in
different musical teaching styles such as Kodaly and ORFF. As a teacher, she is dedicated to
introducing students to diverse music from a variety of cultures, time periods, and genders
while having fun along the way. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and listening to
Podcasts.

Kate Barrack, BA, M.Ed., AMI
Middle School Program Co-ordinator, Language
Kate grew up in Houston, Texas and began her education at Pines Montessori School.  Before completing her B.A. in literature from the University of Houston at Clear Lake, she enjoyed working in many different roles, including a radio DJ, a graphic designer, and an independent tutor for children with special needs. Following graduation, she completed her Texas Teaching Certification for grades 4-8 and immediately joined a local public school as an 8th grade Pre-AP English teacher.  Over the following seven years, she met and married her Canadian husband and began her move to Toronto. Since 2012, Kate has completed the AMI primary diploma from Houston Montessori Institute, the AMI Adolescent Orientation in Australia and an M.Ed in Montessori through Loyola University. She has worked in both Montessori primary and elementary environments but specializes with adolescents. In her free time, Kate enjoys cycling and hiking around Ontario, practicing watercolour painting, and writing creative works.

Kristina Wright, BA, TMI, AMI
Middle School Program, Occupations and Math
Kristina grew up in Simcoe, Ontario.  She attended Carleton University in Ottawa where she attained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.  Upon graduating she taught English for three years in South Korea.  She completed her Primary and Elementary Montessori Diploma in 2000 and taught Lower Elementary for nine years.  In 2009 she completed the Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies in Cleveland, Ohio and has been teaching in an Adolescent Program since.  She was also the Supervisor of the Elementary program at her last school.  She now resides in Oakville with her husband and two daughters, one of whom attends Clanmore and the other who is a Clanmore graduate.

Karina Strohmayr, MEd, BEd, BFA
Middle School Program, Humanities
Karina was born and raised in New Brunswick and taught in the public system for 13 years. In New Brunswick, she received her Bachelor’s in Education and Fine Arts and then completed her Master’s in Education specialising in Inclusionary Studies before moving to Caledonia, Ontario in November of 2021. In New Brunswick, she taught Fine Arts, Culinary Arts, History, and French as a Second language at a Middle School and High School. Karina is currently working on her Upper Elementary Montessori training through CGMS. She is also a certified member with the Ontario College of Teachers. She currently lives in Caledonia, Ontario on a family farm where she helps care for pigs and chickens. Her goal is to eventually get a few horses, a beef cow, and perhaps some goats. Her passions include gardening, camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and canoeing or kayaking, pretty much anything involving nature!

Claudia Abraham
Physical Education Specialist
Claudia came to Canada from Germany in 2001. Prior to her immigration to Canada, she studied History, Political Science and Economics at the University of Hamburg and completed those with an M.A. (Magister Artium). Her first career was in advertising and marketing in Germany. After moving to Toronto she followed her passion for sports and fitness and achieved multiple certifications with Les Mills International and CanfitPro and taught for GoodLife Fitness across Toronto downtown. Claudia broadened her coaching across all age groups after moving to Oakville in 2005, providing Children’s Fitness coaching, as well as virtual classes for mature adults focusing on overall mobility and well-being. Claudia is certified as a Nutrition and Weight Loss Coach and gained her accreditation as a Sleep, Stress Management, and Recovery Coach early 2023. It is her aim to make movement and exercise joyful and achievable for all. Encouraging healthy habits and teaching a holistic understanding of movement, nutrition and recovery. She loves spending her free time active with her son and dog, enjoys travel, good food and time with friends, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Sabaa Bismil, Bachelor of Design (Illustration)
Art Specialist
Sabaa graduated from OCAD University with a Bachelors in Illustration, using her skillset in various ways – from freelance illustration to non-profit work, to teaching. She has a strong background in analog as well as digital art media, with a focus on drawing and painting, as well as narrative illustration. She’s excited to continue the commitment to art and creativity that Clanmore has fostered. While new to Montessori, she has experience working with students of all ages and believes strongly in student-centered learning, and providing an environment where children can try out new things and pursue their interests. Outside of work, she loves science fiction and fantasy, walking her dog, and dabbling in personal art projects.

Megan Kelly, B.A. (HONS)
Drama Specialist
Megan’s interest in the Performing Arts began at a young age, asking to be enrolled in
Musical Theatre Camps as young as 6 years old. Megan followed that passion through her life
all the way to the University of Toronto where she graduated with high honours from their
Theatre & Drama Studies program. Since then, Megan has had a career in Theatre as well as
Film/Television in Toronto and has taught drama at theatre groups like West End Studio
Theatre. Megan is excited to be diving further into teaching by joining Clanmore’s team, and
cannot wait to watch as the children expand their imaginations, build their confidence, and
hone important skills through Drama!

Anna Lafarge, BMOS
French Specialist
Anna is thrilled to have joined Clanmore as the French Specialist.  She was born and grew up in Paris, France, and studied Literature (ancient languages; Latin and Greek).  Anna graduated with a Bachelor of Management from European Management school Alliance Européenne and has been teaching French, from JK to grade 12, since I arriving in Canada in 2013.   She uses the AIM method which she feels combines very well with her high expectations while providing an interactive approach which makes the learning enjoyable for children and communication in French quickly attainable.  Anna lives in Hamilton with her husband and 5 children and she enjoys playing the Cello (graduated from Conservatory of Music of Orleans, France), reading and travelling with her family.

Cosima Grunsky Loranger, AMI (Casa Assistant Course)
Music Specialist
Singer, songwriter, business owner, artist and Montessorian
Cosima studied Fine Art at OCAD University in Toronto.  After her studies, she worked at the YMCA in Toronto with children ages 6 months to 6 years.  There she started a music and art program which laid the foundation for her business ‘Cozy Music’ and ‘Cozy Art’.  Her ‘Cozy Music’ programme is now included in the Prologue To The Performing Arts catalogue and has had her performing her show in schools all around Ontario for over a decade.  She was a Montessori student at the Toronto Island Montessori and has come full circle completing the AMI Montessori assistant course.  In her spare time, she writes songs, paints, and tours with her father Jack Grunsky.

Auxilliary Staff

Administrative Staff

Quotes From Parents About The Clanmore Staff

Said by a parent after reading the staff bios:  “. . . I was bowled over by the qualifications of the Clanmore Montessori teachers.  Such a richness, a wealth of expertise for my children.”

“It seems impossible that there could be a better group of teachers anywhere. Clanmore attracts high caliber teachers who demonstrate extraordinary commitment. . .

“The teachers plan great curriculum meetings”.

“There is great communication between staff and parents”.

 “Each child is treated as a unique being with unique needs – children are allowed to learn in the way that they learn best”.

“Staff teach the whole child – academic, emotional, creative, social”. 

“Proper manners and sensitivity towards others are modeled, expected and achieved”.

“Clanmore experiences low staff turnover – there is great staff loyalty”.

 “The staff inspires a love of learning – lifelong benefit”.

“The social curriculum at Clanmore has helped my children not only at school but also at home.”

“How teachers communicate with children is delighting to observe. They are constantly showing love and respect to them.”

“Here you see creative and intelligent teaching”.

 “Children speak to adults with ease regarding guidance, social issues, etc.”

 “Teachers create an environment that embraces collaboration where the learning process is interactive and fun”.

“Clanmore is a beautiful, enriched, safe and welcoming environment where each child is encouraged to meet his/her true individual potential.”

  “The staff is harmonious, unified, patient, loving and very adaptable.”

 “At Clanmore children are cherished.  The teachers are genuinely interested in them and treat them with respect and trust”

 “Teachers inspire a love of reading and an awe of language through the reading aloud and exploration of a rich variety of carefully selected literature”.

“. . . Just as parents choose Clanmore as the best place for their child’s education, we teachers chose Clanmore as the best place to work.  The sense of respect is evident throughout the entire community and we teachers have sought out Clanmore because of the special place that it is”.