About
At Clanmore Montessori School we put the children first, every time. To do this successfully we need a team of wonderful teachers; teachers who are personally warm, observant, thoughtful, respectful, committed and very well trained. All of these characteristics are needed to do the exacting and delicate job of educating the children in their care. We are pleased to introduce you to our exceptional team of teachers, the people who work with your children every day:
SCHOOL OWNERS
Cathy Sustronk, BA, AMI
Cathy was born in Montréal, Québec. She came to Toronto and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. She attended Sheridan College, taking courses in Early Childhood Education and then graduated with an Association Montessori International Montessori Primary (3 – 7 years of age) diploma, where she studied under Renilde Montessori. Cathy is married and is the mother of two grown sons, both graduates of Clanmore. Cathy is also a founder of Clanmore Montessori School.
Grace Kidney, AMI
Grace was born in Dublin, Ireland. She attended Holy Child Convent and graduated from the AMI Montessori Teacher Training College, Sion Hill in 1975 (Primary level 3-6 years of age, Elementary level 6-9 years of age, and Benincasa Diploma – education for children with special needs). Grace has training in teaching Speech and Drama and Early childhood and Kodaly Music for Elementary children. She has travelled and worked in Asia, Europe, and North America. Grace is a past President of the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers, has presented at the annual Teachers’ Conference in Toronto and was for many years a surveyor for the CCMA Montessori schools accreditation programme. Grace is married and the mother of one daughter, a graduate of Clanmore. Grace is also a founder of Clanmore Montessori School.
OUR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Teaching Staff
Toddler Staff
Anna Ossott, Medico Cirujano diploma, AMI (Casa Assistant Course), TMI, ECE
Toddler Program
Anna was born, raised and educated in Caracas, Venezuela. She went to medical school and specialized in Pediatrics. In 2013, with her husband and five children, she moved to Canada and began a new life, one that came with many changes and challenges. Having her pediatric credentials certified in Canada represented a very long, complicated and uncertain route so, being that her passion has always been small children she decided to begin a new path in Early Childhood Education. Anna initiated her contact with the Montessori Environment in 2014 when she was fortunate enough to find her way to a ten-week placement at Clanmore. From that moment on her decision about getting into this new professional field became clear to her. She 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.
Danielle Barr, BA, ECE (in progress), AMI (Assistants Course)
Toddler 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.
Hillary Casalinuovo, RECE, MTC
Toddler Program (on maternity leave)
Hillary grew up in Alberta, and now resides in Burlington with her husband 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.
Cosima Grunsky Loranger, AMI (Assistants Course)
Music Specialist, Toddler Program Support
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.
Casa Staff
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.
Kim Ellis-Valicek, BA, TMI
Casa 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.
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.
Beatriz Narvaez, BA, AMI (Casa Assistant Course)
Casa Program Support, French Specialist
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Beatriz was fortunate enough to have lived and studied in Italy as a child, in France as a young adult, and as a post-graduate in North America. She is a proud mother of two children and aunt to 15 nieces and nephews. Beatriz graduated from University having studied Human Resources and completed post-graduate studies in Logistics Management. With a passion for teaching and a genuine love for children, she has had the wonderful experience of working with children aged 18 months to 15 years since she was young, and in Canada, since 2012.
Jaspreet (Jessy) Banwait, RECE, TMI
Casa Program Support
Jaspreet was born and raised in Oakville, Ontario with her family and dog, Max. She graduated
from Sheridan College’s Early Childhood Program and most recently from Toronto Montessori Institute’s Early Childhood Program. Her interests range from the Arts (painting and sketching) to watching documentaries about various topics such as Art History. She is excited to learn and grow with everyone at Clanmore!
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.
Lucy Salas, BA, MS c., AMI (Assistants Course)
Casa Program Support
Lucy was born in Caracas, 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. Recently she attended the Montessori Assistants course at AMI. Lucy has extensive experience working as Director Customer Service at Telefonica, one of the largest multinational telecommunications corporations in Europe & Latin America. She led and actively participated in instructional design for large customer experience training programs as well as corporate leadership development initiatives across the many geographies where Telefonica holds operations. In 2013, she moved to Oakville with her husband and 3 children. In 2016 she embarked upon a new career path, starting a partnership home daycare in Bronte Creek, Oakville. Since then, she developed her passion and enthusiasm to work with children. In 2018, Lucy was fortunate to find her way to Clanmore. Lucy has been working during the last 3 years with Upper Elementary and recently she was transferred to Toddler community. Lucy treasures her corporate experience in different countries as an asset in her teaching career. She is passionate about sports and music and has actively supported inclusion and diversity with more than 5 years of volunteering as a Manager at Oakville Choir for Children & Youth.
Hailey Marwick, Hon. BA, CYW, RECE, MTC (Casa Assistant Course)
Casa Program Support (on maternity leave)
Hailey was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario and recently moved to Burlington with her fiancé and dog, Luna. She graduated from Brock University with an Honours BA in Child and Youth Work and a minor in Sociology. Since then she has taken the Casa Assistant Course at MTC and finished her ECE diploma studies with St. Lawrence College. She has worked with both Casa and Toddler age groups for the past six years in a Montessori environment.
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.
Tarunya Gouthaman, BBM, MPR, AMI
Lower Elementary Program
Born and raised in India, Tarunya has a degree in Business Management and a post-graduate degree in Public Relations. She shifted careers to pursue her passion for teaching, trained with AMI at both the primary and elementary levels, and worked in Montessori schools across India and Canada for more than a decade. She feels every day is a fun learning experience for the children and herself! She loves traveling, cooking, yoga, and art.
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.
Daniel Manly, BA, M.S.Ed, CHRM, AMI
Upper Elementary Program
Daniel was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and has received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master’s of Science in Education, a Certificate of Human Resources Management and is a certified member of the Ontario College of Teachers. He has been teaching for over ten years throughout Ontario and has spent the last few years being a Montessori Middle School and Upper Elementary Director. Daniel has always injected his love of science and the written word into every lesson that he teaches. He is in the process of completing his AMI, Montessori certification. When he is not in school, he enjoys travelling, photography, movies, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Kate Barrack, BA, M.Ed., AMI
Middle School Program Co-ordinator, Vertical Team Lead, 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.
Daniel Manly, BA, M.S.Ed, CHRM, AMI (in progress)
Middle School Program Support, Humanities
Daniel was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and has received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master’s of Science in Education, a Certificate of Human Resources Management and is a certified member of the Ontario College of Teachers. He has been teaching for over ten years throughout Ontario and has spent the last few years being a Montessori Middle School and Upper Elementary Director. Daniel has always injected his love of science and the written word into every lesson that he teaches. He is in the process of completing his AMI, Montessori certification. When he is not in school, he enjoys travelling, photography, movies, reading and spending time with friends and family.
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!
Elaine Kerr-Morgan, Art Dip., Textile Design & Craftsman Dip.
Art Specialist
Elaine was born in Sarnia, Ontario. Her life passion has always been the creative process. She studied fine art at Lambton College and then at Sheridan College’s School of Craft and Design. She has taught art and craft for over 30 years in various settings, the past 21 in Montessori environments. Elaine longed for quality and diverse art programs as a child, so now endeavours to give that gift to the children she teaches today. Most recently Elaine joined the Casa staff as an assistant. She has assumed responsibility for developing and presenting an art programme to the children of the Casa classes, as well as the Elementary and Middle School children.
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.
Physical Education Specialist
Founder and Director of Rybak Sports Academy (RSA), Jason Rybak has been providing curriculum-enhanced Physical Education programs to the independent school sector across the Greater Toronto Area since 2003. Over his career, Jason has developed his patented Physical Education philosophy: The Rybak Method – Foundational Phys. Ed. through Fiction, which he shares and models at a wide variety of independent teachers’ colleges (i.e. MTC – Montessori Teachers College), professional conferences (i.e. CAMT – Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers), and workshops across Ontario, specifically within the Montessori Community. Jason provides leadership development programs, a wide spectrum of after-school and lunch programs, martial arts training, and women’s self-defence workshops. Serving as Sports & Adventure Camps Program Director at Appleby College Summer Camps since 2013, Jason commits his full year and career to Physical Education, active living and mindful movement. Having studied at University of Ottawa, University of Victoria and Brock University, Jason received Coaching Certification in Rugby, Track and Field, Baseball, Softball, Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Personal Training. He is a black belt in karate and jujitsu and has been training in martial arts for over 30 years. Jason is a proud member of the Beaches Community, an active player in the Ontario Marshall Premiership Rugby Division, with the Balmy Beach Rugby Club, and a proud father of two amazing children.
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.
Auxilliary Staff
Azza Daba, MA SpEd, CIT/AOGPE, SLI/CERI, OCELT
Educational Consultant
Azza Daba started out her career in the special education field almost 20 years ago. Through her work, she became fascinated by remedial pedagogy, especially language and literacy acquisition, and went on to specialize in dyslexia. Being bilingual has also given her the opportunity to study the differences between two orthographies, which has led to her deeper appreciation of the cognitive and linguistic demands of learning a language and its writing system. Azza has a master’s degree in Special and Inclusive Education, an Associate level certification as an Orton-Gillingham Practitioner and is also an IDA certified Structured Literacy Interventionist as well as an Ontario Certified English Language Teacher. As a life-long learner, Azza continues to actively seek further insight by staying informed about recent research, attending conferences, and workshops. She has experience as a mainstream classroom teacher, a remedial educator and an English as a second language teacher. She enjoys serving on the board of the Ontario branch of The International Dyslexia Association (ONBIDA) and passionately believes that all educators should be informed about evidence-based practices to help provide struggling students with a fair chance to succeed in their education.
Bev Galway, Liaison College
Catered Lunch
Bev is a graduate of Liaison College in Oakville, a college dedicated exclusively to training in the culinary arts, under the direction of Red Seal Chef Mark Duncan. Her training included the National Food Safety Training Program certified by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association. Bev has also completed the AMI (Association Montessori International) Teaching Assistant’s course.
Lesley Hillis, B.Com., AMI (Casa Assistant Course)
Afterschool Program
Lesley was born & raised in Montreal, Quebec. She moved to Oakville, Ontario as a teenager and graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours degree in Commerce & Economics. She worked various roles in financial services until her daughter was born. She stayed at home with her 2 children for 18 years and during that time, she actively participated in the community and her children’s schools by volunteering in the classroom, assisting with reading programs, organizing fundraising activities, and parent council. She discovered her passion for working with children when she started working at the nursery school her son attended here in Oakville. She is excited to become a part of the Clanmore team as an extension of the community where she lives. She enjoys cooking, reading and yoga.
Wendy McCrae
Catered Lunch / Kitchen Program Co-ordinator
Wendy was born in Glasgow, Scotland and was raised in a small village called Tighnabruaich, Argyll, Scotland. Wendy graduated from Clydebank College, Scotland in catering and hotel management. Wendy’s love of children inspired her work for the past 20 years caring for children, including a two-year position as a nanny in Germany. Wendy moved to Canada in 1997. Recently she availed of the opportunity to attend the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto and has earned a diploma in teaching assistance.
Administrative Staff
Leslie Austin, Hon. BA, AMI
Policy and Finance Co-ordinator
Leslie grew up in Mississauga and the Caledon area. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and German literature from the University of Western Ontario with one year of studies spent at the University of Nice, France. Leslie began teaching in 1994. She holds an Association Montessori Internationale Casa diploma and has completed the NAMTA Montessori Whole School Management course. She taught at private schools in Nobleton and Ottawa before coming to Oakville. Leslie and her husband are the proud parents of two Clanmore graduates.
Elaine Delsnyder, AMI
Admission Co-ordinator
Elaine was born, raised and educated in Regina, Saskatchewan. She has a diploma in Early Childhood Education and a diploma from Association Montessori International Foundation for Montessori Education, where she studied under Renilde Montessori (3-7 years of age). In addition to many years’ teaching experience, Elaine has enormous experience in the field of children’s drama and performing arts. Elaine is a founder of Clanmore Montessori School.
Anne Mercer, LL.B., AMI
Communication Co-ordinator, Casa Program Representative
Anne was born in Toronto. After studying Political Science at McMaster University and Business Administration at Ryerson University, Anne received a law degree from York University and an Association Montessori International primary diploma (3-7 years of age) from the Foundation for Montessori Education in 2000. Anne has taught in Casa classrooms in Toronto and at Clanmore, and has lived in Vienna, Prague, and Calgary. She enjoys sports, travel, the out-of-doors, and the arts.
Veronika Overton, Hon. B. Comm., TMI
Event Co-ordinator and Administration and Middle School Support
Veronika was born in Toronto and raised in Beamsville, Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree specializing in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Guelph. Veronika studied the AIM method of teaching French as a second language and has taught all levels of the Elementary School. She has also assisted in the Lower Elementary room teaching spelling/Spalding and spent 3 years as the Elementary PE teacher. In 2008 Veronika joined the pre-school staff in the toddler community and in 2010 acquired her Infant/Toddler diploma from TMI. Veronika also assists with special events within the school. She is the mother of two amazing Clanmore graduates.
Angela Patient, BA, AMI
Toddler Co-ordinator, Toddler Program Representative
Angela was born in Georgetown and raised in London, Ontario. She studied Sociology at Brock University and has two AMI Diplomas from the Montessori Institute of San Diego, Primary (Casa) and Assistants to Infancy (Infant/Toddler). She was the Supervisor of Early years at the YMCA of Oakville and developed Steps and Stages, free programs for parents with children prenatal to six. She is a certified Infant Massage instructor and is married with two children, both of whom attend Clanmore.
Elvira Vincent De Paul, B.A, RECE, AMI (Assistants Course)
Reception and Administration and Supply Support
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.
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”.
