Teachers

Alemitu (Ally) Hill is a passionate educator who has been working with children professionally for the past 18 years. She pursued the education field and obtained an associate degree in early childhood education in 2013 and worked and taught preschool and pre-K settings at different institutions in the USA. She moved to Vancouver, BC from Seattle, WA and received the AMI primary certificate in 2016.

Education was very important in her family, and she knew from an early age that she wanted to be an educator. She has a natural ability to connect with children. Ally believes in Montessori’s philosophy and pedagogy approach to education for young children. Creating an environment for children that is enriching, which encourages curiosity, exploration and freedom of movement is critical towards their development. The prepared environment should lead towards bringing out each child’s innate potential. She is excited and looking forward to working at Monarch Montessori School with all the amazing teachers, children, and parents.

Lisa Hu is an enthusiastic early childhood educator serving as a Montessori teacher assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Education and ECE certification, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. With a passion for nurturing young minds, Lisa specializes in teaching math, Chinese, and art, creating engaging and enriching learning environments for children.

Her approach is grounded in fostering development through creative and interactive methods, ensuring that each child's educational experience is both meaningful and enjoyable. Lisa is dedicated to enhancing the learning journey of her students by incorporating her diverse background into her teaching practice.

Laura was born and raised in England, where she took her undergrad in dance, performance and teaching and then went on to study a postgrad in Education to peruse her passion in working with children. During her 3-year kindergarten teaching experience, Laura always dedicated herself to provide a nurturing, caring, and stimulating environment for children. Laura moved to Vancouver in 2022 and was introduced to the Montessori way which she was enthralled with therefore, she completed her AMI Training. She thoroughly enjoys watching children independently develop and thrive in their own unique way. Laura is joyous to be part of the Monarch Montessori team.

Anita completed her AMI Montessori Teacher Assistant training in 2018 after both her children went on to pursue their own aspirations. She joined the Montessori team three years ago, helping create teaching materials and keeping the school clean and safe. Anita respects the individuality of every child and enjoys working with their various characters. Her wish is for all the students to be able to have a safe environment in which to learn and play

Mouna was born and raised in Nice, France, where she worked as a school teacher.  In September 2021, she arrived in Vancouver with her family to start a new adventure. She loves to travel and discover new cultures and new languages. She is very enthusiastic to be a part of the team at Monarch Montessori and contribute to their development and learning. She fell in love with the Montessori method when her son attended the program in France. Mouna is passionate and focused on creating positive environments where children can learn and grow. She looks forward to sharing her passion for speaking French with the Monarch students. 

Born in Langley and currently residing in Vancouver, BC, Holly graduated from Langley Fine Arts School, where she majored in music. Her love for the art form led her to pursue a BMUS in Vocal Performance. In addition to her studies, Holly has worked in early education for the past three years. She is passionate about teaching music in the Montessori environment and firmly believes that it has the power to cultivate kind and empathetic children. Holly enjoys sharing unique and challenging music with children to foster curiosity and build musicianship in young minds.

Aimee Fan, also known as Jialing Fan, is a Montessori teacher from China with a deep passion for early childhood education. She earned her AMI Primary Certificate in Vancouver 2021 and is fluent in both Mandarin and English, allowing her to effectively support children’s language development. Aimee is known for her friendly demeanor, strong sense of responsibility, and collaborative spirit.

Her teaching philosophy is learner-oriented, focusing on tailoring the curriculum to meet each child's unique needs and interests while encouraging exploration. Aimee values understanding each child’s background to bridge the gap between their current knowledge and future goals. She is committed to fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation through teamwork with colleagues. Aimee is eager to build responsive and supportive partnerships with children, families, and fellow educators.

Rachel has completed her bachelor’s degree with a focus on Cultural Studies in 2021, after which she entered the field of early childhood education and discovered the Montessori method. Rachel finds great joy in interacting with children and has been truly amazed by how these little human beings thrive within a Montessori environment. She was particularly impressed by the interconnectedness of the Montessori curriculum areas and how the curriculum facilitates the development of independence, concentration, coordination and order within children. Driven by her passion, Rachel took her AMS training and has graduated recently. She is now thrilled to join the Monarch Montessori family. As a guide, she is excited to continue fostering the growth and development of young minds, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Isabella (Izzy) Burton has recently moved to Vancouver and is ready for a new adventure in Canada. She is originally from England, where she completed her university degree to become a Primary School Teacher. After getting her degree, Izzy worked in an English school for five years as class teacher. For three of those years, she worked in kindergarten. Izzy became an educator because she appreciates how much a child can achieve and grow within early childhood. She recognizes that early childhood sets children up with lifelong skills and understanding. Izzy wants to be a part of that journey for each unique child and help them thrive.  She is very excited to be a part of the Montessori team and to get to know all the children, families and teachers. 

 Cara is a passionate educator with experience in working with children and youth from toddlers to high schoolers since 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from UBC and specializes in supporting young children and students with neurodiverse needs. Dedicated to the Montessori method, Cara values its focus on child-centered, independent, and explorative learning.

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In her role as a Montessori assistant at Monarch Montessori, Cara collaborates with lead teachers to support children's developmental and educational needs, organizing activities and fostering an inclusive, community-based environment. She is committed to nurturing each child's unique learning journey and continually seeks opportunities for professional development to enhance her skills and bring enthusiasm to the classroom."
 

Denise is an arts professor with a major in sculpture and a Diploma in Set Design (Argentina). Her local work experience includes instructing Clay Sculpture and Immersion Art Start at Arts Umbrella, Art Summer Camps at Seymour Art Gallery, beArt After - School Art Programs at Lynnmour Creative Child Care Centre, JBCC and NSNH. Denise's passions are stimulating creativity and inspiring children to love art. In teaching the program, Denise has found that children produce more than just a painting or sculpture - they provide us with a glimpse of who they are.

Originally from Toronto, Lauren is currently pursuing her final year of studies in voice
and music education at the University of British Columbia. Her passion for teaching centres around encouraging young minds to explore, to think critically, and to allow their authentic selves to shine through in all they do. She strongly believes in the power of storytelling to spark imagination, cultivate community, and inspire a deep appreciation for the beauty in the world around us. With a profound love for all things arts, she is dedicated to fostering a fun, creative learning environment at Monarch where compassion and curiosity can flourish.