About Westside Montessori School - Class Details and Staff
WMS has four classes for 3 to 6 year olds. Each class has 2 qualified Early Childhood (ECE) and Montessori Teachers. Weekly specialists, taught by specialized teachers, include Yoga, French and Music.
- are at least 30 months of age on their school start date, and
- are 36 months of age on December 31st of the year of entrance to the facility, and
- are potty-trained.
All classes are three hours a day and run from Monday to Thursday with an Enrichment Class for our 4 and 5 year-olds on Friday mornings. Class times as of September 2012 are:
8:45AM to 11:45PM 12:30PM to 3:30PM
JR KINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT: Fridays 8:45AM to 11:45AM KINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT: Fridays 8:30AM to 11:30AM
Please note: We offer three hour 4 - 5 day programs and do NOT have part-time, extended-day or before or after school care.
Arrival and Dismissal Times: The classroom doors open at the designated start times and allow for a ten minute arrival period. The children spend time outside at the end of their morning or afternoon session, rain or shine. There is a 15 minute window for pick-ups at the end of class time.
School Year: The school is open for 10 months of the year, from September to June. All statutory holidays are observed. WMS has a 3 week Winter Break and a 2 week Spring Break each year. We also run morning Summer Camps in July and August. Please see the Calendar tab for this school year's schedule of events.
Staff
Bettina Tioseco, Principal and Montessori Directress
Ms. Bettina is the Principal of Westside Montessori School, as well as the Lead Directress in the 1st Floor Classroom. She runs the Friday Morning Kindergarten Enrichment Program with Ms Garland. Bettina creates a warm, stimulating classroom environment and endeavors that her students beome independent learners with a love for school and for learning. Bettina has 10+ years of teaching experience. She spent half of her career teaching at International Schools in Shanghai and Beijing. In that time, she was awarded for 'Excellence in Education' by the China Welfare Institute, Shanghai. The culmination of Bettina's rich background in education, classroom expertise and administration experience make her a dynamic leader of our teaching team. Bettina is a fully qualified Early Childhood Educator, Montessori Directress and Elementary School Teacher.
Tasneem Khimani, Montessori Directress and Jr Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Tasneem has a long history with Westside Montessori. She joins WMS from Westside Montessori Academy, where she taught both the Casa (preschool) and the Kindergarten / Grade 1 Class. She has 7 years of experience teaching in Childcare and Montessori Centres. We are delighted to have her co-teaching in the 2nd Floor Classroom with Ms Portia. Together, they also run the Friday morning Jr. Kindergarten Program. Tasneem is a strong, yet calm and patient teacher with a wonderful sense of humour. She brings talent, energy and a naturally caring nature into her classes. Tasneem has her ECE Degree, Montessori Elementary training and is a Licenced and Certified Early Childhood Educator and Montessori Directress.
Portia Geczi, Montessori Directress and Jr Kindergarten Teacher
We are very pleased to have Ms. Portia as an integral part of Westside. She co-teaches in the 2nd Floor Classroom with Ms. Tasneem and they also teach the Jr. Kindergarten Program. She brings dedication, a passion for teaching and a positive, nurturing spirit into the classroom. Her affiliation with WMS started 25 years ago, when her mother, Pauline, taught at the school since it first opened in 1986. Portia's own Montessori journey began at the age of three when she went through Montessori preschool. Her daughter attended Westside for the full 3 year program and her son is a student at WMA. She has always been a supporter of the school and the Montessori methodology. Portia leads our year-long Practicum Students program is a fully qualified AMI Directress and Early Childhood Educator.
Garland Lam, Jr. Montessori Directress, Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher
Ms. Garland is the Junior Directress in the 1st Floor Classroom and teaches with Ms. Bettina. Together, they run the Friday Kindergarten Enrichment Program. Garland has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba and Early Childhood and Montessori Certification. She has 4+ years of experience in Montessori schools, was a Jr. Kindergarten Teacher at the Montessori Academy, Winnipeg and an instructor at 4Carts Art Studio. She is a talented, dynamic and committed teacher who adds a lot to our teaching team at Westside. We are thrilled that Garland has brought her inspiration and passion for Art to the school. She coordinates the weekly craft activities and the Artist Appreciation focus for each month.
Laura Rivere, Yoga Teacher
Ms. Laura is an experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and trained Kids Yoga instructor. She is a energetic, patient, adaptable and encouraging teacher. She enjoys creating a fun, inclusive and peaceful atmosphere in her yoga classes so that all present can experience a safe and beneficial practice. Laura creates thematic class plans, including fun games and music and teaches in response to the needs and abilities of the children in the moment. She loves engaging children through movement, and believes in the myriad of benefits yoga can have on those who practice. Laura has her BA from UBC and completed Yoga Outreach Teacher Training, Kids Yoga Teacher Training and Rizze Somatic Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training.
Anna Britton, French Teacher
Madame Anna joined our specialist staff team this year. Anna has a degree in French and has taught children of all ages, both in core (exposure) French and immersion settings. She has a BA in French from the University of California and did the Study Abroad Program, 5th Year Education Program at the University of Paris III. In small groups, the children are introduced to basic everyday French vocabulary and comprehension through thematic study, role-playing, singing, stories, and music. Anna incorporates games and creativity into her lessons, which makes French come alive in the small group sessions. Throughout the year, the children learn to develop listening and oral communication skills through the introduction of vocabulary, common phrases, and common language structures. The French curriculum is linked to the seasons, holidays and classroom themes.
Jennifer Kuhl, Music Teacher
Music plays an important role in the Preschool and Kindergarten curriculum and we are very pleased to have Ms. Jen as the primary Music Teacher. Jen is completing her BA at UBC and is very active in Musical Theatre, Dance and outreach projects. Jen has worked at WMS for several years, beginning as a Summer Camp instructor and has been the Music and Theatre teacher for 4+ years. In her classes, the children learn songs, rhymes, fingerplays and dances in a fun and dynamic way. Jen's classes are interactive and engaging and makes music come alive for the children, helping them build a love and appreciation for it. The Composer of the Month is presented in Music Class and continues in the classroom. (Ms. Jen is currently on-leave. Her sister, Ms Sarah is has taken over teaching while she is away).
Sarah Kuhl, Music & Summer Camp Teacher
Ms. Sarah teaches the Wednesday Music classes. From an early age, music has been an important part of her life and she is keen to share her knowledge and passion. Sarah has worked at the WMS Summer Camps for the past 5 years and is a familiar face to many students at the school. Last year, she worked at Westside Montessori Academy (WMA) at the Italian Cultural Centre, teaching Music and Theatre Arts classes. After finishing a year studying dance, Sarah is working towards finishing her BA at UBC. Being in university and out of the classroom for the past term, she felt drawn back to teaching and is happy to be working with children again. She will continue with the curriculum that Ms. Jen has devised, learning about composers, songs, rhymes, and dances in a fun and dynamic way, while helping to foster a love and appreciation for all kinds of music.