Bettina Tioseco
Principal / Montessori Teacher

Bettina is the dynamic Head of Westside Montessori School. She holds twenty years of Montessori experience, half of which was enriched at International Schools in Shanghai and Beijing. She is a qualified and experienced Early Childhood Educator, Montessori Guide and Elementary School Teacher. Having worked at WMS for five years, Bettina had a clear vision when she took over in 2011. She works with a group of dedicated teachers who a parent refers to as "The Dream Team." Bettina is committed to developing confident, independent, mindful students with a love of school and a joy for learning. Bettina co-teaches with Ms Mischa in the 1st Floor Classroom and together they teach the Friday Kindergarten Enrichment Program.

Portia Geczi
Montessori Teacher

Portia has a long history with Montessori beginning her journey at the age of three as a Montessori student. She gave the gift of a Montessori Education to her own children and shares this spirit as a teacher in our 2nd Floor Classroom. Portia brings dedication, a passion for teaching and a positive, nurturing manner to the school. She has been a part of WMS since it began 30 years ago, when her mother co-taught the first class. Portia has taught at Westside for several years following the graduation of her daughter from our 3-year program. She is a qualified Association Montessori International (AMI) Guide and Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher. Portia leads the Friday Junior Kindergarten Program with Ms Tina.

Victoria Wedgbury
Elementary Montessori Teacher 

Victoria is looking forward to returning from maternity leave to teach the Elementary Program. She is a warm and passionate teacher who makes wonderful connections with the children in her classes. She is a committed educator who has brought her vast experience and expertise to our school these past several years. She brings her Montessori practice into her home as she raises both her children the Montessori way. She is originally from Toronto, where she completed her studies at the Toronto Montessori Teacher Training Institute. Ms Victoria also holds two Bachelor of Arts Degrees, one in English and one in History from McMaster University.

 Garland Lam Turner
Montessori Teacher

Garland is a talented and engaging educator who adds a great deal to our teaching team at Westside. She is a Montessori Guide in the 1st Floor Classroom and co-teaches the Friday Kindergarten Enrichment Program. Garland holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba and is a Montessori and Early Childhood Teacher with more than nine years of experience in Montessori schools. Garland’s passion and inspiration for Art have enriched our program immensely with her weekly craft activities and monthly artist appreciation focus. She also oversees our very popular Summer Camp morning program. ​

Tina Nguyen
Montessori Teacher

Tina is a warm, vibrant and caring Montessori and Early Years teacher. She was first introduced to Montessori when she visited the school over a decade ago and fell in love with both the pedagogy and WMS. Tina is a natural fit as the co-teacher in the 2nd Floor classroom, having the same Montessori background as Ms Portia, both being AMI (Association Montessori International) Guides. Together they teach our Friday Junior Kindergarten Enrichment Program. Her commitment to the Montessori method extends to her home environment where she raises her two children the Montessori way. ​

Paola Tioseco
Administrator

Paola is instrumental in her role as our school administrator. With over a decade of experience as an elementary school teacher and two years working at a preschool, Paola brings a wealth of experience to WMS. Aside from ensuring that our day-to-day program runs seamlessly, Paola uses her passion for teaching and literacy to bring cohesion and a clear vision to the team. She enriches the literacy experience of the Extended Day Kindergarten students through her daily lunchtime read alouds. Paola holds a teaching certificate with the BC College of Teachers, a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Education Degree from UBC and a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies from SFU. 

Chloé Hurst
Orff Music Teacher

Chloé has taught the Orff Program for our regular and enrichment classes over the last six years. We are very fortunate to have her as our Specialist Music Teacher who brings the Orff Music approach to the learning experience at WMS. This method taps into children’s natural instincts to make music through active participation. The children learn by constantly creating music: playing instruments, improvising, moving and singing. Early musical training helps develop areas of the brain involved in language, reasoning and problem-solving. Chloé's extensive musical experiences include piano mastery, opera singing worldwide and music theory with both a Bachelor and Masters of Music degrees from UBC. She is the Head of Early Music Education at the Vancouver Academy of Music.

Leslie Pashby
French Teacher

Leslie is our wonderful French Specialist teacher, a valued member of the Westside Montessori School team. Leslie began with WMS as a dedicated parent in 2011. Both her daughters each spent three years with WMS and Leslie was thrilled that it was her turn to attend the school. Leslie holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario. She brings with her years of varied teaching experience and expertise to give student an exposure to the French language. Leslie's classes are full of enthusiasm and energy resulting in many children remarking that French class is their favourite. ​

Mischa Taylor
Yoga Teacher

Ms Mischa has been a part of WMS since 2006 when her eldest daughter began at Westside.  Since then she has worn many hats at the school including Teacher on Call, Education Assistant, Camp Teacher, Support Staff, and most recently, as our Yoga Specialist Teacher.  She is a qualified Early Childhood Educator with her Bachelor of Education from UBC. Mischa brings a calm, nurturing spirit into her Yoga classes as well a loving freedom of movement.