Bettina Tioseco
Principal / Montessori Teacher

Ms Bettina is the dynamic Head of Westside Montessori School. As a true believer in the importance of a Montessori education for children, Ms Bettina had a clear vision when she took over WMS in 2011. With over twenty years of Montessori experience in Canada and at International Schools in Shanghai and Beijing, Ms Bettina has created vibrant and inspiring classroom environments at WMS. Ms Bettina is one of the few Montessorians who is a certified Montessori Guide for children from birth to the age of twelve with a strong understanding of the continuum of child development. She is a highly qualified and experienced Early Childhood Educator, Montessori Casa  (ages 3 - 6) and Montessori Elementary I and II (ages 6-12) Teacher. She also holds her Independent School Teaching Certificate (ISTC) in British Columbia. Ms Bettina is committed to developing confident, independent, mindful students with a love of school and a joy for learning. The teaching team that Ms Bettina has curated at WMS are often referred to as "The Dream Team." In addition to being Head of School, Ms Bettina teaches with Ms Mischa in the First Floor Classroom and co-teaches the Friday Kindergarten Enrichment Program.

Portia Geczi
Montessori Teacher

Ms Portia has a long history with Montessori beginning her journey at the age of three as a Montessori student herself. She gave the gift of a Montessori Education to her own children and shares this spirit as a teacher in our Second Floor Classroom. Ms Portia brings dedication, a passion for teaching and a positive, nurturing manner to the school. She has been a part of Westside Montessori School family since it began 30 years ago, when her mother co-taught the very first class at Westside. Ms Portia's first role at WMS was as an Educational Assistant in 2008 - 2009. After spending a year inside the classroom she was inspired to take the Montessori Casa Training Program for ages 3-6 offered by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Training Centre here in BC. Ms Portia began working as a fully qualified Montessori Teacher and Early Childhood Educator in 2010 and currently leads the Friday Junior Kindergarten Program with Ms Tina. In addition to her role in the classroom, Ms Portia is also the coordinator for both local and international practicum students at WMS.

Victoria Wedgbury
Elementary Montessori Teacher 

Ms Victoria has been a Montessori Elementary teacher for more than ten years. Originally from Toronto, she attended McMaster University from which she graduated with two Bachelor of Arts Degrees, one in English and one in History. After witnessing the amazing learning environment created in a Montessori classroom, Ms Victoria felt inspired to complete her Toronto Montessori Teacher Training (TTI) Elementary I and II, qualifying her to teach ages 6 - 12. In 2001, Ms Victoria moved to Vancouver and worked in two Montessori elementary schools before joining the Westside staff in 2012. As a committed educator and a certified Association Montessori International (AMI) Montessori Assistant, she has brought her vast experience and expertise to our school these past several years. Ms Victoria is excited to transition back into the elementary classroom at WMS. Ms Victoria also holds her Independent School Teaching Certificate (ISTC) in British Columbia. 

Garland Lam Turner
Montessori Teacher 

Ms Garland is a talented and engaging Montessori Teacher in our First Floor Classroom. Along with co-teaching the Friday Kindergarten Enrichment Program, Ms Garland has developed a rich Art curriculum to enhance students' appreciation and understanding of classical and modern artists and their work. Based on her own expertise as an artist and her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba, her Art curriculum is a highlight for all of the students at WMS and WMS Elementary. She is a certified Early Childhood Educator and Montessori Teacher for children ages 3 - 6. Ms Garland also holds her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori Assistant Certificate from the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia. She is working towards completion of her American Montessori Society (AMS) Elementary I Credential (for ages 6 - 9). (Currently on Maternity Leave.)

Tina Nguyen
Montessori Teacher

Ms Tina is a warm, vibrant and caring Montessori and Early Years teacher. She was first introduced to Montessori when she visited WMS over a decade ago and fell in love with both the pedagogy as well as the school. After graduating from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Casa Program (ages 3 - 6) at the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia in 2016, Ms Tina was invited to join the teaching team at WMS. Ms Tina is a natural fit as the co-teacher in the Second Floor Classroom, having the same Montessori training as her co-teacher, Ms Portia. Together, Ms Tina and Ms Portia teach our Friday Junior Kindergarten Enrichment Program where they focus on phonological development and written output with their students. Ms Tina's commitment to the Montessori method extends to her home environment where she raises her two children the Montessori way. ​

Mischa Taylor
​Montessori Teacher

Ms Mischa has been part of the Westside family for over a decade. Her daughter, Sophie, was just three years old when Ms Mischa brought her for her first day of school in 2006, followed by her second daughter Eva in 2008 and son Luca in 2010. Having always loved WMS, Ms Mischa did not hesitate when the opportunity arose to cover Ms Garland's maternity leave in the First Floor Classroom for the 2017 - 2018 school year. Ms Mischa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education degree from UBC. She is certified in Early Childhood Education and holds her Early Childhood Montessori Casa Diploma for children ages 3 - 6. Ms Mischa also holds her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori Assistant Certificate from the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia. 

Paola Tioseco
Administrator

Ms Paola is instrumental in her role as our school administrator. With over a decade of experience as an elementary school teacher and two years as preschool educator Ms Paola brings a wealth of experience to WMS. Aside from ensuring that our day-to-day program runs seamlessly, Ms Paola uses her passion for teaching to bring cohesion and a clear vision to the team. She enriches the literary experiences of the Extended Day Kindergarten students through her daily lunchtime read alouds. Ms Paola holds a current teaching certificate with the BC College of Teachers, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Family Studies, a Bachelor of Education Degree from UBC, a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies from SFU, an Early Childhood Education Assistant Certificate and an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori Assistant Certificate from the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia. 

Leslie Pashby
Casa French Teacher

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

Chloé Hurst
Orff Music Teacher

Ms Chloé has been part of the WMS family since 2010. We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented music educator teaching the Orff Program for our Core Montessori, Friday Enrichment, and Montessori Elementary classes. The Orff Program 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. Ms Chloé's extensive musical experiences include piano mastery, opera singing worldwide and music theory. She holds both a Bachelor and a Masters of Music degree from UBC. Ms Chloé is also the Head of Early Music Education at the Vancouver Academy of Music.

Tanya Chernov
Casa Yoga Teacher

Ms Tanya has been a part of the WMS family since 2016 when she first enrolled her daughter at Westside. An avid yogi and certified yoga instructor, Ms Tanya brings over fifteen years of experience to her role as a Yoga Specialist Teacher at WMS. She taught a yoga kids camp at Bikram Yoga on Commercial Drive as well as volunteered her time to lead yoga sessions at Seymour Elementary for First and Second Grade students for over four years. Ms Tanya embraced the volunteer yoga classes with enthusiasm and a deep respect for the children she worked with. We are thrilled to welcome Ms Tanya to the WMS teaching team and are confident that her calm, nurturing spirit will guide the children naturally towards a loving freedom of movement.