STAFF

Elana Simaitis

Elana holds her infant/toddler certification from the M.A.C.T.E accredited Montessori Teachers College and is currently working on her AMI Assistants to Infancy Training from Montessori Training Centre B.C.  Post-Secondary studies include the Applied Music Program at Mohawk College and Brock University for Classical Voice studies. Elana discovered the joy of working with young children while teaching music for 12 years. Many people over the years told her Montessori would be a great fit for her values and love of children. After several years of owning a music school and café she finally took the plunge and has never looked back. Elana is a regular guest lecturer at the Montessori Teacher’s College lecturing on Music. Elana considers it an honor to work with the youngest children in their most important years of their development.

Kelly Tiernay

Kelly was born and raised in Burlington and studied music at both Mohawk College and McMaster University, while performing solo and with orchestras in the GTA. After obtaining an applied music diploma and a BA in music Kelly began teaching flute, piano, Kindermusik and Musikgarten in a variety of daycare centers and private schools, but was especially drawn to the Montessori philosophy she encountered at one of these schools. Kelly completed the Infant/Toddler Assistant course at MTC, and the AMI Casa Assistant Training at the Foundation for Montessori Education. She has worked in both YCC and Casa environments, as well as teaching music at the YCC, Casa and Lower Elementary level. Kelly and her fiancée live in Ancaster and have 3 children enrolled at DVMS in the Casa and Elementary levels.

Lauren Majowicz

Holding an AMI diploma at the 0-3 level, Lauren has spent over 15 years as a Guide in Young Children’s Community environments throughout the GTHA. Central to her teaching practice is a commitment to offering the young child real work opportunities that build community while feeding the soul.  Lauren is currently completing her Masters of Montessori Education while raising two wonderful adolescent boys.

Becky Costigan

Becky started at DVMS as a Supply Guide in Jan 2023 and fell in love with the programs and us with her in turn. She joined the YCC team full-time in September 2023, and we’re thrilled to have her. Becky has two girls, one in Upper El and one in Strata this year. She was born and raised in Dundas and is currently still living in town with her husband and girls. Becky and her family have been members of the DVMS community since 2015. Becky has her Honours degree in gerontology from the University of Guelph. She is really loving working in YCCS with the opposite end of the aging spectrum. Becky enjoys all things renovations and houses and enjoys her cottage on Georgian Bay in the summer months.

Isis Ramirez-Khokhar

Isis has graduated from being a rover, multi purpose staff member, to playing an integral part in our our YCC community. She’s our youngest staff, but has lots of practice with caregiving as she has 4 younger sisters and has always been a great example and big part in their upbringing. Isis plays trombone, trumpet, and French horn in 3 different bands. She’s started her ECE program at Mohawk College and has her AMI 0 - 3 and 3-6 year old assistant training.

Ava Moretti

Ava recently completed her ECE (Early Childhood Education) diploma at Mohawk College in April of 2024 which is how she came to know all the kind and lovely people at DVMS through her final placement. When she first discovered the YCC program, she had her eyes opened to a whole new way of working with children. In public elementary school, at the age of 8, she was asked to lunch monitor for the younger grades which is where she found her love of children and has been finding various ways to work with them ever since.

In June of 2024, Ava completed her AMI Orientation (formerly Assistants Certificate) for ages 0-3 and will be working in YCCS where she will continue to find joy in children who always put a smile on her face by telling the blunt truth.

CASA

Charlotte MoffatT

Charlotte discovered the Montessori philosophy while teaching an art class at the art gallery in her hometown of Grimsby. The local Montessori school came for one of her classes. As so many of us are Charlotte was inspired by the children’s independence and desire to learn. After reading more about the Montessori philosophy Charlotte received her AMI 3-6 training at the FME in Toronto in 2015. From there Charlotte had the opportunity to be the lead guide at schools in NYC and London England. She is absolutely thrilled to call Casa South and DVMS her second home. She lives in East Hamilton with her partner Mark.

Juliet Paul

Juliet has worked as a French assistant in a Casa classroom for 4 years and fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. She has acquired her TMI 3-6 Assistant certification as well as her AMI Elementary Assistant certification, and is looking forward to further Montessori education. Juliet loves spending her time outdoors paddleboarding and hiking, reading, painting and playing board games with friends! She was born and raised in Montreal and is a proud French tutor. Juliet is thrilled to be joining the wonderful community at DVMS which already includes her brother and mother!

Delta Conchas

Hello, my name is Delta and I hold AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Montessori teacher certifications at the Assistants to Infancy (0-3), Primary (3-6) and  Elementary (6-12) age levels. I also studied a course for Montessori for  Ageing and Dementia from the Maria Montessori Institute in London, England. I am currently broadening my early childhood education knowledge through various courses. My passions are children, studying and karate.

I have more than  20 years of experience in early childhood at different age levels, I have my own two adult children and I have co-owned a Montessori School in Mississauga. I am very excited to have joined DVMS two years ago as a Young Children’s Community guide and now as a Casa guide in Casa East. I am looking forward to many years with this wonderful community of colleagues, children and parents.

HELEN LUND

Helen's biggest joy in life was raising her two amazing children -  James and Charlotte. Helen enjoys yoga, reiki, single shell rowing in Jordan Harbour, adventurous travel and walking in nature. Helen feels lucky to be surrounded by the children everyday. Helen is an AMI trained Casa assistant with 8 years experience.

Jenn Green

Having a university background in French, Jenn had been told for years to “get into teaching”; however, the public school system never really appealed to her. She had first heard about Montessori education upon returning from a 2-year stay living in Montréal. Do you know when everything just seems to fall into place so perfectly? That's how it's been for Jenn ever since she started pursuing a career in Montessori education. As of the summer of 2021, Jenn is AMI certified as an assistant for ages 0-3 and 3-6. In her spare time, Jenn loves hanging out with her cat, Franklin, and practising mindfulness through yoga and meditation.

Katie Sullivan

Katie was born and raised in Ancaster, Ontario. From an early age, she exhibited a love of learning, which naturally led her into exploring education as a career and passion. She studied at Brock University, completing her BA along with a Bachelor of Education, realizing early on that she wanted to engage with education in a unique way. Introduced to Montessori education after the birth of her first child, she has been dedicated to learning and growing ever since. With several years experience as a Casa Assistant and the completion of her 3-6 AMI Assistant Training in 2019, she is excited to contribute to the exceptional team at DVMS. Katie resides in East Hamilton with her husband and two children and spends her time outdoors in nature whenever she can. 

Claire McCallum

Claire first discovered the Montessori philosophy through her journey as a parent at DVMS, and it was love at first sight. She was immediately drawn to its peaceful and intentional approach to learning and child development. 

After gaining hands-on experience as a supply guide in both the YCC and Casa environments, Claire officially joined the DVMS team in September 2025. She has completed AMI assistants courses for ages 0–3, 3–6, and 6–12, enriching her understanding and deepening her appreciation for the Montessori philosophy at every stage of child development.

With over 12 years of experience in the art and design world, Claire holds a Bachelor of Design from OCAD University and brings a creative eye and a passion for purposeful design to everything she does. Outside the classroom, you’ll often find her treasure hunting for antiques, curled up with a good book, or off on an outdoor adventure with her family.

LOWER ELEMENTARY

Noeleen Gibbons

Noeleen has been with DVMS as Lower Elementary Guide since 2010. After graduating York University with a BA in History, Noeleen completed her Montessori Training with Toronto Montessori Institute, receiving her Casa, Lower, and Upper Elementary Diplomas. She has also participated in the AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies and has her AMI Montessori for Aging and Dementia certificate. Over the years, Noeleen has worked in Toronto (her classroom was housed in what was once the Eaton’s family indoor swimming pool!) and beautiful Bermuda, where she was a guide and Elementary Program Coordinator.

Two Truths and a Lie:

-she is happily married and has two incredible teenage daughters that attended DVMS and Strata

-she loves earl grey tea, dogs, sun shiny days, and the mighty Boston Red Sox

-her mum attended a Montessori school as a child and met Dr Montessori

(Just kidding, no lies here all truths!)

Lauren MacKenzie-Pratt

Lauren joined the Lower Elementary crew at DVMS in 2021. She holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Education. Before becoming part of the DVMS community, Lauren worked in Montessori classrooms in Oakville, Toronto, and Salem, Oregon. She discovered Montessori while pursuing a career in public education and was deeply struck by what she saw in Montessori children—peaceful conflict resolution, emotional maturity, and a profound respect for themselves and the world around them. This experience inspired her to fully embrace the Montessori method.

Lauren went on to complete her AMI Elementary training at Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon, and earned her Master’s in Education through Loyola University of Maryland. She is particularly interested in the role of mindfulness within Montessori pedagogy and in supporting children with exceptionalities. It is not only a joy for Lauren to guide children through their 6–9 years—it is a true honour and privilege to witness their curiosity, and transformation each day. Outside the classroom, you can find her on a trail, in a yoga class, or adventuring with her family.

Sam Joyce

Sam grew up in Oakville and moved to Toronto to complete a BFA in Performance Production from Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

Following university, Sam worked at various arts companies. Her favourite jobs included planning and managing the education and performance tour of Pimooteewin, a Cree language opera, traveling throughout Northern Ontario, as far as Moosonee, Moose Factory and Red Lake; taking Gameshow The Musical to the Toronto Fringe Festival and then Best of the Fest; R. Murray Schafer's The Children's Crusade, a roving opera performed in an empty warehouse; and Rufus Wainwright's opera Prima Donna.

She worked as an Event Coordinator at Yonge Dundas Square before her oldest was born and she committed to being a parent full time.  

In 2021, looking for the ideal school for her three children, Sam and her family moved to Dundas to attend DVMS.  

Sam was thrilled to be asked to join the DVMS community as a YCC and Casa substitute in 2023 and is excited to start her full time adventure in Lower Elementary. 

Sam loves gardening, biking with her kids, camping and spending time with her dog, Birdie. 

Jenny MacInnes

Jenny first discovered the Montessori philosophy when exploring education options for her eldest child.  During an observation of a Casa classroom, she fell in love with the atmosphere and environment, realizing it was the perfect fit for her family.  After years of being part of the Montessori community as a parent, Jenny decided to broaden her understanding of the philosophy by completing the AMI 0-3 Orientation training, and is currently set to complete the AMI 6-12 Orientation course this year.  Since January 2024, Jenny has enjoyed working as a supply guide at DVMS as well as other Montessori schools across the region and is thrilled to now be joining the DVMS team full-time.  

Jenny lives in Hamilton with her husband and three children, and enjoys spending time outdoors, travelling and getting lost in a good book.

UPPER ELEMENTARY

Catherine Warne

Catherine Warne is a Montessori guide in the Upper Elementary environment. Over the past ten years, she has been fortunate enough to work in almost every level at DVMS. Catherine completed her Montessori Elementary training at the Toronto Montessori Institute. Catherine also holds a BA in Anthropology from McMaster University, was raised in Dundas, and spent her primary years at Central Park public elementary school, which is now Dundas Valley Montessori School. She now resides in Hamilton with her partner and two children. When she is not working, you can most likely find her on a trail enjoying the natural world.

Catherine Reipas

Catherine Reipas has over 30 years of experience working with children of all ages. She entered the Montessori world in 1999 and spent 13 years as a lower elementary guide in Oakville. In 2002 Catherine took a little detour to own and operate a Montessori-inspired art studio for children. Truly missing the classroom and the school environment she returned as a supply at DVMS. In this role, she was able to work in almost every environment and meet almost every child. This role allowed her to get a real understanding of how special DVMS is and made her want to join the team in a more permanent role. Catherine resides in Oakville with her husband, 2 children and beloved dog. She takes every opportunity to escape to her ‘CAMP-NOT COTTAGE’ near her hometown in Northern Ontario.

Joanna Blackwell

Joanna is a Dundas native who knew from her earliest days that her career would ultimately involve two things: teaching and dance. Making this dream a reality has been her lifelong pursuit in every sense of the word. A childhood devotion to ballet flourished and evolved, and ultimately brought her to the creative pulse that is Montreal. While completing her undergraduate degree in Contemporary Dance at Concordia University, Joanna worked as a ballet teacher at a local Montessori school. Inspired by both the method and by her young students, she decided to pursue her Elementary Teachers’ Diploma at the Toronto Montessori Institute.

Since 2002, she has enjoyed the opportunity to teach at both the elementary and adolescent levels in Oakville and Hamilton. As an educator, she believes that dance and the performing arts can play an important role in a young person’s development. She carried this belief forward in running a successful theatre and film summer camp that operated in Westdale for 20 years and has now reopened at DVMS.

Alicia Looyenga

Alicia has worked in a wide variety of elementary educational models, both public and alternative, for many years before receiving her 6-12 elementary training in Montessori.  She is currently teaching French in the Upper Elementary classrooms, as well as other subject material integrated with artful follow-ups.   Alicia enjoys hiking the trails of Hamilton with her four children and has been practicing her painting skills with daily, tiny paintings. 

Anne Prat-Kalonji

Anne was born and raised in Normandy, France, before moving to Canada in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Caen and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Poitiers, where she focused on the protection of children in times of international conflict. Though her academic background is in law, Anne found her true calling in Montessori education, where she now works to create peace through children’s learning. She has served as both a French assistant and French specialist in Hamilton, earned the AMI 6–12 Orientation Certificate, and completed her AMI Elementary Diploma at the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia.

A proud mother of four daughters, Anne enjoys sharing her love of dancing, crafting, and cooking, and together they also care for their dog and four cats — a joyful household that reflects the French proverb « quand on aime, on ne compte pas » (“when one loves, one doesn’t count”). She is delighted to join the DVMS family and looks forward to contributing to its vibrant community.

Colin Fox

Colin followed his kids to DVMS in 2017.
He teaches gym with the belief that game play as a social experiment makes us better humans. 

In the summer you can find Colin on a mountain bike or in a canoe.

CULINARY PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Brad Davis

Brad is very excited to start a new adventure as Culinary Program Coordinator at DVMS. Cooking and baking have been a passion of his since childhood where he would bake cookies and other creations with his mother.  This early connection to the kitchen sparked a lifelong journey of learning new ways to make delicious things. Having spent the last six years as an AMI certified assistant in both Casa and YCC communities, he is eager to see these two loves merge. Brad is also a graduate of the George Brown Community Worker Program. When he isn’t thinking about food, he is probably thinking about music. He lives in Hamilton with his wife Joanne and his cat Martin Hannett, who unfortunately is a biter. 

LEARNING RESOURCE

Mairi Achong

Mairi Achong is the Learning Resource Specialist at DVMS. She was bitten by the Montessori bug when her little sister attended a Montessori school as a child. Mairi completed her practice teaching at the Ecole Montessori International after receiving training from the Montessori Centre International, based in the UK. She taught in francophone and bilingual Montessori schools in Montreal for fourteen years, becoming passionate about inclusive education. Since 2014, Mairi has specialized in adapting the Montessori curriculum for children with learning differences. She holds the Advanced MACAR (Montessori Applied to Children at Risk) certification from the Shelton School in Texas and Orton-Gillingham Level II Practical Linguistics from the Claremont School in Toronto. Joining the DVMS community in 2015 was a dream come true: the opportunity to work with students and staff throughout all levels of the school.  She is committed to helping each student realize their goals. Mairi is the mother of four children (the youngest attends the Upper Elementary program at DVMS) and has two grandchildren. She lives in Hamilton with her family and pets. Outside of school, Mairi dedicates her time to lifelong learning, reading, music and spending time outdoors with family.

Shannon Folland

Shannon is an LRT support and a Mom to two lovely children who inspire her every day. She has a B.A in Child Studies and is AMI certified as a Casa English Assistant through the Foundation for Montessori Education. She had the honour and pleasure of being trained by Sandra Girlato, who was trained by Dr. Maria Montessori’s granddaughter herself. Shannon’s career has always had a therapeutic focus and has included Community Development as well. She is a Behavioural Specialist and a certified Mental Health First Aid Responder. She has spoken at many conferences across Ontario and was recruited by the United Nations to speak about her work with children. She firmly believes in celebrating the uniqueness, of each child and their strengths and abilities. She passionately believes in the power of compassion, humour, self-development,  gratitude and teamwork and is so grateful to be a part of the DVMS family.

Stewardship and Administration

Tony Evans - Stewardship Director

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.” This is the Montessori quote that drives Tony’s work. That fundamental idea is that we can change the world through high-fidelity Montessori education, for him the definition of peace includes the individual, the family, the community and society at large. A few years after training as an Elementary Montessori Guide in Bergamo, Italy, Tony started Dundas Valley Montessori School. Since those early days with only 8 students, DVMS has grown to 275 students on 2 campuses, with students from 18 months to 15 years. He established Canada’s first authentic Erdkinder and developed a high school built on the idea of a village as a curriculum. He has been on the board of the CCMA for almost 20 years and served as Chair and Vice-Chair for much of that time. He has been Canada’s foremost lobbyist for Montessori and was successful in creating 13:1 ratios for authentic Montessori programs in Ontario. Most proudly, he is the father to two Strata graduates including the first High School graduate from our Family of Schools.

Skye Collins - Stewardship Administrator

Skye has been on the admin team for our Montessori family of schools since 2007. She has been located mainly at our Strata campus for the past seven years but is involved at both schools. She hails from a Library and Information Technician background, and had a professional organizing business (years before Maria Kondo did). She has 3 wild and wonderful children that have been moving through this family of schools much too fast! Skye has completed her AMI Montessori 12-18 Orientation and most recently graduated from the Whole School Leadership program.

Kate Millie - Director, DVMS Campus

I was four months pregnant with my first child when I met a friend who changed my life. She was pregnant with her third child, and she let me lean on her as I learned to be a mom. She showed me how to reach out to others and how to ask for help. She also showed me how to make a mean scone.

I believe that change happens when we come together in community. Since my first moment of mothering, I have studied human relationships and seen firsthand how belonging changes who people are and who they become.

I’m a parent, Montessori educator and school administrator with over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. I’m currently working on my PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy to understand more about how early community and connection can change the trajectory of parents and children.

My deepest desire is to build a world where we all are recognized as capable and work to support each other in every phase of our lives.

Robynne Millie - Administrator

Robynne joined DVMS in 2013 as a grandparent.  Eight years later, she decided to jump in as a staff member too!  In September 2021 she became a part-time Administrative Assistant after retiring from a lengthy career in retail management.  Robynne brings skills that can be applied to many aspects of the school. Robynne is happy to be immersed in a community that is built on the love of the child.

Shalyn Baker - OFfice Manager

From the very beginning, Montessori has always been in Shalyn’s blood. As a child, she attended the Montessori House of Children school in London, ON from Casa until grade 8. DVMS’s own Kathleen MacKinnon was one of her guides! Shalyn received her B.A. in psychology from Laurentian University in Sudbury and her AMS (American Montessori Society) Casa certification from Sheridan College in 2007. For the past 14 years, Shalyn has worked as a Casa guide, Upper El assistant, LRT and is now excited to embark on the next stage of her Montessori teaching journey as our Office Manager at DVMS. She lives in Paris, ON with her husband, son, and daughter. Her children attend DVMS’s Upper Elementary program. While Shalyn was an active soccer player before having children, life now is spent either at the baseball diamond, hockey arena or up north at the family cottage!  She loves to bake and read whenever time allows.

Kristy Adams - Auxiliary Program Coordinator

Kristy coordinates all of DVMS parent - child classes, DVMS camps and clubs.

Kristy has worked with the youngest children of DVMS in our Young Children’s Community since its inception in 2015. Kristy strives to maintain an open, loving and respectful environments for parents and their children from birth to 3 years. In addition to her BA Hons in English lit Kristy acquired her AMI 3-6 training and her Assistant to infancy AMI training for 0-3. Kristy assists in facilitating monthly parent connection meetings as well as the coordination of the Parent-Infant Programs. Currently, Kristy resides in Dundas with her husband Ben and four children.