Our Team
Patti van Zeyl
Head of School
With a BEd from the University of Calgary and 15 years' experience in the area of post-secondary enrollment services and advancement Patti assumed the leadership post as our Head of School and Principal at the Montessori School of Calgary in Summer of 2016. Her connection to Montessori dates back to 1995 when she registered her first of five children in our Primary program. She assisted in founding the school's Parent Advisory Committee, served on the team of parents and community members cultivating funds to build the new playground in 2013 and was actively involved as a member of the MSofC Board of Directors.
Head of School
With a BEd from the University of Calgary and 15 years' experience in the area of post-secondary enrollment services and advancement Patti assumed the leadership post as our Head of School and Principal at the Montessori School of Calgary in Summer of 2016. Her connection to Montessori dates back to 1995 when she registered her first of five children in our Primary program. She assisted in founding the school's Parent Advisory Committee, served on the team of parents and community members cultivating funds to build the new playground in 2013 and was actively involved as a member of the MSofC Board of Directors.
Danielle Bechard
Executive Assistant to Head of School
Danielle graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor in 2012. Originally from Vancouver Island, she has lived all over Canada, but has made Calgary her home since 2013. She has worked in a variety of educational settings, including an early intervention program, elementary classrooms, and home-based programming for children with special needs. Most recently, she took great pride in lead teaching at a parent co-operative preschool, where she was actively involved in coordinating school operations alongside parent volunteers. This experience led her to join the administrative team at MSofC. While new to Montessori, Danielle is eager to become fully immersed in the approach and to observe the classrooms at MSofC in action.
Executive Assistant to Head of School
Danielle graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor in 2012. Originally from Vancouver Island, she has lived all over Canada, but has made Calgary her home since 2013. She has worked in a variety of educational settings, including an early intervention program, elementary classrooms, and home-based programming for children with special needs. Most recently, she took great pride in lead teaching at a parent co-operative preschool, where she was actively involved in coordinating school operations alongside parent volunteers. This experience led her to join the administrative team at MSofC. While new to Montessori, Danielle is eager to become fully immersed in the approach and to observe the classrooms at MSofC in action.
Stamatina Wlock
Elementary Montessori Teacher
Stamatina Wlock graduated with a BA from the University of Lethbridge in 1998. She completed her AMI primary training at the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia in 1999 and started her career at the Montessori School of Calgary as a Primary Assistant the same year. She became a Primary Guide in 2001 and began her AMI Elementary training that same year. Stamatina continued to work as a Primary Guide until 2004 when she became MSofC’s Elementary Guide. In 2007 her Montessori work came full circle when one of her initial students from the Primary Program completed upper elementary program under Stamatina’s guidance. Ms. Wlock has two children in the MSofC program and while on sabbatical she serves as the AMI Montessori Advisor to our team.
Elementary Montessori Teacher
Stamatina Wlock graduated with a BA from the University of Lethbridge in 1998. She completed her AMI primary training at the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia in 1999 and started her career at the Montessori School of Calgary as a Primary Assistant the same year. She became a Primary Guide in 2001 and began her AMI Elementary training that same year. Stamatina continued to work as a Primary Guide until 2004 when she became MSofC’s Elementary Guide. In 2007 her Montessori work came full circle when one of her initial students from the Primary Program completed upper elementary program under Stamatina’s guidance. Ms. Wlock has two children in the MSofC program and while on sabbatical she serves as the AMI Montessori Advisor to our team.
Nathalie Gilbert
Primary Guide
Nathalie was born in Montreal with Calgary becoming home in 1986. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1996 and worked as a French teacher, assistant and finally as a Montessori directress for Calgary Montessori School. As an assistant Nathalie enrolled in the AMI summer program in Portland and completed her training in 2005. She has worked in Shanghai, Morocco and mostly in Hong Kong at the International Montessori School. While in SE Asia Nathalie began new hobbies including sailing and kayaking and is excited to return to Calgary to be close to her son and his new family. Her favourite quote from Dr. Maria Montessori is now Nathalie’s motto, “Help me to help myself.”
Primary Guide
Nathalie was born in Montreal with Calgary becoming home in 1986. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1996 and worked as a French teacher, assistant and finally as a Montessori directress for Calgary Montessori School. As an assistant Nathalie enrolled in the AMI summer program in Portland and completed her training in 2005. She has worked in Shanghai, Morocco and mostly in Hong Kong at the International Montessori School. While in SE Asia Nathalie began new hobbies including sailing and kayaking and is excited to return to Calgary to be close to her son and his new family. Her favourite quote from Dr. Maria Montessori is now Nathalie’s motto, “Help me to help myself.”
Zandalee Lieske
Primary Assistant
Zandalee graduated from the MacEwan University Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program in 2017. After returning to Calgary, she worked with Palliser Regional Schools as an Educational Assistant. Her experience in elementary schools and other settings during her time at MacEwan has allowed her to gain a great understanding for the developing child and a curiosity for various methods including Montessori. In Summer 2019, Zandalee completed the AMI assistant’s course, Montessori 101, at the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto.
Primary Assistant
Zandalee graduated from the MacEwan University Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program in 2017. After returning to Calgary, she worked with Palliser Regional Schools as an Educational Assistant. Her experience in elementary schools and other settings during her time at MacEwan has allowed her to gain a great understanding for the developing child and a curiosity for various methods including Montessori. In Summer 2019, Zandalee completed the AMI assistant’s course, Montessori 101, at the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto.
Glory Bryant
ECS Teacher
Ms. Glory graduated from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus, formally OUC in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and later completed a Bachelor of Education degree in 2004. Her first teaching role was at a Montessori school in Summerland, B.C. From this point forward she knew she felt at home in a school incorporating the Montessori philosophy and was inspired to teach in various schools after moving to Calgary in 2009. Glory is a fan of the great outdoors and loves working with children. She enjoys contributing to the MSofC community of learners and believes every day is a new day with a chance for a fresh start when working with children.
ECS Teacher
Ms. Glory graduated from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus, formally OUC in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and later completed a Bachelor of Education degree in 2004. Her first teaching role was at a Montessori school in Summerland, B.C. From this point forward she knew she felt at home in a school incorporating the Montessori philosophy and was inspired to teach in various schools after moving to Calgary in 2009. Glory is a fan of the great outdoors and loves working with children. She enjoys contributing to the MSofC community of learners and believes every day is a new day with a chance for a fresh start when working with children.
Brenda Livingston
Educational Assistant
Educational Assistant
Teresa Sabiston
Primary Guide
Originally from Ireland, Teresa obtained her BEd in Limerick and a few years later, her AMI Primary diploma from Sion Hill Training Centre, Dublin. Teresa relocated to Ottawa in 1987 with her Canadian husband and taught at Montessori schools in Ottawa and Sudbury before moving to Calgary with her husband and three young children in 1998. A passionate, life-long learner, Teresa went on to obtain a MEd in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary, graduating in 2009. Teresa has enjoyed a lengthy career in Calgary as a Montessori Guide and is a strong advocate for Montessori education. Teresa’s other main passion is music education; she has worked at Mount Royal Conservatory as an Orff instructor on a part-time basis for over a decade. She enjoys yoga and hiking as well as frequenting art galleries and coffee shops with her husband.
Primary Guide
Originally from Ireland, Teresa obtained her BEd in Limerick and a few years later, her AMI Primary diploma from Sion Hill Training Centre, Dublin. Teresa relocated to Ottawa in 1987 with her Canadian husband and taught at Montessori schools in Ottawa and Sudbury before moving to Calgary with her husband and three young children in 1998. A passionate, life-long learner, Teresa went on to obtain a MEd in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary, graduating in 2009. Teresa has enjoyed a lengthy career in Calgary as a Montessori Guide and is a strong advocate for Montessori education. Teresa’s other main passion is music education; she has worked at Mount Royal Conservatory as an Orff instructor on a part-time basis for over a decade. She enjoys yoga and hiking as well as frequenting art galleries and coffee shops with her husband.
Irina Kalish
Primary Assistant
Irina holds a Master’s degree in Education (Russia Language and Literature) and prior to her move to Canada in 2019, practiced as a Russian literature and language teacher with middle and high school students. After arriving in Vancouver from Belarus, she followed her passion for education and child psychology by pursuing her dream of studying the AMI Montessori pedagogy. She was employed at the Vancouver Montessori School where she supported and learned from the children before settling in Calgary with her family. Irina takes an academic approach to her work and studies, combining her knowledge and strong intuition to serve and meet the needs of the children in her care.
Primary Assistant
Irina holds a Master’s degree in Education (Russia Language and Literature) and prior to her move to Canada in 2019, practiced as a Russian literature and language teacher with middle and high school students. After arriving in Vancouver from Belarus, she followed her passion for education and child psychology by pursuing her dream of studying the AMI Montessori pedagogy. She was employed at the Vancouver Montessori School where she supported and learned from the children before settling in Calgary with her family. Irina takes an academic approach to her work and studies, combining her knowledge and strong intuition to serve and meet the needs of the children in her care.
Claire Butler
Music Specialist
Originally from the North-East of England, Claire has lived in Calgary since 2012. She is a versatile musician and educator with over 25 years working with children in various settings. As a music specialist, Claire has worked in many Montessori preschools and gives workshops to teachers to help them enhance music in the classroom. After studying at the Royal College of Music in London UK, Claire pursued a career in music teaching and performing. To accompany her teaching hours, Claire accompanies Calgary Girls Choir and Cum Vino Cantus choir. Claire is also a busy mom and her daughter is enrolled in our elementary program.
Music Specialist
Originally from the North-East of England, Claire has lived in Calgary since 2012. She is a versatile musician and educator with over 25 years working with children in various settings. As a music specialist, Claire has worked in many Montessori preschools and gives workshops to teachers to help them enhance music in the classroom. After studying at the Royal College of Music in London UK, Claire pursued a career in music teaching and performing. To accompany her teaching hours, Claire accompanies Calgary Girls Choir and Cum Vino Cantus choir. Claire is also a busy mom and her daughter is enrolled in our elementary program.
Remelyn Balinte
Custodian and After School Care Assistant
Custodian and After School Care Assistant