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.
Ariane Kamga-Youmbi
Administrative Assistant
Originally from Cameroon, Ariane completed a Master of Laws degree and spent years studying law and devoting her attention to health and the environment, specifically focusing on access to immigrant women’s health care. Following the birth of her first child, Ariane came across the Montessori philosophy and immediately embraced the intuitive way in which Montessori fosters an environment to encourage the creativity, independence and confidence of the child. Despite the opportunity to pursue a PhD program at the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Ariane chose to be involved in the education of children and in 2013 started with the Montessori School of Calgary as a French Assistant. Eventually she channeled her keen observation and detailed oriented skills to her current role as Administrative Assistant. Ariane lives Montessori both at school and at home with her husband and 3 young children.
Administrative Assistant
Originally from Cameroon, Ariane completed a Master of Laws degree and spent years studying law and devoting her attention to health and the environment, specifically focusing on access to immigrant women’s health care. Following the birth of her first child, Ariane came across the Montessori philosophy and immediately embraced the intuitive way in which Montessori fosters an environment to encourage the creativity, independence and confidence of the child. Despite the opportunity to pursue a PhD program at the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Ariane chose to be involved in the education of children and in 2013 started with the Montessori School of Calgary as a French Assistant. Eventually she channeled her keen observation and detailed oriented skills to her current role as Administrative Assistant. Ariane lives Montessori both at school and at home with her husband and 3 young children.
Jennifer DeDominicis
Community Advancement Coordinator
With extensive experience in educational leadership, advancement and marketing, Jennifer DeDominicis graduated with Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Calgary, a Master of Education in Educational Studies from the University of Alberta, and a Certificate in Educational Management from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Having recently returned to Calgary with her family, Jennifer looks forward to developing a deepened understanding of Montessori and strong connection to the MSofC community.
Community Advancement Coordinator
With extensive experience in educational leadership, advancement and marketing, Jennifer DeDominicis graduated with Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Calgary, a Master of Education in Educational Studies from the University of Alberta, and a Certificate in Educational Management from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Having recently returned to Calgary with her family, Jennifer looks forward to developing a deepened understanding of Montessori and strong connection to the MSofC community.
Stamatina Wlock
Elementary Guide (on sabbatical)
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 Guide (on sabbatical)
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.
Maggie Volke
Elementary Guide
Maggie Volke started her Montessori journey many years ago in Regina and later pursued her primary training in Chicago. In 1999 she completed her Montessori elementary training at the Centre for Montessori Teacher Education of New York. She is a well-known and accomplished Montessorian having spent the past 20 years developing and teaching within Montessori programs in Calgary. Most recently Maggie team taught with an Alberta certificated teacher in the elementary program at River Valley School. Maggie has a keen sense of curiosity and as a life-long learner continues to pursue post-secondary studies through Athabasca University. Ms. Maggie feels “her greatest achievement has been raising four children who also attended Montessori.”
Elementary Guide
Maggie Volke started her Montessori journey many years ago in Regina and later pursued her primary training in Chicago. In 1999 she completed her Montessori elementary training at the Centre for Montessori Teacher Education of New York. She is a well-known and accomplished Montessorian having spent the past 20 years developing and teaching within Montessori programs in Calgary. Most recently Maggie team taught with an Alberta certificated teacher in the elementary program at River Valley School. Maggie has a keen sense of curiosity and as a life-long learner continues to pursue post-secondary studies through Athabasca University. Ms. Maggie feels “her greatest achievement has been raising four children who also attended Montessori.”
Madison Kozma
Elementary Teacher
Artist, meditation enthusiast and lover of the outdoors, Madison grew up in Vancouver, BC and made Calgary her home in 2010, to be closer to family. She completed her BEd in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics from Mount Royal University. After completing her degree, Madison had the opportunity to work with multiple school boards and experiential learning programs, such as the Calgary Board of Education, the Tim Horton Children’s Ranch, and the Tsuu t’ina Nation. Madison values her teaching experiences thus far, and looks forward to developing her compassionate and student-centered teaching practice, while contributing positively to the Montessori School of Calgary's community and culture. She looks forward to team-teaching the students with her colleagues to learn and promote the ideals of the Montessori pedagogy.
Elementary Teacher
Artist, meditation enthusiast and lover of the outdoors, Madison grew up in Vancouver, BC and made Calgary her home in 2010, to be closer to family. She completed her BEd in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics from Mount Royal University. After completing her degree, Madison had the opportunity to work with multiple school boards and experiential learning programs, such as the Calgary Board of Education, the Tim Horton Children’s Ranch, and the Tsuu t’ina Nation. Madison values her teaching experiences thus far, and looks forward to developing her compassionate and student-centered teaching practice, while contributing positively to the Montessori School of Calgary's community and culture. She looks forward to team-teaching the students with her colleagues to learn and promote the ideals of the Montessori pedagogy.
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.
Sophie Gao
Primary Guide
Ms. Sophie Gao, graduated with a master’s degree in Information Management from Wuhan University in China in 2007. She completed her AMI Montessori Primary credential at the Montessori Training Centre Northeast in Hartford, Connecticut and has used her strong bilingual background to work internationally in the Montessori community. Driven by curiosity and passion for the Montessori pedagogy, Sophie also successfully completed her AMI elementary training in the summer of 2019 through the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee. She is a voracious reader and can often be found with her nose in one of Dr. Montessori’s books! Ms. Gao has a great sense of humour and is thoughtful, warm and nurturing and has a child in our elementary program!
Primary Guide
Ms. Sophie Gao, graduated with a master’s degree in Information Management from Wuhan University in China in 2007. She completed her AMI Montessori Primary credential at the Montessori Training Centre Northeast in Hartford, Connecticut and has used her strong bilingual background to work internationally in the Montessori community. Driven by curiosity and passion for the Montessori pedagogy, Sophie also successfully completed her AMI elementary training in the summer of 2019 through the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee. She is a voracious reader and can often be found with her nose in one of Dr. Montessori’s books! Ms. Gao has a great sense of humour and is thoughtful, warm and nurturing and has a child in our elementary program!
Evan Eckstein
Primary Guide
After four years of teaching English in Japan to students ranging in age and ability from pre-primary to the adult level Evan returned to Canada. He had the good fortune of discovering Montessori while living in Whitehorse in 2010. Initially working as an Assistant in a toddler program he immediately kindled a passion for the Montessori philosophy and the following year pursued AMI Casa (primary) training at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Evan then fulfilled the role of Primary Guide at Montessori Borealis in Whitehorse and the following year covered a maternity leave at the Montessori School of Regina. Evan joined our team at the Montessori School of Calgary in Summer 2016 and guides young children within our Primary program to develop the fullness of their individual potential. Evan holds a BA in English and Japanese from the University of Regina and considers it "an honour and a privilege to work with children and to be one of their guides on their journeys of growth, learning, and independence.”
Primary Guide
After four years of teaching English in Japan to students ranging in age and ability from pre-primary to the adult level Evan returned to Canada. He had the good fortune of discovering Montessori while living in Whitehorse in 2010. Initially working as an Assistant in a toddler program he immediately kindled a passion for the Montessori philosophy and the following year pursued AMI Casa (primary) training at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Evan then fulfilled the role of Primary Guide at Montessori Borealis in Whitehorse and the following year covered a maternity leave at the Montessori School of Regina. Evan joined our team at the Montessori School of Calgary in Summer 2016 and guides young children within our Primary program to develop the fullness of their individual potential. Evan holds a BA in English and Japanese from the University of Regina and considers it "an honour and a privilege to work with children and to be one of their guides on their journeys of growth, learning, and independence.”
Kaitlyn Johnson
ECS Teacher
Ms. Johnson completed a BA in Linguistics with a minor in Speech Language Science prior to graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education degree. Her interest in the inner workings of language and her love of working with students led her to teaching. During her practicums she ensured that each students’ needs were met through individualized methods. Her volunteer time with preschool children is always an honour for Ms. Johnson as she enjoys observing their individual learning and growth. Kaitlyn’s personal ideals are closely aligned with Montessori values as she strongly promotes kindness, responsibility, and fueling the curiosity of students. Ms. Johnson is a committed life-long learner and is excited to engage in professional development to maintain current about how to best guide her students each day.
ECS Teacher
Ms. Johnson completed a BA in Linguistics with a minor in Speech Language Science prior to graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education degree. Her interest in the inner workings of language and her love of working with students led her to teaching. During her practicums she ensured that each students’ needs were met through individualized methods. Her volunteer time with preschool children is always an honour for Ms. Johnson as she enjoys observing their individual learning and growth. Kaitlyn’s personal ideals are closely aligned with Montessori values as she strongly promotes kindness, responsibility, and fueling the curiosity of students. Ms. Johnson is a committed life-long learner and is excited to engage in professional development to maintain current about how to best guide her students each day.