Ms. Shandel, Head of School, Teaching Grade 1/2 for 2023-2024
I graduated from UBC-West Kootenay Teacher Education Program in 2012 with my Bachelor of Education. I began teaching at Summerland Montessori School (SMS) in 2015 and became the Head of School In 2021. I completed my Montessori Lower Elementary Teacher Training Program in 2021.
I believe that every child can be responsible for their learning with guidance along the way and with encouragement for children to be lifelong learners. Every classroom at our school is a safe, respectful, supportive and caring place for students to grow. When students feel a sense of belonging and ownership in the classroom, they are willing to contribute and participate. All students can be successful, but students themselves need to believe they are successful.
I enjoy the community-based atmosphere here at Summerland Montessori School, with the interaction between teachers, students, and families. I enjoy the diversity that SMS has to offer.
Ms. Eryn, Assistant Head of School, Teaching Grade 3/4/5 for 2023-2024
Photo and bio coming soon!
Mme. Marie-Line, French Teacher
I was born in Paris, France. I moved to the UK in 1993, and then to Penticton in 1997. I have 2 daughters.
I have been working here at the Summerland Montessori School since 2000. In 2004 I trained in the AIM method and started to implement and develop the AIM program.
Since then, I have used this method with all ages and grades (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5). I teach French more as a means of communication rather than a class subject. This is why all communication between the students and myself, from Grade one on takes place in French only, whether it be in the classroom or outside.
I find it is very rewarding to see a child come to Kindergarten without any knowledge of French and leave our school at the end of Gr5 being able to hold a conversation in French. I’m still as excited about this as when I first started teaching. I also enjoy teaching in our small family-friendly school where communication between teachers and families is open and straightforward.
Ms. Kat, Teaching Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten for 2023/2024
Born and raised in Australia, I’ve now been living in Canada for 9 years. I graduated from Griffith University, Australia in 2009 with a Bachelor of Education, where I had experience with multi-age classrooms and teaching Kindergarten. I have a passion for teaching in the early years, and helping to inspire life-long learning.
I believe every child is unique with their own talents, interests and goals; their own place in our community. Using my own unique life-skills my goal is to guide, foster and develop each students’ interests and abilities through discovery and inquiry based learning. I am excited to learn and grow with my students as we co-create our classroom together.
Some of my interests include sewing, embroidery, crochet, card making and other crafts. I started pottery a year ago and look forward to introducing my class to clay. I also enjoy tap-dancing, baking and skiing in the winter. A goal of mine is to learn ASL alongside my students.