EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hi! My name is Lidan, and I started at WMS as the Executive Director in June 2020. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education program from Red River College in 2008, and obtained an advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Program Management in 2012. I have worked in the Early Learning and Child Care field since 2005 and have over 10 years of experience working as the Executive Director in licensed, not-for-profit child care centres. I believe that every child is unique and it is our responsibility to help them develop to their full potential!

I am a mother to a 12 year-old boy who taught me to love and appreciate hockey and the Winnipeg winter! In my spare time, I love reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with my family. Our family just moved into our new home in Normand Park, and are loving the beautiful trails nearby. I look forward to working with you!

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Hi! My name is Miss Christina and I am the Yellow group teacher! I have been teaching at Winnipeg Montessori School since 2012, but I have been in the Montessori field since 2007! 

I have my Preschool Montessori certificate from NAMC (North American Montessori Centre) and also a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution from the University of Winnipeg. I recently received my Early Childhood Educator II classification training through the CBA/PLA program from Early Learning and Child Care. 

Winnipeg Montessori School has always been a fun, happy and positive place to be and I love being a part of it. I look forward to working with and getting to know new and returning families each year. 

I love to travel, spend time with friends, and try new foods, and shopping!

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Welcome to Winnipeg Montessori School! My name is Miss Terry. I am the orange group teacher.

I have been with Winnipeg Montessori School since 2017. I graduated from The Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute in 2018.

I enjoy travelling with my Family, reading books, gardening and watching movies. We have three dogs, which I have a lot of fun with and enjoy our daily walks.

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER

Hi, My Name is Dilini Balasooriya and I am working as the Kindergarten (Green Group) Teacher. This year will be my fifth year in Winnipeg Montessori School and I’m so happy to work with the children and the staff to be the best they can be.

I have a BA degree in Social Sciences and I have completed diploma in North American Montessori Center (NAMC) and qualified as an Early Child Educator II (ECE II). I love being with children and work as a teacher. I have six years of Montessori experience in Canada and eight years teaching experience as a pre & primary teacher in Sri Lanka.

I am a mother to two children and I love spending time with them during my leisure time. Apart from my career, I love traveling and visit new places with my family. It’s a pleasure to be at WMS and being a part of it and look forward to working with you.

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Deanna Radcliffe is the RED group teacher and has been at WMS since 2012! She loves working with children and their families to inspire life longer learners! A Montessori teacher is a director of learning, a protector of the child’s spirit and servant in the child’s learning environment. 

“Help me to do it myself” is the cry of the child in these years.

Deanna’s introduction to Montessori occurred in her 4th year of a Bachelor of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba. She researched Montessori and shadowed an established Montessori teacher at WMS and knew she had found her career path. Deanna received her Montessori diploma and completed and internship through St.Nicholas Montessori college. An ECEIII designation was also gained upon completion of her University degree. 

Deanna has worked in child care, Montessori Preschools, nursery schools and as an educational assistant in elementary schools. Her 3 children attended Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten during which time Deanna served on the Montessori parent board for many years. 

Deanna spends her non work hours with her busy family and two black Labradors. In the summer she recharges with nature at the lake.

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Hi My name is Christie Bjarnarson. I am the morning Art Room teacher, afternoon Blue group teacher, and the Music teacher. 

I was born and raised in Winnipeg where I earned my B ED in early childhood, ECEII, Montessori certification, and Orff certification. I taught Grade 4 and K to 6 music for 18 years at Holy Ghost School before moving to Oakville, where I taught infant, preschoolers, and school-aged children at Prairie Sky Child Care Centre for 9 years. I love teaching children! 

I moved back to Winnipeg 6 years ago to care for my father and be with my family with whom I am very close. I also have two cats – Crosby, and Noah! 

I enjoy many things in life, including music, nature, and the outdoors. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to teach at WMS! I love it here!

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Hello! My name is Dorothy Antoniuk and I am the Morning Blue Group teacher!

I have worked in Child Care centres, schools, and at the Children’s Museum for many years. Both of my daughters attended Montessori schools. This is where I fell in love with the Montessori Method. In 2015, I decided to go back to school and graduated with MACTE Teacher training in August 2016, joining the WMS team in September 2016.

In my spare time I enjoy scrapbooking, cooking, bike riding and travelling with my family. 

I look forward to this year at Winnipeg Montessori and working with your children.

ART ROOM TEACHER

Hi, I’m Ms. Rashmi, the afternoon Art Room teacher! As a B.Ed. Early Childhood Education graduate and AMI Montessori Diploma holder, I believe in fostering a love for learning through curiosity and creativity. I have 8 years of experience in Montessori and inclusive education in my home country and an additional year in Canada.

I believe every child is unique, with their own ways of learning and expressing themselves. My goal is to nurture their curiosity and creativity, helping them grow into confident, independent individuals. Art is a wonderful tool for self-expression, and I love guiding children to explore their imaginations through it.

When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll often find me painting vibrant stories on canvas or lost in the pages of a good book. These hobbies inspire me to stay creative, which I bring into my work with children every day.

YOGA+ TEACHER

Hello, I am Miss Millie! 

I am so excited to be teaching my Yoga+ program to the WMS kids this year! We will be practising breathing techniques, animal poses, stretches and balance, games, songs, music and movement, and mindfulness. I love teaching this class and have done so since living in Vancouver 10 years ago. 

I received my International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy in 2004 from the Montessori Centre International in London England, where I am from. I taught in London for 5 years before moving to Vancouver, then onto Winnipeg with some recent time off to be with my children. Montessori has been a passion of mine and I truly believe in its method and philosophy. It is a joy watching children thrive because of it. My son was at WMS, I have been on the Board for 2 years, and now my daughter is at WMS. I feel lucky to be joining such a wonderful team of staff, and look forward to getting to know all of your little ones! 

Things that help me recharge are: reading, swimming, cooking, listening to music, pressing flowers, art and interior design, and in the summer to be immersed in nature at the lake!

INCLUSION SUPPORT TEACHER

Hello! My name is Angelica (Miss Angel). 

Welcome to WMS. I am very happy to be a part of the Winnipeg Montessori School team and am looking forward to working with you and your children! 

I received my Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from University of Wales Newport and Business Applications & Strategic Decisions Certificate from National Taiwan University. 

I worked in Elementary Grade 1 Teacher in Hong Kong and daycare centres in Winnipeg. 

I am now working on my Lower Elementary Diploma Program at NAMC, and enrolled in some training for Autism at St. Amant. I believe every child is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring, and engaging atmosphere in which to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially.  

In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends, scrap-booking, reading and praying. I also enjoy studying design in my spare time.

INCLUSION SUPPORT TEACHER

A warm "hello" to WMS parents and students. My name is Stephanie and I am glad to be a part of Winnipeg Montessori School team. I hold a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Winnipeg and have taught in many different schools for the last 15 years. I have two daughters; one who has gone through the Preschool and Kindergarten program here, and one who is about to enter the Preschool program. In my spare time I like to bake, volunteer for my Church and community organizations, and take my two beagles on walks through our Charleswood neighbourhood. I look forward to supporting your children as learners in the upcoming months. 

INCLUSION SUPPORT TEACHER

Hi, I am Rosa, excited to join the WMS team as an Inclusion Support Facilitator.

With over 10 years of experience in NGO social services in Hong Kong, I’ve worked with children, families, and newcomers. These experiences have shaped my ability to create warm, inclusive environments where everyone feels supported.

I’m passionate about early education and dedicated to helping young learners thrive. I enjoy engaging with children, encouraging their curiosity, and supporting their growth.

Outside of work, I love biking, photography, volunteering, and practicing yoga—activities that keep me energized and inspired.

INCLUSION SUPPORT TEACHER

Hi, I am Most Shamima Easmin, and I am excited to join the Winnipeg Montessori School team as an Inclusion Support Facilitator. Previously, I worked as a Child Care Assistant (CCA) for ISP and other students in the before and after school daycare program at YMCA-YWCA at Bairdmore School for two years. I also have experiences as a lunch supervisor at Bairdmore School.

As a childcare professional, I strongly believe in the core values of Respect, Belonging, and Relationships. By prioritizing these values, I strive to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where children feel valued and empowered to learn.

In my role, I play a vital part in supporting children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development by providing both structured and unstructured learning opportunities tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, volunteering, and exercising.