Dedicated Professional Educators
Established in 2008, Westside Montessori School is owned and operated by Liz Bovey, who holds an internationally recognized Montessori teaching diploma from the Toronto Montessori Institute.
Liz has 12 years of teaching experience and prior to opening Westside Montessori School, she was guiding young children at well-regarded Montessori Schools in Toronto.
Westside’s classroom teachers are either AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) certified or MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) and hold university degrees. Our classroom assistants have completed their Montessori classroom assistant’s training course. All staff maintain valid first aid and CPR training, along with updated police clearance checks.
Administrative Team
Liz Bovey
Director
Liz Bovey - Director
Following her graduation, Liz worked at two local Montessori Schools before opening Westside Montessori School in the fall of 2008. Liz was the Casa Guide at Westside until the summer of 2012, when she and her husband, Mark, became parents to their first son, Wyatt. (read more) In the Spring of 2016, the Bovey family welcomed two new additions, twins Luke and Waylon. The three Bovey brothers attend Westside; they are all in the Elementary Program. Liz enjoys all that her little men teach her daily, mainly to live in the moment and the importance of a good daily dose of deep belly laughter.
She has been a Board Member of the Canadian Council for Montessori Administrators (CCMA) since 2019 and enjoys further volunteering with the organization by serving as a verifier, helping authentic Montessori Schools through the rigorous accreditation process. She prioritizes her own personal and professional development and has worked with mindset and business coaches since 2017, always striving to improve herself and those around her. She supports the growth and engagement of her team by encouraging and supporting their own learning and evolution through courses, workshops and training.
Davida Walker
Administrator
Davida Walker - Administrator
As the oldest sister of four siblings, Davida always wanted to work with children. Over two degrees and through work in the Montessori and public school systems she developed a passion for alternative styles of learning that foster children’s curiosity, creativity and sense of adventure while encouraging their independence. Davida has a B.A Honours in history and social studies from York University. While studying, she was the Volunteers Director for a non-profit organization where she trained university students to teach an anti-bullying and conflict resolution program in public schools across the GTA. Davida attained her B. Ed. From Trent University’s School of Education.
Davida loves being in the kitchen, cooking and baking any chance she gets. During the warmer seasons, you’ll find her swimming, running, and reading outdoors. When the temp. drops, pop by the boxing gym; she’ll be there working on her upper cut.
Pamela Santarossa
Admin. Assistant
Pamela Santarossa - Administrative Assistant
When not working, Pamela aims to create the perfect macarons, enjoys DIY decor and spending time with her young family.
Cecile Choi
Principal
Cecile Choi - Principal
Under the tutelage of Renilde Montessori, the essence of Maria Montessori’s vision was imbued in each lesson and story of her travels and life experiences remain with Cecile even now, several decades later.
She began her career in Toronto as Casa Guide at Humberside Montessori and then continued at Taddle Creek Montessori for 23 years, where her own children attended until their Elementary years. She transitioned into administration almost two decades later.
Cecile is honoured to bring her experiences and visions to Westside Montessori working alongside some of the finest in the field.
Your children remind her daily of the importance of laughter and simplicity and for that she will remain eternally grateful.
Cecile enjoys cooking elaborate meals for her friends, travelling and studying yoga and meditation.
Dufferin Grove
Toddler
Agata Wasiuta
Toddler Guide
Agata Wasiuta - Toddler Guide
The Young Children’s Community is her calling and Agata strives to bridge the gap between school and home while fostering independence and observing the children blossoming into amazing individuals.
In her free time, she enjoys camping (wintertime too!), baking and spending time with her two sons. Agata is constantly learning from the children and working to make their learning environment and time at Westside a truly wonderful experience.
Dallas Mountain
Toddler Assistant
Dallas Mountain - Toddler Assistant
The eldest of three, Dallas has always been aware of her passion for young children. She began her journey with Westside in the fall of 2021, initially as support for the kitchen. Later that same day, she spent time with the Toddlers and it was magic, she needed to be with them and they needed her in their presence. Everyone agreed.
She immediately moved into the role of Toddler Classroom Assistant. Completing her Montessori Assistant Training course in early 2023 helped to build her love and respect for the children, along with her understanding and passion for Montessori Philosophy.
She is excited to see what the future may bring and looks forward to furthering her career at Westside Montessori.
Michelle Fabian
Toddler Assistant
Michelle Fabian - DG Toddler Assistant
Casa
Steph Squires
Casa Guide
Steph Squires - DG Casa Guide
Her first encounter with Montessori was a happy accident. She was a student at the University of Toronto looking for part-time work when she stumbled upon a Montessori school. Her first observation was of a Lower Elementary classroom’s morning work cycle and lunch. She was blown away by the grace and courtesy practised between the children and marvelled at the independence of these 6-9 year olds. She knew she needed to find out more, so she accepted a position supporting lunch and recess. She quickly moved into the classroom as an Assistant, where she discovered her passion for the Montessori Method.
Steph completed her AMI training at the Foundation for Montessori Education in 2014 and has worked as a Casa Guide since. (read more)
Steph strongly believes in creating a positive environment in which a child’s true spirit can be supported and encouraged to flourish. She strives to build a community that embraces and supports parents and children alike, as working cohesively with one another results in a wholesome and holistic education for the child.
When Steph is not working in the classroom, she enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking in the woods with her two pups.
Jack Connolly
French Casa Assistant
Jack Connolly -French Casa Assistant
Jack worked at Camp Cedar, a sleepaway summer sports camp, for many summers; they were both lifeguard and swim coach and most recently Camp Administrator and Head Counselor.
In 2021, they began working in a Montessori classroom as an assistant while also supporting the administrative team and haven’t looked back!
Jack joined Team WMS in early 2023 as the French-speaking assistant in Casa West.
Nesibe Yildizli
Casa Assistant
Nesibe Yildizli - DG Casa Assistant
Next, she received her Montessori Assistant Certificate and then began studying the Montessori Education Diploma Program at The Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute. During her studies, she joined the team of educators at Westside Montessori School and enjoys spending her days witnessing the philosophy she has come to know so well come to life. She is grateful to work in a place she loves, both the environment and culture. She looks forward to nourishing her ever growing passion at Westside Montessori School.
She spends her leisure time cycling, camping and going for walks in nature. She enjoys being physically active and spending time with her friends and family. Nesibe is a coffee enthusiast; she likes to explore different techniques of brewing coffee and varieties of coffee beans.
Constance Karpenko
Casa Guide
Constance Karpenko - DG Casa Guide
She started her career at Westside shortly thereafter, in the spring of 2013. Continuing her work at Westside part-time throughout her training, she graduated with an AMI Primary Degree in 2014. She began her journey at Westside as an extended care supervisor, transitioning to an assistant role and later stepping in as Guide at the Kensington Market campus. After welcoming her first child in 2020, Constance returned to Westside to open Casa East at the Dufferin Grove campus. In her off time you can find her building forts, playing softball and scouring the local vintage shops!
Pegah Niyaki
Casa French Assistant
Pegah Niyaki - Casa French Assistant
She stumbled upon a Nature School and was thoroughly intrigued! She completed her training and began work as a facilitator with children aged 3 to 12 in a lovely forest in Tehran. While there, she helped the school with media relations and put her experience in photojournalism to good use.
During her downtime, Pegah enjoys spending her days outdoors jogging, hiking, camping and biking.
She is passionate about nature, observation and following the child and feels much aligned with the main tenets of Montessori philosophy.
She is thrilled to be a part of the Westside Community and share her talents with Casa East and the wider school community.
Elementary
Willa Grant
Lower Elementary Guide
Willa Grant - DG Lower Elementary Guide
Like many others, her first encounter with Montessori was a happy accident. She applied to work part-time in an extended care program in 2014, and occasionally worked as classroom support. She was instantly enamoured with the environment, noting how warm and nurturing it was. She was also struck by the way children interacted with their friends and adults alike: not only were they courteous, they were also very confident and self-assured.
Naturally, it didn’t take Willa long to enrol in training to be an Elementary guide. She spent three sunny summers in San Diego, and in 2018 she earned a Masters Degree in Montessori Education with an emphasis on inclusive education practices.
In 2016 she completed part of her practicum in WMS’ Kensington Market Elementary classroom, and was captivated by the culture and community of Westside. She knew it was meant to be when Liz opened up shop right in her neighbourhood! Over the past 8 years she has worked in both Upper and Lower Elementary classrooms, bringing with her a sense of humour, an extensive basket collection, and some serious label-making skills.
Willa enjoys baking and began dabbling in the art of sourdough during the pandemic. During her time off, she enjoys camping, hiking, and any type of outdoor adventure with her puppy, Mischa!
Catherine O’Keeffe
Upper Elementary Guide
Catherine O'Keeffe - Upper Elementary Guide
Catherine obtained both her primary and elementary diplomas at the AMI training centre in Dublin and has worked with all age-levels in several countries. read more) She holds a BA in history from the University of Toronto and loves to tell terrible tales of the past to her students. She joined Westside in 2017 where she appreciates the adherence to true Montessori principles, outdoor education, and the wonderfully curious intellectual individuals with whom she works every day.
Diarra Sakho
French Elementary Assistant
Diarra Sakho - French-Speaking Elementary Assistant
After witnessing the creation of Westside’s middle school, Diarra was inspired to become an adolescent guide. In 2023, she enrolled in the International Montessori Training Institute while continuing to work at Westside. (read more)
During her downtime, Diarra exercises for numerous hours a day and listens to inspirational podcasts.
Support
Indrani Singh
Learning Support
Indrani Singh - Learning Support
Prior to entering the world of Montesssori in the early 1990’s, Indrani worked in research and clinical studies in the departments of psychiatry and psychology at both Mount Sinai and Toronto Western Hospitals. She is fascinated by the brain and its development; a passion that led her to Montessori. She trained at the Elementary Level in 1991 at the Toronto Montessori Institute and then studied at the Casa (Primary) level at the Midwest Montessori Institute in Milwaukee in 2000.
She worked at several wonderful Toronto Montessori Schools, taught in Kelowna, BC and was Principal at Taman Kanak Montessori School in Bali, Indonesia before returning to Toronto and opening her own tutoring business, I Learn with Indrani Singh in 2015.
Indrani is part of WMS’ Middle School Team, teaching several areas of the curriculum, including Mathematics, Geometry, History, and Science, all well helping to build and grow our newest program.
In her spare time, Indrani enjoys reading, practising yoga, working through the New York Times crossword puzzles and sipping good coffee.
Amanda Lee
Occupational Therapist
Amanda Lee - Occupational Therapist
Amanda is mother to two WMS students and enjoys spending as much time outdoors with her children as possible! They love camping, swimming, hiking, skating, and have recently taken up kayaking and snowshoeing. They have a family goal to visit as many provincial parks as possible and just skated the arrowhead skating trail. They’re working on their second year of the 1000 hours outside challenge!
When not outside, Amanda’s working her way through her giant reading list (there’s never enough time to read all the good books!) and trying her hand at some indoor gardening.
Alberto G. Sabaniel
Physical Education Teacher
Alberto Guijarro Sabaniel - Physical Education Teacher
In 2020, Alberto introduced a physical education program following Montessori principles for children of all ages at Westside. Alberto is well known for his Friday dance parties and enjoys his role as unofficial DJ at Westside.
“Coach Lee” Greenspan
Physical Education Teacher
“Coach Lee” Greenspan - Physical Education Teacher
Coach Lee works part time at Westside and when not learning movement and physical education for our students, you can find him helping his clients navigate the land mortgages of a Mortgage Agent. His experience teaching has greatly supported his second career as he is able to help his clients understand mortgages.
In his spare time, Lee enjoys playing hockey, baseball and golf. He is an exceptional chess player, has won many tournaments and has taught many Westside students how to play chess!
Felista Mgogo
Support
Felista Mgogo - DG Support
Felista keeps our kitchen running smoothly and takes pride in helping serve nutritious and delicious meals to the students daily. She is thrilled to be a part of the Westside community. During her time away from work, she enjoys spending time with friends, travelling and cooking and baking while listening to CBC Radio.
Pamela da Silva de Lima
Support
Pamela da Silva de Lima - Support
Her love for Montessori started the moment she observed the confidence and independence exhibited in Westside’s students.
When not working, Pâmela enjoys dancing, exploring Toronto and working on her photography business.
Marina Morena
Support
Marina Morena - Support
Prior to moving to Canada, she studied Business Management and Computer Science in her home country of Brazil. She worked as general manager at the Brazilian National Post Office and more recently taught computer studies to children aged 3 to 12 years in the Colegio Alliançia.
Marina discovered Montessori while pregnant and researching child development and parenting. She practises Montessori with her daughter, Isadora, at home. She spends her free time with her young family and loves to study and learn new things!
Kensington Market
Toddler
Patty Zuver
Toddler Guide
Patty Zuver - KM Toddler Guide
Since then, Patty has worked at several Montessori schools, including Humberside, Rosedale, Bannockburn and Taddle Creek before coming to Westside in 2011. (read more) While a full-time assistant in the Toddler classroom, Patty realized this was where she belonged. She attained her Toddler Teaching certificate from Toronto Montessori Institute in 2015 and became classroom teacher in Nido West. Patty is also a “Montessori Mom”; two of her three children attended Montessori School.
Nancy Virk
Toddler Assistant
Nancy Virk - Toddler Assistant
Nancy joined Team Westside as a Toddler Assistant in 2020. Born and raised in Punjab, India, she came to Canada in 2018 to study Early Childhood Education at Canadore College. Following graduation, she started at Westside, and fell in love with the school, Montessori and her new community.
Nancy opens the school and encourages you to pop by and say hello in any of the four languages she speaks: English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. In her downtime, Nancy loves to dance, sing and spend time with her family.
Anita Barzon
Toddler Guide
Anita Barzon - KM Toddler Guide
Prior to her career in Montessori, Anita studied performing arts at the University of Venice in her home country of Italy, Cinema in Paris and upon moving to Toronto, attended writing courses at the University of Toronto. Anita is a passionate teacher, and she brings the arts, cultural experiences and baking opportunities to her young students daily.
Kübra Akkus
Toddler Assistant
Kübra Akkus - KM Toddler Assistant
Following her graduation, she moved to Toronto in 2019 to improve her English and work towards earning her master’s degree. In 2020, she enrolled in Human Resources Management at Centennial College and earned an income through working as a caregiver for infants and toddlers. After a few years of working with children, she decided to follow her passion and change her career path. Kübra feels that children are unique in their interests and abilities, and it has become her passion to see the world through their eyes while guiding and helping them develop their talents.
Emma Grabinsky
Toddler Assistant
Emma Grabinsky - Toddler Assistant
Casa
Jennifer Hamann
Casa Guide
Jennifer Hamann - KM Casa Guide
As part of her dedication to community building and her commitment to continuous improvement, Jennifer has organized parent support groups and seminars with a focus on strengthening the unity between child, family, and guide. She is a Montessori mom herself, her grown son attended Montessori School as a young child. Her personal interests in art, music, cooking, and the natural environment often inform her approach to the classroom.
Dalia Gadek
Casa Assistant
Dalia Gadek - KM Casa Assistant
She has worked with children in many different settings; including as a caregiver, an early childhood assistant in both a local daycare as well as a Montessori School. Prior to joining the team at Westside, she worked for the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) as a supply Early Childhood Educator.
Dalia is a mother to a teenage son and a grown daughter and enjoys reading about history. She has worked with children for many years, and believes every day is a new and rewarding learning experience.
Agnes Barbosa
French Casa Assistant
Agnes Barbosa - French Casa Assistant
In her spare time, Agnes enjoys playing with and walking her dogs, Pingo and Lua, and she spends her summers and warm weather weekends exploring nature at her trailer.
Kyla Finnie
Casa Guide
Kyla Finnie - KM Casa Guide
After setting up French Immersion programs at Montessori Schools in Hamilton and Ottawa for a few years, she moved back to Guelph to be closer to family. She then pursued another passion of hers which lead her to set up her own business as a Certified Pilates Instructor. She moved to Toronto in 2012 to return to Montessori, focusing on supporting schools in setting up their new locations. Kyla strives to help children to develop a lifelong love of learning. In her downtime, Kyla enjoys exploring the outdoors, meditating and learning about holistic nutrition.
Imane Baza
French Casa Assistant
Imane Baza - French Casa Assistant
Prior to discovering Montessori, Imane worked as a social worker for 7 years in her home country of Morocco. In her spare time, Imane enjoys cooking, baking and sharing these passions with others!
Carol Jargaille
Casa Assistant
Carol Jargaille - KM Casa Assistant
While falling madly and deeply for Maria Montessori’s Philosophy, she came to realize that she had unknowingly raised her own children using Montessori Principles. Carol enjoys creating various projects the children put together and loves seeing the enthusiasm on their faces as their projects come to fruition. She gardens actively both at home and at school and spends as much time outdoors as she possibly can, loving all seasons!
Skye Li Potvin
Casa Assistant
Skye Li Potvin - Casa Assistant
During her downtime, Skye enjoys spending time at home with her family and dog, going out to dinner with friends, bingeing all her favourite shows, discovering new music, and eating great food!
Elementary
Nadia Schwien
Lower Elementary Guide
Nadia Schwien - Lower Elementary Guide
She went on to earn a Masters in Education at Loyola University Maryland. Nadia has been an integral part of building the Elementary program at Westside, which opened in September of 2014. She is thrilled to be a part of a community that fosters curiosity, collaboration and a love of learning, in both the children and the staff.
Maria Oancea
Elementary French Assistant
Maria Oancea - Elementary French Assistant
In her free time, you can find Maria enjoying literature, film, embroidery, hiking and skiing.
Support
Indrani Singh
Learning Support
Indrani Singh - Learning Support
Prior to entering the world of Montesssori in the early 1990’s, Indrani worked in research and clinical studies in the departments of psychiatry and psychology at both Mount Sinai and Toronto Western Hospitals. She is fascinated by the brain and its development; a passion that led her to Montessori. She trained at the Elementary Level in 1991 at the Toronto Montessori Institute and then studied at the Casa (Primary) level at the Midwest Montessori Institute in Milwaukee in 2000.
She worked at several wonderful Toronto Montessori Schools, taught in Kelowna, BC and was Principal at Taman Kanak Montessori School in Bali, Indonesia before returning to Toronto and opening her own tutoring business, I Learn with Indrani Singh in 2015.
Indrani is part of WMS’ Middle School Team, teaching several areas of the curriculum, including Mathematics, Geometry, History, and Science, all well helping to build and grow our newest program.
In her spare time, Indrani enjoys reading, practising yoga, working through the New York Times crossword puzzles and sipping good coffee.
Amanda Lee
Occupational Therapist
Amanda Lee - Occupational Therapist
Amanda is mother to two WMS students and enjoys spending as much time outdoors with her children as possible! They love camping, swimming, hiking, skating, and have recently taken up kayaking and snowshoeing. They have a family goal to visit as many provincial parks as possible and just skated the arrowhead skating trail. They’re working on their second year of the 1000 hours outside challenge!
When not outside, Amanda’s working her way through her giant reading list (there’s never enough time to read all the good books!) and trying her hand at some indoor gardening.
Alberto G. Sabaniel
Physical Education Teacher
Alberto Guijarro Sabaniel - Physical Education Teacher
In 2020, Alberto introduced a physical education program following Montessori principles for children of all ages at Westside. Alberto is well known for his Friday dance parties and enjoys his role as unofficial DJ at Westside.
“Coach Lee” Greenspan
Physical Education Teacher
“Coach Lee” Greenspan - Physical Education Teacher
Coach Lee works part time at Westside and when not learning movement and physical education for our students, you can find him helping his clients navigate the land mortgages of a Mortgage Agent. His experience teaching has greatly supported his second career as he is able to help his clients understand mortgages.
In his spare time, Lee enjoys playing hockey, baseball and golf. He is an exceptional chess player, has won many tournaments and has taught many Westside students how to play chess!
Andrea Dickenson
Kitchen Cleaning Manager
Andrea Dickenson - Kitchen Cleaning Manager
She enjoys chatting with the children when they pop by the kitchen.
In her spare time, Andrea likes to go for walks outside and enjoys watching some of her favourite shows, including cooking channels from all over the world, documentaries, true crime and world’s most dangerous roads and places to live. Andrea is mother to two grown children, a son and a daughter.
Elena Garcia Rocha
Kitchen Cleaning Support
Elena Garcia Rocha - KM Kitchen Cleaning Support
She enjoys learning about the Montessori Materials, and has found herself in late afternoon conversations with the teaching team. She cares deeply for our students and is thankful for the opportunities she has at Westside.
Kimberly Powell
Support
Kimberly Powell - Support
She helps the school to run efficiently and effectively; from working in the kitchen, to supervising recess and lunch in Casa, to cleaning and maintaining the children’s second home.
Kimberly loves coming to work and being a part of the children’s development. In addition to loving Westside’s students, she is also a mother to two wonderful teenagers.
