We are committed to maintaining a learning and working environment in which everyone’s human rights are respected and do not discriminate or permit any discrimination on grounds of basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin.
Our team holds a variety of degrees (B.A, B.Sc, M.A/M.Ed,) and certifications (BC Teachers, AMI diplomas, ECE, ECEA). Criminal record checks, First Aid, and ongoing professional development training are required for all adults working with our students.
Reflective of our diverse world community, our team members hail from such places and cultures as China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Serbia, Thailand, and the United States. At Lions Gate, we collaborate and support each other with confidence in Montessori’s vision that the child is, indeed, both “a hope and a promise for mankind.”
We offer through our staff and facilities, an exemplary Montessori education that meets Early Childhood Education licensing and British Columbia Ministry of Education requirements. We prepare enriching environments, present appropriate lessons, and above all, respect and nurture our students’ holistic development.
The staff and I invite you to visit us in person. We’d love to meet you and your family!
Riza Weinstein, Head of Pedagogy
Ashley Ewing, Elementary I A Montessori child herself, Ms Ashley enjoys sharing her Montessori background as a member of the elementary teaching team at LGMS. Ms Ashley’s interest in sustainability on our planet led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Guelph, followed by a B.Ed for elementary students. Ms Ashley especially enjoys connecting students to lessons beyond the four walls of the classroom!
Charlotte Leguy, Primary & Elementary I A native French speaker, Ms. Charlotte holds a Masters Degree in Management and is certified to teach French as a Foreign Language. She discovered her passion for education through her experience as a French tutor for elementary and high school students. Ms. Charlotte believes that every child is unique and has the potential to grow to his/her fullest potential in a safe and nurturing environment. With her background in music, Ms. Charlotte especially enjoys incorporating a variety of songs and creative expressions in her lessons. She looks forward to sharing French culture, language, and her love of music with our preschool and elementary students.
Hossein Mousavi, Elementary Math Specialist I Mr Hossein has been tutoring our students in advance math since 2013. He is the author of over 40 high school and pre-university mathematics textbooks in Iran and has trained close to 2000 Iranian high school Math teachers on how to effectively teach mathematical concepts. His current focus is on introducing problem-solving strategies to elementary and young adolescent students, especially to enable them to solve problems representing situations never encountered before, and problems for which students do not have ready-made algorithms for a solution.
Ingrid Geiger, Interim Principal I Ms Ingrid received her teacher training in Germany and holds both Primary and Elementary AMI Montessori diplomas. Ms Ingrid worked approximately ten years as a traditional teacher in Germany prior to embarking on her Montessori journey in 2006 and joined our Lions Gate team in 2020. She is fluent in Spanish, German as well as English, and taught in Mexico and the US prior to immigrating to Canada. Ms Ingrid’s broad teaching experience enables her to connect and guide our diverse community with deep, multicultural understanding.
Jasmine Pardsooei, Elementary I Jasmine is in the process of completing her AMI Elementary diploma program. Originally from Iran, Jasmine brings a rich cultural perspective to her role teaching students at Anchor Point. With a Master’s Degree in Education and over four years of experience working with primary students in Montessori schools, Jasmine is dedicated to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning.
Jia Feng, Primary I Ms Jia comes to us with a Bachelors Degree in Music as well as AMI Montessori Primary and Elementary diplomas. She taught piano for 15 years prior to embarking on her journey as a Montessori guide. Fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, Ms Jia especially enjoys incorporating her background in Mandarin and music with the Montessori lessons. Her ability to enrich the Mandarin and music programs as well as work with both preschool and elementary students contributes to her versatility as a team member of our community.
Joan Bernal, Elementary I Ms Joan was introduced to our Montessori elementary environment as a practicum student. She is now a member of our team supporting our elementary students at Anchor Point as an Education Assistant and After School Club supervisor. Calm and patient, Ms Joan provides comfort and support to all our students!
Joel Reid, Elementary Music Specialist I Mr Joel began playing saxophone at the age of 13 and attended Capilano College for Jazz, where he learned a wide variety of instruments and soon became very passionate about guitar. He enjoys sharing his love of music on a wide variety of instruments.
Lili Wang, Primary & Elementary I Ms Lili began her career working with children in 1987 as an Early Childhood Educator in China. She has been a Mandarin Teacher and Assistant at Lions Gate since its inception working with both preschool and elementary students as Primary assistant, Mandarin teacher, and Keyboard tutor. She’s grateful to have the opportunity to witness the growth of our students from preschool and up for so many years.
Lucie Reynaud, Primary & After School Club I Born in Pairs amid the gastronomy, culture, and architecture of its magnificent landmarks, Lucie studied Montessori in France to become a Primary teacher. Montessori has since become a true passion for her, and she is captivated by the Montessori pedagogy, which, in her opinion, sets the standard for what we should teach our children. Lucie has a passion for adventures and travel. She especially loves living in this exceptional city and country that she feels has welcomed her with open arms. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Canadian culture and customs, perfecting her English, and immersing herself in deepening her understanding of educational practices. Lucie feels fortunate to be part of the wonderful team at Lions Gate Montessori School, where she can thrive and grow – just like the children!
Mafel Trillanes, Primary I Born in the Philippines, Ms Mafel was raised in New York City and Edmonton before making Vancouver her home. Armed with a B.Ed degree and AMI Assistant certification, Ms Mafel leads our kindergarten program while incorporating Montessori lessons with the BC Ministry of Education curriculum. Her warm and friendly nature provides a is a welcoming balm for preschool and kindergarten students. ON MATERNITY LEAVE.
Marijana Visnjevac, Primary & Elementary I With a Master of Education, Bachelor in Arts of Pedagogy and Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certification as well as years of hands-on experience Marijana is able to contribute to our team in both, our primary and elementary environments. Her educational background and practical experience has equipped her with the knowledge and skills to support lead teachers, collaborate with colleagues, and foster a positive learning environment for children.
Rina Kitahara, Primary, Elementary & Yoga I Rina first joined our team as a practicum student and is now contributes as a team member at North Creek and Anchor Point. Although graduated with Law Degree from Japan, Rina embarked on a new career path when she discovered her love for working children, and now finds fulfillment in sharing her diverse skills and talents with primary and elementary students.
Shailja Vashisth, Elementary I Ms Shailja is a graduate of Simon Fraser University majoring Psychology and minoring in Counseling and Human Development, and obtained her AMI Montessori Elementary diploma from Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies.. She has worked the field of developmental psychology as an ABA therapist and found Montessori education to be a natural fit for her background in psychology and human development.
Sheinoor Karim, Resource I Ms. “Shanny” has a background teaching Montessori in independent schools as well as elementary students with Lower Mainland school districts. With her AMI Primary Montessori and provincial Certificate of Qualification credentials, she is well-versed in both Montessori and provincial curriculum standards. Ms. Shanny provides valuable support for our team, and is able to step in for and on-call duties when needed with ease.
YuQi Liu, Primary & Resource I Originally from China, Ms Yuqi found her way to Canada as a high school student, which led to a path of diverse opportunities. Her creative and storytelling skills mastered while attending film school along with enterprise management skills honed while completing her Business Administration degree allows her to fulfill a wide range of duties at the school. Volunteering as a Chinese teacher during high school ignited Ms YuQi’s passion for teaching. There, she witnessed the transformative power of education, which inspired her obtain her Early Childhood Education Assistant certification. Ms YuQi’s commitment and dedication towards nurturing and inspiring students is reflected in her willingness to share her experiences, knowledge, and skills, fostering dynamic educational journeys for all.