Our Team
Management Team
Cristina Abasolo
Principal
Cristina is the WMA School Principal. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute in Washington D.C. She has taught and managed schools in many Montessori environments in Canada, the U.S., Caribbean and Asia. Most recently she was the Primary Course Assistant at the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. Montessori has been her life for over 30 years and she continues to fall in love with it everyday. As Principal her mission is to ensure the delivery of the best possible Montessori educational program. She is committed to providing a safe, warm, joyful and nurturing learning environment for each child in our care.
Amy Perich
School Administrator
Amy is the Head Administrator at WMA. After obtaining She received her Early Childhood Educator and Special Needs Diploma from Douglas College in 2007, Amy became an early childhood educator and was soon involved in school management. A passionate educator, she believes greater responsibilities in school management bring a greater impact on the children. She has overseen several schools during her 14-year career. In the past seven years, she operated a daycare centre, where she has built rewarding relationships with the children, families and staff. She believes efficient communication is vital to the smooth operation of a school. She is dedicated to providing the children with a safe, inclusive and engaging environment in which they can learn, play and thrive.
Zina Yang
IC Program Supervisor
Zina is an AMI Montessori Primary and Assistant to Infancy diploma holder. After graduating from UBC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, she worked at BC Children’s Hospital, focusing on behaviours therapy for children and conducting neuroscience research. She supervises our Infant-Toddler Community Program.
Santina Fung
Administrative Assistant
Santina received her Masters in Education in the U.K. and her Early Childhood Educator certification here in B.C. She is an amateur artist and has taught visual arts for young children in Hong Kong and Canada where she worked in various art centres. For several years she was engaged in administrative and teaching positions in local daycares and preschools. She enjoys working with children because their creative ideas inspire her.
Our Educators
Ms. Tracy
Tracy Yang is our Head Primary Guide. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She is passionate about the Montessori approach to education. She strives for each child to develop to their fullest potential.
Ms. Shelly
Shelly Zhu is our C2 Classroom Manager. She holds an ECE certification and an AMI Primary Orientation certificate from the Northwest Montessori Training Centre in Portland, Oregon. She has a natural love of teaching and loves the concept of encouraging independence in children.
Mr. Kai
Kai Huang is our Mandarin specialist. He received his AMI Primary Diploma from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Arizona. He is a lifelong learner who enjoys engaging with children and building relationships with them through his enthusiasm and humour. He is also our Sports Enrichment teacher.
Ms. Yuki
Yuki Okemoto is one of our Primary Co-Guides. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She started teaching Japanese to young children and became interested in becoming a Montessori teacher. She believes that early childhood is the foundation for the child’s future.
Ms. Claire
Claire Zhou is our other Primary Co-Guide and the Mandarin Specialist. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She was impressed by the Montessori pedagogy and how it supports each child to develop to their own potential. She enjoys working with children, supporting them in their development and seeing how capable each of them are.
Ms. Irena
Irena Chang is our Classroom Assistant. She holds a degree in Child and Family Studies and enjoys learning about the Montessori method. She values the importance of early learning, and how family and community influences impact children’s growth. She recognizes the uniqueness of each child.
Ms. Lia
Lia Wu is our IC Head Guide. She holds a Master’s Degree in Food Science, and both AMI Primary and Assistants to Infancy (Infant-Toddler) Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. Her passion to aid in the development of children led her to take Montessori training. She became an Infant and Toddler guide to continue serving children.
Ms. Minji
Minji Jeon is our Assistant IC Guide. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto and is currently completing her Assistants to Infancy Training. Through guiding and serving children in the Montessori approach, she realized that she herself has grown in many aspects. She loves the Montessori education’s belief in the child’s potential filled with love and respect.
Ms. Phoebe
Phoebe Yang is our Mandarin Specialist. She is full of enthusiasm for Putonghua teaching. In studying early childhood education she has seen that every child is a unique angel. She respects and likes to actively guide children to develop their own potential.
Ms. Zina
Zina Yang is our IC Head Guide as well as the IC Program Supervisor. She holds both AMI Primary and Assistants to Infancy Diplomas from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She found that the Montessori method if radically different from others in that it builds the core of the individual child. She believes that childhood is the most precious and tender time in one’s life.
Ms. Judy
Judy Chen is our IC Co-guide and Mandarin Specialist. She received her Assistants to Infancy Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She believes her training has helped her to provide better guidance and support to young children. She is grateful to be a Mother of 2, and loves to be around young children.
Ms. Eunsoo
Eunsoo Ryoo is our IC Assistant. She holds an ECE certificate and has taught for several years. What motivates her all the time is when she sees the children’s moments of growth – these moments give her a sense of fulfillment.
Ms. Alice
Alice Chen is our IC Head Guide. She received her Assistants to Infancy Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She holds both Early Childhood Educators and Infant Toddler Educator certification. She finds the Montessori approach very impressive, and she is amazed by how the approach supports the child’s self-construction process, and how it guides children to become confident, independent and self-sufficient.
Ms. Christine
Christine Miranda is our IC Assistant. She has extensive education and training in Early Childhood Development and Education. She is very passionate to work with children and truly enjoys helping children develop and grow. She continuously updates her knowledge so that she is better equipped to care for children. Her encounter with Montessori opened a new door for her and deepened her understanding of child development.
Ms. Nicole
Nicole Su is our Assistant and Mandarin Specialist. She has her Early Childhood Educator certification as well as a diploma in ECE Education. She is a Mother of 2 who loves spending time with children. She combines both Chinese and Canadian educational philosophies in guiding children to build confidence and independence.
Ms. Charlene
Charlene Yu is our IC Head Guide. She received both her AMI Primary and Assistants to Infancy Diplomas from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. Being able to work with children, see them grow and become more and more capable and independent is a rewarding experience for her.
Ms. Nina
Nina Yang is our Classroom Manager. She has her Early Childhood and Infant Toddler Educator certification. As a teacher, she believes she is touching children’s lives. Her passion to work with young children is fueled by the great outcome she helps to create and discover.
Ms. Lyrica
Lyrica Chen is our IC Assistant and Mandarin Specialist. She loves how children show her their unlimited energy to discover new and exciting things everyday. She loves how smart and unique each child is.
Ms. Vivia
Vivia Chen is our IC Head Guide. She received both her AMI Primary and Assistants to Infancy Diplomas from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She is grateful to have learned about Montessori education and have the chance to work with children. She is always amazed by what a little child can do with confidence. As a Mother of 2, she applies the Montessori method at home.
Ms. Lily
Lily Chen is our Mandarin Specialist. She is a registered Early Childhood Educator. She likes observing the children’s growth and interacting with them in fun activities. She is enthusiastic about encouraging children to participate in the learning environment.
Ms. Christina
Christina Yang is our IC Assistant. She has her Early Childhood Education certification. She finds the Montessori technique very interesting, and loves the ways the Montessori method encourages independence and self-learning. At a young age, Christina knew she had the passion to become a teacher for young children and help them to develop the skills they needed.
Ms. Mae
Ms. Mae is a support teacher and Yoga specialist. She is currently completing her Primary Montessori training. She believes every child is a gift! She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to creating a solid foundation for the future development of children.
children.
Mr. Frank
Mr. Frank is our IT support staff. He is an AMI Montessori-trained Primary and Elementary guide and father of 2.
Ms. Sandy
Ms. Sandy is our ECEA Support Staff who loves working with children. She is a huge support to our teachers and children everyday!