Our Team
Management Team
Amy Perich
School Administrator
Amy is the Head Administrator at WMA. 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 15-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.
Santina Fung
Assistant Administrator
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 a Casa 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. Yuki
Yuki Okemoto is a Casa Guide and Classroom Manager. 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.
Mr. Kai
Kai Huang is a Casa Guide. 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.
Ms. Amy
Amy Wang received her Montessori Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. in 2016, which opened a fantastic way for her to understand how to meet children’s developmental needs by following and observing them. She believes every child has their own capabilities to be the person they want to be. Amy received her AMI Elementary Diploma in 2019. “Everything I present to children will be a seed to sow; I want to be the one to sow the seeds and wait for them to bloom one day”.
Ms. Claire
Claire Zhou is a Casa Guide and 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. Shelly
Shelly Zhu is a Casa Classroom Manager. She holds an ECE certification and an AMI Primary Orientation certificate from the Northwest Montessori Training Centre in Portland, Oregon. She is currently in training at the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. to be an AMI Primary Guide. She has a natural love of teaching and loves the concept of encouraging independence in children.
Ms. Sunny
Sunny Choi is a Casa Classroom Manager. She has had over 11 years’ experience as an Early Childhood Educator, both in Korea and here in B.C. She has a very ‘sunny’ disposition and thoroughly enjoys caring for, and guiding children to be independent and to find their own passion.
Ms. Christine
Christine Miranda is a Casa Classroom Manager. 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. Lulu
Lulu Yan ia a Casa Guide and a Mandarin Specialist. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She is a doting mother of 2 and enjoys the wonders of nature with her family. She has a deep love and respect for Dr. Montessori’s ideals, and strives to carry these out in her daily work in the classroom.
Ms. Carleigh
Carleigh Chew is a Casa Classroom Assistant. She received her B.A. in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria, and completed the AMI 3-6 Orientation Assistants’ Course at the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She has taken programs in Baking & Pastry Arts and Music. Her diverse education and experiences motivated her to bring her passion, creativity and dedication to Wonderworld Montessori Academy.
Ms. Kaye
Kaye Aquino is a Casa Classroom Assistant. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education with a major in Preschool Education. She has worked for over 11 years as a preschool and elementary teacher, and is a certified Early Childhood Educator in various Canadian provinces. Kaye brings her wealth of experience with much enthusiasm, and is happiest when working with young children, guiding them to meet their full potential.
Ms. Jamie
Jamie Kao is a Casa Classroom Assistant. She received her Early Childhood Education diploma from Capitol College in Vancouver. She worked in the airline and food hospitality industry before making the switch to education. She has had extensive experience as a classroom teacher and assistant. She finds joy in seeing children grow and develop. She enjoys cooking, baking, swimming and reading.
Ms. Sandy
Ms. Sandy is a Casa Classroom Assistant and Mandarin Specialist. As a mother of 3 children, she finds much joy in working with children. She is happy to see how children grow and develop independence and self-reliance.
Ms. Arjita
Arjita Bansal is a Casa Classroom Assistant and Enrichment Program Specialist. She took the AMI Orientation Assistants’ Course from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. She has a rich experience in the field of dance, having won many awards in the past, and she continues to pursue this passion. She shares her creative talents with the WMA children through creative movement and dance programs. She loves seeing how children discover their own creative identities and is passionate about music and dance.
Ms. Lyrica
Lyrica Chen is an 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. Alice
Alice Chen is an IC 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. Charlene
Charlene Yu is an IC 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. Judy
Judy Chen is an IC Guide. 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. Lily
Lily Chen is an IC Assistant and 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. Irena
Irena Chang is an IC 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. Nicole
Nicole Su is an IC 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. Catherine
Catherine Tang is an IC Classroom Manager. She received her Early Chidlhood Educator diploma from the Vancouver Career College where she received a Certificate with Honours. As a mother of three children, she was excited to expand her role as an ECE. Watching each child grow and develop is an amazing experience for her, and it fills her heart with joy.
Ms. Soo
Eunsoo Ryoo is an 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. Nina
Nina Yang is an IC 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. Mae
Ms. Mae is an IC Assistant. 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.
Ms. Christina
Christina Yang is an 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. Emily
Emily Jung is an IC Classroom Manager. She holds both Preschool and Infant-Toddler certifications. She brings her wealth of experience of over 9 years as an Early Childhood Educator in Calgary and here in B.C. The children love her calm, nurturing and gentle manner. Emily is a mother to 1 child and she loves spending time with her family, exploring nature and all that Vancouver has to offer. She is passionate about giving young children excellent, loving care.
Our Program Support Staff
Ms. Lia
Lia Wu is our IC Program Assistant Supervisor. 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. Cristina
Cristina Abasolo 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. As Casa Program Consultant, she provides input and support to ensure that the best AMI Montessori practices are being followed and delivered.
Our Administrative Support Staff
Mr. Frank
Mr. Frank is our IT support staff. He is an AMI Montessori-trained Primary and Elementary guide and father of 2.
Ms. Miao Miao
Ms. Miao is a certified Early Childhood Educator. She loves working with children. She is a huge support to our teachers and children everyday!