Toddler
Ms. Vanessa Findlay
TODDLER MONTESSORI GUIDE
Vanessa was born in Newfoundland and moved with her family to Ontario when she was 12. College studies took her to the United States where she majored in psychology. Vanessa returned to Canada, fell in love, and had two children. Upon becoming a mother she discovered the joy and beauty in how children learn and navigate the world and decided to become an Early Childhood Educator. Passionate about education and being a lifelong learner, Vanessa’s professional career has seen her teaching at non-profit centres, supervising a school age program, and she is currently studying the Infant and Toddler program at the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute.
In her spare time Vanessa enjoys traveling back to her beloved Newfoundland to visit family, spending time with friends, date nights with her husband, and trying to keep up with her young adult children!
Ms. Jennifer Kubiak
TODDLER ASSISTANT
Ms. Kubiak is originally from Cayuga, ON, but was raised mostly in Hamilton. She is a trained Montessori Assistant and is excited about incorporating her previous experiences and expanding them at Lyonsgate. She was always drawn to the environments and development of children’s learning through everyday experiences and skills during the Montessori work cycle, which lead her to pursue a career in Montessori. Ms. Kubiak has worked with children from ages of infant all the way through to school age. She knew she wanted a career in childcare from a young age as she has always loved being part of the development of children and their futures. Inclusion is her number one goal in this career, for all children. The person that inspired Ms. Kubiak to work in this field was her mother, an ECE. Watching how much love, joy, happiness, and pride she brought to children over the years inspired Ms. Kubiak to want to bring that positive impact and joy to her own students’ lives. In spare time, Ms. Kubiak enjoys spending time with her children, as she is a mother of four, having game nights with friends, learning new things, and reading books and spending time with family.
Ms. Sydney Relic
Toddler Classroom Assistant
Ms. Relic is Toddler classroom assistant. She was born and raised in Hamilton. Ms. Relic has worked in multiple industries as a hot food/deli clerk, baby sitter, cleaner, and custom cabinet maker. She was raised by her father, who always encouraged her to lead in self-directed and hands-on activities. Growing up Ms. Relic attended daycare and, being one of the longest attending children there, she had the opportunity to help out in the other classrooms. This is where she first discovered her passion and love for working with children. Through her friends and family having children, and Ms. Relic’s love and knowledge for building and creating, her interest was drawn towards Montessori. Ms. Relic is often spending time with friends, family, and dog Zeus, planning events, trying new activities, and building things.
Casa
Ms. Briar Beach
MONTESSORI GUIDE
Ms. Beach is the Montessori Guide in Casa North. She was born and raised in Hamilton, received her degree in Communications Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University, and is a graduate of AMI’s Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto. Ms. Beach also holds certification in Montessori Applied to Children at Risk (MACAR) from the Shelton School and Evaluation Center. She has worked in several different industries as a hostess, cashier, and a camp counsellor. She always knew that she wanted to work with children and found her love of Montessori through her older cousin who is also a Montessorian. She was lucky enough to be able to complete her first Montessori observation at Lyonsgate before she attended the Foundation to become a Montessori guide. Outside of Lyonsgate, Ms. Beach is often spending time with her friends, family and dog Dasher, baking, playing sports, or watching one of her favourite TV shows.
Mme Fatia Murati
FRENCH CASA ASSISTANT
Mme. Murati is the Casa North French Assistant at Lyonsgate. She was born and raised in Sens, France. Her parents decided to keep her home until Grade 1, during which time she was homeschooled by her grandmother who taught her to read and write. During her time in high school she was on the track and field team and would coach younger children after school in a variety of athletic activities.
After graduating high school, Mme. Murati attained a college diploma in business management from Joseph Fourier. In 2010, Mme. Murati moved to Canada to join a man she met on vacation in 2006, who would later become her husband. Their family has expanded since then to include two children, both of whom attend Lyonsgate.
When she began work at Lyonsgate Montessori, Mme. Murati knew very little English and so she made a deal with her young students: she would help them learn French if they would help her learn English. After a few months, she was so happy to see their progress in understanding and speaking French. The Montessori philosophy is now a part of her everyday life.
Ms. Kathy Canessa
ENGLISH ECE ASSISTANT
Kathy’s journey began in Derbyshire, England, but her family’s adventurous spirit led her to Canada at a young age. From the breathtaking landscapes of Alberta to the vibrant cities of Ontario, she has experienced the diverse beauty of Canada. Her love story unfolded at university where she met her husband and embarked on a new chapter in Southern Ontario. Together, they have nurtured three remarkable children who thrived in a Montessori environment, blossoming into passionate adults.
The joy of motherhood inspired Kathy to view the world through a fresh lens, igniting her educational journey. Her dedication culminated in earning an Early Childhood Educator certificate from Conestoga College, unlocking a deeper understanding of active learning in both the classroom and nature. Today, she finds fulfillment in witnessing young minds’ boundless passion and curiosity every day.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Kathy finds joy in exploring the globe with her husband, embracing diverse cultures and cuisines, and cherishing moments with family and friends. Each day is a new adventure, and she embraces it wholeheartedly.
Ms. Laurie Robinson
MONTESSORI GUIDE
Ms. Robinson is the Casa South Montessori Guide.
Laurie began her Montessori career in Victoria, BC, and then began to travel overseas to continue her work in classrooms, as well as in administrative and teacher training roles in international Montessori schools. Working and exploring in New Zealand, the Caribbean, and Asia has been enlightening and inspiring. Laurie returned to Canada where she taught in Calgary and more recently returned to her roots in Ontario, where she continues to enjoy working with children and their families.
Laurie has a BA in Sociology, a MEd (Montessori Integrated Studies), and is an AMI certified Casa Guide.
Spending time outdoors, whether it’s to garden, hike, sail, or ski is the best way for her to re-energize and connect with family and friends.
Mme Lilia Hammouche
FRENCH CASA ASSISTANT
[Details to come]
Ms. Courtney Houston
ENGLISH RECE ASSISTANT
[Details to come]
Elementary
Marissa Achong
MONTESSORI GUIDE
Marissa is the youngest of three sisters and spent her childhood exploring the woods behind their home in Hamilton. She holds a Masters of Education from Loyola University in Maryland, and received her A.M.I. Elementary diploma from Washington Montessori Institute in 2010. Previously, she completed an A.M.I. Primary diploma at the Foundation for Montessori Education, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McMaster University. She has worked at both the Casa and Elementary levels, as well as specializing in guiding students with learning differences and diverse needs in Montessori environments. She also holds a certificate in Montessori Applied to Children at Risk from Shelton School in Texas, and trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach in Practical Linguistics at Claremont School in Toronto. After class, Marissa enjoys playing board games, baking, reading, and working toward her goal of hiking all 900 km of the Bruce Trail. She also loves to attend live music performances with her partner, play the piano, and paint. Her son is an enthusiastic member of the Elementary community at Lyonsgate.
Michelle Achong
MONTESSORI GUIDE
Michelle delighted in growing up as the middle child of two sisters. She spent her childhood having muddy adventures in a local stream, roving through her neighbourhood on her bicycle, and immersing herself in every book she could get her hands on. She is passionate about the natural world, and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University. She holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Canisius College, and did her A.M.I. Elementary training at the Montessori Training Center Northeast at Hartford University. She trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Practical Linguistics at Claremont School in Toronto.
After class, Michelle enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, decorating cakes, and spending time in nature. She loves exploring the trails of the Halton Conservation Parks with her dog Sadie. She loves orchestral music and attending live performances. She enjoys sharing her interests and discovering new ones with the Elementary students at Lyonsgate.
Michelle Morra
FRENCH LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
Michelle is thrilled to be the French teacher at our Elementary campus. She has spoken French since birth thanks to her Québecoise mother and large, extended French-speaking family. Her career has included: proofreader in a federal government translation department, magazine editor, freelance writer, French teacher, piano teacher, landscaper, and more! Creative to a fault, she currently moonlights as an amateur (but happy!) singer-songwriter-pianist-guitarist, aspiring novelist, and monthly host of the Dundas Music Club. She also loves to cook, garden, mosaic, hike, and cycle.
Once a shy child, Michelle believes it’s never too late to try new things and come out of your shell. She thoroughly enjoys sharing the joys of learning French with the enthusiastic students at Lyonsgate.
Support Staff
Ms. Kim Fiocca
ELEMENTARY LEARNING RESOURCE SPECIALIST
Kim is the Learning Resource Specialist at the Lyonsgate Elementary campus. In 2016, Kim was inspired by the Montessori journey of a dear friend and her children to become an assistant and then a MACTE certified Casa guide. It quickly became obvious to Kim that she wanted to specialize in supporting the success of children with diverse learning needs and she received her MACAR (Montessori Applied to Children at Risk) certification in 2021.
Kim was a professional dance artist, choreographer, and ballet teacher for nearly 30 years, and retired from the stage around 10 years ago. She has conducted hundreds of performing arts-based workshops in Ontario schools with Learning Through The Arts and as a multi-year grant recipient with the Ontario Arts Council.
Kim is also a volunteer chaplain at the Niagara Detention Centre, and she is the head of the Karma Kagyu Buddhist Meditation Centre of Niagara. In her spare(?) time, Kim enjoys photography, wilderness backpacking, kayaking, and spending time with her granddaughter.
Ms. Allie Craigie (currently on maternity leave)
PRIMARY LEARNING RESOURCE SPECIALIST
Ms. Craigie is the Learning Resource Specialist at the Lyonsgate Primary (Casa and Toddler) campus and supports French language development in the Lyonsgate Toddler programme (she was the French assistant in Toddler for 10 years).
Ms. Craigie has two children that attend Lyonsgate as Montessori students. Originally from Ottawa, Ms. Craigie received her Registered Early Childhood Educator diploma from Algonquin College, received her A.M.I. Montessori training from the Washington Montessori Institute, and her MACAR (Montessori Applied to Children at Risk) training from the June Shelton School and Evaluation Center.
Ms. Craigie loves to be outside in nature, and to both read and write.
Ms. Carly Sella
PRIMARY SUPPORT STAFF
Ms. Sella is the Primary campus support staff at Lyonsgate. Ms. Sella was born and raised in Hamilton and spent her early years playing basketball and camping with her family at the Pinery. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Psychology from McMaster University and was soon after given the opportunity to work as an Instructor Therapist working with children and young adults with developmental disabilities in both centre and home-based environments. She discovered her passion for working with children at this time and enjoyed witnessing each of their accomplishments every day.
While outside of the classroom, Ms. Sella enjoys hiking around the trails of Royal Botanical Gardens with Moose and Poppy, her two Cockapoo dogs, and also enjoys roller skating around Bayfront Park. She is dedicated to furthering her education in Montessori and Early Childhood Education.
Ms. Tatjana Covic
KITCHEN AND CARE
Ms. Covic works at the Lyonsgate Primary campus and is responsible for preparing the catered lunch for each class, participates in outdoor care with the Casa children, and keeps everything clean, organized, and ready for the next day. Ms. Covic was born in Bosnia where she finished business high school before having to leave the country because of war, spending six years in the Czech Republic managing a crystal, glass, silver, and gem store. Ms. Covic then moved to Canada, got married, and had three children, one of whom attended Lyonsgate.
Administration
Mrs. Rachel Lyons
OWNER/PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Lyons is a native of Hamilton west, and attended a Montessori programme as a child. She credits her early education for her passion for teaching and an eagerness for exploration. She received a diploma in Early Childhood Education at Mohawk College and later achieved her A.M.I. Primary diploma from the Foundation for Montessori Education in 2000. After gaining experience directing Casa programmes in Aurora, Dundas, and Ancaster, she achieved her dream of opening Lyonsgate Montessori in September 2005.
Outside of school, she is a mother of three energetic Montessori students, as well as her dog, Petunia. She loves to sing and play guitar, enjoys bicycling and hiking, and volunteers as a Girl Guide leader in the community.
Mrs. Sarah Kennedy
VICE-PRINCIPAL
Mrs Kennedy was fortunate enough to have attended a local Montessori school as a child and has fond memories of her time in the casa and lower elementary classrooms. Having an extensive variety of volunteer experiences working with children, Mrs Kennedy attended Mohawk College for Child and Youth Work, followed by earning honors in her Early Childhood Education program. After enjoying many years in the social service sector, Mrs Kennedy returned to school to earn her AMI Montessori certificate from the Foundation for Montessori Education. She has taught in the classroom for ten years, and is now excited to move on to an administrative role in a position to support the students, families and staff of Lyonsgate. When not involved with the three “R’s”, Mrs Kennedy enjoys the three “C’s”: camping, cottaging and cruising. Most importantly, she treasures moments spent with family.
Jason Phillips
ADMINISTRATOR
Jason is the father of two now-graduated Montessori children and has worked in Montessori for many years, both in the classroom and in administration. He holds an honours B.A in English from Laurentian University, an M.A. in English from McMaster, and has a partial PhD. in Literary and Critical Theory. As a graduate student, he has taught at McMaster and Wilfrid Laurier universities, developed literature and cultural studies courses, performed research for course development and publication projects for tenured faculty, and has presented papers at conferences in Canada and abroad. Jason has also worked as a journalist and editor. After spending his first eight years in England, Jason was raised in the wilderness of northern Ontario and spent many years falling off skateboards in Vancouver before settling down in southern Ontario in order to make the world a better place through education.