It was with the shared vision of a child-centered program that Christine Keery, Angie Samis and Sherry VanDerKooi formed Avalon Children's Montessori School, a small, private school in 1999. All three hold Montessori diplomas and are wholly committed to the Montessori philosophy of education.

(Photo - Sherry VanDerKooi, Christine Keery and Angie Samis following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, July 14, 2000. )

Christine Keery has taught since 1993 and brings a great deal of experience to ACMS. As well as teaching Casa aged children, Chris developed and implemented a toddler program. An extremely active person, Chris developed a physical education program for the students in her lower elementary class and was actively involved in the organization of a city-wide track meet for Private Schools. An active member of the Montessori community, Chris has been a past member of the CAMT's executive committee.  Chris will be returning full time to teach in Casa 2 at the Wood Glen campus beginning September 2010 and continues to fulfill her role as School Director. Click here to contact Christine.

In 1995, Angie Samis began her teaching career as the Directress of a cooperative school in Perth, Ontario. There she not only headed the Casa Department but was also responsible for many administrative duties for the School.  These included hiring staff, parent education, curriculum development, fundraising and government licensing. In addition, Angie implemented the School's first summer program in 1996. Prior to establishing ACMS, Angie also taught Lower Elementary. She has been a member of CAMT since 1995. In addition to being a School Director, Angie is currently taking a personal leave of absence from her teaching duties while still continuing as School Director. Click here to contact Angie.

Teaching since 1995, Sherry VanDerKooi has experience at both the Lower and Upper Elementary levels in addition to Casa. Sherry was head of the Elementary Program and actively involved in parent education, mentoring student teachers and curriculum development. In addition, Sherry has demonstrated a commitment to the Montessori philosophy through her extensive involvement in the Montessori community. A member of CAMT since 1998, Sherry completed a term as CAMT president.  Sherry is the Upper Elementary directress and Principal at the Wineva location.  Click here to contact Sherry.

Our Staff.....

Lynda VanDerKooi has been with us since the school began in 2000.  Her parttime work as an assistant in our toddler class has now grown to fulltime assisting duties at the Wineva location in all classrooms.  Lynda is a fully qualified Montessori Assistant.

Carrie Stark has been with Avalon since 2001.  She brings a wealth of childcare experience having worked in the Montessori environment since her first placement in high school.  Upon completion of her ECE diploma, Carrie was responsible for developing and implementing the toddler programme at her previous Montessori employment. Carrie is a fully qualified Montessori Casa Directress and works in Casa 1.

Tanya Cesselli began her teaching career in 2004 when she joined us as an Elementary directress.  Tanya is fluent in Italian and enjoys sharing this with her class.  Tanya was a co-teacher with Sherry during her first 3 years at Avalon.  As our school has grown, the elementary environment has split into Lower and Upper rooms with Tanya as the Directress for the Lower Elementary class.

Barb Merritt joined our staff in 2006.  Barb has spent 25 years working in childcare settings prior to coming to Avalon, however she has been a friend and supporter of our school since 2000.  Barb is an enthusiastic individual with a genuine love of children.  She is a fully qualified Montessori Assistant.

Joan Bretney has led the music program at Avalon since 2004. An experienced music teacher, she has taught music to children in the Beach for over 20 years and shares her passion with the students of Avalon. Receiving her music degree in England , she has also received additional training in England, the US and Canada .

Philippe Flauhaut joined Avalon in the fall of 2008 as our French teacher, bringing his love for music into the classroom and using it as a tool to engage and excite the children about the French language.  Philippe teaches french at both the Casa and Elementary levels.

Sue Scinocca joined Avalon during the 2008/09 school year as our new administrative assistant.   We are happy to find a qualified and enthusiastic individual to manage and streamline the Office and support the Directors of Avalon as they continue to grow and strengthen Avalon Children's Montessori School. 

Michelle Friel is a qualified Casa directress who began working at Avalon in 2009.  She has been teaching for over 5 years, in both Canada and St. Maarten and currently teaches in our Casa 3 classroom at the Wineva location. 

Rachel Breiding also joined Avalon in 2009.  She grew up in the area and received her ECE diploma while working for the TDSB as an Educational Assistant.  Much of her time with TDSB was spent as a Special Needs Assistant for the Intensive Behavioural programs at the primary and junior levels.  Rachel brings a wealth of experience from her training and experiences with chidren amd assists Carrie in Casa 1 at our Wood Glen location.

Karen Lynch, an accompished artist, has been with Avalon since 2008 and assists in many areas at the Wineva location.  Since joining our team, Karen has completed her Montessori Assistant training.

New to our team for the 2010/11 school year....

Lori VanSoelen will be the Physical Education instructor for the elementary program. Lori is excited to share her passion for fitness, health and nutrition with the children as she brings her training and experience into the classroom this fall.

 

 

Guinness - Avalon Pet, Golden Retriever

Guinness began her career at Avalon in June 2003 when she was 12 weeks old.  Before joining Avalon, Guinness enjoyed spending time with her brothers and sisters.  Even though Guinness is the school pet, she spends most of her time in Casa 1 at the Wood Glen location, where she keeps her toys and grooming supplies.    In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, chasing balls and napping.  Guinness loves to go to school and hang out with the children.

 

 

 

Avalon Family Fun Day - September 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L-R: Lynda VanDerKooi, Angie Samis, Tanya Cesselli, Carrie Stark, Barb Merritt, Chris Keery,

Sherry VanDerKooi, Dana DiPonio, Karen Lynch, Michelle Friel, Rachel Breiding.