Our Team
Brenda Cintora Bueno
Early Childhood Educator
My name is Brenda, and I am originally from Mexico, where I attended a bilingual school. I speak English and Spanish fluently. I studied nutrition and health sciences at university and completed my diploma in Early Childhood Education from Langara College after moving to Canada a few years ago. This program gave me insight into children’s needs, development, and ways of learning.
My aim is to create an environment for children in which they feel safe, explore, play, express themselves, gain independence, and cultivate healthy relationships. I will focus on developmentally appropriate activities that encourage their cognitive, language/literacy, physical, fine and gross motor skills, as well as social and emotional maturation.
I look forward to meeting and working with the Ambleside Montessori children, families, and educators.
My name is Brenda, and I am originally from Mexico, where I attended a bilingual school. I speak English and Spanish fluently. I studied nutrition and health sciences at university and completed my diploma in Early Childhood Education from Langara College after moving to Canada a few years ago. This program gave me insight into children’s needs, development, and ways of learning.
My aim is to create an environment for children in which they feel safe, explore, play, express themselves, gain independence, and cultivate healthy relationships. I will focus on developmentally appropriate activities that encourage their cognitive, language/literacy, physical, fine and gross motor skills, as well as social and emotional maturation.
I look forward to meeting and working with the Ambleside Montessori children, families, and educators.
Ibeth Duarte
Early Childhood Educator
My name is Ibeth Duarte, and I am proud to be an educator at Ambleside Montessori Preschool.
I am originally from Colombia, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, a field in which I worked for several years in Colombia and subsequently two years in Canada as part of an internship.
I grew up in a family of teachers. My mother was a kindergarten teacher for many years, and that inspired me to pursue early childhood education as my chosen profession in Canada. I obtained my ECE (early childhood educator) certification from Collège La Cité in Ottawa, Ontario. As I pursued my studies, I also worked at a Francophone preschool for six years. I am fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
I am committed to working tirelessly with our young students. Helping each child progress in all areas of their academic, social, linguistic, and motor development is a challenge that I am delighted to embrace, and I will strive to contribute to the nurturing and fun environment at Ambleside Montessori.
My name is Ibeth Duarte, and I am proud to be an educator at Ambleside Montessori Preschool.
I am originally from Colombia, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, a field in which I worked for several years in Colombia and subsequently two years in Canada as part of an internship.
I grew up in a family of teachers. My mother was a kindergarten teacher for many years, and that inspired me to pursue early childhood education as my chosen profession in Canada. I obtained my ECE (early childhood educator) certification from Collège La Cité in Ottawa, Ontario. As I pursued my studies, I also worked at a Francophone preschool for six years. I am fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
I am committed to working tirelessly with our young students. Helping each child progress in all areas of their academic, social, linguistic, and motor development is a challenge that I am delighted to embrace, and I will strive to contribute to the nurturing and fun environment at Ambleside Montessori.
Anna Lee
Early Childhood Educator
I majored in Education, where I learned to create and develop teaching methods and materials with an eye on the different ways in which students absorb and process information. I obtained a teaching certificate and have since worked at different schools, which gave me the opportunity to guide and communicate with students of different age groups.
While working with high school students, I observed firsthand that the way teenagers behave and think is highly influenced by how they were educated in their early years. Subsequently, I decided that I wanted to become involved in educating children in the early stages of their lives and to pursue Early Childhood Education (ECE) as my career. Through my time focusing on this age group, I have become well-versed in tactfully guiding, employing different caring methods, and utilizing individualized ways of communicating with children. By working with children in the ECE field, I have learned that each child has their own set of skills and talents, which need to be cultivated with appropriate stimulation, careful guidance, and purposeful teaching methods and materials.
I believe that a quality education in the early years is critical for ensuring a child’s success, academically and socially, later on in life. I am looking forward to playing a positive role in your children’s continued development and creating beautiful moments with them during their time at Ambleside Montessori.
I majored in Education, where I learned to create and develop teaching methods and materials with an eye on the different ways in which students absorb and process information. I obtained a teaching certificate and have since worked at different schools, which gave me the opportunity to guide and communicate with students of different age groups.
While working with high school students, I observed firsthand that the way teenagers behave and think is highly influenced by how they were educated in their early years. Subsequently, I decided that I wanted to become involved in educating children in the early stages of their lives and to pursue Early Childhood Education (ECE) as my career. Through my time focusing on this age group, I have become well-versed in tactfully guiding, employing different caring methods, and utilizing individualized ways of communicating with children. By working with children in the ECE field, I have learned that each child has their own set of skills and talents, which need to be cultivated with appropriate stimulation, careful guidance, and purposeful teaching methods and materials.
I believe that a quality education in the early years is critical for ensuring a child’s success, academically and socially, later on in life. I am looking forward to playing a positive role in your children’s continued development and creating beautiful moments with them during their time at Ambleside Montessori.
Kathy Mooney
Early Childhood Educator Assistant
I am an Honours graduate from an English Literature program (Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont.), with a concentration in creative writing, media studies, and marketing. I have used these skills throughout my entire career. Not only have I worked in marketing and newspaper /magazine departments, but I have also worked on many writing projects for different businesses.
This broad background, blending University training in the English classics and modern writing achievements, makes me a much sought-after tutor in my field.
I always bring a fresh approach to students who need help with their writing / comprehension / grammar, and spelling work. I bring information from contemporary issues to life in their writing and encourage them to be very creative.
I have worked both privately and in groups with students from ages 5 – 18 and enjoy every level in their learning path. I have conducted Novel Study programs and Summer Reading/Writing Camps for Aspire and enjoyed every moment of it. Working with senior students on special assignments and critiquing their work is also a very rewarding part of my tutoring.
As I get to know each student and their interests, I can create special programs for them and develop a good rapport with their parents and teachers. As a parent of a child with a learning disability, I have also worked with autistic and challenged children in a fun, creative way.
I am an Honours graduate from an English Literature program (Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont.), with a concentration in creative writing, media studies, and marketing. I have used these skills throughout my entire career. Not only have I worked in marketing and newspaper /magazine departments, but I have also worked on many writing projects for different businesses.
This broad background, blending University training in the English classics and modern writing achievements, makes me a much sought-after tutor in my field.
I always bring a fresh approach to students who need help with their writing / comprehension / grammar, and spelling work. I bring information from contemporary issues to life in their writing and encourage them to be very creative.
I have worked both privately and in groups with students from ages 5 – 18 and enjoy every level in their learning path. I have conducted Novel Study programs and Summer Reading/Writing Camps for Aspire and enjoyed every moment of it. Working with senior students on special assignments and critiquing their work is also a very rewarding part of my tutoring.
As I get to know each student and their interests, I can create special programs for them and develop a good rapport with their parents and teachers. As a parent of a child with a learning disability, I have also worked with autistic and challenged children in a fun, creative way.
Melisa Penã
Early Childhood Educator
I am passionate about creating a positive and lively atmosphere for all of the students at Ambleside Montessori to thrive in. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education program at Vancouver Community College and have paired my ECE license with a Responsible Adult Certificate. I am both patient and eager to learn more about the people around me, which allows me to build deeper connections with every child and family. I speak both English and Spanish fluently. I greatly look forward to preparing and carrying out engaging language lessons for the little ones to partake in.
Kaylee Yuck
Early Childhood Educator
My name is Kaylee Yuck. I am an Early Childhood Educator with 9 years of experience working with diverse groups of children, including those with learning disabilities. I obtained my degree at Vancouver Career College and worked at larger centres prior to joining Ambleside Montessori. I am committed to fostering a motivational and collaborative learning environment that encourages social and emotional growth. I firmly believe that if the teacher is happy, the children will be happy; therefore, a positive and welcoming environment is key in nurturing our young ones. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies and spending quality time with loved ones. I am very much looking forward to creating memories with everyone who is a part of this lovely community!
My name is Kaylee Yuck. I am an Early Childhood Educator with 9 years of experience working with diverse groups of children, including those with learning disabilities. I obtained my degree at Vancouver Career College and worked at larger centres prior to joining Ambleside Montessori. I am committed to fostering a motivational and collaborative learning environment that encourages social and emotional growth. I firmly believe that if the teacher is happy, the children will be happy; therefore, a positive and welcoming environment is key in nurturing our young ones. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies and spending quality time with loved ones. I am very much looking forward to creating memories with everyone who is a part of this lovely community!
Emma Zandi
Early Childhood Educator
I was born and raised in Iran, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in science. Shortly after, I pursued a master’s degree in chemistry with a focus on biochemistry in Australia. Upon completing my post-secondary education, I taught high school chemistry for over a decade. However, after moving to Canada, I decided to switch gears and revisit another passion of mine, which has always been early childhood education. I love tapping into the curiosity of young minds by developing their critical thinking skills and challenging them to think outside the box.
I have an ECE certificate from Vancouver Community College and have been working with preschoolers for several years. I look forward to leaning on my education and experience to help foster the intellectual and emotional development of the Ambleside Montessori children.
I was born and raised in Iran, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in science. Shortly after, I pursued a master’s degree in chemistry with a focus on biochemistry in Australia. Upon completing my post-secondary education, I taught high school chemistry for over a decade. However, after moving to Canada, I decided to switch gears and revisit another passion of mine, which has always been early childhood education. I love tapping into the curiosity of young minds by developing their critical thinking skills and challenging them to think outside the box.
I have an ECE certificate from Vancouver Community College and have been working with preschoolers for several years. I look forward to leaning on my education and experience to help foster the intellectual and emotional development of the Ambleside Montessori children.
Marjan Nejat
I was raised in West Vancouver and am proud to call this wonderful and vibrant community home. I attended West Vancouver Secondary School and, upon graduation, began my post-secondary studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in sociology. The child psychology courses that I took at UBC piqued my interest in early childhood education. After obtaining my B.A., I developed that interest and made the decision to enter and work in the field of early childhood education with a focus on the Montessori approach. To that end, I completed studies in business management and human resources at BCIT and obtained my early childhood education (ECE) certification from Vancouver Career College. I am fluent in the English and Farsi languages.
My personal belief has always been that the preschool experience ought to be about more than just providing child care for working or busy parents; ideally, it should be an immersive experience that appropriately educates the children, aides in their socialization and growth, and readies them for the next chapters of their lives. My survey of and experience with the preschools on the North Shore revealed that very few were education-focused and child-centered. That is why I founded Ambleside Montessori with the aim of helping to fulfill a need for more quality child care in the community. I am grateful for and have been encouraged by the positive response shown by parents and children to the Ambleside Montessori brand of early childhood education. It has been my absolute pleasure to meet and work with incredible parents and educators since the inception of Ambleside Montessori and to watch our pupils learn, grow and graduate to kindergarten. We now operate two locations in beautiful West Vancouver and I look forward to continuing this rewarding journey in the years to come.
I was raised in West Vancouver and am proud to call this wonderful and vibrant community home. I attended West Vancouver Secondary School and, upon graduation, began my post-secondary studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in sociology. The child psychology courses that I took at UBC piqued my interest in early childhood education. After obtaining my B.A., I developed that interest and made the decision to enter and work in the field of early childhood education with a focus on the Montessori approach. To that end, I completed studies in business management and human resources at BCIT and obtained my early childhood education (ECE) certification from Vancouver Career College. I am fluent in the English and Farsi languages.
My personal belief has always been that the preschool experience ought to be about more than just providing child care for working or busy parents; ideally, it should be an immersive experience that appropriately educates the children, aides in their socialization and growth, and readies them for the next chapters of their lives. My survey of and experience with the preschools on the North Shore revealed that very few were education-focused and child-centered. That is why I founded Ambleside Montessori with the aim of helping to fulfill a need for more quality child care in the community. I am grateful for and have been encouraged by the positive response shown by parents and children to the Ambleside Montessori brand of early childhood education. It has been my absolute pleasure to meet and work with incredible parents and educators since the inception of Ambleside Montessori and to watch our pupils learn, grow and graduate to kindergarten. We now operate two locations in beautiful West Vancouver and I look forward to continuing this rewarding journey in the years to come.
Meet Ambleside Montessori's Team
Anna Lee Nakyoung
Early Childhood Educator
Ibeth Duarte
Early Childhood Educator
