Our Team
Brenda Cintora Bueno
Early Childhood Educator
Brenda is originally from Mexico, where she attended a bilingual school and became fluent in both English and Spanish. She holds a university degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences and later completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education at Langara College after relocating to Canada. Through this program, she gained valuable insight into children’s developmental needs, learning processes, and overall well-being.
Her professional philosophy centres on creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, confident, and inspired to explore, play, and express themselves. She is committed to fostering independence, curiosity, and healthy social relationships through developmentally appropriate activities that support cognitive, language and literacy, physical, fine-motor, gross-motor, and social-emotional growth.
Brenda looks forward to contributing her knowledge and enthusiasm to the Ambleside Montessori community – working collaboratively with children, families, and fellow educators to support each child’s holistic development.
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
Ibeth Duarte is a dedicated educator at Ambleside Montessori Centre. Originally from Colombia, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing, a field in which she worked for several years in Colombia before completing a two-year internship in Canada.
Coming from a family of teachers, Ibeth was inspired by her mother, a longtime kindergarten educator, to pursue a career in early childhood education. After moving to Canada, she earned her Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certification from Collège La Cité in Ottawa, Ontario. While completing her studies, she gained six years of valuable experience working at a Francophone preschool.
Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Ibeth brings a multicultural and inclusive perspective to her teaching. She is deeply committed to supporting children’s holistic development – academic, social, linguistic, and motor—and takes pride in fostering a warm, engaging, and nurturing environment that reflects the core values of Ambleside Montessori Centre.
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
Anna majored in Education, where she developed a strong foundation in designing and implementing effective teaching methods and materials tailored to the diverse ways students learn and process information. After earning her teaching certificate, she gained valuable experience working in various schools, guiding and engaging with students across multiple age groups.
During her time working with high school students, Anna observed that adolescent behaviour and thinking are deeply influenced by the quality of education received in their early years. This realization inspired her to focus her career on Early Childhood Education (ECE), dedicating herself to supporting children during the most formative stages of their development.
Through her experience in early learning environments, Anna has refined her ability to guide children with empathy, patience, and respect. She applies individualized approaches to communication and care, recognizing that each child possesses unique talents and abilities that flourish with thoughtful guidance, purposeful teaching, and nurturing support.
Firmly believing that a strong early education is the cornerstone of lifelong academic and social success, Anna is committed to playing a positive role in each child’s growth. She looks forward to creating meaningful experiences and joyful learning moments with the children at Ambleside Montessori Centre.
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
Kathy Mooney is an Honours graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where she earned her degree in English Literature with concentrations in creative writing, media studies, and marketing. Throughout her career, she has applied this diverse skill set across multiple fields, including marketing, publishing, and educational writing projects for various businesses.
Her background – combining a strong academic foundation in literary studies with extensive practical experience in modern communications has established her as a highly sought-after tutor in her field. Kathy takes pride in bringing a fresh, engaging approach to every lesson, helping students strengthen their writing, comprehension, grammar, and spelling skills. She connects learning to real-world topics and encourages students to express themselves creatively and confidently.
Kathy has worked with students, both individually and in group settings. She has successfully led Novel Study programs and Summer Reading and Writing Camps at Aspire, finding joy and fulfilment in every stage of her students’ learning journey. She particularly enjoys mentoring senior students on special projects and providing detailed feedback to help refine their work.
As she gets to know each student’s personality and interests, Kathy tailors individualized learning programs and maintains strong communication with parents and teachers. As a parent of a child with a learning disability, she brings empathy, patience, and creativity to her work with children of all abilities, including those with autism and other learning challenges.
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
Melisa Peña is passionate about creating a positive, dynamic, and nurturing environment where every child at Ambleside Montessori can thrive. She is a graduate of the Early Childhood Education program at Vancouver Community College and holds both an ECE licence and a Responsible Adult Certificate.
Known for her patience, warmth, and genuine curiosity about those around her, Melisa builds meaningful connections with each child and their family. Her bilingual fluency in English and Spanish allows her to bring cultural richness and inclusivity to her classroom interactions.
Melisa is especially enthusiastic about designing and leading engaging language activities that inspire young learners to explore communication and self-expression. She looks forward to continuing to support the growth and joy of every student at Ambleside Montessori.
Kaylee Yuck
Early Childhood Educator
Kaylee Yuck is a dedicated Early Childhood Educator with over nine years of experience working with children from diverse backgrounds, including those with learning disabilities. She earned her Early Childhood Education degree from Vancouver Career College and gained valuable experience in larger childcare centres before joining Ambleside Montessori.
Kaylee is deeply committed to fostering a motivational and collaborative learning environment that supports each child’s social and emotional growth. She believes that when educators are happy and fulfilled, children naturally reflect that positivity – making a warm, welcoming atmosphere essential to early development.
Outside of the classroom, Kaylee enjoys watching movies and spending quality time with her loved ones. She looks forward to creating meaningful experiences and lasting memories with the children, families, and team at Ambleside Montessori.
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
Emma Zandi was born and raised in Iran, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in science before pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry with a focus on biochemistry in Australia. Following her postgraduate studies, she taught high school chemistry for over a decade, fostering a love of learning and inquiry in her students.
After moving to Canada, Emma decided to follow another lifelong passion – early childhood education. She is a graduate of the Early Childhood Education program at Vancouver Community College and has worked with preschool-aged children for several years.
Emma is passionate about nurturing curiosity and critical thinking in young learners, encouraging them to explore ideas and think creatively. Drawing upon her strong academic background and classroom experience, she is dedicated to supporting the intellectual and emotional growth of every child at Ambleside Montessori.
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
Marjan Nejat was raised in West Vancouver and is proud to call this vibrant and close-knit community her home. She attended West Vancouver Secondary School and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of British Columbia. During her studies, her coursework in child psychology sparked a lasting passion for early childhood education.
Following her undergraduate studies, Marjan pursued additional training in Business Management and Human Resources at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and earned her Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification from Vancouver Career College. She is fluent in both English and Farsi.
Marjan has long believed that preschool should be more than a service for busy families – it should be an enriching, hands-on learning experience that cultivates curiosity, supports emotional and social development, and builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Through her research and experience with early learning programs on the North Shore, she recognized a need for preschools that are truly education-focused and child-centred. This realization inspired her to establish Ambleside Montessori, a Montessori preschool in West Vancouver dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education rooted in the Montessori philosophy.
Marjan is deeply grateful for the enthusiasm and trust shown by families and educators who share her vision. Watching students learn, grow, and transition confidently into kindergarten has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.
Today, under her leadership, Ambleside Montessori proudly operates two locations in West Vancouver, continuing to nurture a generation of curious, confident, and compassionate learners.
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
