Montessori Philosophy
  Dr. Maria Montessori transformed our understanding of childhood development, believing that education is a preparation for life. Montessori schools recognize the potential of children and nurture such with unique teaching methods and materials, helping children learn through hands-on experience, discovery and purposeful activity.
 The Montessori method considers a child's unique learning curve. Periods of intense fascination begin at birth and continue through adolescence however, once a skill is mastered, the interest, fascination, and ease of learning may diminish. Montessori observes this natural ebb and flow and provides children with the tools they need to learn when each is ready. Our environment allows a child to explore their changing interests and reinforces various needs with the careful direction of an accredited early childhood educator. Self-correcting learning materials allow the child to explore and embrace key concepts at their own pace, building language, sensorial knowledge, mathematical skills, practical life and a cultural understanding of their world. Montessori classrooms are beautiful and inspiring for children and continuously updated to encompass scientific advancements, current events, and cultural context.
Our goal is to assist children in realizing their potential, developing the confidence that is born from independence, and an appreciation for the holistic nature and benefits of interdependence. Children are trained to concentrate and observe with all their senses, to form good work habits, and strong realtionships based on mutual respect for their peers, our Earth and all living things.
Central to Montessori's philosophy is a child's self-esteem. Every student is a respected member of our school community and gains satisfaction in their physical, social, non-religious spiritual, emotional, and intellectual development.
We assist and encourage children to take responsibility for their learning, which helps prepare them for coping with the challenges of a complex and changing world. There is a balance in our classrooms between freedom, order and responsibility, which nurtures spontaneous curiosity, develops self-discipline, motivation and a sense of purpose.
The Montessori method is an extensive departure from traditional public education and we encourage parents to learn more. The choices you make now for your child will shape their future. Therefore we offer both parenting classes and education evenings to assist in this most critical decision.
Please contact Discover Montessori School for more information regarding the adult evenings, and/or to arrange a classrooom observation, to discover for yourself what makes our school so special.
Call 250.760.0615
Who We Are
Nanaimo Montessori School first opened its classrooms in 1975. Since September 2003 the school has been administered by Discover Montessori Society who, in August 2011, renamed the facility Discover Montessori School. In August 2013 the school was rebranded to better reflect its mission, and to acknowledge the school's growth and inclusion of a second campus, located in neighbouring Parksville.
 The Parksville campus opened its Primary classroom in October 2008, in the St. Mark's Anglican Church basement in Qualicum Beach, under the banner of Oceanside Montessori School. Closely affiliated with Nanaimo Montessori, Parksville offered a consistent Montessori experience to a waiting list of northerly families. The Parksville school moved to its current Errington home in April 2011. Now combined, Discover Montessori School is better prepared to expand both primary and elementary classes at both locations.
With a combined student body of over 100 children, aged 3–12, we are committed to providing the highest quality Montessori education, based on Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) training. Interpretation of AMI philosophy and methodology varies by region and nation, making core-teacher-training and like-minded school affiliations extremely important.
 Our teachers hold Montessori certification along with Early Childhood Education and Independent Teaching Certificates in accordance with BC Ministry of Education and VIHA requirements. Our curriculum meets or exceeds the standards set forth by the BC Ministry of Education.
Nanaimo and Parksville campuses are licensed through VIHA under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act (Nanaimo AOSN-8LUUVW; Parksville TMGN-8FHS46).
We invite you to visit our school to get acquainted and observe. This is the best way to ensure it is the right fit for your family.
Staff & Teachers
All Discover Montessori School staff and teachers are fully-qualified to practise the Montessori way. All excell in their own specialties while providing a common approach to Montessori methodology across two campuses. Use these name links to jump to specific staff/teacher biographies or simply scroll.
NANAIMO CAMPUS
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Diana Chalmers
Principal and Elementary Montessori Directress
Diana received her Association Montessori International elementary training in Bergamo, Italy in 1994–1995. She was awarded her Masters in Education in Child Studies from Simon Fraser University in 1999. Diana has been involved with Nanaimo Montessori School since 1981 and has held many positions – first as a parent, then a parent volunteer, secretary, dance & computer instructor and elementary teacher. Diana became the Principal of Discover Montessori School in 2003. Diana and her husband Dennis brought their four children up through the school's primary and elementary programs. The children have grown to become the "citizens of the world" Maria Montessori envisioned. Diana is a past Director of the Montessori Society of Canada and is committed to the growth of quality Montessori programs across Vancouver Island |
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Cynthia Dyer
Vice Principal, Primary & Elementary Montessori Directress
Cynthia has been involved with Montessori for many years first as a parent, then as a teacher and finally as Vice Principal. She holds Montessori Certificates for both Primary and Elementary levels, an ECE license, and a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care.
A passionate Montessorian, Cynthia writes two blogs for parents, facilitates yearly parenting classes, and teaches Art and Music to the elementary children. In her spare time, she sits on the VIMA (Vancouver Island Montessori Association) board as the "up-island" representative. |
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Ann Pettit
Primary Directress & After School Program
Ann was born and raised in Scotland. She completed her Teacher Training at Edinburgh University. After teaching in Scotland for four years she accepted a post with The British Council teaching in Lima, Peru. Her next post was back in Scotland where she continued teaching until meeting her Canadian husband. She travelled the world accompanying him on various contracts and enjoyed volunteering whenever possible. Ann and her husband settled in Nanaimo in 2002 where she attended V.I.U. to study Early Childhood Education & Care. She joined our school in 2005. Ann has earned her Montessori Teacher's Certificate in Theory and Methodology. |
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Valerie Mermet
Primary Montessori Directress
Valerie was born in the south of France. For three years she taught at our school as a French and dance teacher where the children inspired her to become a Montessori teacher. Valerie completed her Association Montessori International diploma for the primary program in Vancouver, 2007–2008. She has studied organic horticulture at Darlington Hall in Devon, England, and was a member of Kabudu, a professional West African dance and drumming ensemble. She and her husband lead cultural tours to Nepal and Tibet. Valerie is cofounder and organizer of the annual Himalayan Festival on Gabriola Island, which is a fundraiser for a remote hospital in western Nepal. |
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Andrea Saam-Lawry
Elementary Assistant
Andrea holds BC College of Teachers certification. She was born and raised in Nanaimo. She had a variety of overseas experiences while volunteering and traveling in Asia, Europe, and South America. Andrea graduated from Malispina College (now V.I.U.) with a dual degree — a B. Ed., and an B.A. in History and English. She and her husband travelled to Hsin Chu, Taiwan, where they created the curriculum for, and taught, the English as a Foreign Language program to preschoolers at the America Montessori School. She is thrilled to be part of our Primary program, and feels equally privileged to have her two children receive a Montessori education. |
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Kathleen Hancock
Primary Montessori Directress
Kathleen has been a directress with the school since.she completed her Ami Montessori training in 2007. Prior to that she completed her BA from UBC where she studied both history and botany. Before discovering Montessori education Kathleen's career was in the field of community recreation and outdoor recreation. Outdoor pursuits is still a passion for her. Kathleen has two young boys both currently attending Discover Montessori School. |
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Shelley Carlen
Primary Classroom Assistant
Shelley was born in Vancouver and received her Early Childhood Education at Vancouver City College. Wanting a change from the city, Shelley and her husband Brent moved to Salt Spring Island. After spending over thirty wonderful years there, they decided that they were ready to move where there were other opportunities. While living in Northern BC, Shelley enjoyed working at the Child Development Centre in Prince George. Now, both Shelley and Brent enjoy living in beautiful city of Nanaimo. They spend their leisure time hiking and working in their garden. |
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Jodi Donaldson
Primary Classroom Assistant
Jodi's first experience with our school was in her teenswhen she helped with the summer school program for three years. In 2002 Jodi graduated from the Early Childhood Program (including infant/toddler and special needs) at VIU. While attending school and after graduation she worked for supported child care at the Child Development Centre. In 2004 Jodi started working at Nanaimo Montessori School (now Discover Montessori) running the after school program. After one year Jodi was convinced this was the place for her so that summer she went to Vancouver to complete the AMI Assistant's Course. After nine years Jodi still enjoys everyday watching the school grow and watching her own children enjoy learning in the Montessori environment. |
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Candice Winter
Primary Classroom Assistant
Candice started volunteering at the school when her daughter first started attending Montessori in 2009–2010. Candice fell in love with the montessori method and volunteered at the school for a year. She then took the AMI Assistant's Course and attended VIU for a year, while working part time in the after school program. Candice is now with us full time in the afternoon class with Ann. |
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Karin Barker
Office Administrator
Karin was instrumental in the opening of Oceanside Montessori School in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area in 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University with a double Major in Anthropology & Communications as well as a Diploma of Technology in Broadcast Communications in Television Production from BCIT. She worked as a post production coordinator in the Vancouver film and television industry for many years before relocating to Vancouver Island with her young family. |
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PARKSVILLE CAMPUS
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Kelly Jackson
Primary Montessori Directress
Kelly has Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary certification from Toronto, Ontario, and had the distinct privilege of training under Dr. Maria Montessori's granddaughter, Renilde Montessori. Kelly taught Montessori for 16 years in Ontario and joined Oceanside Montessori School when it opened in 2008. Kelly is also a certified BC teacher & Early Childhood Educator, and is dedicated to presenting the highest standard of AMI Montessori Education to young children in Oceanside. |
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Heather-Anne Velaniskis
Primary Montessori Directress
Heather-Anne received her Association Montessori Internationale Primary training in Toronto, Ontario under the renowned teacher trainer Sandra Girlato. She holds a lower level elementary MACTE accredited diploma. She has her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Ryerson University. She holds an Early Childhood Education certification and is a certified teacher with the BC Ministry of Education – Independent School Branch. She is dedicated to supporting the cause of children and helping to create the best learning environments possible for their development. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, surfing, travel and skiing. |
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Zeny Belino
Classroom Assistant
Zeny completed theAMI Assistant's Course in Vancouver, BC, after completeing a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Masters in Science Education. She taught laboratory sciences and higher biology courses in the Philippines. In 2007, she felt privileged to work with younger children at an International School (Anglo-American School chartered by the embassies of Canada, USA and UK) from pre-kindergarten to 5th Grade in Moscow, Russia. Coming to Canada, she worked with a family who practiced Montessori at home, which lead her to pursue it as a career. Zeny introduced Montessori education to her family before her first child was born and has raised her children adapting Montessori principles at home. |
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Society Parent Group
"It takes a village to raise a child"
The mandate of Discover Montessori Society Parent Group is to work collaboratively with school staff and administration to provide opportunities that complement and support the Montessori philosophy. Parents share ideas, plan events, provide opportunities for children to socialize outside the class and enrich the life of the school.
What we do
- Organize social events such as play dates at local parks, bowling, skating, etc.
- Annual fundraisers like Bowling, and the Family Ball and Silent Auction.
- Enhance our playgrounds by creating great spaces for our children to play and learn.
- Meet to discuss our goals and plan ahead.
Organize school photos & facilitate fundraisers such as Christmas tree sales, Easter Purdy's chocolates etc.
Every family is invited to participate in meetings and events. We will send emails outlining upcoming events and meetings as well as post information on the school Community Board.
Our first meeting is also our Annual General Meeting which is held in late September or early October. We welcome any parents to nominate themselves for positions on our Executive as Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and two Members At Large, or on any of our committees.
We hope you will come out and join the fun.
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