The staff team at Brooklin Mill Montessori School is very much looking forward to working with you and your child over the upcoming school year. We have provided a brief profile for each of us in the core team for your reference. We have all met the school health & safety requirements regarding police clearance, immunization and emergency training. More importantly, we all share a love of working with children, a passion for learning, and the skills to create a warm and stimulating learning environment for the children.

Mrs. Jennifer Grundy, School Director
The school's founder and hands-on director, Mrs. Jennifer Grundy, is a mother of 2 girls, both former students of Brooklin Mill Montessori School. Mrs. Grundy was captivated by the Montessori learning environment when she saw the affirmative impact it had on her daughters. Mrs. Grundy made a career change and is now a trained Montessori teacher, holding a diploma from the Pan American Montessori Society, and a graduate of the Ontario Federation of Independent School's Principal's Course. She has taught at the Casa level and is a strong believer in early childhood education. Mrs. Grundy is university educated and holds 2 professional designations.

Mrs. Farah Khuwaja, Montessori Teacher
Mrs. Khuwaja has earned a Montessori Casa diploma from the American Montessori Society (AMS) and a Montessori Elementary diploma from the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute. Mrs. Khuwaja has over 14 years of teaching experience and has taught at Brooklin Mill Montessori School since the school's inception. You will be impressed with her ability to ignite each child's passion for learning. She is university educated and the mother of 2 children, both of whom have attended Brooklin Mill Montessori School.

Mrs. Catherine Conner, Montessori Teacher
Mrs. Conner earned her Montessori teaching diploma from the Foundation for Montessori Education in 2002. Influenced by her daughter's wonderful experiences in Montessori, she made a career change from many years in finance to teaching. With her 9 years of Montessori classroom experience, Mrs. Conner will provide leadership in the JK/SK Enrichment Senior Casa class. You will appreciate her energy, enthusiasm, and genuine 'follow the child' attitude!

Mrs. Pamela Poole, Resource Teacher
Mrs. Poole applies her experience and expertise as our resource teacher for special needs children and enrichment activities throughout the school. She has led our Summer Camp since inception and provides team-teaching support in the Casa classroom. Mrs. Poole holds a Child and Youth Worker diploma from St. Lawrence College and a Montessori Assistant Teacher certificate from the Canadian Montessori Teacher Training Institute. She has over 16 years of experience, including 9 years at Brooklin Mill Montessori School. Mrs. Poole is the mother of 2 children, the youngest of whom graduated from Senior Casa at Brooklin Mill Montessori School.

Mrs. Rekha Umesh, Montessori Teacher
Mrs. Umesh earned an integrated Casa and elementary Montessori diploma from the Indian Institute for Montessori Studies with first class standing in 2007. She joined Brooklin Mill Montessori School in the spring of 2008. Her previous experience in social work and teaching young children is evident in her nurturing and empathetic manner. Mrs. Umesh is multi-lingual and shares her interest and enthusiasm in world cultures with the children. She is a trained yoga teacher for children, holding a certificate from Young Yoga Masters.

Mrs. Gail MacDonnell, Montessori Teacher
Mrs. MacDonnell is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with a Child Development accreditation certificate from the Nova Scotia Teacher's College. She earned her Montessori teaching diploma from the Newborough Training College in 1997. She has over 20 years of experience working with children, including 15 years teaching in Montessori Casa classrooms. With her gentle and nurturing demeanour, Mrs. MacDonnell leads our morning Junior Casa class. Her warmth and genuine love of children is evident in every interaction.

Mrs. Tara Karlsson, Montessori Teacher
Mrs. Karlsson holds her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Ryerson University and her Montessori Early Childhood diploma from the Toronto Montessori Institute. She is also a trained vocalist and yoga teacher. With her 3 years of Montessori teaching experience and many talents, Mrs. Karlsson teaches in the Senior Casa classroom and leads our MusikGarten program. You will appreciate her passion for the arts, for fitness, and her professionalism in every undertaking. Her 2 children also attend Brooklin Mill Montessori School.

Ms. Manuela Quintero, Classroom Teacher
Ms. Quintero earned her Early Childhood Education diploma from Durham College in 2005 and will be conferred her Bachelor of Education degree from York University in the fall of 2011. She is currently completing her Montessori Infant and Toddler diploma with the North American Montessori Center. Drawing upon her experiences in the toddler classroom, Ms. Quintero will guide our youngest students as they begin their Montessori journey in our pre-Casa class. She also leads groups of older children in enrichment and Summer Camp activities. Ms. Quintero is bilingual and shares her love of Spanish literature and international travel with the children.

Mrs. Laura Ross, Classroom Teacher & Campus Club Director
Mrs. Ross holds her Bachelor of Education from Trent University and has been working as a tutor in the classroom with a diverse group of students from several elementary schools. She is experienced in coaching children's sports, integrating technology in the classroom, and accommodating special needs. Mrs. Ross leads our after-school Campus Club program, tutoring services, computer lab, and physical education classes with the senior students. Her dedication to student success and extra-curricular activity makes her a favourite mentor / coach.

Mrs. Nichola Kerr, Classroom Assistant
Mrs. Kerr has been an educational assistant at Brooklin Mill Montessori School since our first year of operations. She holds her Montessori Assistant Certificate from the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute. Mrs. Kerr is a patient educator, who expects and wins the best from each child. She is also experienced in behaviour management and working with special needs children.

Mrs. Paula Mueller, Classroom Assistant
Mrs. Mueller earned her Montessori Assistant Certificate from the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute in 2007. She assists in the Casa classroom and with computer activities. She also shares her love of sports with the children and, by example teaches the qualities of perseverance, teamwork, and respect.

Mrs. Denise Gardiner, Classroom Assistant
Mrs. Gardiner earned her Montessori Assistant Certificate from the Association Montessori International in 2003. She has 7 years experience working with children in Montessori and demonstrates a life-long love of learning. Mrs. Gardiner welcomes children in the before-school Campus Club program and assists in the Junior Casa classroom throughout the morning.

Mrs. Rajkumari Sawh, Classroom Assistant
Mrs. Sawh holds her primary teaching diploma from the Port of Spain Teacher's College and has over 30 years of experience teaching elementary students in Trinidad. She provides lunch-hour supervision and works with special needs children in the classrooms with professionalism, insight, and consistent follow-through.

Mrs. Shannon Graham, AM Campus Club Program
Mrs. Graham opens the School daily and welcomes children into our morning Campus Club program. With her sunny smile, artistic abilities, and creativity, she helps everyone start the day on the right foot!

In addition to these key staff members, we have a number of other caring and talented support staff and student-teachers who will be working in the School. Each one has been carefully selected and screened (including reference checks and police criminal records checks) to ensure that your child's early learning experiences are outstanding. We are proud of our staffing team and welcome any questions regarding our qualifications and experiences in working with children. We also love to share insights into child development and the Montessori method! Let's talk!