Meet Our Staff and Educators
Ms. Inayat Unissa Bergum
Founder, Head of School,
Director & Montessori Mentor
My calling began shortly after obtaining a superb Montessori training in Paris, France in 1962, and it was to unite children from all aspects of life in the United States, Canada, as well as Mexico through the Montessori way of education. All of my educational training has led me to understand that I inherited my passion for children by way of my aunt, Noor Unissa. In 1962, I took part in assisting Tom Laughlin (an actor and director in the movie, Billy Jack) to start the first Montessori in Southern California. It was named the Sophia Montessori of Santa Monica. In 1964, I opened the first Montessori in Costa Mesa, California, known as the Montessori Centre.
Elementary Staff
Christian Lee
Elementary Teacher
Originally from Ontario, Christian Lee holds an Honours degree in Classical Studies from Western University and the University of Leeds in the UK. He furthered his education at Althouse Teacher's College at Western University, earning a Bachelor of Education in Primary/Junior Education. He also completed a Master of Education, specializing in Classroom Specialist, at Queen's University.
Christian's teaching career began in Seoul, South Korea, where he taught elementary students at a private school. He then spent nine years at the Canadian International School of Hefei in China with his wife, who is also a teacher. During his tenure at CISH, Christian worked as an IB Primary Years Programme Homeroom Teacher, an Academic Coordinator for Elementary and Kindergarten, Vice-Principal, and ultimately Principal for Elementary and Kindergarten.
His career has also provided him opportunities to attend numerous educational conferences and workshops across Asia, from Singapore to Hong Kong to Japan to India, where he was able to engage with many leading thinkers in international education.
In his spare time, Christian enjoys spending time with his family, writing children’s stories, studying philosophy, traveling, and being outdoors.
Meenu Majahan
Pre-Kindergarten Programs, ECE
I was born in India and spent seventeen years teaching and following my passion for working with children. I moved to Canada 6 years ago with my husband and two sons in Grade 5 and Preschool here in Duncan. I took my ECEA certification at Northern Lights College. I love teaching here at our International Montessori Academy. I am hardworking, compassionate, and passionate about working with children. It is never a dull moment working with kids!
Pre-Kindergarten Staff
Kareena Harwood
Pre-Kindergarten Programs, ECE
Kareena has been in the childcare field since 2006. She started as a live-in nanny to a group of five brothers, all under 5 years old in Alberta. Her passion for early education was sparked. From there she started working with children in inner city Edmonton, giving them a safe place where they were fed and loved. She did her Youth certificate and moved to the island, drawn by the lack of snowshoeing and abundance of ocean. She continued to work with teens and children. She started working with the Child development center, and finished her E.C.E. Following a transfer, she discovered Montessori in Squamish. After 5 years on the mainland, and 2 children later, Kareena and her family moved back to the island where she opened her own daycare for a few years. Kareena enjoys art in all its forms, good coffee and great conversation.
Charmaine Cardin
ECE
Miss Charmaine has worked as a preschool teacher for over 20 years. She earned her Early-Childhood Education at Northern Lights College in Fort St. John. The past 8 years she has worked as a K to Grade. 9 school librarian. Miss Charmaine has many varied interests such as dog teams sled/carting with her Five German Shepards, crocheting, swimming, reading and raising farm animals.
She is blessed to have her husband and 6 daughters, 3 son in laws, and 4 grandchildren who all farm in the Cowichan Valley.
Dianne Grace Lomboya
Pre-Kindergarten Programs, ECEA
I was born in the Philippines and studied Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics at University of Santo Tomas. I worked with children for 6 years teaching Mathematics in the Philippines. I moved to Canada a year ago and took Early Childhood Education and Care Program at Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo.
I love to see children learn and witness their aha moments! I love coffee, traveling, and listening to music.
Navneet Kaur
Pre-Kindergarten Programs, ECEA
I was born and raised in the state of Punjab in India. After graduating from high school, I spent a few months gaining experience as a preschool teacher assistant in one of the schools in my hometown. Then I moved to Canada to attend Kwantlen Polytechnic University to pursue an education in Business Management and part-time I babysat my cousin’s children, which made me fall into the passion of working with the kids. So, I decided to formally obtain the education of early childhood assistant to begin my career in the early childhood field, and I am looking forward to being an ECE. I love working with the children, being able to work with the children brings new and exciting purpose to life every day. Apart from this, I love travelling and spending time with my family and friends.
Administration
Program Support/Administrative Assistant