Meet Our Staff and Educators
Ms. Inayat Unissa Bergum
Founder, Head of School,
Director & Montessori Mentor, International Montessori Academies of Canada & USA
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.
Teaching Staff
Christian Lee
Elementary Teacher, Cowichan Station
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.
Marlene Heitland
Interim Principal, Diverse Needs Specialist, Cowichan Station
Bio and photo coming soon!
Kareena Harwood
Pre-Kindergarden Programs, Cowichan Station
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.
Princess Turallo
Intermediate Teacher, Cowichan Station
Hello! I am Princess Tricia Mae Turallo. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I graduated the Ateneo de Naga University in 2019, with a Bachelors Degree in elementary
Education. During my internship, I was given the opportunity to be part of a student exchange program going to Indonesia where I spent a month teaching Indonesian students. Right after my internship, I was hired at an Academy in the Philippines where I spend four
years teaching. During those four years I attained my Master of Education. I then went on to teach grades one through five. I gained experience dealing with all types of students abilities and behaviours. When I was presented with the opportunity to teach in Canada I embraced it with open arms and am happy to join the Noorunissa.
Peter Zhang
Early Childhood Educator, Cowichan Station
Bio and photo coming soon!
Afrooz Farmanbordari
AMI Montessori Guide 3-6, Early Childhood Educator, Cowichan Station
Bio and photo coming soon!
Navneet Kaur
Pre-Kindergarten Programs, ECEA, Cowichan Station
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.
Meenu Majahan
Pre-Kindergarten Programs, ECE, Cowichan Station
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!
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.
Laura Boxrud
Lead Early Childhood Educator, Cobble Hill
I was born and raised in Costa Rica, surrounded by strong family values and a deep appreciation for community. I studied Preschool Education at The University of Costa Rica for 3 years and began my journey in a Musical Preschool Centre in San Jose. I came to Canada in 1994 to begin a new chapter and welcome my two daughters.
I decided to renewed my studies in Early Childhood Education a few years later and I was placed in a Montessori school for my practicum—and that placement turned out to be a life-changing experience.
From the very beginning, I completely fell in love with the Montessori method. I was deeply inspired by its respect for the child’s independence, its nurturing of natural curiosity, creativity, and its ability to instill a lifelong love of learning. It was then that I decided to further my studies with the North American Montessori Centre.
Since then, I’ve been truly blessed with the opportunity to work at several Montessori schools in Nanaimo. Each experience has strengthened my passion for the method and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
I love to spend time with my family, dance and traveling.
Administration
Zarah Panganiban
Executive Secretary, Cowichan Station
Bio and photo coming soon!
Martina Keceus Sulentic
Executive Secretary, Cowichan Station
Bio and photo coming soon!