Administrators

Ateeka Khan, M.A.
Co-founder; School Director

I am the co-founder and current Director of Stoney Creek Montessori School. As a resident of Stoney Creek, I am very concerned with the development of the Hamilton area. As a PhD candidate at McMaster University in the Department of History and having worked with students in institutions of higher learning for many years, I am keen to see changes in the education system that promote a love of learning and critical thinking at the younger ages so that children are better prepared to thrive and enjoy the lifelong journey for knowledge and become empathetic, concerned adults. My husband – also a core team member – and I have three children, all of whom have attended or are attending Stoney Creek Montessori School.

Fareena Alam,
Co-founder; Head of Enrolment and Online Operations

My appreciation for Montessori pedagogy began when I saw how my son thrived in a traditional Montessori school in London, England where we lived until Fall 2017. Offering the same nurturing care to other families, with a genuine emphasis on raising thoughtful, open-minded children, is my chief motivation for the founding of Stoney Creek Montessori. In addition to my involvement at SCM, I work for the Gender Equality section of UNICEF, specifically on efforts to end harmful social norms and gender-based violence against women and girls. I love gardening and am a certified Master Gardener. My husband – an experienced educator from Toronto, Canada, our son and I are based in Connecticut, USA.

 

Annabel Gills, Site supervisor and Compliance Manager

I started with Stoney Creek Montessori, albeit behind the scenes, during the construction phase. I’ve loved this school ever since! I’m thrilled to be involved on-site now, assisting with anything and everything. My 15-year career in drug and medical device regulatory and quality compliance comes in handy for the school’s licensing and reporting requirements. My love for all things handy makes sure that the facility is in tip top shape. As a mom of two, I adore kids and especially all the blossoming personalities of our students. I love being a part of the Stoney Creek Montessori community!

Chelsea Calder, Assistant Director

I have always gravitated toward working with children. I spent 7 years running and later supervising recreational programs with the City of Hamilton (and Brampton). I also ran a music school before joining the SCMS administration team alongside my grad school colleague, Ateeka, in 2018. I live in the Hamilton area and enjoy spending my time outside of SCMS with my two boys, husband, and fur baby.

 

 

Bambini class (up to age 3 years)

Jennifer Davis, Montessori Teacher
I love working with preschoolers and find it very rewarding to watch precious children grow and strive in life. For 16 years, I ran pre-school programs for ages 1 to 5 year olds (8 years for the City of Hamilton and prior to that 8 years with the City of Etobicoke). I have a Montessori diploma in teaching toddlers aged 0-3 years. I also have a background in Recreation Leadership from Humber College. I love what I do and take my job to heart. I am married to a wonderful and supportive husband and am a mother of two fabulous children 15 and 18, as well as a stepmom to three great young adults.

Islam Zeitoun, Montessori teacher and Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)
I am a MACTE-accredited Montessori for the 0-3 years age group. I have worked in the SCM Bambini classroom since 2019 after having graduated with honours in the early childhood education program at Mohawk College. I am a mother of three children who mean the world to me. They are the reasons I was attracted to the world of childhood education. I am passionate about ensuring children get support and high-quality education that they need to thrive.

Patrice Jones, Montessori Assistant and Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)
I have over 20 years of experience working with children, particularly as a nanny for 15 of those years. I am a certified Montessori classroom assistant, having trained with the Montessori Teachers College in 2017 and first worked with Stoney Creek Montessori in 2018 just after it opened its doors. I love the outdoors, travelling and meeting new people. I like to bring some fun, positive energy to the Bambini classroom and the school! I’m very grateful to be part of the Stoney Creek Montessori team!

 

Maple and Willow classes (aged 3-6 years)

Stephanie Renna, Montessori Teacher and Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)

I completed the Montessori Early Childhood Teacher program at Sheridan College in 2006 and have been working in Montessori schools since September 2007. I have also been a RECE since 2004. I have a nephew and niece who I am really close to and love dearly. In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family and my friends. I enjoy going to concerts. I love reading books, playing hockey, watching my favourite hockey team and traveling. I’m very excited to be part of the SCMS team!

 

Lauren Drambis, Montessori teacher-in-training
Montessori Education is my second career, founded in my passion for early childhood development and education. My professional background is in fundraising consulting for the charitable sector. As a former Montessori student (I attended a Montessori Casa program in the late 1990s), I am passionate about the Montessori method and philosophy, and the lifelong skills which come with it. I am currently undertaking the Montessori Early Childhood Diploma course at the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute ECE program while I support the age 3-6 group in Stoney Creek Montessori.

 

Nancy Hozjan, Montessori Teacher

I have been teaching for 25 years in various private schools from the Toronto area to St. Catharines, where I live with daughter and husband. I completed both my CASA and Elementary Montessori teaching diplomas at Toronto Montessori Institute (TMI), which allow me to teach children ages 2.5 to 12 years. In the course of my career, I have taught ages 18 months to Grade 3.  I thoroughly enjoy the Montessori method and believe strongly in the independence it nurtures in children. I am very happy to be a part of Stoney Creek Montessori School.

 

 

Support teachers

Hina Husain, Support teacher 
I am an experienced social worker and support counsellor with a background in dealing with sensitive and vulnerable communities. I currently home-school my children while I support the team at Stoney Creek Montessori on a part-time basis. 

 

 

 

Stephani  Bonyun, Pre-school chef and Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)
I am a recently graduated RECE with over 7 years of prior experience in elementary and middle schools and an excellent record of working with students to achieve reading, writing and speaking goals. I am fluent in Portugese and have also been an English as a second language (ESL) instructor for over 10 years, working with a different range of cultures and backgrounds, including children who wear hearing aids. I’m thrilled to be part of the Stoney Creek Montessori team as the pre-school chef and in the classroom as an RECE.  

 

Summer staff

Asheeqa Khan
Summer Teacher, Ontario College of Teachers Certified

I am thrilled to be part of the SCM team! I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa. I have had had the pleasure of working with many diverse students in the past few years. This includes toddlers in the SCM Bambini classroom in summer of 2018, the CASA aged students in the summer of 2019 and 2020, a variety of elementary classrooms in Ottawa, and a First Nations school in Québec. I believe that teachers are instrumental in developing the curiosity and love of learning in students. I am excited to help nurture this curiosity at SCM!

 

Justine Raposo
Summer Teacher, Ontario College of Teachers Certified

I have always known I wanted to work with children since I was young. For this reason, I pursued a career in teaching and I now have a Child and Youth degree and my Bachelor of Education from Brock University. My goal is to make a difference in the lives of all my students and inspire them to create their own dreams that they will one day achieve. I am very excited to be part of the Stoney Creek Montessori staff team during the Summer and to meet new families within this community!

 

Maja Radisic Hoang
Summer Teacher, Ontario College of Teachers Certified

I am a student at Western University pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in the Integrated Science Program. I attended a Montessori School from the ages of 3-9 years old, and it fueled my love for learning, curiosity, and independence from a young age. I have had experience working with children in Montessori and summer camps previously. I am excited to support children with their learning and to be a part of giving back what I gained from my Montessori education. I am grateful to be part of the Summer team at Stoney Creek Montessori!