Our Beginnings

Kimberly is a dedicated Montessori educator with over a decade of experience in early childhood education. Born in the United States and raised in Taiwan, she grew up in a Montessori household where her mother also served as a Montessori teacher. Bilingual in English and Mandarin, Kimberly brings a rich cultural perspective to her teaching practice.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2009, Kimberly spent several years working in the business field. However, her passion for working with children led her to pursue early childhood education in Canada, where she obtained both her AMI Montessori Primary Diploma and ECE certification in 2013.

Since then, Kimberly has worked exclusively in Montessori settings, where she is known for her calm, nurturing presence and her commitment to fostering independence, curiosity, and creativity in young children. She strives to create a warm, safe, and inspiring environment that supports each child’s unique development. For Kimberly, the greatest reward is witnessing the growth and joy in children as they discover the world around them.

Grace is an AMS Montessori educator who has worked with children for over 5 years. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in sports training from China. Grace was a professional figure skater and worked as an assistant figure skating coach for a year. After graduating and retiring, she came to Canada and became involved in early childhood education. She has obtained her AMS certification and Early Childhood Education certificates from Capital College since 2019.

Grace is very enthusiastic and passionate in the education field. She believes that every child is unique and has their own learning style and pace. She is dedicated to fostering independence, peace and respect in children, considering these values crucial in education. Also hope to make children feel the love and care like family.

With an AMS Montessori teaching certificate and a license as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), Heidi bring a strong passion and dedication to nurturing young children in a respectful and stimulating environment.

Heidi obtained a bachelor’s degree in communication from Simon Fraser University. Before entering the field of early childhood education, she worked in journalism, social media, and took on marketing and event planning responsibilities at a well-known local children’s product brand. These experiences sparked her deep interest in child development and education. Since 2021, she have been working as a certified ECE teacher. Heidi believes every child is unique and deserves an environment that encourages exploration, independence, and joy in learning.

With over a decade of experience in fine art and early childhood education, Ms. Shania brings a wealth of creativity and compassion to the classroom. She holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Special Needs from the University of the Fraser Valley.

Committed to integrating the arts across the curriculum, she believes in fostering creativity, engagement, and interdisciplinary learning through hands-on artistic experiences. Ms. Shania finds deep inspiration in children’s imaginative ideas and enjoys building strong, joyful relationships with them through her enthusiasm and sense of humour.

Mary has been part of the In-Joy Montessori community since 2023, working in both the Infant–Toddler and 3–5-year-old classrooms. Born and raised in Canada, her journey into early childhood education is rooted in a lifelong connection to Montessori philosophy—first as a child experiencing its benefits, and now as an educator. Returning to this environment feels both natural and meaningful. She is currently completing her Infant-Toddler Certification at Douglas College in partnership with In-Joy, and has been formally teaching for two years, with over 10 years of experience supporting children through volunteering, coaching, and mentorship.

Mary believes that early childhood is a vital stage filled with potential and wonder. Her teaching philosophy centers on nurturing children’s innate curiosity, helping them grow into confident, resilient, and compassionate individuals. She is passionate about guiding children in becoming inclusive and respectful members of their communities, while also encouraging care for the environment and the world they live in.

Elva is a certified AMI Montessori Guide for the Primary level (ages 3–6) and a licensed Early Childhood Educator. She completed her Montessori training at the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in 2024.

Raised in Burnaby, Elva first discovered her passion for working with children while coaching at her local swim club. This early experience sparked a lasting interest in child development and inspired her to pursue a career in education rooted in purpose, respect, and meaningful connection.

As a reflective and dedicated lifelong learner, Elva continually deepens her understanding of Montessori philosophy and child development. She is committed to cultivating a joyful, inclusive, and thoughtfully prepared environment where each child’s natural curiosity is supported. Her work centers on fostering independence, encouraging exploration, and creating a warm community in which children feel empowered to learn and grow at their own pace.