Our Teachers
Our teachers are our school’s greatest assets. We are very fortunate to work with such gifted educators, both in our classrooms and in the larger school environment. Here is a bit of background on each.
"The teacher must derive not only the capacity, but the desire, to observe natural phenomena. The teacher must understand and feel her position of observer: the activity must lie in the phenomenon." - Maria Montessori
Melody
Co-founder, Head Teacher and Casa Directress
After completing her B.A. in Literature and Classical Studies, Melody began her career in Early Education in 1990. She has worked with children from infancy to school-aged in university and college lab-schools, literacy groups and Montessori schools. In addition to teaching and guiding children, Melody was a college instructor in Early Education. She has also enjoyed designing and facilitating early literacy programs for young children and their families as well as Montessori enrichment and remedial programs to support children from all educational backgrounds in language and mathematics. In her spare time, Melody combines her love of literature, creative expression and children to write novels and storybooks for young children.
In 2004, Melody earned her Association Montessori Internationale Casa teaching certification from the Foundation for Montessori Education. This evolution in her career was the result of a growing frustration with traditional early education programs and philosophies and an increasing awareness of alternative educational theories and outcomes garnered through her extensive travels and research.
Melody has practiced and refined her skills in an effort to create an environment that honours and embodies Montessori theory, materials and practice but also extends into the arts and the community at large, representing a true Montessori spirit of peace and respect for all children. This is the impetus for The Orchard Montessori School.
Holly
Co-founder, Director, Orchard Lyceum
Holly completed degrees in English, Psychology and Social Work then worked for many years in advertising, design and editorial illustration. Her daughter’s experience in Montessori proved transformative and in 2012, she co-founded The Orchard with Melody, acting as its administrative lead before completing her Elementary training in 2015. The school began with only seven students in the front room of Holly’s home and has grown to over sixty students with programs serving children from ages 2-12 years in a school building on Dovercourt.
The mission in founding The Orchard was to provide families with a traditional Montessori education that reflected the interests of the community of children it serves. This has evolved to include key emphasis on the arts and natural sciences in a bilingual environment. She has completed her certifications in Model United Nations and World Peace Game facilitation as well as Restorative Yoga Teacher Training. Holly leads the grade 6-7-8 programme and the gallery at The Lyceum on Queen Street West.
Holly enjoys writing, visual art, travel, pilates and making things up. Her favourite subjects at school are botany, poetry and geometry.
Maude
School Administrator and French Teacher
Maude has extensive experience working with children in Québec and Ontario. After moving to Toronto, she completed her Montessori teaching certificate in 2010 and worked exclusively within the French Montessori system. She is passionate about supporting and guiding children. Maude’s main role, is to facilitate and aid in the running of the school in order to best support Montessori.
If you have a question, she is the first point of contact: maude@theorchardmontessori.com
When Maude is not teaching, she can be found taking nature walks, kayaking and enjoying the outdoors. She also loves to cook and takes pleasure in trying out new foods and discovering the city.
Anouk McCaffrey
Anouk has been working with children for over twenty years and feels she could do it for another twenty. Her nurturing spirit provides a safe and comfortable space for each child to grow toward independence. When not working with children, Anouk enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her daughter and her friends. She also enjoys travelling and is always eager and willing to learn new things. Anouk believes we are never too old to learn and expand our minds.
Sam Choisy
Samuel Choisy is a French visual artist and educator who nurtures creativity in learners of all ages, from Kindergarten to High School and University. For the past year, he has been collaborating with Orchard Montessori and Orchard Lyceum to design an innovative program that teaches French through artistic practice.
Jade Marshall
Casa Assistant
Jade is a national Latin dancer and athlete who has represented Turkey in several competitions. Through her practice as a dancer, Jade began working with children—teaching movement and rhythm to kids as young as two years old. Through that experience, Jade discovered a passion for early childhood education. She currently works in the casa, supporting our youngest students and contributing to a nurturing, engaging environment for their growth.
Roger Brook
Elementary Guide
Roger has worked with children in Montessori schools in the US and Canada for nineteen years. He began his career in Cleveland after graduating with an AMI (Casa) degree from the Washington Montessori Institute. He received his lower Elementary degree from the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute. He received his upper elementary degree from the Toronto Montessori Institute. Roger encourages enquiry and creative thinking in our students in a bilingual (English/French) environment. This summer, Roger is completing his Montessori Sports Fundamentals Certificate with the AMI and he looks forward to adding those skills to our robust elementary program.