Our Faculty

Karen was born and raised on a farm, in small town Ontario. Agriculture, animals and nature all close to her heart, past and present. Karen’s rural roots eventually led her to the City of St. Catharines where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brock University. Karen has subsequently earned her Casa Montessori Teaching diploma and has several years of teaching experience in the Casa classroom.  Karen has an excellent rapport with her students and is very passionate about teaching. In February 2019, Karen was appointed the role of Head of School. Karen’s focus as HOS is based on honesty, communication and an open door approach.  Quality, alternative Montessori education, in a safe environment is her main objective.

In addition to teaching for several years, Karen has a background in Administration working within the public utility sector. Most recently, Karen has joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara and is an In-School mentor. Karen is always diligently working on getting to know our current school community at a new level, as well as building new relationships with prospective families, students and faculty alike. Mrs. Kenesky is a very visible and active faculty member throughout the school; either at the doors at arrival and dismissal times, in the halls, attending field trips and observing in classrooms. Mrs. Kenesky’s love for the school is evident and she takes great pride in BMS; this love is returned by many, including her faculty, students and families. 
BMS has been home to Mrs. Kenesky, for over a decade!

Ms. Strang is a 1994 graduate of Niagara College and a Registered Early Childhood Educator. She has also held a Preschool/Kindergarten Montessori Teacher Program Diploma from NAMC since 2003. Leanne’s interest in the Montessori Philosophy was sparked by enrolling her own children in a Montessori School. When she experienced first-hand her own children flourishing in their knowledge, independence and self-assurance; she furthered her education in the Montessori Pedagogy in order to make a difference in other young children’s lives. Leanne is a strong believer in Maria Montessori’s philosophies and enjoys teaching in a nurturing and creative Montessori environment.

Ashley was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario. She attended Brock University, obtaining her Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies with a focus on Therapeutic Recreation and Psychology. During that time she became the mother of two beautiful children. As a former Montessori Casa Student herself, she went on to obtain her Montessori Early Childhood Diploma from the Montessori Teachers College in Toronto and is now MACTE Accredited, which is recognized worldwide. Ms. Ashley is currently working on completing her third degree, Lower Elementary.

Growing up in the country, on a farm in a small town of West Lincoln, has given me the great appreciation of the value of community, learning through exploration and experiences. As a child you could find me outside interacting with one of the horses or catching tadpoles. All while learning the importance of doing my daily chores.

As I grew older I found my love for exploration led me down the path of education starting with a job in the school board. After many years I finally found my true passion in completing my Early Childhood Education diploma with Honours from Durham College; subsequently, I have completed my Early Childhood Montessori Diploma from the Montessori Teachers College in Toronto. I am happy to be working within a robust and growing Casa community at BMS!

Rebecca moved to St. Catharines at a young age and has been here ever since! She earned her Early Childhood Educator Diploma in 2020 from Niagara College where she graduated with Honors. Rebecca has many years of experience working with children, aside from raising her own children, and has both volunteered and worked in various Early Childhood Education and Community Service settings. Since joining BMS, Ms. Rebecca has obtained her Early Childhood Montessori Diploma from the Montessori Teachers College in Toronto as well as her Montessori Assistance Certificate. Ms. Rebecca is known for her kind, patience teaching style and for her grand love of nature. Each spring, Ms. Rebecca hosts a live demonstration of the Life Cycle of the Butterfly starting with cocoons to a release day.

Ms. Natalie Mbuyi is originally from Congo, a country located on the Western Coast of Central Africa.

As a young child, Natalie came to Canada with her family in 1999 and settled in Hamilton, Ontario. She then moved to Saskatchewan shortly after and lived there until she was a young adult. Ms. Natalie then moved to the beautiful Niagara Region, to begin her journey in Early Childhood Education.

In 2022, Natalie graduated from Niagara College with Honors in Early Childhood Education. She learned the Montessori approach during her studies and is looking forward to being part of the Beyond Montessori School family and applying these skills! Ms. Natalie adores children strides to make a positive impact and difference in their lives. Natalie has recently obtained her Early Childhood Montessori Education diploma from the Toronto Montessori Teacher College, Toronto in 2025.

Ms. Wafa has been a familiar faces in the halls of BMS for some time. She began in Toddler and moved her way up into a Casa classroom and now Kinder!
Ms. Wafa is an Accredited Montessori trained Directress, obtaining her Early Childhood Montessori diploma from the Montessori Teachers College, Toronto; subsequently, she is also a RECE Ms. Wafa brings exciting culture and STEM units to her class and is a well loved member of our school community.

From a young age, Ms. Christina experienced a variety of cultures; having lived and traveled through countries such as Korea, China, and the United States due to her father’s international trade business. These experiences helped shape her open-minded perspective and deep appreciation for diversity, communication, and global education.

Christina majored in Education in university and has spent over 15 years teaching and working with children in both Korea and the United States. After becoming a mother in 2016, Christina developed a strong passion for Montessori education while searching for the best way to support her own child’s growth and independence. Through years of study and hands-on experience raising children, she earned her Montessori teaching certification and later worked as a Montessori teacher in Korea before moving to Canada.

A Personal Note:
“As an educator, I strive to create a warm, respectful, and loving environment where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to be themselves. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is witnessing how children grow in confidence, independence, and kindness each day. I deeply value the Montessori philosophy because it encourages children to learn naturally through curiosity, hands-on experiences, and self-directed exploration while respecting each child’s unique pace of development.”

I hope to help create a classroom community where children feel loved, supported, and excited to learn every day.

BMS is pleased to welcome Ms. Li to our faculty! Ms. Li has graduated from the Toronto Montessori Teachers College with her Early Childhood Montessori Diploma.
Ms. Li brings a beautiful sense of calm to her classroom paired with authentic Montessori lessons and offerings. Her students adore her.

Sinae was born and raised in Seoul, where she developed a strong passion for connecting and communicating with children from an early age. Wanting to pursue a career centered around building meaningful relationships with children, she decided to study Early Childhood Education at George Brown College in Toronto, where she also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from York University.
While working as a supply staff member at BMS, Sinae became deeply inspired by the Montessori philosophy and developed a growing passion for Montessori education. After joining BMS, she furthered my professional development by obtaining my Montessori Assistant Certificate at the Montessori Teachers College, Toronto.

A Personal Note:
Having attended a Montessori school as a child, I experienced firsthand how the Montessori environment fostered my independence and gave me a strong sense of confidence in my ability to solve problems on my own. After graduating, I returned to Korea and taught English to students from Grade 1 to Grade 6, where I developed valuable communication skills not only with children, but also with parents and fellow faculty members. I feel truly honored to be able to practice and grow within the Montessori philosophy at BMS, and I am excited for the journey and opportunities that lie ahead.

“Joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul.”-Maria Montessori

Mrs. Atik was born and raised in Turkey, where a deep family involvement in education inspired her passion for teaching from an early age. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Turkey and has continued building on that foundation since arriving in Canada five years ago. She graduated from the Toronto Montessori Teachers College as a Montessori Assistant and is currently completing her Early Childhood Education Diploma at Niagara College.

A Personal Note

“From the very beginning, working with children has been both a calling and a joy. Throughout my student and professional life, I have had the privilege of volunteering alongside many children affected by social welfare programs and conflict – experiences that have deeply shaped who I am as an educator. Discovering the Montessori philosophy felt like finding my true educational home; it reflects everything I believe about how children learn and grow. Being part of the Beyond Montessori family fills me with happiness and purpose every single day.”

“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”
~Maria Montessori

Stephanie relocated to St. Catharines, from Brampton, six years ago and has since enjoyed the quieter pace of life with her fiancé, two daughters, and energetic Husky. She graduated from Seneca College in 2016 with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and quickly became an Early Childhood Educator shortly after. Since joining BMS, Stephanie received her Montessori Assistant’s certificate and has had the opportunity to work in both the Pre-Casa and Toddler classrooms, where she brings enthusiasm, creativity, and warmth each day. Whether she is singing or dancing with her students or bringing stories to life with animated voices, Stephanie is dedicated to creating a fun, engaging, and nurturing learning environment for every child.

“The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.”

Dr. Maria Montessori

I’ve been passionate about working with children for as long as I can remember. I graduated from Niagara College’s Early Childhood Education program in 2015 and have been dedicated to nurturing young minds ever since.

For the past ten years, I’ve worked in a Montessori, school setting, where I subsequently earned both my Toddler and Early Childhood Montessori diplomas through the North American Montessori Center. I truly enjoy guiding students as they grow into confident, independent learners, who take pride in their environment, work and development.

In 2022, I became a mom to a daughter. She has been attending Montessori school since she was sixteen months old. Watching her thrive and build her own confidence has deepened my appreciation and love for the Montessori approach, both as an educator and a parent.
I’m excited to continue guiding children through their early years of education at BMS; encouraging curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning!

Kristine enjoyed growing up in the beautiful Fergus / Elora area where she enjoyed spending time camping and outdoors. Her love for music began at an early age as she was surrounded by music in her home where her dad later taught her to play guitar. Her piano lessons took her to the Grade 10 level using the Royal Conservatory repertoire. She has enjoyed singing and writing songs and previously made an album while working at a recording studio in Hamilton, ON.

Kristine has been teaching music at several schools in the Niagara Region for the past 11 years where she has enjoyed teaching private piano, guitar, ukulele and voice lessons as well as group classes. Kristine completed a Diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services. Her previous work experience included working in Recreation Therapy with a focus on Music for residents in Long Term Care facilities.

Kristine feels truly thankful to be able to combine her two passions of working with children and teaching music at Beyond Montessori School.