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About

Teachers & Staff

For more than 50 years, Nelephant Montessori School has provided a high-quality, authentic Montessori education for generations of students. Our teachers and staff are an essential part of our community.

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Authentic Montessori in St. Catharines to inspire a lifelong love of learning

Are you interested in learning more about Nelephant and our authentic Montessori programs? Join our waitlist to receive more information today.

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Meet Our Team

Administration

Jodi Sproule Headshot

Jodi Sproule

Head of School

Montessorian, RECE

Mandy Hill Headshot

Mandy Hill

Bookkeeper


Rafela Merlim Headshot

Rafaela Merlim

PROGRAM SUPPORT & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

RECE, Montessorian in Training

Toddler Program Staff

Danielle Barnfield

Toddler Supervisor

BA, Toddler Montessorian, RECE

Karly Duffin

TODDLER ASSISTANT

RECE

Leah Crawford

TODDLER ASSISTANT

RECE

Mallory Keir Headshot

Mallory Keir

Montessorian

BA, Toddler Montessorian, RECE

Sarah Walker

TODDLER ASSISTANT

Toddler Montessorian, RECE

Casa Program Staff

Barbara Aguirre

ART TEACHER, SOCIAL MEDIA & PROGRAM SUPPORT

B.Ed., MJ, Montessori Assistant

Joanne Burtch

FRENCH TEACHER

BA, Montessori Assistant

Karly Duffin

Program Support

RECE

Liz Vanspronsen Headshot

Liz VanSpronsen

MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS CASA 1

Montessorian, EA

Maria Montes

MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS CASA 1

Montessorian, RECE

Melissa Kachur

MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS CASA 2

Montessorian, BA

Nancy Kaur

Nancy Kaur

ASSISTANT CASA 2

ECA

Patrina Stirland Headshot

Patrina Stirland

Montessori Directress Casa 2

Montessorian, RECE

Yan Chen Headshot

Yan Chen

Montessori Assistant Casa 1

RECE, Montessori Assistant

On Leave

Tegan Narsansky

TODDLER ASSISTANT

RECE
*Off on MAT leave

Ellie Lee Headshot

Ellie Lee

Montessori Directress Casa 1

Montessorian, OCT, B.Ed.
*Off on MAT leave

Careers at Nelephant Montessori

Are you a qualified Montessorian or RECE looking to join a great team of enthusiastic teachers? Do you love children? Are you looking to work in the field of Montessori education? Maybe Nelephant Montessori School is the place for you!

At Nelephant we are always happy to meet with qualified staff looking for employment. If you are interested in joining our team and you meet the following requirements, please don’t hesitate to send us your resume.

Montessorian with MACTE or AMI training at the Casa or Toddler level
Registered Early Childhood Educator
Vulnerable Sector Check completed within the last 6 months
First Aid and CPR training

If these are your qualifications then we invite you to tell us about yourself, your education and experience, and your commitment to the value and impact to Montessori education.

Please send cover letters and resumes to: info@nelephant.ca

What Parents and Alumni Say

“Thank you Nelephant family for creating such a great environment for our children. We are extremely grateful for all the unceasing efforts that all teachers have put on our children. The teachers look at each child as an individual, with their own strengths and needs. Our children have learned so much and shared with us the great activities that go on each day at school. This is important as a baseline for their success as they continue their academic career. We would highly recommend Nelephant to anyone who wants their child to be self motivated, independent and knowledgeable. Thanks again for all the love, care and patience that Nelephant has given to my children.”
Sissi & Aaron★★★★★
“Nelephant is an exceptional preschool that nurtures young minds and celebrates every child’s unique potential. Since beginning Nelephant’s three-year Casa program, our daughter has truly flourished thanks to the amazing staff, the quality of the curriculum, and the special friendships she has made. Thank you Nelephant for helping her create a strong foundation for her future studies!”
Erin★★★★★
“We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Nelephant. From the moment our son started, we felt confident that he was in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. The educators are incredibly caring, patient, and attentive! They truly see and support each child as an individual. We’ve seen so much growth in our son since he started. He comes home excited to share what he’s learned and always looks forward to going to school. As parents, we also really value the open and consistent communication from the lovely staff. We are so excited for our daughter to start in the toddler program soon. We would recommend Nelephant to any family looking for a place where their child can thrive."
Julia & Mike★★★★★
“Our experience at Nelephant has been exceptional! All of the staff have been amazing, and it is a wonderful community to be part of. Very much looking forward to the next two years. We love seeing how affectionate and kind the educators are towards our daughter and can't thank you enough for providing a safe space to learn and grow!"
Alex & Rachel Morin★★★★★
“Nelephant has been the most amazing experience for our daughter. All the staff have been amazing. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. My daughter amazes me everyday with new things she’s learning."
Kelly Wotherspoon★★★★★
“Our first year at Nelephant has been nothing short of amazing. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Their expertise allowed our child to grow in ways we never expected. We know our daughter is in good hands by how excited she is about all her teachers. The staff have made a point of including our daughter and learning more about how to teach her best. We feel very fortunate to be part of the Nelephant community."
Samantha & Joseph★★★★★
“I can't say enough great things about Nelephant! Every day we are blown away by the skills and qualities our daughter has developed at school. The Montessori model helps children to develop confidence, independence and resourcefulness which are qualities not often encouraged at this young age (but are essential in the early years of development!). The staff at Nelephant are perhaps my favourite part of the program. They are knowledgeable, loving and compassionate. Our daughter loves them and so do we! We feel very grateful every day to be a part of the Nelephant community."
Vanessa Milot★★★★★
“Nelephant has been so kind, patient and supportive through every stage of learning. Our daughter has fun while gaining life skills and developing a strong sense of responsibility and independence. We feel so privileged to be a part of the Nelephant community."
Megan & Eric★★★★★
“Nelephant is a very high-quality learning environment that offers a true Montessori education. The teachers truly care! Both of my children are thriving since they started at Nelephant.”
Lysanne Louter★★★★★
“Our daughter loves Nelephant. It's been a wonderful environment for her to grow. The teachers really see her and nurture what she loves. They meet her where she is every day.”
Tracy Duru★★★★★
“My husband and I couldn’t be happier with the education our daughter is receiving at Nelephant. The teachers are so kind, patient and friendly, and the atmosphere in the school is so peaceful and joyful at the same time.”
Alexa Fraser★★★★★
“Our children have been going to Nelephant for multiple years and have loved going every day. The staff have fostered relationships with us and our children allowing them to grow and learn in a nurturing environment. We have been amazed at what they are learning and activities they are able to do at school. We feel so lucky to be a part of the Nelephant community.”
Tyler & Tori McDowall★★★★★
“Both of our children are at Nelephant and it's been wonderful to see their growth and development in an attentive and enriching environment.”
David, Parent since 2018★★★★★
“Our daughter is in her third year at Nelephant and we couldn’t be happier with our experience! She’s grown and learned remarkably in all areas including academics as well as her social and emotional development . Her teachers and staff are communicative, patient, friendly, and very loving towards all the students. The school community definitely feels like family!”
Zeest & Aasim★★★★★
“Our experience at Nelephant Montessori has been nothing but fantastic! The staff at Nelephant are truly gifted at working with children. As working parents who are out of the home full time it is incredibly important to find exceptional childcare where we do not wonder or worry about our children while at work. We know our children are receiving the best care in the city! We are impressed by the academic curriculum but just as impressed with the non-academic curriculum like the lessons is grace & courtesy and kindness. Having just sent our oldest to Grade 1, we've never been more sure we made the correct decision in choosing Nelephant for those early formative years.”
Laura & Andrew★★★★★
"Our daughter loves being at Nelephant! She always wants to go to school to be with her teachers and friends. She learned so much in a year. We love how the teachers are so patient and kind. Their way of teaching is exceptional. It's a beautiful school and we highly recommend it."
Sherry & George★★★★★
“We came to Nelephant's open house with our older daughter and were blown away by their room set up and day to day activities they do with the children. We decided to send our daughter there who truly thrived and loved being part of Nelephant. The staff are truly so welcoming, loving and made us feel at ease having our daughter there. When our second daughter came it was with no hesitation that she would attend as well. Such a wonderful, warm welcoming school! Thank you for taking such great care of our girls!"
Christina Fera★★★★★
“When I was a little boy my parents chose to send me to Nelephant Montessori school. I now have the great pleasure of sending my son to the school that I believe set the foundation of learning for the rest of my life. My son loves going to school every day, and I know he is getting the best education possible! Our younger son is already asking when he can start to go to Nelephant too! Thank you so much for the care you take and the efforts you make - I can truly say, it lasts a lifetime.”
Christopher Broadley★★★★★
“It's been a joy and privilege to send our 3 children to Nelephant Montessori School. Nelephant provides such a nurturing environment, where each child is respected as a unique individual. Nelephant offers individualised learning - following the lead of the child, with low teacher to student ratios. We've loved watching our children thrive at Nelephant and become confident, independent children who take pride in their work. Nelephant and the Montessori method have provided our children with a strong foundation and set them up for success as they transitioned into grade one - particularly in math and language. Thank you Nelephant for the love and care you provide our children, and for helping them become the successful students they are today.”
Nikki and Alain Roy★★★★★
“Nelephant has provided all 3 of my children with an amazing experience to start their educational journey. It has allowed my children to flourish at their own pace and be seen as an individual with limitless potential. My children developed and are developing a lifelong joy of learning from Nelephant and the amazing staff there.”
Kara-Laina Sanders★★★★★
"We love the Nelephant community! Our oldest completed all 3 years of the Casa program and our youngest is now in Toddler. Both schools have amazing staff and the learning environment is conducive to each individualised student. We couldn't be happier with everything our children have learned through Nelephant!"
The Pollard Family★★★★★
Montessori Canada Accredited 2003-2026
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Admissions

About

Toddler Program

64 Louth Street
St Catharines, Ontario
L2S 2T4
(905) 641-9736

View Program

Casa Program

134 Louth Street
St Catharines, Ontario
L2S 2T4
(905) 704-1388

View Program