Our Teachers
Phoenix Niazi
(Founder/Director)
Mrs. Phoenix Niazi was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Vancouver about twenty years ago. She obtained her Bachelor in Science from University of Manitoba in 2002. After her graduation, she moved back to Taiwan to open and operate a very successful childcare and after school program in Taipei for five years. After she got married, she moved back to Vancouver with her husband and her son. She went for her Montessori training and obtained her Primary Montessori Diploma from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in 2011 and in the following year, she got her Early Childhood Educator certification as well. She then volunteered at St George's School Primary Resource Department to work with primary grade students.
Mrs. Niazi admires children's natural curiosity and amazing learning potentials and decides to open a childcare facility that provides nurturing environment and multi-sensorial curriculum to help young children develop their potentials to the fullest. With experiences in teaching from Chinese culture and Canadian society, she is able to find the perfect balance between the two to prepare a perfect learning system for children from age three to six.
Mrs. Niazi admires children's natural curiosity and amazing learning potentials and decides to open a childcare facility that provides nurturing environment and multi-sensorial curriculum to help young children develop their potentials to the fullest. With experiences in teaching from Chinese culture and Canadian society, she is able to find the perfect balance between the two to prepare a perfect learning system for children from age three to six.
Julie Ding (Ms. Julie)
(Montessori Directress at W 29 Location)
Ms. Julie was born and raised in China. She obtained a Bachelor in Art from Qingdao University of Technology in China. After the birth of her two sons, she found her passions in the Early Childhood Education field. She went to Capital College to finish her AMS training. She obtained her Primary Montessori Diploma from American Montessori Society (AMS) in 2021. She received her Early Childhood Educator License shortly after. Since then she has been working as a Montessori Directress in Vancouver. She enjoy music, cooking, hiking and traveling.
Lidilene Tauil (Ms. Lidi)
(French Teacher/Montessori Assistant at Both location)
Ms. Lidi was born and raised in Brazil. She obtained her Bachelor in Literature from Simonsen University in 2003. She also completed her MBA in Brazil. After she immigrated to Vancouver, she discovered her passion toward Montessori education. In early 2018, she decided to pursue more Montessori Training and she received Association Montessori Internationale Assistant Certificate (AMI). She received her Early Childhood Educator Assistant License soon after.
She has ten years of experiences in Early Childhood Education field. She is very talented in languages. She is a native Portuguese speaker, fluent in English and French. She is also our French teacher, children love her French circle time.
She has ten years of experiences in Early Childhood Education field. She is very talented in languages. She is a native Portuguese speaker, fluent in English and French. She is also our French teacher, children love her French circle time.
Levi Calimpusan (Ms. Levi)
(Early Childhood Educator at W29 location)
Ms. Levi was born and raised in Philippines. She obtained her Master of Art in Education from University of Bahol, Philippines. She was a high school teacher for almost twenty years. She discovered her love of young children when she took care of her children and their friends. Since 2013, she has been working in Early Childhood Education field in Philippines. In 2019, after she moved to Vancouver, she decided to pursue her passion in early childhood education. She received her Early Childhood Educator license in 2020. She prepares creative crafts and group projects for children, and she brings an unique perspective from play base learning into our Montessori program.
Ms. Levi was born and raised in Philippines. She obtained her Master of Art in Education from University of Bahol, Philippines. She was a high school teacher for almost twenty years. She discovered her love of young children when she took care of her children and their friends. Since 2013, she has been working in Early Childhood Education field in Philippines. In 2019, after she moved to Vancouver, she decided to pursue her passion in early childhood education. She received her Early Childhood Educator license in 2020. She prepares creative crafts and group projects for children, and she brings an unique perspective from play base learning into our Montessori program.
Kaitlyn Moore (Ms. Kaitlyn)
(Early Childhood Educator at W29 location)
Ms. Kaitlyn was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. Through her love for horses and working with them, she gained experience volunteering in riding lesson programs, summer camps, and schooling shows. She discovered a new passion for working with young children. She moved to Vancouver in 2022, and she started her studies in the Early Childhood Education field. She received her Early Childhood Education License in 2024. She enjoys learning new things and being outdoors and active. She values young children’s unique thoughts and ideas, and encourages children to be themselves while expanding their abilities, skills, and interests.
Ms. Kaitlyn was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. Through her love for horses and working with them, she gained experience volunteering in riding lesson programs, summer camps, and schooling shows. She discovered a new passion for working with young children. She moved to Vancouver in 2022, and she started her studies in the Early Childhood Education field. She received her Early Childhood Education License in 2024. She enjoys learning new things and being outdoors and active. She values young children’s unique thoughts and ideas, and encourages children to be themselves while expanding their abilities, skills, and interests.
Helen Lee (Ms. Helen)
(Montessori Directress at Blenheim Location)
With 30 years of experience working with children and families of different ages, Ms. Helen brings a wealth of teaching expertise and classroom management skills.Ms. Helen received her AMI Primary Teacher Certificate (3–6 years) from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. and obtained her Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification in 2014. She also holds the AMI Assistant to Infancy Certificate (0–3 years) earned in 2019 and the AMI Elementary Assistant Certificate (6–12 years) earned in 2021.Before moving to Canada, Ms. Helen earned her Bachelor and Master’s Degree in English Education in China and taught high school for 20 years. She is known for her patience, attention to detail, and professionalism in supporting each child’s individual growth and development. In her spare time, Ms. Helen enjoys swimming, reading, cooking, and baking.
With 30 years of experience working with children and families of different ages, Ms. Helen brings a wealth of teaching expertise and classroom management skills.Ms. Helen received her AMI Primary Teacher Certificate (3–6 years) from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. and obtained her Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification in 2014. She also holds the AMI Assistant to Infancy Certificate (0–3 years) earned in 2019 and the AMI Elementary Assistant Certificate (6–12 years) earned in 2021.Before moving to Canada, Ms. Helen earned her Bachelor and Master’s Degree in English Education in China and taught high school for 20 years. She is known for her patience, attention to detail, and professionalism in supporting each child’s individual growth and development. In her spare time, Ms. Helen enjoys swimming, reading, cooking, and baking.
Xanthe Westgate (Ms. Westgate)
(Early Childhood Educator at Blenheim location)
Ms. Westgate was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canada in 2004, growing up on Vancouver Island. Coming from a family of international teachers and having caring educators in her childhood inspired her to pursue a career in early childhood education. She is a certified Early Childhood Educator at Elite Montessori Academy, Blenheim, with over five years of experience working with children under five. Xanthe has worked in both play-based and Montessori environments and enjoys the balance of structure and creativity offered at Elite Montessori. She also leads English circle time for the children.Xanthe is passionate about supporting children’s development through creativity, exploration, and meaningful connections.
Julie Chen (Ms. Julie C)
(Early Childhood Educator Assistant at Both location)
Ms. Julie C. was born and raised in Guangzhou, China. After immigrating to Canada, she began volunteering at a Chinese language school in Vancouver, where she discovered her passion for working with young children. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in early childhood education. In February 2024, she obtained her Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) License in British Columbia.
Julie is a native Mandarin speaker and is also fluent in Cantonese and English.
She is known for her gentle, patient nature and her ability to build strong, positive relationships with children. Her warm presence helps create a nurturing and supportive learning environment where children feel comfortable and engaged.
Julie is a native Mandarin speaker and is also fluent in Cantonese and English.
She is known for her gentle, patient nature and her ability to build strong, positive relationships with children. Her warm presence helps create a nurturing and supportive learning environment where children feel comfortable and engaged.