Our Teachers
Our Teachers at North Bay Montessori are remarkable and the largest part of our success.
​Below you will find that many of our teachers have been with us for many years and have a passion to see our students develop and thrive through the Montessori method of learning.
Angela Garcia
Bio coming very soon . . .
Danielle Belanger
Miss Danielle began her career with Early Childhood Education through the Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship program in high school and continued the program with Canadore College. She started placements within the Elementary Catholic School system while starting to work for childcare centres within North Bay. In 2002, she was introduced to the Montessori Curriculum and fell in love with Maria Montessori’s philosophy. Since then, Miss Danielle has continued her education at Nipissing University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Geography (Human) with a minor in psychology. She also is a registered Montessori teacher with the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers and holds an International Montessori Teaching Diploma with the North American Montessori Center for Infants, Toddlers, Twos, and Casa Levels. Miss Danielle holds a passion to teach young children to become independent, creative and bright individuals.
Samantha Crossley
Miss Sam has completed her Bachelor of Education and is a Registered Teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers. She holds honours in Biology with Bachelor of Science Degree from Nipissing University. Miss Sam has experience working with children within the Public School System in North Bay and area. Currently she is head coach of the Titans swimming team and spends many mornings and evenings at the YMCA pool teaching children 5 to 18 years of age. Miss Sam has been working at Montessori Learning Centre for over 5 years and enjoys guiding the children in an independent learning environment. She is a dedicated teacher who will always support each individual child allowing them the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Melissa Desjardins
Miss Melissa has over 10 years of experience working with young children. She has obtained her Diploma in Social Service Work from Canadore College and shortly after began working for Community Living. Since then, Melissa has started her journey working with children in the Montessori environment. She also is a registered Montessori teacher with the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers and holds an International Montessori Teaching Diploma with the North American Montessori Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos Level. Miss Melissa is kind, patient, nurturing and is passionate about the values of the Montessori philosophy.
Kristen Lazarou
Miss Kristen is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with the College of ECE's. She began her ECE journey as a placement student in January of 2020 at Montessori Learning Centre. Embracing the Montessori curriculum and with her love of children, Kristen strives to provide and promote development of young minds. She has attained a French Immersion Diploma during high school, and incorporates the French language in her teaching practices. Miss Kristen is a compassionate, devoted, hard-working individual who advocates for the well-being of creative minds.
Destiny Serre
Miss Destiny obtained her diploma in Mental Health and Addictions at Canadore College in 2018. Since then, Destiny's diploma inspired her to help foster the development of young children. She began working at Montessori Learning Centre in September of 2020. Destiny began as a health check staff, prepared our delicious meals, and helped in the classrooms where it was needed. She quickly found her passion was to inspire young children and help foster their education. Destiny is kind, calm, and is always eager to help. She is a very passionate educator.
Lovepreet Kaur
Miss Lovepreet is originally from India and has been in Canada since 2019. She is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with the College of ECE's after graduating at Canadore College in North Bay in 2023. Miss Lovepreet pursued an advance diploma in child care while in India and working as an assistant teacher in a school. From a young age, she has always had a passion for working with children. She strives for each and every child to be recognized as unique, and deserves to be respected and valued. She is dedicated in creating a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment for the children to learn and grow. Miss Lovepreet is kind, loving, and is passionate to help foster the child's well-being.
Oksana Chorba
Miss Oksana moved to Canada from the Ukraine in March of 2023. She began her career as a preschool teacher, and first learned about Maria Montessori's philosophy in May 2001 while attending a seminar in Kiev for Montessori Teachers. Throughout her career. she has used this expertise as the foundation for dealing with children of various ages. Miss Oksana earned a masters degree in Early Childhood Education in 2010, received a Bachelors and Masters degrees in Pedagogical Education. She has worked as a teacher for more than 23 years, working with students ranging in age from 1.5 to 7 years old. She continued to follow both the state curriculum and the Montessori Approach. Miss Oksana has a completed music degree in piano and choir and is a member of the Near North Voices choir. Miss Oksana holds a passion to teach young children to be independent, express their creativity, and continuing to promote happiness.
