Do you want your child to fall in love with learning?
Brilliant Star Montessori School fosters independence, confidence, critical thinking abilities and creativity in a warm and welcoming environment. Our hands-on, ‘whole child’ approach supports each student’s unique qualities and individual learning style for a learning experience that’s compelling, effective and fun!
⭐ Joyful learning
⭐ Hands on learning
⭐ Independent academic plans for each child
⭐ Montessori qualified staff with extensive experience
⭐ Natural outdoor learning
⭐ The Virtues Project (a positive character-building program)
We make education joyful, engaging and fun so children are happy to LEARN, PLAY and GROW. Spots are filling up fast, don’t wait!
The Montessori Philosophy
Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) developed her philosophy of education through careful observation and thorough training in medicine, psychology, and anthropology. Dr. Montessori discovered that children pass through ‘sensitive periods’ of development in their early years – when they are particularly receptive to certain stimuli. Maria Montessori described the child’s mind between the time of birth and six years of age as the “absorbent mind” stating that during these years, the child has a tremendous ability to learn and assimilate from the world around them. The Montessori approach introduces the child to materials that the child is interested in, and which are specifically designed to develop and enhance their senses. The children are also given the freedom to choose the materials they work with which creates a love and a joy for learning.
What Is Montessori?
Montessori is an individualized approach that helps each child reach their full potential in all areas of life. It is a student-centered approach that encourages creativity and curiosity and leads children to ask questions, explore, investigate and think for themselves as they acquire skills.
A Montessori environment focuses more on student’s learning than on a teacher’s teaching. Specially trained Montessori teachers guide, coach and facilitate each child’s learning through continuous observation and assessment.
Concepts are taught with specialized Montessori materials that allow students to learn in concrete and sensorial ways before moving into abstract concepts. This creates a strong and lasting foundation that carries them through their schooling.
What Is Authentic Montessori?
Since ‘Montessori’ is a word in the public domain, it is possible for any individual or institution to claim to be a ‘Montessori School’. An ‘authentic Montessori’ classroom should have the following basic characteristics at all levels:
1. A classroom atmosphere which encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching, and emotional development.
2. A schedule which allows uninterrupted large blocks of work time to problem-solve, see connections in knowledge and create new ideas.
3. A full and diverse set of Montessori materials, activities, and experiences which are designed to foster physical, intellectual, creative, social, and personal independence.
4. A partnership established with the family. The family is considered an integral part of the individual’s total development.
5. Teachers educated in the Montessori philosophy and the methodology for the age level they are teaching. Staff with the ability, experience and dedication to put the key concepts into practice.
6. A multi-aged, multi-graded, heterogeneous grouping of students.
Why Brilliant Star Montessori School?
Brilliant Star Montessori is committed to providing a joyful and authentic Montessori experience for students. We are a Qualified Independent School and Charitable Organization with highly experienced and certified staff. Guided by the Montessori philosophy and the Virtues Project, we will provide a peaceful and caring environment that nurtures the development of every child and their natural curiosity for learning. Our vision is to cultivate a life-long love of learning while developing caring and respectful individuals who positively contribute to the world around them.
Our Staff
Our teachers are what make every day special for our children. Our teachers are creative, understanding, and passionate. They work with families to create every child’s own success story.
+ Meet Ms. Julie
Founder of Brilliant Star Montessori
Administrator
Lower Elementary Senior Directress
Curriculum Advisor
Ms. Julie is trained and accredited through the North American Montessori Centre for the Lower Elementary, Casa, and Infant/ Toddler programs. She also has her Elementary Montessori accreditation through the Montessori Teacher’s College. Ms. Julie attained a B.Sc. and a B.Ed at the University of Saskatchewan. She has taught in a Montessori classroom as a Director since 2004 and has also taught in the public system for 7 years. Ms. Julie is the founder of Brilliant Star Montessori School and has led our staffing team as our Administrator since our first year in 2009. Ms. Julie has also written Montessori articles for the North American Montessori Training Centre and has many of her pieces published on their website. She has nineteen years of experience coaching children (kayak, canoe, swimming, soccer, volleyball, and track and field). She has coached on a local, provincial, and national level for the sport of sprint canoe and kayak. Ms. Julie has also taught as an instructor at the Ecology Club for Kids for three years in Saskatoon and has received her facilitator training and certification in the Virtues Project, which is a course on Character Building Education for families and schools. Ms. Julie’s passion and enthusiasm for the Montessori philosophy and The Virtues Project guides her in her roles in our school.
+ Meet Ms. Goya
Ms. Goya, has completed her Montessori Casa Director training from the North American Montessori Centre and has also completed her Casa Director accreditation through The Montessori Teachers College. Ms. Goya also has certification for Montessori Music and Art from The Centre for Guided Montessori Studies. Ms. Goya received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tamkang University in Taipei, Taiwan and completed her ECE (Early Childhood Education) Certificate through SIAST. She has worked with children since 2000 in Kindergarten and Elementary schools and was also an EFL teacher overseas. She has been working on Decorative Painting for many years and has acquired a teaching certificate for decorative painting. You can see some of Ms.Goya’s beautiful art work in our school yard and in our classrooms! Ms. Goya’s hobbies are painting, gardening, biking, camping and hiking. Ms. Goya has been working at Brilliant Star Montessori School since 2013!
+ Meet Ms. Shallon
Elementary PM Assistant / Administrative Assistant
Ms. Shallon attained a B.Ed from the University of Saskatchewan in 2020. She has many years of experience working with children in various settings, including instructing Irish dancing and leading environment-based youth programs at a non-profit organization, Friends of Riding Mountain National Park. Ms. Shallon studied in the French Immersion program in Saskatoon throughout elementary and high school and is eager to put that experience to use at Brilliant Star. She has enjoyed travelling to many places, including Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, and Iceland, gaining new perspectives in each place she has visited. Being an Auntie is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her life, and she is constantly learning from her nieces and nephews. Ms. Shallon enjoys writing, singing, hiking, playing games, making puzzles, and diving into topics related to psychology and personal development. She is excited to continue on the Brilliant Star team this year and looks forward to connecting with the community.
+ Meet Ms. Sarah
Elementary AM Assistant
Ms. Sarah completed her Casa Training through the North American Montessori Centre in 2021. Ms. Sarah has also attained a B.A. and a B.Ed at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina respectively. Ms. Sarah has also taught as a substitute teacher with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools for eight years. Ms. Sarah grew up in a Saskatoon, and enjoyed playing with the Wind Orchestra during her time at the U of S. Ms. Sarah enjoys travelling and has learnt a lot from her travels to Japan, Australia, Poland and Ukraine. All those experiences have given Ms. Sarah a wealth of understanding of the diversity and culture of the world. When she’s not at school, Ms. Sarah loves to do many activities with her family including camping, swimming, biking, and going for walks in nature. She is looking forward to assisting with some Nature camps this summer through Wildernook Fresh Air Learning. Ms. Sarah has worked at Brilliant Star Montessori since 2021 and she is excited to be on the staffing team and share her joy of learning with the students. Ms. Sarah has two children and her oldest is enjoying our Casa program.
+ Board of Directors
Susan Pezderic
Jason Danielson
Beverly Pongracz
Vikki Markovich
+ Meet Ms. Lynzie
Casa Assistant
Ms.Lynzie, has completed her Montessori Casa Assistant diploma from The Centre for Guided Montessori Studies. She has also graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.Sc. majoring in Kinesiology with Great Distinction. Through the years, she has been involved with physical activity programs for children of varying ages and abilities. Some of these programs include PAAL (Physical Activity for Active Living), Special Olympics and teaching dance for 7 years. She has taken training through “The National Coaching Certification Program” and “Sports Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan” for multi-sport training and safety certifications. Ms. Lynzie has been the Elementary Physical Education Instructor at our school for five years and the Casa assistant for 2 years. She is an energetic individual who is passionate about a healthy lifestyle and having fun through physical activity. She is overjoyed to be returning back to the Casa assistant role this school year.
+ Meet Ms. Lisa
Elementary PM Assistant
Ms. Lisa attained a B.Ed from the University of Saskatchewan and is trained and accredited through the North American Montessori Centre for Upper Elementary. She has many years of experience working with children in Montessori schools in Saskatoon, as well as experience teaching online as both a teacher and a vice principal. Ms. Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and children, both at home and at the lake. She and her husband have recently moved to an acreage close to their hometown of Aberdeen. Ms. Lisa and her family love animals; they currently have 3 dogs and 2 cats. Eventually, they will have chickens, and maybe a piglet or two!
+ Meet Ms. Jackie
Elementary Music Directress
Ms. Jackie, has her Bachelor of Music in Music Education along with her Bachelor of Education. Ms. Jackie has worked in Montessori schools as an educational assistant and a Music directress where she worked directly with toddler, preschool and kindergarten aged children. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Jackie runs her own private violin studio of over 30 children, several toddler and preschool Music classes, and string quartets. She also volunteers her time with Saskatoon Summer Players and Cornerstone Theater to help put on large productions. Ms. Jackie has been working at Brilliant Star Montessori School since 2018 and is looking forward to another great year at Brilliant Star Montessori School.