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Administration Staff

 

Dr Lesley Payne – Educational Director

Dr Lesley Payne is the Educational Director and has been involved with the Montessori Institute since 2006. She has held many roles in the past, including a reviewer for non-government and independent public schools; unit coordinator, student supervisor and researcher for Murdoch University and past principal of the Beehive Montessori School. Lesley has a PhD, a Master of Education, a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma of Education (Montessori) 3-12yrs.

 

Corrine Thompson – Student Administrator

My journey with Montessori began with my eldest son attending the playgroup at our local Montessori school, aged two. It was his favourite place to be, and was eagerly followed through Children’s House and both primary classes by his younger brother and sister. I enjoyed being a regular parent helper in all their classrooms, as well as an active P&F committee member. I have been working in my administrative role at the Montessori Institute since 2015 and love supporting our students throughout their course, from first enrolment to final graduation. I am still learning so much more about Montessori, too!

 

Kelsey Lazarakis – Workshop Coordinator & Lecturer

Kelsey is Workshop Coordinator at the Montessori Institute as well as being a Lecturer and Tutor. Her Montessori journey began at age 3 when she attended a WA Montessori School for her primary years. Kelsey completed a Neuroscience degree for her undergraduate studies and then a Graduate Diploma 3-6 with the Montessori Institute. She has been a Montessori 3-6 classroom teacher at multiple schools and believes in creating a learning environment that builds self-confidence and a love of learning.

 

Workshop Lecturers

Naomi Stuckey

Naomi is a Montessori Institute 0-3 and 3-6 years Lecturer and Assessor. Naomi has a Graduate Diploma of Education from Murdoch University and a Bachelor of Social Science in Children Studies from Edith Cowan University. She has an AMI Diploma in Montessori 0-3 years and a Montessori Institute Diploma for Montessori 3-6 years. She has worked with children for more than twenty years in varying contexts including Special Needs, Childcare and Schools. She is a consultant to 0-3 years Montessori groups, speaker at conferences and parent education events. Naomi has two children who have both attended a Montessori School.

 

Anna Golab

Anna is an inclusive education coordinator in a Montessori school that offers early childhood, primary and middle school programs. Aside her classroom responsibilities, Anna’s other teaching commitments include teaching English to adults and adolescents, and mentoring teachers. She holds a Bachelor in Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She also has a Montessori Institute Diploma (0-9) and Diploma in Early Childhood Education (0-8) and over 25 years of classroom teaching experience working in a Montessori setting as both a classroom teacher and as a teaching principal.

 

Hali Halphen

Hali was introduced to Montessori Philosophy and Pedagogy when her four children were educated at Montessori Schools in Sydney and Melbourne. She started her working life as a medical doctor, with an interest in Public Health and Preventative Medicine. A move interstate gave her a chance to rethink her career and as she had grown very interested in Montessori it was a chance to make a very easy transition to teaching. After achieving a Montessori Institute Graduate Diploma (6-12 years) she worked as a Cycle 3 teacher, then as a Curriculum Coordinator and with students with additional learning needs.

 

Meghan Hicks

Meghan holds a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Psychology. She also holds Montessori teaching qualifications at the 0-3, 3-6, 6-12 and 12-18 levels. She has taught at all levels in Montessori Schools in Australia, New Zealand, and in Africa. She is the founder of several community Montessori programs in the South West region of Western Australia. She holds a number of specialist qualifications in Literacy and Numeracy Therapy and runs a private practice in Educational Therapy for children and adults who struggle with basic literacy and numeracy skills. She is a dyslexia and dyscalculia specialist. Since completing her AMI 12-18 Diploma, she has stepped up her work within the schooling and homeschooling communities, to promote adolescent mental health and well-being. She regularly contributes to the Montessori movement by writing for a number of websites and print publications.

 

Gemma Ellis

Gemma is an Educational Leader at Indooroopilly Montessori Children’s House (IMCH) which is a Centre of Excellence. She has a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Diploma of Montessori Education in both 0-3 and 3-6 years and commenced her career in the State education system teaching for a number of years at Prep and Year 1 level. Gemma’s role at IMCH covers the mentoring and training of educators in relation to the Montessori philosophy.

 

Stella Mandas

Stella holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies from the University of Melbourne and completed her Montessori 3-6 Diploma with MWEI. Her teaching experiences are in a variety of early childhood environments ranging from ages 2 years to 6 years of age and has worked as a Teacher Coordinator. Stella’s strengths are combining the EYLF with the Montessori philosophy and record keeping. Her two girls have attended Montessori schools in Melbourne. Her passion is helping other teachers fulfill their dreams in becoming Montessori Educators.

 

Dr Eva Nislev

Eva has worked with many different age groups, from early childhood to mature age students. Her experience draws on a wide variety of roles ranging from Montessori centre director, university lecturer and tutor, workshop presenter and education consultant to a number of different tertiary institutions and education organisations, and as an Arts educator. She has presented at Montessori conferences both in Australia and overseas. Eva holds a PhD, MEd (Early Childhood), Dip Teach (infants/primary), Cert Special Ed, Dip Ed Montessori (MWEI 3-9yrs), Dip Children’s Services, Cert IV Workplace Training & Assessment, Cert Art Therapy. Eva has worked in a variety of environments, including state schools, special education schools, TAFE, university, Montessori early childhood programs, and various government departments.

 

Deirdre O’Reilly

Deirdre has taught for many years in Montessori environments in Australia, Ireland and California. She holds pre-primary and primary Montessori diplomas and a B.Ed. (Primary) from UNE, a Masters in Education (Special Ed.) from University of Sydney and has completed a Grad. Dip. Psychology from UNE. Deirdre has presented both nationally and internationally at numerous conferences, consults as a parent coach to Montessori schools both in Australia and overseas.

 

Carmen Parker

Carmen has worked with children 6-8 years of age in school education and support programs for children with learning difficulties, and as a teacher in Montessori preschool and primary education. She has held the position of Principal/teacher at Montessori Schools offering preschool, long day care and primary education. Carmen has been active in a number of organisations aimed at supporting educational facilities to provide the best environment for the development of the children in their care. Her work has included many capacities on boards and committees for workshops and conferences.

 

Carol Raleigh

Carol has been teaching for many years and holds three Montessori Diploma qualifications (3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 years). She brings a diverse range of teaching experiences with her, including nine years in Bali Montessori School where she taught in all cycles. She has conducted workshops in Brisbane, Perth, Bali and Bhutan. Her experience and expertise are held in high regard.