TERRAVIVA’s COMMUNITY OF EDUCATORS IS SUCH A DIVERSE AND MULTICULTURAL TEAM AND WE ARE PROUD TO EMBRACE THE TRUE CANADIAN IDEAL!
STAFF BIOS
ANDREA C. LOPEZ MARTHEYN
FOUNDER
MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS/NATURE EDUCATOR
When I came to Canada 20 years ago, I felt as if I came into a very special land with a very special mission. Deep in my heart I knew I wanted to teach children about the Natural World and assist them in their journey, inspire them and get inspired by their simplicity and love for learning. I went to York University and studied Environmental Studies with emphasis in Education. I worked for 5 years as a Nature Specialist at Camp Robin Hood in Markham, Ontario, developing Nature and Recreational activities for children 3-12 years. I found the Montessori Philosophy in 2009 and I felt in love with this wonderful way of teaching. I decided to enrolled in the Toronto Montessori Institute; I became a Montessori Teacher in 2010 and found my first job as a Directress at one of the Montessori Schools here in St Catharines where I taught for 4 years. During my years of teaching at Beyond Montessori, My classroom was enhanced with the Spanish Language and my students would participate in outdoor educational activities on a daily basis. When the time was right, I decided to step out in faith and bring about the vision I always kept it dear to my heart: My own Montessori and Nature Program! We have been in operation since 2016, serving many families of the Niagara Region through our unique Spanish Montessori and Nature programs. My three children and my husband have been my companions in this great journey, supporting me, teaching me the great life lessons as a mother would learn. I am very grateful for this -one of a kind- opportunity to assist parents with their children's education and most of all I am honoured to have such a trust and support from our families and the community alike. I strongly believe that “You can only do small things with greater LOVE.” And although our school community is growing, in our hearts we will continue to keep the Flame of Love burning with passion and commitment to all our children in our care!
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SANDRA HOLDERNEY
RECE /SUPERVISOR
Hi! I graduated from Niagara College for Early Childhood Education. And became a Registered Early Childhood Educator in 2010. I have worked in a variety of childcare centres throughout the Niagara Region, I have learned useful skills that have helped me along my journey in the Early Childhood Education Field.
Beginning at an early age I knew I wanted to work with children. I am married and have a dog who is a beagle named Charlie. We enjoy taking walks around the Niagara Region. I look forward to being part of the Terra Viva team!
RECE /SUPERVISOR
Hi! I graduated from Niagara College for Early Childhood Education. And became a Registered Early Childhood Educator in 2010. I have worked in a variety of childcare centres throughout the Niagara Region, I have learned useful skills that have helped me along my journey in the Early Childhood Education Field.
Beginning at an early age I knew I wanted to work with children. I am married and have a dog who is a beagle named Charlie. We enjoy taking walks around the Niagara Region. I look forward to being part of the Terra Viva team!
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ROSEMARY NELSON
BILINGUAL KINDER CASA MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS IN TRAINING
I am originally from Nicaragua. My native language is Spanish, I have lived overseas in England and Spain where I studied different courses in business. 1982 I came to Canada and decided to study Early Childhood Education in British Columbia and the Montessori Philosophy in Toronto. I have been a preschool teacher since 1992. I have fond memories of all the children I have taught in the past. I am a mother of twins. Have a husband and have 4 grandchildren, who are all a blessing to me. I am also, so thrilled to currently being enrolled with the Montessori Teacher's College in the Early Childhood Montessori Diploma and become a fully accredited Montessori Directress in June 2023.
I have been with the Terra Viva family since 2020. I am happy to be a part of this team of educators, and look forward to meeting all the new Terra Viva children and their families!
BILINGUAL KINDER CASA MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS IN TRAINING
I am originally from Nicaragua. My native language is Spanish, I have lived overseas in England and Spain where I studied different courses in business. 1982 I came to Canada and decided to study Early Childhood Education in British Columbia and the Montessori Philosophy in Toronto. I have been a preschool teacher since 1992. I have fond memories of all the children I have taught in the past. I am a mother of twins. Have a husband and have 4 grandchildren, who are all a blessing to me. I am also, so thrilled to currently being enrolled with the Montessori Teacher's College in the Early Childhood Montessori Diploma and become a fully accredited Montessori Directress in June 2023.
I have been with the Terra Viva family since 2020. I am happy to be a part of this team of educators, and look forward to meeting all the new Terra Viva children and their families!
BELEN VIGLIONE
BILINGUAL TODDLER MONTESSORI ASSISTANT
Hola parents! I am Belen and I am from Argentina!. I have been living in Canada for the last 12 years. I have gained experience over 6 years working with children as Early Childhood Assistant at Grapeview Public School in the Before/After school program and at the Walker YMCA Active Kids division program. In my last training, I have also obtained my Montessori Assistance certificate from the Montessori Teachers College and I am more than ready to apply what I have learned this year with my children. I have been a part of the Terra Viva Montessori as a Bilingual Assistant, helping children to strengthen their foreign language since 2020 and I am very happy to be a part of this program. I am also, a mom of two kids, seven and three years old boys whose names are Arthur and Thomas. We are a beautiful family. I am married and I have a dog who is a black lab named Zeus ! We love being outdoors and enjoy playing sports all year round!. We speak Spanish at home giving our children the ability to speak our native language not only with us but with my family who are all in Argentina. I believe Bilingual children are more open to acceptance and tolerance to different cultures. And that is precisely why I have chosen to be a part of this wonderful and unique school. I can't wait to meet all my friends and make wonderful memories!
See you soon!
BILINGUAL TODDLER MONTESSORI ASSISTANT
Hola parents! I am Belen and I am from Argentina!. I have been living in Canada for the last 12 years. I have gained experience over 6 years working with children as Early Childhood Assistant at Grapeview Public School in the Before/After school program and at the Walker YMCA Active Kids division program. In my last training, I have also obtained my Montessori Assistance certificate from the Montessori Teachers College and I am more than ready to apply what I have learned this year with my children. I have been a part of the Terra Viva Montessori as a Bilingual Assistant, helping children to strengthen their foreign language since 2020 and I am very happy to be a part of this program. I am also, a mom of two kids, seven and three years old boys whose names are Arthur and Thomas. We are a beautiful family. I am married and I have a dog who is a black lab named Zeus ! We love being outdoors and enjoy playing sports all year round!. We speak Spanish at home giving our children the ability to speak our native language not only with us but with my family who are all in Argentina. I believe Bilingual children are more open to acceptance and tolerance to different cultures. And that is precisely why I have chosen to be a part of this wonderful and unique school. I can't wait to meet all my friends and make wonderful memories!
See you soon!
MARLA MIRANDA
BILINGUAL CASA MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS IN TRAINING
Hola, I am a Spanish native speaker from El Salvador with over 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and the Montessori method. Understanding this approach of learning has helped me in a great deal to develop the skills needed to communicate effectively with the children at their level and also encouraged me to embark in this educational journey as an owner and director of a Montessori Daycare in El Salvador. Thanks to my experience as an Early childhood Educator and business owner in El Salvador, I have acquired an excellent disposition for teamwork as well at working independently. Moreover, I love introducing children to the Spanish Language through creative circles that involve singing, dancing, playing and movement.
Growing up in San Salvador, El Salvador, I have fond memories with nature. Climbing volcanoes was my favourite thing to do! In 2018 I moved to Canada with my husband and my three children,13, 11 and 8 years old. Working with children is what I love and it is a way to make the world a better place. I enjoy reading, watching documentaries and travelling with my family. I love nature, and more specifically beaches and mountains. I have been teaching in Terra Viva for 1 year already and I can say that my Montessori journey is taking me to a new adventure, as I am now enrolled with the Montessori Teachers college in the Early Years Diploma program to become a Montessori Directress thus enriching my teaching career as I move along with our new Preschool Casa class!
BILINGUAL CASA MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS IN TRAINING
Hola, I am a Spanish native speaker from El Salvador with over 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and the Montessori method. Understanding this approach of learning has helped me in a great deal to develop the skills needed to communicate effectively with the children at their level and also encouraged me to embark in this educational journey as an owner and director of a Montessori Daycare in El Salvador. Thanks to my experience as an Early childhood Educator and business owner in El Salvador, I have acquired an excellent disposition for teamwork as well at working independently. Moreover, I love introducing children to the Spanish Language through creative circles that involve singing, dancing, playing and movement.
Growing up in San Salvador, El Salvador, I have fond memories with nature. Climbing volcanoes was my favourite thing to do! In 2018 I moved to Canada with my husband and my three children,13, 11 and 8 years old. Working with children is what I love and it is a way to make the world a better place. I enjoy reading, watching documentaries and travelling with my family. I love nature, and more specifically beaches and mountains. I have been teaching in Terra Viva for 1 year already and I can say that my Montessori journey is taking me to a new adventure, as I am now enrolled with the Montessori Teachers college in the Early Years Diploma program to become a Montessori Directress thus enriching my teaching career as I move along with our new Preschool Casa class!
ALVARO GLASER
Bilingual Montessori Teacher in training
Elementary Classroom
Hola, ¡qué tal! You can always call me Al, short for Alvaro! A native Spanish speaker who moved to the True North in 1994. Back in my native country of Colombia I completed a B.A in Economics, then here in Canada I graduated with a B.A in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Urban Planning. I also completed a degree in TESL and worked as a Spanish Instructor privately and for the Spanish Centre in Richmond Hill with focus on children, before I moved with my lovely wife Andrea to St Catharines. In the past I have worked in sales and marketing with organizations such as Best Buy and Sony electronics and managed retail stores like Henry's Camera and the Body Shop.
I am currently enrolled with the North American Montessori Centre (NAMC) in the Lower Elementary Diploma program. And I will be teaching while doing my Montessori training, the Elementary Class at Port Dalhousie Location and the Forest program at Burgoyne Woods.
I treasure my passion for nature walks and exploration with children, I also enjoy playing tennis and trying to be my 3 children's coach in their daily lives as they foray into hockey, basketball, soccer, drumming, piano and other wonderful activities. Children are without a doubt, the gift of life and I love to teach while learning from them because they are indeed little masters of life. As of late I have developed a fervor for drumming! Nothing keeps us healthier than a great sense of humor so you will hear many jokes from me!
Bilingual Montessori Teacher in training
Elementary Classroom
Hola, ¡qué tal! You can always call me Al, short for Alvaro! A native Spanish speaker who moved to the True North in 1994. Back in my native country of Colombia I completed a B.A in Economics, then here in Canada I graduated with a B.A in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Urban Planning. I also completed a degree in TESL and worked as a Spanish Instructor privately and for the Spanish Centre in Richmond Hill with focus on children, before I moved with my lovely wife Andrea to St Catharines. In the past I have worked in sales and marketing with organizations such as Best Buy and Sony electronics and managed retail stores like Henry's Camera and the Body Shop.
I am currently enrolled with the North American Montessori Centre (NAMC) in the Lower Elementary Diploma program. And I will be teaching while doing my Montessori training, the Elementary Class at Port Dalhousie Location and the Forest program at Burgoyne Woods.
I treasure my passion for nature walks and exploration with children, I also enjoy playing tennis and trying to be my 3 children's coach in their daily lives as they foray into hockey, basketball, soccer, drumming, piano and other wonderful activities. Children are without a doubt, the gift of life and I love to teach while learning from them because they are indeed little masters of life. As of late I have developed a fervor for drumming! Nothing keeps us healthier than a great sense of humor so you will hear many jokes from me!
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STEF KRAMER
Forest /Outdoor Recreation Educator
Mr. Stef Kramer is an outdoor enthusiast and a father of two children, with vast knowledge in wilderness Camping, Fire building and safety, knife handling and sharpening, fishing, hiking, knots and the use of camp tools.
Furthermore, Stef has also worked with children and youth coaching them in soccer and cycling. He has advanced knowledge in watersports; sailing, snorkeling, spear fishing, kayaking, canoeing and water safety. In the past Mr. Kramer has worked as a tour guide and a bicycle mechanic in Niagara, France, the US and Mexico. He also trained, raced and conducted bicycle repair clinics.
Mr. Kramer is really thrilled to join our team and he is looking forward to the experiences that that come with this new challenge.
STEF KRAMER
Forest /Outdoor Recreation Educator
Mr. Stef Kramer is an outdoor enthusiast and a father of two children, with vast knowledge in wilderness Camping, Fire building and safety, knife handling and sharpening, fishing, hiking, knots and the use of camp tools.
Furthermore, Stef has also worked with children and youth coaching them in soccer and cycling. He has advanced knowledge in watersports; sailing, snorkeling, spear fishing, kayaking, canoeing and water safety. In the past Mr. Kramer has worked as a tour guide and a bicycle mechanic in Niagara, France, the US and Mexico. He also trained, raced and conducted bicycle repair clinics.
Mr. Kramer is really thrilled to join our team and he is looking forward to the experiences that that come with this new challenge.
HEIDY SHORT
RECE TODDLER/MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS IN TRAINING
My name is Heidy Short, and I am from a small island in the Caribbean called Curaçao. Traveling, being in nature, and swimming are some activities that I enjoy doing in my leisure time. I can communicate in Dutch, English, Papiamentu, and a little bit of Spanish. One of my passions are working with children and providing them with a safe, fun, and
nurturing environment. This started as a little girl when I was volunteering in my church children ministry and knew since then that I wanted to become a teacher when I got older. My experience working with children is vast because I had the opportunity to work in different childcare settings and Montessori schools including, as well, school boards, and as a private nanny. I am currently enrolled in the Montessori Teachers College to become a Montessori Toddler Directress. I am happy to embark on this opportunity and to be part of Terra Viva’s team of Educators.
nurturing environment. This started as a little girl when I was volunteering in my church children ministry and knew since then that I wanted to become a teacher when I got older. My experience working with children is vast because I had the opportunity to work in different childcare settings and Montessori schools including, as well, school boards, and as a private nanny. I am currently enrolled in the Montessori Teachers College to become a Montessori Toddler Directress. I am happy to embark on this opportunity and to be part of Terra Viva’s team of Educators.
SHERLEY FURTADO
RECE CASA /MONTESSORI ASSISTANT
Growing up I disliked studying and always wondered what would I grow up to be. After my graduation in India, I started working at a preschool and I realized that children are naturally curious beings; are willing to take risks and try new things. That is when I wanted to learn more about education, how children learn, different ways of learning, and to make learning enjoyable. I came to Canada in 2019 to study Early Childhood Education. I learnt that it is when humans are interested in something, we put our hearts and minds into it.
In 2019, living by myself in Canada, my faith in God grew stronger and it is that faith and love I share with the children around me today. I am currently living with my family- mom, dad and older sister; Cheryl. I enjoy baking and decorating cakes, painting shoes and T-shirts, and walking in the sunshine. I can communicate in English, Hindi, Marathi, a bit of Konkani and hopefully soon Spanish!
I am enrolled with Montessori Teachers College for Infant and toddler program thus enriching my growth and learning experience and of course hands-on experience with the little children is what I am most excited about!
In 2019, living by myself in Canada, my faith in God grew stronger and it is that faith and love I share with the children around me today. I am currently living with my family- mom, dad and older sister; Cheryl. I enjoy baking and decorating cakes, painting shoes and T-shirts, and walking in the sunshine. I can communicate in English, Hindi, Marathi, a bit of Konkani and hopefully soon Spanish!
I am enrolled with Montessori Teachers College for Infant and toddler program thus enriching my growth and learning experience and of course hands-on experience with the little children is what I am most excited about!
CHELSEA PITUL
RECE CASA/MONTESSORI ASSISTANT
Hello, my name is Chelsea. I graduated from Niagara College’s ECE program in 2008. I have been working as a Registered Early Childhood Educator ever since. I have worked with children from infants to 6 years old. I love what I do and that everyday is different. I am excited to start my journey in Montessori education.
I have lived in the Niagara Region my whole life. I am married with two kids ages 8 and 6, we have a crazy dog and a bunny. As a family we love to stay active hiking, biking, swimming and just recently skating. I love traveling with my husband, cooking, and snuggling in a blanket watching a movie or reading.
I have lived in the Niagara Region my whole life. I am married with two kids ages 8 and 6, we have a crazy dog and a bunny. As a family we love to stay active hiking, biking, swimming and just recently skating. I love traveling with my husband, cooking, and snuggling in a blanket watching a movie or reading.
LENE ERGIR
RECE CASA/MONTESSORI ASSISTANT
I was born and raised in Denmark, where I obtained my ECE diploma. I lived and taught in international schools in Istanbul, Turkey for 10 years, then moved to Canada with my young family in 2006. My 20+ years of experience also includes working in different childcare settings and Montessori Schools in York and Durham Region before moving to St. Catharines in 2022.
I have always loved being in nature, whether it’s walking/hiking or snowshoeing as well as swimming or reading.
Teaching and being with young children has always been my passion. Their eagerness, curiosity and spontaneous affection is very rewarding. I am very happy to be a part of the Terra Viva Team of Educators as I am ready to take this new opportunity to continue learning and sharing!
I have always loved being in nature, whether it’s walking/hiking or snowshoeing as well as swimming or reading.
Teaching and being with young children has always been my passion. Their eagerness, curiosity and spontaneous affection is very rewarding. I am very happy to be a part of the Terra Viva Team of Educators as I am ready to take this new opportunity to continue learning and sharing!
GUANNAN BIAN
RECE TODDLER/MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS IN TRAINING
My name is Guannan Bian and I am from the north of China. I have obtained my bachelor of Art degree in China. I came to Canada in 2015 and studied in Niagara College of Early Childhood Education. Then I started my ECE career since 2017. And I’m currently taking my Montessori training to become a Montessori Directress. I enjoy listening to music and spending time in nature. I like going for nature walks, hiking,taking care of my plants. I enjoyed being around with kids,love to be a part of their growth and learning. I take pride in what I do,and I look forward to watching your children grow and progress in the program.
