Beach Montessori School is owned and operated by Shelagh Smith. Shelagh received an Honours degree from Queen's University before pursuing her Montessori training. She studied at the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto, under the guidance of three trainers, including Renilde Montessori, Maria Montessori's grand-daughter. Shelagh graduated from the Foundation in 1994 with an AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) primary diploma and went on to teach at Kanata-March Montessori School in Ottawa for two years.

Once married, Shelagh moved to the Beaches in 1996 and opened Beach Montessori School in January 1998. She was the principal teacher at the school until the birth of her first son in November 2001. A second son arrived in May 2004. The hiring of some exceptional staff allowed her to be home with her children and to focus on the administrative aspects of running the school. Her oldest son graduated from Beach Montessori in June 2007 and her second son graduated from the school in June 2010. Her youngest son has just finished his first year of the Casa program.

We were so pleased to welcome Lisa as the new Montessori directress in September 2006. With an undergraduate degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Fredonia, Lisa went on to have a successful career in the movie industry. Ready for a change, Lisa chose to study at the Foundation for Montessori Education and graduated with her AMI primary diploma in the spring of 2003.

She has served several years on the board of the Toronto AMI Alumni and continues as an active member. Lisa has worked very hard to create a beautiful Montessori classroom environment for the children and she has been instrumental in establishing our Full-Day program.

In September 2008 we were thrilled to welcome Kerry-Ann to Beach Montessori School. Kerry- Ann studied Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) at Centennial College and graduated with her E.C.E. diploma in the spring of 2008. She has been a member of the College of Early Childhood Educators since January 2009. Kerry-Ann arrived at Beach Montessori with several years experience working in local daycare centres, in addition to considerable parenting experience with her own little girl. Kerry-Ann now works as our classroom assistant and has become a very important member of our Beach Montessori School community.

All of our staff have valid Police Reference Checks as well as holding current first aid certification.