Christine Cooper
Head–Directress, Sitka
Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Christine taught at the elementary level for several years before migrating to Vancouver. After working as a nanny and gaining her citizenship, she completed her AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) training in June 1989, with an ECE certification in the following year. Chris started at Family Montessori in 1995. She really enjoys seeing the complete family cycle with siblings registering for the program as well as the visits from ex-pupils.

Cindy Au
Co-Directress, Sitka
Cindy is very excited to be starting her second year at Family Montessori at Sitka Square.  In July of 2008, she graduated from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C. in the AMI Primary Montessori Teacher program. Before coming to FMSS, Cindy worked with children as a substitute Montessori Guide in Richmond and Vancouver.  Also, she has worked in themed/play-based youth programs for ages 2 to 17 years in the cruise industry for 3 years. Cindy likes to bike and to travel, visiting her family who live all over the world.

Stephanie Beitz – Co-Directress
Co–Directress, Jericho      
Stephanie Beitz began her career working in communication as a program manager with the federal government. After six years with the government and some time working with a NGO in Eastern Europe, she made the decision to return to school to fulfill her desire to work with children. Stephanie holds an Applied Communication diploma, an AMI Diploma at the Primary level from the Montessori Training Centre of BC and a certificate in Early Childhood Education.

In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys rock climbing, cycling, yoga and volunteering. She often brings her love of the outdoors and the environment into the classroom to share with the children.

Rika Motohashi
Co–Directress, Jericho
Born and raised in Vancouver, Rika worked in the Hospitality Industry for many years. She worked in hotels and became a flight attendant. Rika loves to travel and being a flight attendant seemed like the perfect job. After flying for four years, she wanted to pursue her dream of becoming an educator. Rika graduated from the Montessori Training Center of British Columbia in 2007, receiving her AMI Diploma, and has been a part of Family Montessori since September 2007. Rika loves to spend time with her dog and is on a dragon boat rowing team in her spare time.

Brenda Brown
Principal
Brenda grew up in the Fraser Valley, and completed a Diploma in Social Work at the University College of the Fraser Valley. Following work as a Teacher’s Assistant with the Abbotsford School district, she transferred to Simon Fraser University and completed her Bachelor of Education. After working as a Grade 2 teacher, she decided to complete her Elementary 6 to 9 Year old Montessori teacher training. She then worked as the Teacher/Principal of a Multi-aged Elementary school for academically advanced students for seven years.

Once she had two boys of her own, there was no question that they would attend a Montessori preschool, and she knew that FMSS was the best in town. She served on the Board for over two years before she became the Principal of FMSS in 2008. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, playing soccer and softball, fitness training, and going on nature adventures with her family.

Beverly Dobrinsky
Music Teacher
Beverly has been teaching Kodaly music classes for Family Montessori since 1988. Beverly has a Bachelor’s of Music from UBC, and she has completed coursework in Kodaly pedagogy and theory from the University of Victoria and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Ms. Dobrinsky is constantly active in the field of music – she conducts three community choirs, she is the Musical Director of the women’s musical ensemble ZEELLIA, and was hired by the Vancouver Parks Board to be the Artist in Residence at the Carnegie Centre for 2009.