Our Faculty
Primary Shore
Ms. Liu - Lead Guide
Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, I have always dreamed of becoming a teacher. Over the years, I explored many roles in education, including private tutoring, assisting in classrooms, leading summer camps, providing after-school care, and mentoring. Along the way, I discovered the Montessori philosophy and felt deeply connected to its approach. Working with children reminds me that every day is a new opportunity to learn, grow, and see endless possibilities. With the right support, freedom to explore, and meaningful opportunities, I believe children can achieve anything.
I completed the AMI 3-6 Diploma at the Montessori Training Centre of BC, as well as the AMI 6-12 Orientation Course. I am passionate about creating a warm, creative, and supportive environment where children feel safe to explore and develop their potential.
Ms. Sung - Assistant Teacher
After 10 years of experience as an early childhood educator, in Vancouver and Hong Kong, I yearned for a school that recognized the potential and capability of the child. I sought an authentic Montessori school and obtained her AMI Certification for children aged 3-6. I love being a part of the Mia community and am in awe of the children’s growth and development each day.
Primary Pier
Ms. Tejani - Lead Guide
I have a deep love for children and a passion for Montessori. I hold an AMI Diploma for children aged 3-6 and 6-12 and have recently achieved my completing her Masters in Educational Leadership from Vancouver Island University. Prior to joining Mia, I had over 6 years experience both in the Casa (Primary) and Elementary programs in Mumbai, India. I have fallen in love with the West Coast and have made it my home.
Ms. Kuan - Assistant Teacher
With a background in psychology and education, I have over five years of experience supporting students’ learning and mental health, as well as about three years as a certified Early Childhood Educator. Inspired by how the Montessori approach nurtures children’s independence and confidence, I completed the AMI Montessori Assistant Training for children aged 3-6 in summer 2025, and began my Montessori journey at Mia.
Mrs. Sharma - Assistant Teacher
I was born and raised in England, though Canada has been our home for the last 17 years. Vancouver is the perfect city to live in and I feel fortunate to have been able to raise my 2 children, now both in University, here.
Throughout their primary and elementary years I volunteered at their school and often in the classroom, helping with general activities, vocabulary and reading skills. I found that I very much enjoyed the delight and sense of accomplishment the children felt as they played, learned and mastered both life and educational skills. Working with children is a privilege and I love experiencing the wonder and joy of learning with all the children of the Primary class at Mia Montessori Academy.
I have completed the AMI Montessori Assistant Course in Canada.
Elementary
Ms. D’Souza - Lead Guide
"You must find the work that satisfies your spirit" these words by Dr. Montessori inspired me to work with children. I believe education should be a positive and fulfilling process. Through engaging experiences in the environment, do children begin to cultivate independence and the desire for a lifetime of learning. The Montessori Method has helped me hone my appreciation and respect for children.
Born and raised in Mumbai, I hold a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and worked as a writer for several years before discovering the Montessori Pedagogy. I have worked with 3-6-year-old children as an AMI Primary guide for a year, which led me to pursue an AMI Elementary certificate. I have been working with elementary children for the past 4 years. In my spare time, I like to explore all that's new in science, art, music, and literature.
I hold AMI Diplomas to guide children aged 3-6 and 6-12. Additionally, I am certified to employ Montessori methodology to support neurodiverse children of all ages.
Ms. Petrovič - Spanish Teacher
Originally from Slovenia, I am AMI-trained to work with children aged 6-12. I have previously worked in Spain and Montreal and I’m passionate about working in an authentic AMI Montessori environment. I have hoped to live in BC with my husband for many years, and I’m excited to finally move here and join Mia Montessori Academy!
Coach Sofia - PE Coach
Originally from Mexico, I in love with soccer when I was 8, and have been playing ever since! As a young player, I represented her state at national tournaments, then went on to captain my high school team and play varsity soccer.
With more than a decade of coaching experience, I have worked with adults and children of all ages and abilities in my hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico, and newfound home of Vancouver.
My experience has led me to develop a unique approach that blends foundational soccer with child-centered pedagogy. Qualifications include:
Canada Soccer C License Certificate (CONCACAF)
Montessori Sports Certificate (AMI Montessori)
Early Childhood Education Assistant (UBC)
Administration
Meenu Chaudhary - Principal & Founder
Welcome to Mia Montessori Academy!
My passion for Montessori started over 30 years ago when I saw the impact it was having on my own daughters - these little girls were coming home each day with an excitement and curiosity for learning such that I hadn’t experienced before. It was always “Why this?”, “What about that?” and “Let me do it!”. I realised quickly the love of learning and independence they were gaining from the school environment was something that wasn’t there before.
I already had a love for education, having received Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Education previously, however their experience motivated me to train as a Montessori teacher - and so I received my AMI Diploma to work with children aged 2.5 to 6 years old.
After teaching for a number of years, and watching the growth and development of my own girls, I decided to obtain my AMI Elementary Diploma, working with children aged 6 - 12 years old.
After 11 years teaching at a Montessori school in Vancouver, I decided to form my own school and so, in 2004, Pacific Rim Montessori Academy was established. Over the past 15 years, I’ve watched proudly the impact that the Montessori philosophy has had on the thousands of children that have been with us - many of whom are now starting their own careers as lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs…the list goes on! My motivating factor over these past 20 years has been the impact Montessori Made on the children - to set them up for their future.
These days, in addition to my responsibilities as Head of School, I lead our elementary classroom - working with the students and watching them grow and achieve their potential is the driving force behind what I do.
Ratika Fernandes - Vice Principal
Welcome to Mia Montessori Academy!
A Montessori student myself, I developed a lifelong love for learning and culture. My journey to Montessori later in life started with an initial career as a Chartered Accountant with a Big Four professional services firm. I provided management consulting services to large, publicly-listed companies in Canada and the United Kingdom, most recently running a leadership development program for CFOs of multinational organisations.
After nearly 15 years in the corporate world, I realized that to make an impact with individuals, we need to start at the beginning, rather than the end, of their journey. This motivated me to shift my focus from the development of executives to the development of children.
I am a certified AMI Administrator which guides my management of the whole school environment. I also hold an AMI Diploma for Montessori in the Home with children aged 0-3 and 3-6. This foundation enables me to support families in implementing Montessori principles in their home environment, ensuring the child is supported and receiving a consistent developmental philosophy. I have completed AMI Orientation Courses for children aged 0-6, Montessori Sports and have completed certification to Lead an Inclusive Montessori School.
Having seen both sides of the spectrum, I truly believe a Montessori education is one that best equips children to be the future leaders that our world needs. It instills in them a fascination and appreciation of the world and one another, as well as the drive towards continued learning and improvement. Most importantly, it gives them confidence - in themselves and their abilities - and that quality alone is the catalyst for action.