Meet the Team
Dedicated & Certified
Catherine Ceolin
Boundary Rd Directress- Toddler Program
Administrative Assistant & Support
Catherine has assisted administratively at Reach for the Stars Montessori since 2008. In 2011 Catherine moved into the toddler program. Catherine possesses her Montessori Assistant to Infancy, Infant/Toddler Education Certificate, ECE certificate, Special Needs and First Aid. Catherine is loved by her students for her caring and approachable nature. Along with her organization and creativity and leadership, she is a wonderful asset to the program. She is excited to be part of the team at Reach for the Stars Montessori.
Nidhi Kochar
Boundary Rd Directress
Nidhi completed her Bachelor’s degree in economics followed by a Diploma in Systems Management. After her own children left for University in Canada, she pursued her interest in teaching the younger group. She did her AMI Primary Training in India from Mumbai in 2015. She worked as a lead directress in the Primary Montessori environment in a school where she felt that the child’s journey of life begins much earlier hence, she was drawn to do AMI Infant Toddler Program from Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia. She also did a course in Applied Behavior Analysis which helps her to relate to various child behavior patterns.
Nidhi holds her current ECE, Infant Toddler license and First Aid Certificate. Nidhi is honoured to be part of Reach for the Stars Montessori and looks forward to aid children in their formative years of development.
Jessie (Yuting) Zhu
Boundary Rd Assistant- Toddler Program
Jessie joined us in 2021. She possesses her ECE license, Infant Toddler license, and First Aid Certificate. She chose to become an early childhood educator because she loves working with children and finds them endearing and adorable. She believes children’s interests are their strongest motivators, so she enjoys learning children’s interests to help them develop their skills. In her spare time, she likes to watch shows, cooking, make story props, go camping, and visit farms. Jessie is excited to be part of the Reach for the Stars Montessori team.
Ilenia Cambise
Boundary Rd Directress
Ilenia joined Reach for the Stars Montessori in 2018. She moved to Vancouver in 2012 where she started her journey working with children. After many years of looking after them, she realized her strong interest in education and decided to follow the path of the Montessori Approach. She has her AMI Montessori certification from Italy and ECE through the Montessori training centre of BC, as well as her First Aid certificate. Ilenia is very passionate about cooking, and loves art and crafting and being immersed in nature.
Juliana Kao
Boundary Rd Directress
Juliana joined Reach for the Stars Montessori in 2024. She is Taiwanese-Brazilian and moved to Vancouver in 2023. She received her AMI Primary Montessori Training from the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia. She has a BSc (Honours) degree in Psychology in Education from the University of York, UK. Besides English, Juliana also speaks Mandarin fluently. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing the ukulele, and spending time with family and friends. She also loves travelling and exploring new cities. In the words of Dr. Maria Montessori, Juliana also believes that “the children of today will make all the discoveries of tomorrow”.
Jung Kyu Na
Boundary Rd Assistant
Jung has over a decade of experience as a teacher in Korea and joined the team in 2023 . She is very passionate about teaching children. She did her Master's in English Education at San Francisco State University. Currently, she also holds her ECE Assistant certificate, Food Safety and First Aid. She believes that children are competent and capable, thus she wants to make sure that the children at our center feel safe and secure so they can be open to learning new things and taking more chances. She is very excited and happy to be part of the Reach for the Stars Montessori team.
Sara Cepale
Boundary Rd Assistant-
Toddler/Preschool Aged Programs
Sara was born in Rome, Italy, where she took her Masters Degree in Contemporary Art History at the University "La Sapienza". She has over eight years experience in teaching children at the elementary school level and she is a mom of three. She holds a Montessori Birth to Three Assistants Certificate from the Montessori Training Centre of BC. Being Italian meant for her to grow with the teachings of Maria Montessori as an integral part of her own culture and education. Sara believes that children are the most powerful tool to make the world a better place and she is honored to put her time and dedication at their service, supporting them in becoming the best version of the human being they are, meant to be and always remembering that for tomorrow she can do better.
Rosie Cho
Boundary Rd -Toddler Educator
Rosie Cho joined Reach for the Stars Montessori in 2024. She is an experienced early childhood educator with current ECE and First Aid certificates. Rosie loves creating a warm and caring space where children can learn and grow. She majored in Early Childhood Education and Psychology, which deepened her understanding of child development and behavior. She believes in each child’s potential and enjoys guiding them as they develop into confident individuals. Helping children grow brings Rosie great joy.
Suyeon Park
Boundary Rd Toddler Educator
Suyeon joined the team in 2023. She is very grateful to be able to work with the lovely children and staff at Reach for the Stars Montessori. She feels happiest when she is with children and watching them grow. She majored in early childhood education in BC after moving to Canada with her children. Currently, she holds her ECE, Infant Toddler and First Aid certificates. She strives to do her best to help children have a bright and meaningful time at Reach for the Stars Montessori.
Eda Odyakmaz
Boundary Rd Assistant
Eda joined Reach for the Stars Montessori in 2023. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and brings over 15 years of experience working with children in various settings as a school counselor and psychotherapist. She specializes in Psychoanalytically Oriented Psychotherapy for Children and Parental Counseling. Eda holds multiple certifications, including an Early Childhood Education Assistant (ECEA), Emergency Child Care First Aid with CPR/AED Level B, Techniques and Practices in Dynamic Psychotherapy, and Rorschach and Projective Drawing Tests with Children. She is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Educator Certificate. Eda loves working with children and finds immense joy in witnessing their development firsthand.
Sheila Taan
Kitsilano Educator
Fiona Black
Kitsilano Co-Directress
Fiona attended Montessori preschool herself as a child and has always been passionate about the pedagogy. Her three children all attended Montessori preschools and she knows the importance of the philosophy for the early years.
Fiona received her bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University and received her AMI Montessori primary diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of B.C in 2000. She holds both her ECE certificate and her independent teaching certificate through the Ministry of Education.
In her spare time, Fiona loves to travel and spend time with her family. She has many years experience working with young children and loves her time in the classroom. She joined the team in 2022 at the Kitsilano location.
Jackie Wilson
Kitsilano Directress
Jacqueline has over fourteen years of experience guiding and caring for young children. She graduated from the Montessori Training Centre of BC with a diploma to teach three to six year old children. Jacqueline also holds a current ECE and First Aid certificate. She completed the ECE Special Needs Program as well as the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders.
Jacqueline continually strives to provide the highest quality care and education to each child in her program. She believes that every child is born with unlimited potential and is driven to discover each child's unique interests and gifts.
Samantha Strudwick
Kitsilano Educator
Samantha received a Bachelor of Arts with Concentration in French from Dalhousie University. She holds an Early Childhood Education Certificate and First Aid. She has enjoyed working with children since she was in high school and she believes that every child is a gift and strives to achieve their fullest potential. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, travelling, and spending time with her friends and family. Samantha has been a part of the Reach for the Stars family since 2023.
Angela Katelouzos
Nanaimo St. Directress
Angela joined Reach for the Stars Montessori in 2010. She has an extensive background working with preschool aged children as well as many years of teaching the Montessori method. She holds her A.M.I Casa Certificate, E.C.E License and First Aid Certificate. Children are drawn to Angela's enthusiastic, patient and compassionate personality. Her passion in guiding children to succeed and reach their fullest potential gives her great joy and gratification.
Chelsea Brown
Nanaimo St. Assistant
Chelsea Brown has been teaching for over ten years, working with young children from eight months to six years of age. She earned her Early Childhood Education at the University of the Fraser Valley and is furthering her education at Thomas Rivers University to earn her Bachelor's Degree. During her teaching career, she had the wonderful experience of teaching overseas in Sydney, Australia. Chelsea enjoys travelling and has been to many countries. She gained her Yoga Teaching certificate in Thailand, which correlates with her philosophy of bringing mindfulness and movement into the classroom. Chelsea is passionate about teaching young children and has a collective teaching practice. She believes a collaborative approach provides more opportunities for helping all children. Chelsea enjoys hiking, art, gardening, and playing tennis while not teaching. Chelsea joins us in 2024 and is excited to meet her new students and families!
Nanaimo St. Assistant
Roopkamal Kaur
Roop holds her ECE Assistant and First Aid Certificates as well as a Master's degree in Business Administration.. She enjoys working with children as she believes that each child is unique and as much as we have to offer them, the learning we gain from their perspective and curiosity is immeasurable. She is honoured to be a part of the Reach for the Stars team since January 2024 and excited to incorporate her skills and passion for nurturing young minds.
Julia Hogeling
Main St. Directress
Julia joined Reach for the Stars Montessori in 2007. She has twenty years experience as a preschool teacher. Julia did her AMI in Toronto and Masters in Education in Baltimore. She has a BA in Geography from UBC and her ECE license and first aid. Julia is passionate about working with children from diverse cultures. She is excited to be in the classroom to observe and discover all that children are capable of achieving. Julia likes travelling, learning the ukulele, running and yoga, and enjoying Vancouver's art scene with her husband.
Ikbal Altugan
Main St. Assistant & Centre Support
Ikbal comes to us with 13 years experience of teaching in different age groups. She holds her Early Childhood Education Assistant Certificate as well as her First Aid. She is excited to be part of the wonderful team at Reach for the Stars Montessori. She looks forward to helping children grow and learn in a supportive and engaging environment.
Helena Diogo
Founder and Principal
Director of Administration
Helena holds a degree in Business Administration and certificate in Management Science and Liberal Arts, with a background in Communications.
Helena became intrigued with education for children prior to the birth of her first daughter. She quickly concluded that children have the potential to reach amazing heights if given the opportunity. In the last 22 years, Helena has had 3 children and has opened 6 reputable and well recognized schools in Vancouver and Burnaby, with an AMI certified teaching staff. She is responsible for managing all facets of the organization.
Helena aspires to make a real difference in each child’s educational experience. She accredits the success of the school to the support she has received from her family, the students and their families, the cooperation from the Montessori Training Centre of BC and of course the dedicated and hardworking staff at Reach for the Stars Montessori.
Helena continues to be passionate about improving educational opportunities for children and she looks forward to serving the children of the community in providing enriched programs.