GMS Head Teachers have Montessori diplomas, qualifying them to teach at the toddler, preschool or elementary grade levels. Their qualifications include AMI, AMS or TMI Montessori Teachers’ Certification in addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees. GMS Head Teachers are assisted in the classrooms by Montessori trained assistants, Certified Early Childhood Educators or by co-teachers, who have their Montessori Teachers’ Certification and/or Ontario Teachers’ Certification.
In partnership with parents and the community, our staff’s mission is to create and sustain an optimal educational environment for our students, providing the best in a Montessori education.
Toddler Teachers
- Ms. Soha — RECE, NAMC Montessori Diploma
- Ms. Priscila — NAMC Montessori Diploma
See our Montessori toddler program for ages 18 to 36 months →
Casa (Preschool) Teachers
- Mr. John — RECE, AMI Montessori Diploma
- Ms. Jillian — B.A., TMI Montessori Diploma, MACTE
- Ms. Layla — B.A., B.Ed., NAMC Montessori Diploma
We have each been part of the GMS community for over 15 years, working with Casa-aged children. Our classrooms emphasize child-led learning, rooted in the principles of Maria Montessori, who believed that children learn best when they are given the freedom to follow their natural curiosity within a carefully prepared environment.
Our classrooms feel like a second home, and it is a joy to watch each child grow and blossom throughout our time together.
Read more about how this shapes our bilingual Montessori preschool program for ages 3 to 6 →
Elementary Teachers
- Ms. Thom — B.A. (Hons.), B.Ed., AMI Montessori Diploma · Senior Elementary (ages 9–12)
- Ms. Roberta — B.A., AMS Montessori Diploma · Junior Elementary (ages 6–9)
For over 20 years, as elementary Montessori guides in the GMS community, we have had the joy and privilege of walking alongside children during this remarkable stage of development. It is a time when their imagination is blossoming, their reasoning is deepening, and their curiosity about the world seems to grow each day. Every day, we are reminded how children between the ages of 6 and 12 thrive when they are given meaningful work, time to reflect, and the freedom to learn in ways that honour who they are as individuals.
What we cherish most about a Montessori education is the deep respect it offers each child. It allows us to nurture academic growth while also supporting the development of independence, compassion, critical thinking, and a strong sense of responsibility to others.
See what this looks like in our Montessori elementary program for Grades 1 to 6 →
What Montessori teaching credentials mean
Why this section matters: “What is AMI certification?” and “AMI vs AMS Montessori” are real parent queries with almost no Canadian school answering them well. A clean definition table is the single most citable asset you can add — AI engines strongly favour extractable tabular data, and no competitor in Ottawa owns this. Learn more about what Montessori education is →
What qualifications do Glebe Montessori School teachers have?
Every GMS Head Teacher holds a Montessori teaching diploma for their age level — toddler, preschool, or elementary — alongside an undergraduate or graduate degree. Diplomas come from AMI, AMS, TMI, or NAMC. Head Teachers are supported by Montessori-trained assistants, Registered Early Childhood Educators, and co-teachers holding Ontario Teachers’ Certification.
| Credential | Stands for | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| AMI | Association Montessori Internationale | Founded by Maria Montessori in 1929. The most stringent international training standard. |
| AMS | American Montessori Society | The largest Montessori membership organization in North America. |
| TMI | Toronto Montessori Institute | MACTE-accredited Canadian teacher training institute. |
| NAMC | North American Montessori Center | Canadian-based Montessori teacher training provider. |
| MACTE | Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education | The independent body that accredits Montessori training programs. |
| RECE | Registered Early Childhood Educator | Licensed member of the College of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario. |
Learn more about our accreditation →
How long have GMS teachers been with the school?
Our Casa team has served the GMS community for over 15 years, and our elementary guides for over 20. Long teacher tenure means children move through the school with adults who know their family, and that continuity is one of the things parents tell us they value most.
As Maria Montessori wrote, “The child is both a hope and a promise for humanity. If we therefore mind this embryo as our most precious treasure, we will be working for the greatness of humanity.” (Education and Peace)