 Warmth & Caring Guidance
The children benefit from the talent, warmth & caring guidance of three special teachers, Pat, Lee-Ann & Nathalie, who, as a result of having worked together for many years, enjoy a close relationship that enables them to present a very positive and fine-tuned program. The teachers are qualified professionals who have many years of experience working with children in a pre-school environment. Our music, gym, skating, science, and swimming teachers are also qualified instructors in their specialties. The teachers work in conjunction with the parents to ensure that we provide an enriched program that responds to the needs of our 24 children.
Daily parent input and feedback is welcomed by our teachers and is facilitated by the close relationship teachers share with the parents. They are encouraged to discuss issues, or provide suggestions at any time during the course of the year. However, twice a year there are more formal Parent-Teacher Meetings where the teachers provide the parents with feedback on their child's progress. This progress is broken down into various categories including motor skills, cognitive skills, social and personal skills.
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 Pat Armand Schmidt
As senior teacher at Curzon, Pat Armand Schmidt has 19 years of experience teaching kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children. She is a warm and nurturing educator who brings out the best in each child.
During her undergraduate years at McGill, Pat studied liberal arts with a minor in science. Post-graduation, she completed an education certificate in the Montessori method, applicable to pre-school and kindergarten, as well as a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Pat taught a Montessori kindergarten class for five years and spent four more in a public sector pre-school program before taking a break to have her three children. She returned to her teaching career when her youngest child was ready for school and has spent the last ten years in her present position at Curzon.
Pat continues to seek opportunities for professional development by attending education workshops regularly.
In addition to Pat’s contribution to the Curzon classroom and curriculum development, she also shares her musical passion and talent by facilitating Curzon’s Music & Movement program. She has attended numerous music education workshops and, over the last eleven years, has developed a very strong program that she has taught at Curzon and elsewhere. Her music children enjoy singing, rhythm instruments, movement and dance and song-writing. A creative songwriter in her own right, Pat encourages this form of expression from her pre-school children and even writes much of her own material. Pat and her guitar are a happy part of life at Curzon.
Pat’s love of nature and commitment to earth-friendly living influence the Curzon classroom in a very positive way. Earth Day at Curzon is as important a celebration – if not more so – as any other holiday. Through music, stories and activities, Pat shares a fundamental respect, appreciation and love for each other and the planet that we share.
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 Lee-Ann Matthews
Lee-Ann is a creative and passionate early childhood educator. She has been enriching the Curzon program since 1999. She received her Bachelors degree from Concordia University in 1994 where she specialized in Child Studies and has worked in a variety of educational settings including the Concordia University CPE in downtown Montreal.
She is an avid art enthusiast and watercolorist. She brings her creative spirit to the Co-op providing inspiring and unique opportunities for self-expression. In fact, Lee-Ann wrote and illustrated her own children’s book which she she includes in the Curzon curriculum. Furthermore, she co-owns a framing shop in Westmount that specializes in fine art.
Lee-Ann is also the resident yoga teacher. Her passion for yoga began ten years ago. She has studied extensively with yoga instructors throughout Montreal. She implements weekly yoga sessions for her Curzon students.
Lee-Ann is a French immersion tutor and has worked for Edinburgh Elementary School. She tutors small groups, privately , and gives art lessons in her home. This background and training gives her the expertise to assist with small learning groups and focus on kindergarten readiness skills.
Lee-Ann brings a joyful approach to her teaching style balancing creativity with self control. She loves team-work and the Curzon Co-op spirit
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 Nathalie Maheux
Nathalie is a dedicated and resourceful Early Childhood Educator. She has been a member of the Curzon teaching team for over five years! Originally from Quebec City she received her Bachelors Degree from the Universite de Montreal where she specialized in Child Psychology. She has also started a Masters Degree in Social Work.
She has worked extensively with children as a hands on researcher throughout her ‘stages’ in university and has been employed in a number of early childhood settings.
Nathalie is the Curzon French specialist bringing her language and culture to the school to create a natural French immersion environment for her students. Her love of children is evident in the way she interacts so tenderly with them and they in turn respond so well to her as they begin to form their first words and sentences in French.
Nathalie is invested in the virtues of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, she recently completed the two day walk for Breast Cancer Research! She is an avid fitness enthusiast and as the Curzon Gym Specialist she serves as an excellent role model. She gives weekly gym classes in French providing opportunities for phsyical fitness and good sportsmanship!
Nathalie has travelled extensively and brings her sense of adventure and love of learning to the classroom. She is an asset to the team and a well loved member of the Curzon family!
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