Teaching Staff
Mrs. Debbie Marette (Owner/Administrator)
I am the owner and administrator of Blue Spruce Montessori School (established in 1997). I graduated from the Montessori training center of B.C. in 1994 with an A.M.I. (Association Montessori International) Montessori diploma and also a diploma in Early Childhood Education. I am now in my 16th year of teaching and still feel the same passion and enthusiasm for Montessori as I did upon graduating.
I am originally from England and have been a resident of Canada for over 20 years. I have extensive work experience with young children and a sincere and genuine interest in early childhood education. My teaching experience includes setting up and operating a Montessori primary school in North Vancouver, tutoring elementary children and teaching and administrating at my own school Blue Spruce Montessori.
I am dedicated to keeping current with childcare issues through professional development. Since graduating I have attended several conferences and refresher courses and have also acquired a diploma in E.C.E. administration. I continue learning and growing as a Montessori teacher and also as a mother of two beautiful daughters.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy keeping fit, I love hiking, skiing and biking. I also enjoy collecting children's Literature, sewing and home decorating. I am looking forward to taking dancing classes this fall and attempting to publish my first children's book.
Mrs. Hajra Muqtader (Co-Directress)
I am looking forward to another year at Blue Spruce and watching the continued growth of the students. I graduated from the Montessori Training Centre of BC in 2004 with an AMI Primary Montessori Diploma and an ECE Certificate and I have almost five years of experience, working as a Montessori Directress. I also have my Bachelors of Science and have just completed the Montessori Infant Toddler course which was offered in Canada for the first time.
As a Montessori educator my sincere passion is to guide the children to develop to their fullest potential. My goal is to provide the necessary skills to function as a contributing member of the society and to grow the love of learning. I am a parent and have six of my own children. I have enjoyed watching their growth and development and their enthusiasm for the world around them.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking, playing badminton and spending time with my family.
Mariana Stan (Assistant Teacher)
My name is Mariana Stan I am excited to join the team at Blue Spruce and to meet all the families and children. Coming from an eastern European country Moldova, I have been blessed by several teaching opportunities such as working in various institutions in Germany, Moldova and USA.
My educational background includes a Bachelor in Arts from Balti State University, Moldova, ECE workshop series from Langley College, BC and an AMI Assistant Montessori Teacher diploma from the AMI Montessori Training Center of BC. I believe that with hard work, right attitude, perseverance and dedication nothing is impossible.
My hobbies include body fitness, hiking, inline skating and reading. I am looking forward to bringing my international experience, passion for education and childcare to Blue Spruce Montessori.