Laura Burla – Executive Director, Primary Classroom Teacher:
I have been in this wonderful field of early learning for over 20 years, at St. James Montessori School for over 10 years, and throughout my career I have had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of amazing children and their families. I am an Early Childhood Educator III, with my Specialization in Studies in Aboriginal Child Care, and have my International Montessori Teaching Diploma through the North American Montessori Center.
I attended Red River College for both my Early Childhood Educator Degree and my Studies in Aboriginal Child Care Degree. In 2016 I was awarded the Prime Minister's Awards Certificate of Achievement in recognition of outstanding support for excellence in early childhood education. I now sit on the PMA Selection Committee to help evaluate and candidates for the Prime Minister's Award in Early Childhood Education, and attend the Awards Ceremony in Ottawa in spring.
I have had the opportunity to work in many types of centres over the years, including rural, inner city, and extended hours care on evenings and weekends, and have spent the past eleven years working in senior management positions.
I have always had a strong interest in the Montessori Method, and have learned about it through the years. So when the opportunity to join this wonderful program came, I was very excited to join the team! Immersing myself in the Montessori philosophy, and seeing how it transcends into the classroom teachings, has been amazing these past four years.
My personal child care philosophy is that as educators, we need to embrace life-long learning, and constantly challenge ourselves to learn more, for that is the only way we are able to grow in our abilities. I also strongly believe in supporting each family’s own unique dynamics, and celebrating the life of each child.
We are beyond pleased and proud to announce that our Executive Director Laura Burla is one of the 2015 recipients of the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Teacher Lynel - Classroom Teacher
Teacher macKenzie - Classroom Teacher
Teacher’s Responsibilities:
As the Primary Teachers, Laura, Lynel and Mackenzie work every day the school is in session. Laura, as Executive Director of the Program, has Administrative Responsibilities relating to the school’s operations, in addition to being a presence in the classroom. Laura balances her time between teaching in the classroom, coaching and mentoring staff and practicum students, and running the centre administratively as Executive Director.
All of our Educators are responsible for the overall quality of programming being offered to each child, each day. The Montessori Prepared Environment is designed to create a safe, calm, and welcoming space for the children to enter into each day, and our Teachers rotate out the learning materials as the children are ready to ensure optimal learning opportunities occur. They carefully observe each child, to know when they are ready to master new skills, and when the child is ready, to teach the material to them one-on-one through demonstration.
Our Teachers are each responsible for a Primary Group of children, and plan and implement a daily Circle Time with the children in their Primary Group, wherein they learn about various topics in all areas of the children’s development – social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. The Teachers ensure that these planned activities support the “whole child”, to ensure all areas of their development are being supported.
Circle Time is not forced upon any child who does not wish to participate; children who do not wish to join that day are welcome to read quietly in the library area until the activity is finished. As children learn best when they are actively engaged and interested, we never force any child into an activity they do not wish to perform; instead we wait until they show interest in that material, and engage them when they are ready.
We also plan special field-trips and visitors throughout the school year, which build upon what the children are currently learning about.
There will be times where Laura, Lynel or Mackenzie are away (illnesses, family emergencies, etc). If needed to fulfill ratio requirements, we call upon our list of Substitutes to fill in for that day. All of our Substitute staff have completed Criminal Record Checks and Child Abuse Registry Checks, and have been interviewed to determine their abilities and experience with children.
Whenever possible, we try and call in substitutes that the children are familiar with, to help make them more comfortable. Families will be notified that day if a substitute was in the classroom, through an email sent to families.