Serving the Clarkson community for over 18 years!
Together, we...
Design our learning environment to foster independence, build confidence, and develop competence. Our practitioners encourage students to explore. This makes the young learner intrinsically motivated and socially responsible, and they feel respected in our space. Our program model is designed to make children understand and respect cultural diversity to become globally aware. We nurture their individual interests and abilities, support their curious and creative minds, and academically prepare them with skills that is appropriate for their age and stage.
We are educators that are responsive to research, constantly upgrading our skills and practices. Our focus is simply to create an environment where Young Minds thrive and grow.
Shahnaz Ali
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, AMI Certified
Experience:
Teaching in various school in Mississauga and Oakville for 15 years
Languages Spoken:
English, Urdu
Outside Interests:
Painting, skiing, reading, yoga, dance, arts and crafts
Why do you love working with children:
The joy of working with children is that no single day at work is the same. Each day presents a new challenge which motivates me to learn more. Children make me a well informed person as they expect me to know about the latest cartoons and superheroes.
What do you love about Young Minds?
I admire the professional environment of the school. We function as a family to bring out the best in each child.
Mary Lemon
Education:
Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership
Languages Spoken:
English, Tagalog
Outside Interests:
Traveling, reading, yoga, skating
Why do you love working with children:
There is nothing more rewarding than enabling a child to explore his/her environment and surroundings, allowing them to learn and grow independently.
What do you love about Young Minds?
Young Minds is like one big family. It is a very friendly environment and we always keep our channels of communication open, when communicating with each other, or with families.
Kulwinder Hunjan
My name: Kulwinder Hunjan. Children call me koko.
I am a Preschool teacher here at Young Minds Montessori Preschool.
I am a Registered Early childhood Educator and have been in this field for almost four years. Working with young kids has always been my passion, “I truly believe that children are more capable than we think they are”. I love how they always surprise me with their little achievements, and go beyond my expectations.
I try my best to give them the best care and education they deserve.
Amal Wehbe
Education:
Montessori Directress
Experience:
15 years of Montessori teaching
Languages Spoken:
English, French, and Arabic
Outside Interests:
Gymnastics, visiting the library, and spending time with family
Why do you love working with children:
I love working with children because they are our future and being a part of their growth and development brings me so much joy. It’s what motivates me and excites me day to day.
What do you love about Young Minds?
What I love about working at Young Minds is the family environment that has been created along with a very supportive team. Young Minds has been a huge part of my personal growth and I’m so grateful to be a part of this team.
Other:
Every day brings something new. I can not wait to see what’s in store.
Samantha Croteau
Education:
Early Childhood degree, Behavioural Science certificate
Experience:
Nanny and daycare instructor, martial arts instructor
Languages Spoken:
English
Outside Interests:
Martial arts training and teaching, reading and writing, computers
Why do you love working with children:
Children are our future. They are full of innocence and wonder at all that is around them. I love watching their faces light up with interest at new things. I love to see children strive for and accomplish milestones. I receive great joy from my interactions, play, and one-on-one work with students.
What do you love about Young Minds?
Young Minds is a small and family-like school. I feel that these are the most important years to expose children to learning and new experiences.
Other:
When you spend your days surrounded by children, you discover a new light in life. You can experience all the many wonders with children over and over.
Shakara Andem
Education:
Guelph-Humber University
Languages Spoken:
English / Patuah
Outside Interests:
I love having dinner on the waterfront on those warm summer days, going rollerblading, skating, reading, listening to music and dancing.
Why do you love working with children:
Working with children is one of my many happy places and I feel a sense of accomplishment. To set goals for children and to see them attain those milestones are astonishing and a blessing. Working with children teaches me never to underestimate a Young mind. There are too many potential lies within. I love the way a child’s mind works and how fareless they become given the right environment. Their ability to thrive in any circumstances amazes me daily children truly are gifts in this world.
What do you love about Young Minds?
I love the family-like atmosphere and working with the children and their families. The outcomes of the children and how the school prepares them to face the world confidently. These aids the children handle the many obstacles they may face as they grow and develop.
Alifya Sachak
Experience:
I am a new graduate, I began at Young Minds Montessori for summer camp 0f 2022, and have been lucky enough to continue through the school year.
Languages Spoken:
English Gujarati and Urdu
Outside Interest:
Baking, Spending time with family and friends, Watching movies.
Why do you love working with children:
Since I can remember, I enjoyed babysitting my cousin and watching her grow and get excited as she learned new things. This made me interested in the early growth potentials of children and every day not only do I get to see their excitement with the small new things they learn, it gives me the opportunity to be a kid with them and share my excitement of new things.
Carolyn McGuire
Education:
Early Childhood Education Program
Experience:
18 years at Young Minds Montessori Preschool, Member of the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators
Languages Spoken:
English
What do you love about Young Minds?
Getting to know all of the children and their families who are, and have been part of Young Minds Montessori Preschool
Toni Ayodele
Education:
RECE, BA Child Development, Ontario Certified Teacher, Masters of Teaching
Experience:
Teacher, MOM, Wife, Entrepreneur
Languages Spoken:
English
Outside Interests:
I enjoy visiting new places, reading, cooking & baking and spending time with my family.
Why do you love working with children:
Seeing things through the mind of a child is why I love what I do. The simplicity of a child’s way of thinking and seeing life from their perspective makes me feel thankful daily.
What do you love about Young Minds?
I feel part of a family here at Young Minds. I work with a team of amazing and passionate educators and I am proud to call them family. One parent once describes us as a small school with a big heart and every word of it is true!
Other:
I believe that open communication is key to a successful school year, please feel free to reach out with any question or concerns regarding your child’s learning.
Ruksana Matadar
Experience:
18+ years supply teaching
Languages Spoken:
English, Gujarati, Urdu
Outside Interests:
Reading, sewing, going for walks
Why do you love working with children:
I love working with children because it makes me happy! I truly enjoy being a part of their formative years, helping to equip them with the basic tools for success in the years to come.
What do you love about Young Minds?
The moment I step inside the school I feel that I am a part of something special. I am a part of a devoted and caring staff who are like family to me and genuinely love to teach and nurture children. This school feels like a second home to me and I hope it does for you, too.