Victoria Kubica
Principal
- MACTE Infant, Toddler, and Pre-Casa Montessori Diploma
- Business Development Training
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Food Handler Certified
About Victoria Kubica
I believe that I found my calling when at the age of six, I begged my mom to let me help care for my newborn sister and my interest in child development had begun. I attended the ECE program at Centennial College with great interest in child development and child psychology. My passion was strong, but I wanted to learn more. I took a business course through Laurentian University then worked in the banking industry, and later sales and marketing. During this time, I realized there were many people struggling with one thing or another due to their experiences and environment while growing up. I understood the importance of the first six years of life and the impact that environment has on human beings and I followed the Montessori pedagogy when raising my children so I new that this was how I could make a difference.
After receiving my Montessori diploma and teaching for several years I was encouraged to open a new school and had the support of my family to do so. I have two bilingual adult children who are both teachers. Jay is an elementary school teacher, a French major, a husband and a father to their two darling little girls. Danielle is a Montessori teacher with a business degree. She is a wife and a mother to their adorable little boy. My husband, on his days off, is AMA’s awesome handy man!
About Katie Furlotte
Supervisor, Toddler Directress
- Early Childhood Education, RECE
- First Aid/CPR Certified
As a child I remember playing “School Teacher” using my dolls and stuffed animals as students. I obtained my Early Childhood Education Diploma with Honours in 1999 from George Brown College in Toronto, and for 22 years now have been working with young children. Having grown up in Toronto, I had the good fortune to work at Inner City, “high risk” Centres. This experience has helped shape me into an open minded and resilient individual.
I am the proud mother of two teenage boys aged 19 and 15. After the birth of my first son, I opted to open my own home daycare and ran it as a successful and reputable business for 6 years. I also spent several years teaching at Childcare Centers in Toronto with families from all cultures and walks of life.
I am now in my 7th year with AMA. I became interested in the Montessori philosophy several years ago. After researching its methodology, I came to the realization that it is in my nature to provide the same educational instruction, guidance, and nurturing care that Montessorians provide. This is a natural fit for me!
– Katie Furlotte
About Jennifer Turner
Office Assistant/Program Manager
- A.M.I Montessori Diploma, Casa dei Bambini
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Food Handler Certified
I have been teaching as a Montessori Directress for 20 years! Three of those years here at AMA.
Studying at the University of Toronto, I earned my BSc. in Anthropology and Ancient Civilizations then shortly afterwards I worked as a Montessori assistant teacher at a school in Toronto. I was encouraged by the staff to go back to school and earn my Montessori diploma. I took their advice and earned my A.M.I. diploma. I have been working as a Casa Directress ever since!
I am married with two children. I have a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. Both attended Montessori schools until grade 3.
I admire the Montessori philosophy and I have seen it teach peace, harmony, and respect to children. The self-confidence and independence each child gains always astounds me. Personally, my Montessori training has helped me be a better teacher, a better parent, and an overall better person.
– Jennifer Turner
About Inna Reisler
Toddler Directress
- NAMC, Infants, Toddlers and Twos, Montessori Diploma
- First Aid/CPR Certified
“After business school I started my career in the banking sector. I liked the working environment and helping clients, butI was always drawn to the development of the young mind, to the development of children. Through community and charity work I experience working with children on different platforms andI realized that working with children gave me a joyful, integrated experience.
About 20 years ago I had an amazing opportunity to discover and work in a Maria Montessori learning environment. I was in awe that such young children were being treated as the capable individuals that they are. The children were independently and purposefully working. They were acquiring new skills and cherishing their discoveries. They were experiencing the sense of achievement and pure pride and joy as a reward for their work.
I wholeheartedly believe that there is no better philosophy in education. My own two boys went a to Montessori schools, and later a French Immersion school. Now, one is in university, studying computer engineering and the other is in high school. We recently relocated to Oshawa, and I am happy to have found Authentic Montessori Academy as I can’t think of a better environment, thoughtfully and lovingly prepared for children’s flourishing, than AMA.”
– Inna Reisler
Mehreen Khan
Casa Directress
- A.M.I. Montessori Diploma, Casa dei Bambini
- B.A. in Economics, Advanced English and Psychology
- First Aid/CPR Certified
“My role model was my mother who was a grade 4 teacher. I followed in her footsteps and began my career as a grade 1 & 2 teacher. I soon got married and began having children. I enjoyed those early years, teaching our three children and then returned to my teaching career when our youngest started to go to school.
After we moved to Canada, I accepted a position in a Montessori school and an assistant teacher. My employer saw how much patience I have and my passion for, and love of, teaching and encouraged me to acquire my A.M.I. Montessori diploma. I graduated from the Foundation for Montessori Education in 2012.I truly believe in the Montessori philosophy and am proud to help students learn to be independent, build self-confidence, and become peaceful and respectful of one another. All told, I have been teaching young children for over 25 years.
My husband and I have four beautiful grandchildren. Our eldest daughter is a stay-at-home mom for her three children, and our second daughter is a Montessori teacher and has one child. My son, our youngest, has just completed his J.D. in law down in Sydney, Australia.”
– Mehreen Khan
About Breanna Buzzell
RECE, Assistant CASA Director
- Early Childhood Development Practitioner
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Food Handler Certified
During all my early years, from as far back as I can remember, my mom provided childcare at our home. I honestly believe this experience led to my love of children and to my keen interest in child development and early education. Originally, I studied Recreation and Leisure at Fleming College and received my diploma in 2011. I began teaching here at Authentic Montessori Academy six years ago and worked toward my Child Development Practitioner Certification as an apprentice through Durham College. Being able to spend time looking after my niece and nephews, as well as the children here at Authentic Montessori Academy, had given me a great look into being a parent one day myself. Now I am happily married and mother to our precious, fun filled daughter!
– Breanna Buzzell
About Roxanne Bruno
AMA Cook, ECE, Supply Teacher
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Food Handler Certified
I received my ECE Diploma in 1993. Over the years I was a Teacher’s Assistant at the elementary school level and an ECE at a childcare centre in Whitby. I have been here for five years now. Initially I was an assistant to the Casa Directress. When there was a need for another Toddler Directress, I happily took over that role. A few years after I joined AMA my husband retired so I decided to spend more time at home with him but did not want to stop teaching all together, so I stayed on as the supply teacher. After the short school closure (March through June 2020) AMA’s previous cook was unable to return. It was a great fit for me. I love to cook, I love to teach, and the role requires fewer hours, so I can spend time with my husband too. We have three children who are adults. While my husband and I were raising them I was a homemaker, and I operated a nurturing in-home day care (primarily when my children were in their teenage years). I love working with children of preschool age. I enjoy creating interesting and fun crafts and I especially enjoy being outdoors where there are countless learning opportunities for children. I also like to coordinate games and other types of outdoor activities.
– Roxanne Bruno