North Star Faculty & Staff
Meet our Head of School and teachers.
A Message From the Head of School
“By giving students the opportunities to explore and investigate all aspects of study and then to further apply their learning, helps to build confidence, relevance and inspire an intrinsic motivation that they will carry with them throughout their lives” – Tiffany Goulding, Head of School
Head of School
Tiffany Goulding
Head of School
For over two decades, Tiffany Goulding has been committed to providing quality Montessori education at North Star Montessori. She is passionate about working with teachers, parents, and students to continue building a supportive and inclusive community, and an enriched educational experience at all levels of school programming.
Ms. Goulding relocated to Vancouver in 1999 to complete her AMI Montessori training. She was hired at North Star in 2002 and in 2004 accepted the position as Head of School while still maintaining the Head Teacher position. As enrolment grew and North Star expanded under her direction, she dedicated herself full-time to the Head of School position in 2009.
Ms. Goulding is a life-long learner. She enthusiastically pursues opportunities to learn and grow through on-going professional development and community collaboration. She has been part
of several of Ministry of Education External Evaluation Committees and is an advisor to the North Star Board of Directors. Through her leadership roles in the greater Montessori community, Ms. Goulding has made significant contributions at both the local and national
levels.
Administration
Jeanne Mayne
Manager of School Operations
Jeanne Mayne brings more than 30 years of administrative experience to North Star. She has worked in an administrative capacity for law firms, professional sports (Vancouver Canucks & Grizzlies), the education profession as well as running her own business.
She attended Capilano University and continues to learn with studies in business and health sciences.
She joined the North Star Montessori community in 2009 and enjoys the opportunity to interact with families and students on a daily basis.
Administration
Anastasiia Lukianova
Finance
Anastasiia Lukianova worked abroad in accounting roles for over six years, gaining valuable experience in the financial field.
She completed her master’s degree at Kyiv National University of Technology and Design and remains committed to continuous professional development.
Anastasiia joined the North Star Montessori community in 2024 and appreciates the opportunity to support the financial operations and collaborate with all Montessori members.
Administration
Faculty & Staff
Karla Oliva
Program Facilitator
Karla Oliva received a Bachelor Early Education from the University Pedagogica in El Salvador in 2008. She completed the AMI Montessori Assistants Course (0-3) in 2018 and received her Early Childhood Education Certification (3-6) and Infant-Toddler certification for British Columbia in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Karla joined the North Star Community in 2020.
Infant-Toddler Program
Lalena Desuatels
Head Teacher & Extended-Day Teacher – Sitka Room
Lalena Desuatels studied art at the Alberta College of Art and Design as well as Capilano University. She received her AMI Montessori diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of BC in 2012, holds an Early Childhood Education Certificate and a BC Independent Teacher certificate from the Ministry of Education. Lalena is also a certified PMBI mountain bike instructor.
Lalena joined the North Star Montessori community in 2013.
Casa Program
Dahyana Herver
Assistant – Sitka Room
Dahyana Herver holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Veracruz. She completed the AMI Montessori training for Primary (3-6) in 2021 and received her Early Childhood Education Certification as well in 2021.
Dahyana joined the North Star community in 2024.
Casa Program
Cari Parikh
Head Teacher – Cypress Room
Cari Worley received an Associate of Arts degree in Paraprofessional Education from the University of Phoenix in 2010.
Cari completed her AMI Montessori Primary Training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas in 2016.
Cari joined the North Star Montessori community in 2019.
Casa Program
Feri Behzadi
Assistant – Cypress Room
Feri Behzadi received her Montessori Diploma in Toronto, ON and her AMI Assistants Diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of BC. She holds an Early Childhood Educator Assistants Certificate and is a certified Daycare Provider. Feri owned and operated a successful Montessori home daycare for 9 years.
Feri joined the North Star community in 2019.
Casa Program
Diego Montoya
Teacher – Cypress Room
Diego Montoya holds a degree in Motion Picture Arts in Capilano University. Diego trained as a Montessori Assistant in 2023 and received his full AMI Montessori training for Primary (3-6) in 2024, along with his Early Childhood Education Certification. Diego is an accredited Yoga instructor with over a decade of experience.
Diego Joined the North Star community in 2024.
Casa Program
Azin Afaghi
Assistant – Cypress Room
Azin Afaghi received a Bachelor of Economics from Iran in 2000. She completed the AMI Montessori Assistants Course (3-6) in 2022 and received her Early Childhood Education Certification in 2021.
Azin joined the North Star community in 2021.
Casa Program
Brooke Turner
Head Teacher – Lower Elementary
Brooke Turner received a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph and then went on to earn her Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario in 2003. She is certified by both the Ontario and British Columbia College of Teachers.
Brooke completed her Montessori Elementary Training at the Toronto Montessori Institute in 2010 and became a certified Children’s Yoga Instructor in 2015.
Brooke joined the North Star Montessori community in 2010.
Elementary Program
Fahra Hudda
Classroom Assistant – Elementary
Fahra Hudda received her St. Nicholas Montessori Diploma from Western Montessori Teachers College in 1995 and holds an Early Childhood Certificate. She has been a lead teacher as well as an Educational Support person in the Casa program for over 20 years.
Fahra received her Orton Gillingham Tutor certificate in 2003 through CATT (Canadian Academy of Therapeutic Tutors). She has been an assistant and Special Education Support in the Elementary Program since 2021.
Fahra joined the North Star Montessori community in 2005.
Elementary Program
Christie Stanford
Lead Facilitator
Christie Stanford received her AMI Primary Certification in 1999, AMI Elementary Certification in 2003, and AMI Assistants to Infancy Certification in 2010. She holds her Early Childhood Educator and Infant Toddler Educator licenses, as well as her Independent Teacher Certification in BC. Christie taught at the Primary level for 7 years, the Elementary level for 3 years and the Infant & Toddler level for 10+ years.
Christie joined the North Star Montessori community in 2010 when she implemented a Montessori Parent Participation program for children under 3 years old, being the first program of its kind in Canada.
Christie is currently teaching in the Elementary Program.
Elementary Program
Maya Matthews
After-School Care Facilitator
Maya Matthews is a graduate of North Star Montessori Elementary, having attended from Kindergarten through to Grade 7. Maya completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University and is pursuing further schooling in education.
Maya joined the North Star community in 2024.
Additional Faculty
Nathalie Platel
French
Nathalie Platel received a B.A. from Simon Fraser University, French Studies Certificate from L’Université Stendal in Grenoble, France, TESL Certificate from Vancouver Community College, and has a B.C. Independent School Teacher Certificate.
She provides instruction to our elementary students using an interactive method, with mime/actions and movement, songs, pictures, vocabulary games, and puppet shows, in addition to creating stories, and offering various options to express, practice and increase French in the classroom.
Nathalie joined the North Star Montessori community in 2015.
Additional Faculty
Come For A Visit
See first-hand how the Montessori Method encourages independent and collaborative activity at each level of our program.
Parent Guide
Our Parent Guide has all the information you need to know about your child’s Montessori education.