Montessori Elementary

Pablo was born in Valencia, Spain. Previously studying and working as an Architecture Technician, Pablo was introduced to the Montessori Method through a friend. Their conversations inspired Pablo to complete the AMI 3 to 6 Diploma Course at the Maria Montessori Institute and apply for a position as an Elementary Assistant at the Maria Montessori School. Pablo has supported the Elementary programme for over five years, with experience working in both the Hampstead and Bayswater Elementary classes. He completed the AMI 6 to 12 Diploma Course in 2021 and became Lead Teacher in September 2022. He is excited to bring together his classroom experience and Montessori training in providing a rich experience in Spanish language and culture for the children. Pablo is also a talented artist, preparing gorgeous materials for the Elementary environment.

María Castro Gonzalez was born in the Canary Islands, Spain. Her desire to learn English and her interest in living abroad led María to move first to Ireland, and later to England. María has lived in London for eleven years, and throughout that time has worked with children from infancy through the Elementary years, to include completing and implementing a course on introducing Spanish as a second language. It was through these experiences that María discovered Montessori education. She went on to complete her 3 to 6 AMI Diploma Course at the Maria Montessori Institute and is enrolled in the AMI 6 to 12 Diploma Course which she began in May 2023. María is dedicated to supporting children in their growth and has a strong desire to engage children in lessons that lead to joyful learning.

Nihal has lunch with the Bayswater Children’s House children, supports the set up and tidying up process, and joins the Bayswater Children’s House and Elementary classes for playtime in the park.

Originally from Turkey, Nihal has lived in London for sixteen years. She has worked in childcare for over six years, looking after children ranging in age from two to fourteen years. Nihal loves spending time amidst nature, whether it’s a leisurely walk in the park or a hike through the countryside, and she feels time in the outdoors is essential to a child’s development. As a caregiver, Nihal’s passion lies in fostering a supportive and loving environment, allowing each child to explore their unique potential and flourish under the Montessori philosophy, and enjoys her time with the children in Bayswater and contributing to their growth, creativity, and happiness.

Julia joined us as Elementary Assistant in September 2023 and is now Lead Teacher. She has worked in education since 2007 and in Montessori schools since 2014. Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Julia always had a strong interest in education and social justice. Julia obtained her Bachelor’s in Education in 2010 and a Master’s in Family Education in 2020. Having completed her American Montessori Society Elementary training in 2018, Julia has been the Lead Teacher of a 6 to 9 Montessori classroom in various parts of the world, including Canada, Costa Rica, Japan, and Austria. Julia is deeply inspired by the Montessori pedagogy and her work in the Elementary, and she is continuing with her studies as a participant in the AMI 6 to 12 Diploma Course at the Maria Montessori Institute which began in May 2023. She is excited to bring her Elementary experience and her passion for working with children and families to the MMI community.

Giorgia has been working at the Maria Montessori School since September 2023, first as Classroom Assistant for the Hampstead Upper Elementary Class and now joining the Lower Elementary Griffin Class. Giorgia was born in London and later re-located to Rome with her family. Giorgia has a Degree in French and Hispanic Studies and prior to Joining us, has worked with children in a variety of capacities, across ages and cultures, as a tutor and a Teaching Assistant, as well as supporting children with special educational needs. Giorgia is extremely interested in Montessori pedagogy and how Montessori serves the Elementary aged child. Giorgia is passionate about languages and cultures, and she speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish. She loves to sing, and she is especially interested in the link between dance and singing and how these can be applied in education.

Sejal Chandarana obtained her AMI 3 to 6 Diploma at Maria Montessori Institute in 2004, following a full career in finance as a qualified Accountant and work in developing and implementing education software. A longstanding member of the Montessori community, Sejal was the pioneer teacher of the Children’s House and Parent Toddler Community in Bayswater. On completion of the AMI 6 to 12 Diploma Course at Maria Montessori Institute, Sejal assumed the Lead Teacher position of Bayswater Elementary. In 2020, she joined the Hampstead Lower Elementary team. Sejal is a passionate animal and environmental conservationist, a passion which she has carried with her since childhood. She is also actively involved in the greater community, volunteering with a London education charity by teaching Philosophy GCSE to adolescents.

David is a dedicated and passionate educator from Barcelona with a unique blend of multicultural backgrounds and teaching methods. With over ten years of experience in education and leisure, he has developed a teaching philosophy centred on children's needs and strengths. As a Summer Camp manager, he successfully directed and monitored various teams of fifteen group leaders, ensuring that over 200 children had unforgettable summer adventures. During the scholar year, David dedicates himself to ensuring that every child in his care reaches their full potential and becomes the best version of themselves. David's passion for creativity is contagious, as he is often found expressing himself through various forms of art, music, and cooking. He is enthusiastic, and he strives to share this joy and self-expression with the children, fostering a sense of creativity and open-mindedness.

Charlie joined the Maria Montessori School in 2018 where he first worked as Classroom Assistant at Bayswater Elementary and, upon obtaining his AMI 6 to 12 Diploma from the Maria Montessori Institute, joined the Hampstead Upper Elementary class as Lead Teacher. Charlie was born and raised in London and also has a Degree in Sociology. Charlie is an avid sportsman playing a wide range of sports and activities including golf, football, yoga, fencing, and fishing. A fountain of general knowledge, Charlie enjoys participating in various types of quizzes and enjoys bringing this into the classroom for the children.

Charlotte is English and French. She studied German and Chinese at Manchester University, and during her studies taught English as a foreign language in China. After graduating, Charlotte continued teaching in various countries across Asia, and it was through this experience that she decided to pursue a career in education. Charlotte completed the 3 to 6 AMI Diploma Course at the Maria Montessori Institute in London. Following the completion of the course, Charlotte led a 3 to 6 class at a local Montessori School, and after five years in the Children’s House environment, Charlotte is excited to learn more about Montessori and the elementary years.

Charlotte is passionate about learning languages and is currently studying both Spanish and Catalan.

Malu Garcia Pardo was raised in Valencia, Spain, where she graduated from the University of Valencia with a degree in Law. She worked as a consultant in international trade before moving into education. Malu first discovered Montessori as a parent looking for an education system for her son. After earning a teacher diploma in Early Childhood education and the AMI 3-6 Assistant’s Course certificate, she worked as an Infant Community Assistant in a Montessori school in Tokyo.

Malu has taught Spanish to children and adolescents in various capacities and countries, and previously worked as a Spanish Teacher for children and teenagers at the Instituto Cervantes in London. Malu obtained her AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies Certificate in 2020, and she is very excited to join the MMI team, combining her two passions: Montessori education and teaching Spanish.