Meet our Founders!
Demetra Hajidiacos M.Ed., B.Ed., B.A. Hons
Demetra grew up in Charleswood and has a Master's Degree in Education (Curriculum, Teaching and Learning) and a passion for helping children meet their fullest potential. In addition to having 20+ years of experience as an educator, Demetra is a published author who has freelanced for the CBC Radio, Winnipeg Sun and the Winnipeg Free Press where she was at one point the weekly parenting columnist. Demetra enjoys talking with students on her visits to The Prep. Her office is located across the hall at Autism Learning Centre, also owned by Demetra and Leanne, where she works as an Education Consultant. Demetra is also a certified Early Childhood Education Montessori Teacher.
Leanne Howlett Ph.D. Student, ASD Cert., B.A. Avd.
Leanne is an Autism Specialist trained in the United States and has nearly two decades of experience working with children of all abilities. Leanne holds an Advanced Psychology degree from the University of Manitoba and is currently working towards completing her Ph.D. in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities at ICDL Graduate School in Maryland, USA. In addition to being an experienced Early Childhood Specialist, Leanne is an experienced business owner who oversees all the business affairs at The Prep Montessori Daycare, The Prep Tutoring Academy and Autism Learning Centre. As a proud resident of Charleswood, Leanne is enthusiastic about bringing exceptional childcare to her community.
Meet our Executive Director!
Angela Fry AMS and MACTE Certified Montessori Teacher
Angela has several years of experience working in the field of Early Childhood Education and extensive training in Montessori. Angela has worked as a Head Teacher in both toddler and preschool Montessori classrooms and oversees the day to day business of The Prep Montessori Daycare and The Prep Tutoring Academy.
Angela is passionate about her work with parents, staff and students at The Prep, leading by example using the Montessori philosophy. Angela believes that Montessori is an educational philosophy that extends beyond the classroom and leads to lifelong learning. This lifelong learning took her to sunny Florida this past summer for continuing education in the Montessori philosophy, something she enjoys sharing with The Prep community!
Meet our Teachers!
Ms Carleena
Early Childhood Educator (ECE II),
Supervisor, Preschool Program
Ms Carleena is an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) with many years of experience working with preschool and school aged children, including running her own home daycare for the past 11 years.
Ms Carleena loves teaching children and even has 5 of her own!
Ms Carleena is creative and kind, has a passion for inclusion, and teaches in the Preschool Program.
In addition Ms Carleena is enrolled in the ECE III program to further her education in the field she is most passionate about, Early Childhood Education!
Ms Jenna
AMS and MACTE Certified Montessori Teacher
Early Childhood Montessori Teacher
Ms Jenna has over 10 years of experience working with children, 8 of those years were specializing in Montessori Methodology and she has had the opportunity to work with both Preschool and Toddler Montessori classes.
Ms Jenna loves working with children and is excited to see how they grow and develop to their fullest potential!
Ms Jenna is enrolled in further professional development courses in Montessori to continue learning in her chosen field of Early Childhood Education!
Ms Sydney
Montessori Teacher in Training
Teacher, Preschool Program
Ms Sydney joined The Prep as a Child Care Assistant and fell in love with the Montessori philosophy!
She is currently completing a Montessori training program that took her to sunny Florida for classes this past summer!
Ms Sydney loves the outdoors and physical activity such as hiking, kayaking and playing a wide range of sports in order to stay active including coaching girls hockey.
In addition to teaching in the preschool classroom, Ms Sydney organizes group games and instructs Yoga throughout the week.
Ms Raquel
Montessori Teacher in Training
Teacher, Preschool Program
Ms Raquel has nearly a decade of experience working with young children including children with autism, Angelman syndrome, and FASD.
Helping to educate and inspire young children gives Ms Raquel joy and she is embarking on her journey of becoming a certified Montessori Teacher this school year!
Ms Raquel is excited to be a part of The Prep, and believes in the benefits of the Montessori Method, in particular children playing a key role in their own learning.
Ms Raquel also loves to travel, be outdoors, listen to music, read and spend time with family and friends.
Ms Cassie
Montessori Teacher in Training
Teacher, Infant & 2s Program
Ms Cassie has years of experience in the Montessori classroom and in the childcare industry in Winnipeg.
She is always thinking of fun and creative ways to engage all of her students and her love of learning has led to her enrolment in a Montessori teacher training program.
Ms Cassie is excited for this professional development opportunity and can't wait to share all that she learns with her students!
Ms Sally
Kindergarten Readiness Teacher
Assistant Teacher, Infant & 2's
Ms Sally obtained her Bachelor of Education Degree in China and finished her Certification Program at the University of Manitoba.
Ms Sally loves working with children in a classroom setting and is excited to be a part of The Prep, bringing her expertise in elementary academics.
Ms Sally is patient, positive and energetic. In her spare time she loves to travel, read books and spend time with friends and family.
Ms Elena
Assistant Teacher, Infant & 2's Program
Ms Elena is an ESL Teacher who has taught children of all ages in Greece.
Ms Elena enjoys all aspects of teaching, in particular the satisfaction of children's faces every time they apply what they have been taught.
Ms Elena is warm and positive and has experience helping children with separation anxiety using effective strategies to help children regulate their emotions.
Ms Sid
Assistant Teacher, Multi-Age
We are thrilled to have Ms Sid join us once again in our classrooms supporting children of all ages during the regular school day and during our after care program.
Ms Sid is a warm and caring instructor who loves Montessori (she is a grad herself!), people of all ages and abilities and horses!
In her spare time Ms Sid can be found teaching riding lessons at a local riding academy.
In January Ms Sid will be off to university to pursue her passion of becoming an EMT!
Ms Skye
Assistant Teacher, Early Preschool
Ms Skye has a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree from China where she taught as an elementary school Physical Education teacher.
Ms Skye loves all kinds of sports including basketball, baseball and handball.
Ms Skye also loves nature, traveling and spending time with her friends and family.
Ms Skye is patient and kind and does a tremendous job of helping in our Early Preschool Program.
Ms Alayna
Assistant Teacher, Preschool Program
Ms Alayna loves children and has several years of experience working in childcare including in a daycare setting and as a nanny.
Ms Alayna loves music. She believes that bringing music into a child's development is both a creative and visceral way to encourage a love of learning.
In her spare time, Ms Alayna enjoys singing with her family, writing music, and playing with her guinea pig Baymax!