Cardiff Montessori School
MEET OUR STAFF
Our greatest strength at Cardiff Montessori is our team of passionate educators. All our staff strive to get to know your child as an individual and ensure they always feel welcome, supported and challenged during their time with us.
DR ESMA IZZIDIEN
Founder and Head of School
Esma is the founder (proprietor) and Head of CMS. She is a medical doctor (MBChB, MRCGP) and has completed training in Montessori for primary education. She has gained certification for Montessori use for dementia. Esma has also completed AMI Assistant training, 11-18 introductory adolescent training and Montessori Coaching training. Esma is on the Montessori Society AMI UK Committee.
CLAIRE WATERS
Deputy Head & Elementary teacher
Claire joined our team in 2020 as the Deputy Head of School & Upper Elementary lead. She teaches the 9-12 class and is responsible for overseeing the teaching & learning across both Elementary classes. She achieved a high distinction in her Diploma of Early Childhood and Primary Education, (Montessori institute, Sydney). She has also completed her PGCE and has a BA Hons in Fine Arts.
ABIGAIL EYNON
Deputy Head
Abigail first started working at CMS 2018 . She currently works as Deputy Head of school. Abigail is a Montessori teacher. She has experience of working in both 3-6 and 6-12. She was also involved in establishing a Montessori school in Jordan & training the staff for the school. She is a level 3 Forest School leader and has previously worked as a Paediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant. Abi is the current safeguarding lead.
SALLY BASHIR
Head of Accounts and Legals
Sally has worked alongside Esma since CMS first opened. She is the head of CMS’ legal and accounting team. Prior to joining CMS, Sally was a practising Corporate Finance solicitor with a large Commercial law firm based in Cardiff. During her legal career she dealt with an extensive corporate client base situated both in the UK and internationally. Sally has also founded a not for profit organisation in order to assist children with Autism and learning difficulties.
JULIE HARVEY
Upper Elementary teacher & intervention teacher
Julie joined our team in 2018. She works mornings doing intervention work and afternoons in the Upper Elementary class. She has a degree in primary education with QTS and over 20 years of teaching experience. She also completed the AMI 6-12 assistant training, MCI IMP diploma and the complete SEND diploma.
ESTEFANIA MONALDAY
Lower Elementary Teacher
Estefania is the Lead Teacher of the 6-9 class. She has been working at CMS since it opened in 2016. She is a 6-12 AMI Trained Guide. She is also a Montessori qualified 3-6 teacher (IMI) and has completed the AMI 3-6 and 6-12 assistant training. She holds QTS with a degree in primary education. She is responsible for giving children presentations and tracking their progress.
KIM CAMPBELL
3-6 Teacher
Kim joined our team in April 2019. She is an 3-6 AMI Diploma Guide. She has previously completed her 0-3 AMI assistant training . Prior to her Montessori journey, Kim studied Acting & musical theatre at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, New York.
BRIDGET LAWLER
2-3 Teacher
Bridget joined our team in 2022. She is responsible for overseeing the Toddler Community, giving students presentations and tracking progress. She has a Diploma in Montessori Education from the Portobello Institute, Dublin, Ireland. She also holds a Level 6 Certificate in Early Childhood Education. She has a Bachelor Degree in Business and Languages. Bridget has taught in the UK, Ireland, South Korea and Hong Kong. Bridget is currently doing her AMI 0-3 Orientation course.
YUSUF ABOULGASEM
Adolescent Guide (High school)
Yusuf is a qualified teacher with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching. He has over 12 years experience as a scout leader and several years experience coaching football.
He serves as a guide and mentor both with respect to academics and pastoral care. Yusuf helps students plan their work schedules and follow up studies. In addition to this he supports students with follow up lessons and linking work together and to their farm and enterprise work. He is responsible for delivering the PE, Ethics and Farm school curriculum.
ZOE HUMPHREYS
ALNCO & Well-being officer
Zoe works across the school to help ensure all students are making progress. She supports students through one to one additional lessons or small group work. She has a degree in primary education with QTS and a wealth of experience teaching.
Zoe works closely with the senior management team to ensure the schools provision for students with ALN is meeting their needs.
PEARL GARDNER
Elementary Teaching Assistant
Pearl is the assistant teacher in the 3-6 classroom. She supports children to make purposeful and constructive choices in the workcycle and delivers various activities in the afternoons. Pearl has completed IMP Montessori training with the MCI. She also holds a BSC (HONS) in Childhood Development. She has an NVQ Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development.
TANIA CARVAHLO
Elementary Teaching Assistant
Tania joined our team in 2018. She is a trained AMI assistant. Tania also holds a Cache level 3 in Childcare and has an interest in gymnastics.
Tania works in the lower environment, helping guide the students in their follow up studies and supporting them in their path to independence.
RACHEL EVANS
2-3 Teaching Assistant
& Drama teacher
Rachel helps children to settle into the
environment and make their work
choices. She oversee the children’s independence in self-care and
delivers some of the afternoon activities.
Rachel studied at Trinity London as an early years music educator and Goldsmiths University London as a community musician.
Rachel also teaches drama in the elementary.
ANTHONY THOMAS
Administrator
Anthony joined our team last year as school administrator. Anthony has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport, Fitness and Coaching and a Level 3 Diploma in Playwork. He had previously been managing and running an out of hours school club. Anthony has also had many years experience working in an FCA regulated role within a bank.
ZARA WEAVIN
2-3 Teaching Assistant
Zara helps children to settle into the environment and make their work choices. She oversee the children’s independence in self-care and delivers some of the afternoon activities. Zara has an NVQ level 3 in Childcare and looks forward to doing her AMI 0-3 assistant training . She has worked both in childcare settings and as contact
supervisor with vulnerable children.
SARAY MOLINA
3-6 Teaching Assistant
Saray is the teaching assistant in the 3-6 classroom. She participates in taking detailed observations to inform developmental planning. She assists with the day to day running of the class and helps oversee the children’s independence in self-care. She also teaches Spanish. Saray is a qualified primary school teacher (QTS) and has completed AMI 0-3 and 3-6 Assistant training. She is currently training to be a 0-6 Montessori guide.
LAUREN KINSELLA
Lunch time cover and After school club
Lauren joined our team in 2022. She is currently training in Montessori for ages 0-6 at The Portobello Institute.
Lauren works across the school supporting students over the lunch and outdoor periods. She also works in the after school club, providing students with an enriching and caring environment to relax in at the end of the day.
CATHERINE MCLEOD
Upper Elementary Teaching Assistant
Catherine joined our team in 2023. She is an experienced teacher, having over 15 years of teaching experience in addition to previously holding the position of acting Deputy Head of a Primary school in Wales. In addition to her QTS she holds a BA (JOINT HONS) History and American studies and has Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management of School Improvement. She has also more recently completed AMI Montessori Teacher Assistant training.
HUMAIRA KHAN
Upper Elementary Teaching Assistant
Humaira first joined CMS in 2018. She completed her Bachelors of Education and Masters of Science (Mathemathics) in Pakistan. She later completed her Early Childhood Education Diploma in Toronto, Canada and AMI Assistants Certificate Course from the Maria Montessori Institute.
ANDRIENNA STRAW
High school Science teacher
Andrienna is a qualified secondary teacher with a BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences with Biology and a BA (Hons) Music. In addition to her teaching experience Andrienna has worked with the charity First Give UK in secondary schools with young people, inspiring them to take action on social issues in their communities. She is also a Peripatetic Music Teacher.
TRACEY COLEMAN
High school English and Drama teacher
Tracey is a qualified secondary teacher with a BA Hons in Theatre & Media Drama. She has experience of teaching English and Drama and also held the position of Head of Drama and Performing Arts for a number of years. She keeps the English curriculum engaging and interactive through adopting a cross-curricular approach between English and Drama lessons.
LUCY JEFFRIES
Secondary Maths Teacher
Lucy is a qualified secondary teacher with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies. She has experience of teaching a number of subjects including maths and business studies in state schools, as a private tutor and as a community teacher.
She will be teaching the maths curriculum as well as supporting students develop their own business enterprise.
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