Our Staff

In our school, we value the family and aim to create a positive partnership with the parents of our students.

All staff members are committed to excellence in education. We understand and respect the innate and strong curiosity of the child. We are both seasoned and new teachers with a desire to do our great work to the best of our abilities. We are a cohesive team of educators whose purpose is to provide exceptional learning opportunities in a responsive and nurturing atmosphere.
Your children learn to work together in daily activities and on larger projects. They are free to work independently if this is how they do their best work. They learn to strive for their personal best, rather than compete against one another for the highest grade in their class. At Harbourview Montessori School, every child and parent is treated with kindness, fairness and respect. We would not settle for less. Below you can meet the team!

Michelle Morrison. Founder of Harbourview Montessori School

My name is Michelle Morrison. I am the founder of Harbourview Montessori School and feel blessed to work with such great colleagues, parents and children. I have been a Montessori teacher (AMS certified) for almost 20 years. I have worked in all classrooms throughout my career, from Children’s House to Middle School and have thoroughly enjoyed my time with every single child. In addition to Principal, I act as a support teacher (Science and Math) for Elementary and resource teacher for Children’s House.

Learn more about Michelle

In my personal time, I love to read and write, cook and bake, and spend time with good friends. When I am not working, I absolutely love to work out at the gym, cycle, run, kayak and hike. Walking in the woods through all seasons is my all-time favourite activity. I have a teenage son who keeps me quite busy and reminds me of the importance of patience, unconditional love and acceptance. What is most important to me is demonstrating kindness, respect and generosity. Being past recipient of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award has instilled in me a commitment to the ideals that Terry Fox so freely demonstrated. I do believe that, in our interactions with others, we need to choose kindness over the desire to be right.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.  -Helen Keller

Josh Clarke, Office Manager

I was born and raised in Cape Breton, an island of profound beauty. I feel very strongly that the children and youth in our community should go to school every day and feel safe and nurtured, while enjoying themselves at the same time. Having had teachers in my life who helped inspire me to grow and learn about the world, my aspiration is to offer that same sort of guidance to children so that they feel inspired to succeed and be future leaders. Being part of the Shambhala Buddhist community, I participate in many events and meditation retreats. I believe that every human being, at the core, has a fundamental nature of goodness. I spent almost a year at Gampo Abbey, a Buddhist monastery in Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton. I am very enthusiastic about art, and enjoy cooking, reading, listening to music, being in nature, and enjoying time with friends and family. I am proud to be a part of a school that helps children succeed and makes them feel worthy while, at the same time, am lucky to be able to call this my “job.”

“Society can be seen simply as a relationship between two people. Good human society comes about through strength in our interchanges with others. By appreciating each other, we are appreciating humanity.” - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche 

Jenna Ellis, Upper Elementary teacher

I started my journey of education with an undergrad in Science from Cape Breton University.  To help pay for my courses, I started working at a local daycare center.  This job greatly influenced my decision to become a teacher and I received a degree in Education from the University of Maine, Fort Kent.  I have been teaching throughout the CBRM for seven years.

Learn more about Jenna

Some of my interests include cooking, baking, and Zumba. In the summer months I keep herself busy playing softball, volleyball and other outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and camping. Outside of school, my main priority, and the love of my life, is my daughter Jillian, who was born this past winter on Christmas Day. When it comes to teaching, I believe that having a positive attitude is most important. I love to help to guide children in their learning; and I learn as much from them as they do from me. I have been working part-time with Harbourview Montessori for the past 3 years. Teaching is my dream job and I couldn’t be happier to now be with the Montessori family full time!

She turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans.

Kobi Yamada

Katie LeBlanc: Teacher

 

My name is Katie LeBlanc and I grew up on Cape Breton Island, and have taught the Lower Elementary class for the past 6 years. After completing a bachelors degree at CBU, I studied Montessori elementary education for 2 years at the Toronto Montessori Institute. I was immediately drawn to the warm, supportive community of staff and parents at Harbourview Montessori. My favourite subjects to teach are science and math. I am very excited about the “nature buddies” program for the students this year!

Learn more about Katie

Outside of the classroom, I have several hobbies which help to enrich the experience for the LE students. I enjoy playing music, learning languages, cooking, travel and new cultural experiences. My love of nature is enhanced by the curiosity and enthusiasm displayed by my students during daily outdoor time in the woods.

A quote which I feel is true of each classroom environment at Harbourview Montessori is, “Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” I look forward to another year of learning and building positive relationships with all of you!

Julie Godbout, teacher

I am a graduate of the Fraser Valley University in British Columbia. I studied  Early Childhood Education and earned a place on the Dean’s list of distinguished students in the graduating class of 2009. I also obtained my International Montessori Teaching Diploma in 2010. I have been working with children for many years, first as a babysitter and a nanny and then as a preschool teacher for the past 7 years. In my first career, I was an interior designer and I love to use this skill in designing and decorating my classroom. I love working in this Montessori School. When I first walked through the doors, I was amazed at how beautiful it was. I am very happy to be a part of the teaching team here.

Learn more about Julie

Aside from school, I am mom to a wonderful 12 year old daughter. I love spending time with my her, playing basketball, hiking and playing football at the beach. I enjoy reading, hiking, running, swimming and doing arts and crafts. I also speak fluently in French. I love working with and teaching children. I enjoy discovering every aspect of their unique personalities. Each day is a new adventure that I excitedly look forward to.

Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections.  -Unknown