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The Staff

Head of Nursery

Pamela Gordon-Smith, Montessori Diploma 3-6 (AMI), Montessori Diploma 0-3 (AMI).
Pam did her teaching practice and observations at the  Montessori Internationales Ausbildungszentrum e.V. in Munich, and Internationale Montessori Einrichtungen Dortmund mbH” (ime-do) - Barbara House, Dortmund - Germany. 

Pamela is co-founder of the nursery school and is head of the Children's House for children aged 3 - 5 years.




Max Gordon-Smith is co-founder of the nursery school.




Management

Alexandra Manolache, Assistant Montessori Certificate 3-6 (AMI), Manager. Alexandra is  trained as Montessori Assistant, 3-6 course (under Cheryl Ferreira 2018) at the Maria Montessori Institute in London. Alexandra holds a degree in Early Years Education  and Psychology and Post-Graduation in Educational Psychology.  Alexandra has QTS Level 6. She has 8 years teaching experience working between England and Romania. She is Paediatric First Aid trained and Child Protection Designated Person.

School Office
(T) 01223 342572    Email: office@montessoricambridge.co.uk

Admissions    Email: admissions@montessoricambridge.co.uk  



Guides and Assistants 


Children's House


Rodrigo Lopez Montessori 3 - 6 Diploma (AMI), Deputy Manager. Rodrigo trained at the 3-6 level under Maria Roth in Munich,Germany. 

Rodrigo also trained as Montessori Assistant, 3-6 course (under Cheryl Ferreira 2016) at the Maria Montessori Institute in London. Rodrigo is the deputy manager of the nursery school. 

Rodrigo has more than 4 years as a teacher of Physical Education in Madrid (Spain) and Cambridge. He also speaks Spanish, Italian and English. He has a teacher training Degree in Physical Education, Spanish Teacher as a foreign language and Master in Protocol Sport Events.






Jasmine Ash, PGCE in Education, EYTS, Early Years Practitioner. Jasmine is a graduate of Birmingham University. She is an experienced reception teacher previous to her current role. She supports children by preparing them for transition to school.











Joana Alves, QTS has a degree in Physical Education. She has previous experience as a personal trainer and is particularly focused towards outdoor activities, physical learning and play. 



Infant Community



Veronica De Tone, Assistant Montessori Certificate 3-6 (AMI).
Veronica trained as Montessori Assistant, 3-6 course (under Cheryl Ferreira 2016) at the Maria Montessori  Institute in London. Veronica did her teaching practice and observations at the Smiths Children Montessori Nursery School in Cambridge. Veronica is also Cache Level 3 qualified in Childcare and Early Years.
Veronica has more than 15 years as a professional dancer. She has experience teaching Latin dance, creative dance in Madrid (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal) and London (UK). She also speaks Spanish, Portuguese and English. 





Elisa Pandolfi holds a degree in Psychology. Currently Elisa is studying for a Master’s degree in Bilingualism in the Early Years. Elisa has 2 years experience as an early years practitioner. She is paediatric first aid trained. She has volunteered in an African Psychological social centre with children with special educational needs and disabilities. 








Amaia Rodriguez



Nido



Laura Cagigas holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and Advanced Technician in Early Childhood Education .She has  5 years’ experience as teacher assistant in Spain and UK.

Laura has QTS, and  level 2 certificate in Understanding Autism. She  has also undertaken additional training which includes paediatric first aid, basic child protection, food hygiene, safeguarding children. 









Judy Desta has been teaching early year’s children for over 13 years in both Ethiopia and England. She has a degree in Marketing and speaks Amaric and English fluently. Judy currently teaches in our Nido environment and is experienced teaching children age birth to 4.









Tamara Lopez





Our Bank Staff 

Barbara Garcia Herraez, Lead Assistant, Degree in Education. Barbara is originally from Spain and moved to Cambridge in 2013. She completed her bachelor degree in Education Studies at the University of Salamanca (Spain). She also has a certificate in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. She speaks English and Portuguese. Barbara has also trained in Basic Child Protection, Safeguarding Children, Food Hygiene and Paediatric First Aid. Barbara is the lead assistant for the Nido.






Lourdes Mir, Early Years Assistant. Lourdes moved to Cambridge from Spain in 2014 to study. She is currently completing her degree in Primary Education (BA) at Anglia Ruskin University. Lourdes will start the Qualified Teacher Status as she competes her studies as a teacher. She  has also undertaken additional training which includes paediatric first aid, basic child protection, food hygiene








Marion Erra, Lead Assistant holds an early years teaching certificate and has worked as a teaching assistant and a social worker with children with additional needs. Marion speaks French, English and Spanish. She is also paediatric 1st aid trained. 










Cristiana Fecioru




Catering


Maurilio Vargas

Mauri is an experienced chef with 14 years experience working for different London restaurants. He holds a degree in International Chef Cookery from the Westminster Kingsway University of London. Mauri speaks Spanish, English, Italian and Portuguese.


"Our catering menu's aim to provide children with a varied culinary experience that reflect the diversity of the nursery community".







Designated roles for each staff member:

Each staff member has specific responsibilities to ensure all the children are cared for and each individual is supported as much as they need:


Basic Montessori Principles

We have a few basic principles that ensure everyone is safe and can feel confident in their work.

1. Our staff will intervene if something is hurtful, harmful or dangerous. If not, we will observe to see if the children can resolve it by themselves.
2. The adults are role models for behaviour, language and how to use the activities.
3. The children are free to choose one activity at a time and use it for as long as they like without interruptions by other people.
4. We help the children learn how to complete a whole cycle of activity (choose work, use it and replace it on the shelf for the next person).
5. Our staff make time to carefully observe each child’s individual interests so we can tailor activities to suit their current stage of development.