Mrs. Virginia Ramirez - Principal

I graduated from Sheridan College, Ryerson Polytechnic University and Toronto Montessori Institute (TMI). My education has qualified me to teach Montessori students from 18 months to 12 years of age. I have completed a Management Course from the CCMA of which I was elected a member of the executive board for a few years and continue to be an active member. I also served as one of the PAC (Program Advisory Committee) members at Sheridan College and have been invited yearly to participate as one of the administrators in panel discussions. For the last few years, I have been asked to evaluate oral examinations and act as a student field advisor for TMI graduating students. I am also currently an active Consultant for Accreditation for the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA).

My first encounter working with young children started when I was twelve years old. I was chosen to work with the kindergarten students at my school to help supervise while the teachers were engaged in testing the children individually. I knew at that moment that teaching was the career to pursue. Since then, I was always involved in education, either through volunteer work, as a tutor, childcare provider or teacher. I have worked in various child care centres and for the Dufferin Peel Roman Catholic School Board as a teacher and/or a supervisor. I focused my studies in Montessori when it was introduced at Sheridan College as it reflected the same belief I had about teaching and motivating children.

My goal to own and operate a Montessori school was achieved in 1996 and have enjoyed every minute of it, even through the challenges, obstacles and growing pains of running a school. I am very proud to have my three boys attend Northstar. I feel confident that they are in a caring and nurturing environment. They love going to school to learn and interact with other students. The close-knit staff of Northstar makes my job easier and worthwhile as they share the same passion and commitment in providing the best possible Montessori education.

Mrs. Sherry Gosal - Vice-Principal

After completing my Montessori training (AMI), I joined Northstar Montessori School as the Casa Directress. We started with a small group of students whose parents believed in the vision of the school and took a chance to enroll their child into a class with a newly graduated teacher and into a school that was still being built. I am forever grateful to those parents as they and their children helped me to become the educator that I am today. I have had many fulfilling years of watching students develop and become independent thinkers that explore with confidence and with a need “to know”. After teaching for 6 years, I was promoted to the position of Vice Principal. I am proud to be a part of Northstar Montessori Private School as it truly promotes the development of the whole child and is interested in seeing each child succeed. As the Vice Principal, I have a deeper commitment to staff, parents, and students to see that their needs, concerns, and questions are always addressed and that we are providing a true Montessori experience. As a mother of 3, I have a deeper commitment to ensuring that there is a place where children can grow, be respected, and be safe.

Mrs. Kristina Wright - Supervisor

I have been teaching at Northstar Montessori School since the year 2000 and continue to value each new experience and challenge as they arise. I am also the Elementary Supervisor and I am privileged to be surrounded by such a supportive and compassionate team here at Northstar.

My credentials include a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton University. Upon graduation I taught overseas in South Korea for three years, where I was introduced to the Montessori philosophy through the families that I taught. Upon returning to Canada, I attended Toronto Montessori Institute and graduated with my Casa Teaching Diploma, as well as my Lower and Upper Elementary Teaching Diploma.

I taught for nine years in a Lower Elementary classroom at Northstar, before an opportunity to further my education and challenge myself presented itself when Northstar opened its Junior High Program. I attended the A.M.I. Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2009, and thus began my career teaching the Junior High program at Northstar.

I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to touch the lives of so many students here. A career as a teacher is often demanding and challenging, but is also the most rewarding career that you could ask for. My two children also attend Northstar and are lucky to be inspired and motivated by some of the best teachers that I could imagine.

Mr. Rick Ramirez - Business Manager

I graduated from Ryerson University in Graphic Communications Management, comprised of Business and Advertising in the Marketing Media. I like to stay active because I enjoy all kinds of sports. I try to give 100% of my effort and I hope to inspire students to do the same no matter what skill level they are. I was also very involved in coaching team sports and participated in many extra-curricular activities (squash, badminton, karate, wrestling, basketball and volleyball).

I have been working at Northstar since 2004 starting off as the Physical Education and Art teacher. I also hold the responsibility as the Business Manager. I enjoyed the years teaching both the Casa and Elementary students and have seen how they transform right before my eyes. Their desire to learn and do their best is all I need to be satisfied.

As our school continues to grow, I find myself involved in other areas, as my desire to teach other things have expanded. I continue to teach gym in the Casa level, but I am more involved in our Junior High program teaching students Micro-Economy and Computers. My goal is to provide them the necessary skills to be fully independent when they move on to high school and later, post-secondary, able to make wise decisions and having the initiative and knowledge to tackle any project. It is my desire to broaden their minds and see what the future has to offer.

Mrs. Rose Sta. Ana - Office Administrator

My name is Rose Sta. Ana (pronounce Santa Ana). I graduated from George Brown College. I started working at Northstar Montessori in 2007. I have a daughter who is attending the PreCasa Program. I am here at Northstar because I enjoy and love working with students of all ages. I especially enjoy seeing them develop academically and socially throughout the school year. Northstar has pleasant staff members and administrators who are very helpful, supportive, and friendly.

Mr. Callistus Modeste - Custodian/Driver

I am originally from St. Lucia and came to Canada with my wife and two daughters to start my own maintenance business. It was in September of 2009 when I joined Northstar Montessori Private School and I feel like part of a family. I am blessed to be part of a friendly group of teachers who really take time to work with the students. I not only help maintain the school environment but also provide the shuttle bus transportation for Northstar. I look forward to working with Northstar for a long time!