Meet Our Team
All our staff are highly experienced, well-travelled, degree-educated professionals with a passion for Montessori education, a love of children and a wealth of life experiences to share with them. They are Montessori trained and continue to develop their early years expertise through regular CPD training opportunities.
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Patricia ThorntonOwner / Manager
Trish has worked in The Montessori Nursery School since 2012 when she undertook the teaching practice element of the diploma in Montessori Early Years Teaching before becoming manager in 2015. She is a passionate advocate of the Montessori approach in supporting young children at this crucial stage of their development having seen the multiple benefits of this approach with her own child. Trish holds a degree in Land Economics and professional qualifications in commercial property investment having worked for 9 years as a chartered surveyor for a UK pension fund following graduation. Before becoming a Montessori teacher, Trish lived and worked in SE Asia for 10 years where she jointly owned and ran a small tourism business. She returned to her city of birth in 2010 and after managing the Nursery for 2.5 years, took over as owner of the Nursery from Judy Park in December 2017. |
Rachel Sharkie
Montessori Teacher / Deputy Manager
Rachel initially studied primary education and was drawn to the opportunity to provide for the individual learning needs of each child in an early years classroom. She discovered her passion for the Montessori approach in her first teaching role at a nursery in Glasgow. Rachel went on to complete Montessori training for children aged 0-12 years and after 5 years working with 2–5-year-olds, spent 3 years teaching in a Montessori primary school in Wales. Rachel also became the deputy head teacher and completed a leadership and management qualification. Rachel returned to Scotland to be closer to her family and joined our nursery in 2021. |
Lisa Marwick
Teacher & Early Years Practitioner
Lisa has a postgraduate certificate in Primary Education with a specialism in Spanish. She first discovered Montessori through supply work in a Montessori nursery in Glasgow and was so impressed by what the children could do and how successful this methodology was that she went on to work in that setting and undertake her Montessori training. After 10 years there, she decided to return to her home city of Edinburgh to be closer to family and joined our nursery in 2017. Lisa also holds a degree in Hispanic Studies, is fluent in Spanish, and alongside enjoying her work in Montessori she loves teaching Spanish to both adults and children. |
Beth Clearwater
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Haizea San Sebastian Dominguez |
Julie Swire |
Beth is a Montessori teacher with a Bachelor of Education from New Zealand where she trained and taught children aged 0-3 guided by Te Whaariki, New Zealand’s world-renowned early years Curriculum. In 2008 Beth relocated to Norway and has since gained a wealth of experience teaching in Oslo and now Edinburgh. Beth has three sons aged 4, 10 and 12, and as a family they enjoy exploring the outdoors all year round. Beth’s passion for Montessori education began when she took her son to a Montessori playgroup, and saw him grow into a curious, independent and resilient toddler. She then worked in a Montessori setting and qualified as a Montessori teacher and has never looked back. Beth is also fluent in Norwegian and loves supporting outdoor learning. She joined our nursery in early 2021.
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Haizea is a Montessori teacher originally from the Basque Country in Spain, where she obtained her Bachelor of Education, majoring in the early years. She became interested in Montessori while assisting in a Montessori nursery & school in Scotland where she undertook her Montessori qualifications. Haizea has spent 9 years working in both an Infant Community (1-3 years) as well as a Children’s House (3-6 years), and also taught Spanish to Elementary pupils aged 6-12. Haizea is fluent in Basque, Spanish and English and was very excited to join our team in August 2021.
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Julie is our Creative Learning specialist, working with the children in our afternoon Art and Nature Club sessions. Julie has a Masters in English Literature, and has spent the last 10 years developing her understanding of the Montessori approach, outdoor learning, and art therapies in the Early Years. Julie has a passion for storytelling, drama, art and nature, and played an integral role in developing Jupiter Artland's celebrated Littlesparks art programme. Julie's work at Jupiter Artland , with Art Buds and in theatre, informs the classes she leads with us. Her passion for child-centred education using the Montessori approach, was sparked by her own children's experience at The Montessori Nursery School.
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Students
The school occasionally accommodates students undertaking the teaching practice element of their Montessori training. Prior to teaching practice, students have usually completed a year’s course in the Montessori method of education. Students are well supervised and undergo the usual disclosure checks applicable to all staff.
Join our team
We welcome interest from Montessori trained teachers at all age levels. If you would like to be part of our respected and happy team, please send in your CV and a covering letter to info@themontessorinurseryschool.com