Our People

A former Chrysalis Montessori student, Vanessa has wanted to be a teacher since about the age of 10. She studied her Bachelors of Education at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle, and began teaching students in years three, four, and five at a local primary school.

Searching for a new challenge, Vanessa accepted a position overseas as a Kindergarten teacher in Hong Kong. She was later promoted to Head Teacher and Curriculum coordinator at EtonHouse, a bilingual Reggio-Emilia International School.

Attaining Reggio training, she visited Reggio Emilia in Italy to visit various schools, meeting principals and teachers.

After four years in Hong Kong, Vanessa decided it was time to move back to Australia, and was delighted to return to Chrysalis in 2021, a school which she says brought her so much joy as a child.

To further her education career, she is currently studying her Masters in Education through Notre Dame, and is also taking units through Montessori Australia.

“Believing in the development of the whole child, it is an absolute privilege to teach at Chrysalis. I’m committed to guiding and motivating children to discover their inner strengths, passions and inspirations so that we may continue to build confident, curious, and creative learners for the future.”

Natalie Risinger is an Education Assistant in the Papillon classroom.

Margaret is an Education Assistant in the Spitfires classroom and a Support Education Assistant.

Marc is Swiss-French (and is fluent in Swedish too!). He has a Degree in Education from the University of Rouen. He also has experience in Trauma Psychology and family guidance as well as a Montessori Qualification. Marc has many years of experience as a teacher in Switzerland, Sweden and now Australia.

Originally from Ipoh, Malaysia, Veronica has over 35 years of teaching experience in both Montessori and private education systems, and has been a teacher at Chrysalis since 2002.

After completing an intensive year training at the Association Montessori Internationale in Hyderabad, India, Veronica returned to Malaysia where she worked in a Montessori school, and the Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur.

In 1988, she moved to Perth with her family and worked at Riverlands Montessori School for 10 years. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Curtin University, as well as various Montessori certifications, including in Cosmic Education. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership.

In addition to being the lead teacher in the Mariposa classroom, Veronica is Chrysalis’ Deputy Principal.

“One aspect of the Montessori pedagogy that never fails to inspire me is the Cosmic Education, which provides children with an understanding of who they are as individuals, and as members of the human race. The Great Stories give children a bigger picture of the world, their place in it, and the interconnectedness of everything around them.”

Bianca is an Education Assistant in the Skippers classroom.

Novi is an Education Assistant in the Skippers classroom.

Kalpna is an Education Assistant in the Triangles classroom.

Robyn is an Education Assistant in the Triangles classroom.

Marc is Swiss-French (and is fluent in Swedish too!). He has a Degree in Education from the University of Rouen. He also has experience in Trauma Psychology and family guidance as well as a Montessori Qualification. Marc has many years’ experience as a teacher in Switzerland, Sweden and now Australia.

Andrew’s musical journey started aged 7, when his grandmother paid for organ lessons. He later learned the trumpet and piano. He attended Churchlands High School on a music scholarship and studied trumpet and composition at UWA, graduating with a Bachelor of Music.

Andrew completed his Graduate Diploma of Education part time while teaching trumpet and piano at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School and later worked as a piano accompanist, music teacher, session musician and composer.

He has taught part time at Chrysalis since 2010. An avid writer and composer, he’s written several musicals, some of which have been performed at our school.

“What is really great about Chrysalis is the inclusive atmosphere – what I have seen is that children who might find it hard to fit in, in other schools, are accepted here by the other students. It is a truly unique school.”

Tanya has a Master of Education from the University of WA, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Movement. She has been teaching health and physical education at our school since 2008, as well taken on a variety of other roles. Tanya is very active with community and school sports, particularly AFL. She was a finalist for the AFL Primary School Ambassador of the Year 2013 and 2014. She also enjoys baseball, teeball, and both rugby codes.

She has been tutoring in the Graduate Diploma of Physical Education program at Edith Cowan University and is a school ambassador with several sports. Tanya is very proud of her two sons, both of whom have represented Australia in Little League Baseball (and are both also Chrysalis Montessori School alumni).

‘I believe that Chrysalis offers our children the opportunity to experience a variety of sports and activities in a supportive, fun environment.’

As our Education Support Teacher, Carly is responsible for helping the class teachers meet the needs of gifted and talented students, as well as students experiencing any difficulties.

Carly works closely with class teachers to develop challenging and highly individualised programs for students requiring support or extension, running both small group and individual sessions throughout the school day, as well as managing in-class activities.

Carly joined Chrysalis in 2004. She has a Bachelor of Education from Edith Cowan University and has undertaken extensive studies related to learning difficulties, evidence-based intervention, and gifted and talented education. Carly makes every effort to stay abreast of current educational research in her specialist areas.

“Chrysalis is an incredible school that provides its students with the opportunity to learn at their own pace and gives its staff the freedom to teach in the way that is most effective for them.”

Zana believes the Montessori pedagogy, which focuses on the whole child, supports students to become capable, healthy and fulfilled individuals, who are able to make a positive contribution to the world around them. 

This is especially important in the Upper Primary years, where she helps prepare the Year 6 students for their upcoming transition to high school.

Zana feels it important that each student in Swordtails learns how to effectively manage their time, knowing and understanding how much time should be spend on academic commitments, such as studying and completing homework, but also allowing themselves time for ‘downtime,’ to maintain an important and positive work/life/fun balance.

The Swordtails classroom is slightly different to other classrooms at Chrysalis, and each aspect is carefully curated to help students prepare for their upcoming school transition and academic expectations.

Students have individual desks, rather than tables, although group work is actively encouraged. Each day starts off with acknowledgement and discussions of school values, making an important connection with academic study and socio-emotional well being.

Originally from former Yugoslavia (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Zana first studied Accounting and Finance at Belgrade University in Serbia. After moving to Perth, she studied a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Murdoch University.

Outside of the classroom, Zana enjoys dancing; she is proficient in not only salsa, tango, and forro, but other styles as well. She also loves singing, playing the guitar, heading out for a bushwalk, and travelling around the world.

“Teaching is a beautiful profession that allows me to inspire and support children during the precious time of their lives, a privilege that should never be taken lightly. Teachers have the opportunity to allow students to work at their own pace and to follow their interests, as well as supporting them to reach more challenging outcomes. I’m so grateful to be a part of the Chrysalis community, as both a parent and a teacher, helping children to become independent and confident thinkers, with a lifelong love of learning.”

A former Chrysalis Montessori School student, Nathaniel (Nate) completed a double Bachelor of Arts at Curtin University and holds a Graduate Diploma of Education in Montessori Primary Education 6-12 from the Montessori Institute (MWEI).

When Nate isn’t in the classroom, you’ll likely find him eating at any new restaurant or cafe that has been recommended to him. He loves watching the footy on the weekend, firing up the BBQ, and going to the gym. Nate also loves collecting strange facts about the world (and everything in it), especially learning more about ancient civilisations. A former cartoon enthusiast as a child, Nate also enjoys creating digital artworks.

“The greatest gifts Montessori education provides for a child is empowering them to pursue their passions, enabling independent responsibility for their social and academic choices, and providing the strongest foundation for sustained lifelong learning.”

Originally from Ipoh, Malaysia, Veronica has over 35 years of teaching experience in both Montessori and private education systems, and has been a teacher at Chrysalis since 2002.

After completing an intensive year training at the Association Montessori Internationale in Hyderabad, India, Veronica returned to Malaysia where she worked in a Montessori school, and the Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur.

In 1988, she moved to Perth with her family and worked at Riverlands Montessori School for 10 years. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Curtin University, as well as various Montessori certifications, including in Cosmic Education. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership.

In addition to being the lead teacher in the Mariposa classroom, Veronica is Chrysalis’ Deputy Principal.

“One aspect of the Montessori pedagogy that never fails to inspire me is the Cosmic Education, which provides children with an understanding of who they are as individuals, and as members of the human race. The Great Stories give children a bigger picture of the world, their place in it, and the interconnectedness of everything around them.”

Originally a Murdoch University Theatre and Media studies graduate, Natalie worked as a children’s entertainer (often dressed up as a fairy or a blue-haired clown), puppeteer, and a Scitech presenter. She later decided to take up teaching studies at Edith Cowan University (ECU). While completing her Graduate Diploma in Primary Education, she was inspired by a fellow student to explore the Montessori pedagogy further, having attended a Montessori school herself as a child.

When not in the classroom, Natalie loves to browse the second-hand stores for treasures, repurposing objects and restoring old items back to their former glory. A self-proclaimed ‘average cook,’ she likes to dine out with friends, finding the best vegetarian (and gluten free) dishes in town.  Natalie has a crazy tabby named Squiggy and she is happiest reading a book in her garden, with her furry companion on her lap.

“I appreciate that we are all individuals and I support an education where children are given the opportunity to ‘sprout’ at their own speed and develop a passion for learning.”

Mark joined Chrysalis as School Principal in 2018, previously being Principal at Silver Tree Steiner School in Parkerville, WA, and at St Mary’s Primary School in Kalgoorlie.

Originally from Perth, he holds a Diploma of Teaching from Edith Cowan University (ECU), a Bachelor of Education in Teaching Children with Special Needs from ECU, a Master of Education from Notre Dame University, and a Certificate in Montessori Education.

When Mark isn’t at Chrysalis, he is usually at home working on various woodworking projects, or appreciating his motorcycle collection. He loves playing the drums in his band, Time Machine, and also enjoys cooking and trying new foods from different countries.

“Out of all of the educational methods I have experienced professionally, the Montessori method really does place the child at the center.”

Whilst studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Curtin University, Sandra came to Chrysalis Montessori School for her practicum placement. During this time she decided Chrysalis was the school she wanted for her own child, and enrolled her daughter in Children’s House in 2011. Sandra began her role as Lead teacher in the Skippers classroom at Chrysalis in 2018.

Sandra has teaching experience at SmartStart Montessori Childcare, Applecross Primary School, Casa Mia Montessori School, and has also completed a Diploma of Montessori Education.

She has a strong interest in the ‘Science of Reading,’ design technologies in education, photography, and European culture, with her family being Dutch. Sandra was born and raised here in Perth.

When not in the classroom, you’ll most likely find Sandra at a local cafe reading someone’s autobiography, or she might be at a reformer Pilates class. At home Sandra enjoys cooking with her daughter Emily, or playing with her pet Pekingese, Furbie and Faraday.

“I chose Montessori for my own child as I believe in a philosophy which supports each child’s individual academic potential and embraces their social-emotional well-being. Montessori aligns with my beliefs of children being capable, confident, and self-motivated learners.”

A Fine Arts graduate, Jocelyn began her teaching career as a secondary school Art and Media teacher, working in both government and private schools in Perth. She was won over by the Montessori pedagogy once her daughter began to attend a Montessori school.

She is currently completing a Masters degree (research) in Montessori Education, juggling her studies with raising two teenagers.  When she has free time, she enjoys bike rides, hiking, gardening, and travelling around our beautiful state of Western Australia.

“When our first child was two, my husband and I attended a Montessori Open Day out of interest and we were completely ‘sold’ on the pedagogy. Now as a teacher, I feel honoured to be able to share the early childhood journey with children and their parents and to guide them according to Dr Montessori’s vision and pedagogy.”