Our founder

SHERIN ALIBHAI

Hello, I’m Sherin,
Founder & Program Director.

My mission is to use my talent, expertise and experience to make a difference – big or small, for I know that I can make a difference in the children that I teach and guide. In spreading Montessori through teacher training, I become an agent of change not only in the adults I train but also the children that they will teach. Ultimately, the Montessori Method of Education helps children become in tune with who they are, therefore making them at peace with themselves.

For many, making a career choice is as distressing as chronic pain…Just when you think you have nailed it, it comes back to you – making you one unhappy person!  

I feel so blessed to have found a career that I am so passionate about. I did not go searching for a career in teaching. In fact, it came searching for me. I was a young 17 year old in the small town of Mombasa, Kenya awaiting admission into the business program at what was Calgary’s Mount Royal College, now Univeristy.

During that time, the principal of a very large, reputed preschool invited me to come and work as a teacher’s assistant. “But I have absolutely no experience or idea how to teach,” I responded. “Don’t worry,” said the principal, “we will help you along.” A few months later, I received an acceptance letter from Mount Royal College.

I was excited to take off from Africa and study in North America when my family went through unexpected financial difficulty. This changed my path and instead, I ventured to India to pursue further education in law. I started college in India, made some good friends and began adjusting to life there. But every day upon returning from college, I would revert to reading books about preschool aged children.

Even the relatives that I lived with questioned and consistently lectured about my attention towards ‘irrelevant topics.’ At the same time, I was falling ill on a regular basis. The doctor advised my visiting parents to take me back home. Upon hearing this, I knew that my parents would be concerned about what career options lay in store for me due to the fact that educational opportunities were limited in Kenya. Without hesitation, I reassured them with confidence, “I know my calling, I am going to become a teacher.”

I returned to Kenya to my old job as an assistant teacher and this was just the beginning of my successful career as a teacher. After a few years of working as a lead teacher in Mombasa, Kenya, I established my own school. At that time, trained Montessori teachers were hard to come by in Kenya, and so I started training my own staff.

The school grew from 25 students to 100 students, within a short span of time. During this time, I also started educating parents about Montessori education. I didn’t realize it then, but I was beginning to make an impact on adults as well. After celebrating a decade with Little Angels Playschool, Mombasa, I sold the school and moved to Calgary. Finally, I would get to meet North America!

Once in Calgary, I worked in various positions including program coordinator, staff trainer and director of several Montessori day care locations under one company. It was during this time that I found my calling a second time – as an adult trainer. I also moved on to establish my own Montessori program (Little Angels Montessori).

I feel immense satisfaction and a great sense of purpose with my career both as a Montessori teacher for children and a Montessori trainer for adults. I always strive to put my students (child or adult) first, observe and understand them closely and this guides me to teach them in a manner that makes their learning experience exciting.

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education”
– Maria Montessori

As I continue my work locally, my dream is to make a difference internationally. My goal is to train teachers and work with children in less privileged countries. I have seen the benefits of Montessori Education as a parent, teacher and trainer and wish to share it with more children and adults.