Meet the Team

With passion for all things educational and a dedicated eye for detail, Becca keeps the back-office administration running smoothly. Becca has a background in heritage education and youth engagement, and coordinates the Scottish Learning Group. Becca is passionate about inclusive education, recently adding an Administrator’s Certificate in Montessori for Inclusion (MMPI) to her retinue of qualifications.

Eleni holds a degree in Early Years education and a Masters in Exercise and Life Quality from Greece. Since joining the EMAS team in 2013, Eleni has completed her Montessori Diploma for Birth to 3 and 3-6. Eleni coordinates the children’s house and infant teams, whilst supporting the teachers in both the indoor and outdoor classrooms.

Whatever your reason for getting in touch or popping by, Steph is your friendly first-point-of-contact in the school office. With an extensive background in administration, management and hospitality in both corporate and care sectors, Steph works alongside Becca and the Educational Co-ordinator team to keep all administrative functions running smoothly.

Maddie is an experienced office administrator and passionate organiser. She began her career in the care industry working with the elderly, going on to full time administration and coordination of care in the community. She joined EMAS as the school’s need for administrative support grew. Her cheerful disposition makes her eager to help with any queries that come through the office.

Maddie works with Steph to ensure all general enquiries and classroom questions are fielded. In addition Maddie organises the day to day finance functions of the school.

Originally from Portugal, Marta holds a Bachelors degree in Portuguese and English, and a second Bachelors in Theatrical Studies. She studied Montessori education in the United States and taught in Colorado before emigrating to Edinburgh. She brings her deep understanding of toddler development and passion for the creative arts to her lead role in our Infant Community.

Nuha completed her training in childcare and education after moving to Scotland from Iraq in the early 2000’s. She is a dedicated early years practitioner currently studying for her Montessori Diploma. Her immense patience and deep understanding of very young children make her a wonderfully loving carer in our Infant Community.

Kate studied Montessori education in South Africa and holds her 0-6 Montessori Diploma. She later founded and ran her own nursery school for 6 years before emigrating to Scotland. Often found baking and cooking with her students, Kate is passionate about developing children’s independence and interests.

Anuja leads the teaching team in our Children’s House with dedicated attention to detail and fierce love of creativity and fun. She completed her Montessori training in Mumbai following her Bachelor’s in New Delhi and Master’s in Sydney and joined the EMAS team in 2019 from a Children’s House classroom in California. Her international perspective on child development and deep knowledge of Montessori methodology make her an excellent lead guide to our nursery cohort.

Originally from Poland, Ewa Szczerbinska has more than 13 years of experience in Montessori classrooms in both Europe and the UK. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Childcare Education and a Masters in tourism. She is a committed and knowledgeable teacher who worked with us in EMAS for six years before 2020 later rejoining the team as her adventures brought her back to us. She is deeply passionate about using the Montessori approach to support young children’s growth and development, especially enjoying designing activities that promote culture, family involvement and children’s interests.

With a primary teaching degree from her home country of Brazil, Ana sees her Montessori practise as a furtherance of her passion for childhood education. She balances her Montessori studies with keen interests in a range of outdoor pursuits including rock climbing and capoeira, running an after school fun club in the latter. Ana is completing her 0-6 Montessori Diploma with EMAS and is a valued member of our team.

Romina joined the EMAS team in 2021 as Outdoor Educator and Montessori Trainee. With a background in Community Education and Forest School, Romina coordinates and oversees the work in our gardens and paddock with all age groups – developing our outdoor spaces and the learning opportunities they offer.

Romina achieved her Montessori 3-6 Diploma in 2024.

Kate is a life long learner originating from South Africa. She holds Montessori qualifications teaching 0-6 and 6 – 12 year olds and is undertaking her training as an adolescent guide. Having led the Elementary class for over 7 years Kate has a deep knowledge of what makes our students tick. Further training in Montessori for Inclusion (MMPI) led to Kate’s enhanced role as Coordinator for the elementary classrooms. She firmly believes that the Montessori approach can provide the best learning platform for all children.

With a background in Primary Teaching (BAHons) and Speech Therapy (MA), Irene joined EMAS from Spain in 2023. She works with our elementary and teens classes, inspiring interest and engagement in Spanish language through games, drama, props and conversation.

Irene is passionate about sharing her love of languages and is studying and learning how to implement the Montessori approach at all levels.

Jasmine hails from the United states and has lived, worked and studied in Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Hawaii.Having completed her Master’s degree in Education with a Montessori emphasis Jasmine led the lower elementary cohort at the Montessori School of Maui before joining EMAS in early 2023 as Fireflies lead guide.

Thoughtful, determined and hugely knowledgable about children’s learning, Jasmine brings a wealth of expertise to the elementary team.

Originally from France, Hanane has a life long interest in education and learning. Having educated her two daughters she became interested in the Montessori method and combined her studies with working at EMAS.

Hanane provides student support in the Fireflies class and is enjoying studying for her Montessori diploma.

Indie discovered Montessori education while living and working in Oman and it was there she completed her Montessori Diploma before launching her own classroom materials business. Following a career in promotions and design, Indie switched tracks having been inspired to help children acquire a sense of common humanity that binds peoples of all races and cultures together so that they might grow up to contribute to a more peaceful and cooperative world. Indie provides student support to our elementary class and supports the work of the elementary team.

Simona holds a Bachelors degree in psychology alongside her Assistant’s to Infancy (0-3) Montessori diploma and her 3-6 Montessori Assistant’s certificate.

Originally from Romania, Simona has lived and worked in a range of countries, discovering her interest in Montessori education whilst working in London. She has most recently completed training in Identity Psychotrauma in Munich. She is currently studying for a diploma in Play Therapy.

Simona provides bespoke 1-1 support for students who need this and works closely with the school’s therapeutic team to ensure authentic and equitable inclusion for students.

Wiwi is a Montessori and STEM guide originating from Sweden. With many years of classroom and administrative experience under her belt, Wiwi enjoys travelling and has always wanted to work in Scotland. With an eclectic background in professional women’s football and photography amongst other things, she her passion for teaching the sciences and maths in the late 1990’s. She soon discovered Montessori education. Having trained for all age levels in Montessori, she went on to lead the growth of a small Swedish high school as it grew its Montessori program. Her adventures have taken her to many corners of the world and we are delighted to have her expertise here at EMAS.

Wiwi joins EMAS after a year working in the Arctic Circle. An outdoors aficionado – she loves engaging students in practical outdoor scientific exploration.

Samuel has worked as an English and Drama teacher for many years in both the United Kingdom and further afield in Oman. His passion for the dramatic arts and the spoken word inspire our adolescent cohorts. Often found coordinating socratic seminar or building sets for student led performances, Samuel’s dynamic skillset it ever utilised by our eclectic teens group. Samuel’s fascination for the Montessori approach led him to joining EMAS and to undertaking his Montessori Adolescent training.

Rachel grew up here in Scotland with a passion for the arts. With a Bachelor’s degree in Textiles her early career included costume work for Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and Netflix. Having always loved working with children she decided to pursue her PGDE in Secondary Art and Design and hasn’t looked back. She enjoys building positive relationships with students and the camaraderie of being part of a multidisciplinary team. She strives to inspire and develop the creative knowledge and skills of learners through her kind, competent and thoughtful approach to teaching.

Following her original Bachelors degree in English literature and theology, Lesley completed her PGCE teaching English, Media and Drama at North London University in 1999. Her passion for literature and the development of children’s literacy at all levels, led her to further specialisation as an SPLd teacher and assessor recognised by the British Dyslexia Association.

After moving to sunny Edinburgh in 2001, Lesley joined the team at EMAS where her poetry workshops and many trips to sites of literary interest soon became a popular fixture with our adolescents.

Lesley provides 1-1 and small group support in literacy as well as supporting the general adolescent program.

Self made entrepreneur and champion of the Montessori approach, Rob has extensive experience in the media industry both in media management, design and photography. His two sons are former EMAS students and Rob has been a supporter of the school since it’s opening in 2006.

An avid outdoorsman, Rob guides our weekly hiking expeditions. He enjoys rock climbing and mountaineering with students as well as delivering weekly photography sessions which often end up taking place outdoors.

Rob is responsible for much of the photography on the EMAS website; always endeavouring to involve students from taking the pictures to editing and presentation.

Russell is a seasoned musician with an extensive background in school and community music. Working across all age groups, Russell collaborates with our teachers, students and artists to provide a smorgasbord of musical opportunities. He hold a Bachelors degree in Music and Masters in Community Arts.

Lindsay Anderson holds an Honours Degree in Music from Edinburgh Napier University and a Masters Degree from Birmingham Conservatoire where she specialised in Percussion Performance. Lindsay has worked with children in many different settings and at EMAS since 2014. She works with our Elementary and Teens groups on a wide range of musical inspiration. Lindsay also runs our popular after-school Rhythm Club.

With a wealth of experience of enthusing children about the outdoors and engaging people in the community into gardening and growing projects, Jenny takes care of our extensive outdoor spaces and is special keeper for our seven loud and quacky ducks.

Jenny has completed a Children in Permaculture training, a Forest Gardening course, and did her Permaculture Design Course and Practitioner training in Edinburgh.

Rachel oversees the art therapy service that EMAS providing bespoke support to students who need it. Rachel has an Honours degree in Fine Arts Sculpture. She also holds an MSc in Art Psychotherapy and is registered with the British Association of Art Therapists and the Health and Care Professional Council.

Originally from the Isle of Lewis, Isla studied Occupational Therapy at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Having worked with the children and adolescent mental health services Isla joined EMAS after discovering the values Montessori pedagogy and OT have in common; both aim to promote independence in children and encourage them to explore their interests and learn through doing.
When she is not observing in the classrooms and advising the teaching team, Isla works 1-1 with those students who benefit from this therapeutic input and she leads group activities in life skills and interpersonal skills development.

We are honoured to have Laura with us cooking up a daily feast for (and often together with) the children. Inimitably cheerful, Laura has a smile and kind word for all. The children are regular visitors at her kitchen door, checking what’s on the menu and giving feedback and ideas.

When asked for examples of important women on International Women’s Day, our nursery children nominated Laura – “because she makes yummy food for the children who don’t bring packed lunch!”

Liam is a multi trades craftsman of over 30 years experience and is central to keeping our wee school fixed up and looking great. While he does so, he is sharing his wealth of knowledge with our elementary and teens pupils.

Having grown up on a Scottish farm, Anna is well placed to provide diligent care for the animals on our smallholding. She can be found in paddock, building infrastructure or herding ducks and chickens. Anna enjoys working with our adolescents to guide their developing interests in all things outdoors.

David grew up in Hong Kong before emigrating to Scotland with his family in 2001. Having spent many years as an international tourist guide, David’s knowledge of many cultures and his ability to charm just about anyone made him perfect for a role in taking care of our facilities and ensuring the school is spic and span. Always with a smile and the calm determination to get the jobs done, David makes sure our little school is always looked after and ready for the children.

Quietly organising the accounts and making sure things run smoothly, Nick coordinates the school’s finance and billing.