Our Teachers

Peta Gibson

Formal Qualifications

• AMI Birth to Three Diploma
• Pikler Pedagogue Candidate – Pikler Institute Budapest

Other related training

• AMI Birth to Three Orientation
• AMI 3 to 6 Orientation
• AMI 6 to 12 Orientation
• RIE Foundations Training – RIE Centre Los Angeles
• Holistic Sleep Coaching and Baby Sleep Consultant training
• Potty Training Consultant training
• Baby Calm, Toddler Calm and Baby Led Weaning – Cambridge UK
• Australian Doula College

How many years have you spent at Cameragal, and in education in general?

I have had the absolute pleasure of working in the Cameragal Playroom since July 2014.  Before then I spent 9 years working in under three’s at the Inner Sydney Montessori School.

What is the most rewarding part of teaching for you?

Babies and toddlers grow and develop more in the first three years of life than at any other time.  I love helping families understand the importance this period and the crucial role they play in supporting their child’s development.

What drives you to be a better teacher?

I am passionate about learning all that I can about babies and toddlers and sharing this knowledge with families. I just love it when I can see in the playroom that a parent is really starting to observe their child and see the world from their child’s point of view.  Once we see how brilliant and amazing babies and toddlers are, the more we enjoy living life alongside them.

What do you most enjoy in your personal time?

Being the Mum of 5 I haven’t had that much personal time in the last 20 years but I do love discovering new toys for the playroom, interior design, test cricket, skiing with my family, long walks with my dog and the Sydney Swans.

Parrish Khalili

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor Of Teaching In Early Childhood
• Montessori diploma for 3-6 Year Olds.
• NESA Teacher Accreditation

How many years have you spent at Cameragal, and in education in general?

I have been teaching since 1992 for about 31 years starting in Chicago and then in Sydney Australia. I have had the privilege of teaching at Cameragal Montessori School for the past 12 years. In 2016, I received an ASG NEiTA Inspirational Educator State and Territory Award for Excellence in Teaching.

What is the most rewarding part of teaching for you?

I thoroughly enjoy working with young children helping them realise their potential. I enjoy making a difference in the lives of young children and their families.  

What drives you to be a better teacher?

I have experienced how positive teacher-student relationships can change children’s attitude towards learning, and motivates them to become independant thinkers, decision-makers, and learners.

What do you most enjoy in your personal time?

I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. I also enjoy travelling meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.

Liz Piazza

Formal Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Education (Primary) from University of Sydney
• AMI 6 to12 Diploma from F.C.I.S.M, Bergamo, Italy
• Certificates in Brain Gym, Spalding
• AMI Inclusive Education Certificate from M.I.S.D, San Diego, USA

How many years have you spent at Cameragal, and in education in general?

I am a highly experienced primary teacher who has taught many children in the Montessori sector for the past 20+ years, both as a teacher and as part of management.

Prior to Montessori, I taught in the traditional education sector, and as a high school music teacher.This is my first year at Cameragal in the 9 to 12 environment.

What is the most rewarding part of teaching for you?

To be able to witness those a-ha moments, when a person truly learns something for themself.

What drives you to be a better teacher?

Looking for the particular way to support an individual child, finding that connection or hook that sparks a passion or excitement for a new area or piece of work.

What do you most enjoy in your personal time?

I am a very artistic person with a passion for creative endeavours. Art, drawing, painting, photography are all things I enjoy doing….and should do more of!

Another interest I have is music and I play some musical instruments, including saxophone, ukulele, and piano. I also am passionate about travelling and experiencing different cultures and have been lucky enough to visit many countries on 5 continents.

I enjoy being out in nature whether that is a nice walk on the beach or exploring in a national park.

Robyn Reeve

Formal qualifications:

• Diploma of Montessori Education
• Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education
• NESA Teacher Accreditation

How many years have you spent at Cameragal, and in education in general?

• 11 and a half years at Lavender Bay Campus as the Directress
• Had a break from teaching and was involved as a parent at Cameragal when my 2 daughters attended the Forsyth Park Campus
• 18 years teaching at Montessori

What is the most rewarding part of teaching for you?

Getting to experience things with the children for the first time and getting the opportunity to make a difference in the way a child approaches learning for life.

What drives you to be a better teacher?

You have to be passionate about what you do, or you will not enjoy it. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” (Steve Jobs). ”

What do you most enjoy in your personal time?

I’m an avid cyclist in my spare time. The highlight being riding the last 10 stages of the 2017 Tour de France with a charity group! When not cycling I enjoy needlework embroidery, welding and reading.

Julia Jeong

Formal qualifications:

• AMI 3-6 Diploma
• AMI 3-6 Orientation Course
• AMI 6-12 Orientation Course
• Master of Teaching in Early Years
• Bachelor of English Language and Literature with High school teacher qualification

How many years have you spent at Cameragal, and in education in general?

I joined Cameragal Montessori in 2021 and have worked in other Montessori centres in Sydney for ten years and in other educational settings in South Korea for seven years.

What is the most rewarding part of teaching for you?

I enjoy watching children gaining confidence and independence over time and developing day by day. I absolutely enjoy the fact that I am working as a part of this miraculous process.

What drives you to be a better teacher?

The trust from children and parents empowers me to be a better teacher.

What do you most enjoy in your personal time?

I enjoy yoga, personal development and pursuing a healthy lifestyle.

Chantel Britz

Formal qualifications:

• Bachelor of Primary Education (Religious Education) from University of Notre Dame
• Currently studying Diploma in Montessori at Montessori World Institute

How many years have you spent at Cameragal, and in education in general?

I joined Cameragal during 2022 with eight year of teaching experience in the traditional education sector across multiple age groups in Primary.

What is the most rewarding part of teaching for you?

I enjoy teaching children and working together to solve problems, then to observe them in reaching their full potential. I also enjoy celebrating big milestones and accomplishments with the children.

What drives you to be a better teacher?

I am passionate about developing my knowledge and skills together with other staff, to get more understanding of the Montessori philosophy. I enjoy building strong parent and student relationships, and to help them find the JOY and LOVE for learning. I also want to ensure I continue to create a safe environment where my students are able to flourish and build connections with the world around them. I always say to my students “ the world is your oyster”.

What do you most enjoy in your personal time?

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and enjoy our small moments together. I enjoy walking along the beach and listening to the waves crashing onto the sand bank. I also love watching my beautiful ragdoll cat Tiffany grow, and she brings me happiness and smiles every day. I am passionate about making beautiful soy candles for my friends and family.