Cameragal Montessori School

I can Do It By Myself

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Our Teachers

Peta Gibson

Director 0-3 Infant Program

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

Lead Teacher 3-6 Mimi's

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

Lead Teacher 9-12

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

Lead Teacher 3-6 Tiddalicks

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

Primary 6-9 Lead Teacher

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.

Maria Urgel

Lead Teacher 3-6 Pademelons

Formal qualifications:

  • 2001, Bachelor of History (Zaragoza, Spain)
  • 2004, 3-6 Diploma Montessori Pedagogy, Montessori Centre International, London
  • 2019- Present, Master of Teaching (Primary), Charles Sturt University

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

Before having children, I worked in London as a Directress for over 3 years. In 2017, I joined Cameragal as an Assistant in the Pademelon’s class. 6 years later, I am so proud to be the Lead Teacher in the Pademelon’s Class.

What is the most rewarding part of teaching for you?

Working with children is the most rewarding part of Teaching. They are fun, inquisitive and caring people, and everyday I get to learn something new from them. It is a real privilege to be part of their journey.

What drives you to be a better teacher?

Teachers are always learning. To be the best teacher I can be, I strive to continue to develop my knowledge and understanding about how I can best support my students.

What do you most enjoy in your personal time?

I love spending time with my family and swimming in the ocean.