Our Team
We are a dedicated and experienced teaching team who are passionate about what we do. We recognize and bring forth the potential in every child through clear communication, role modeling, creative and stimulating teaching, and our own commitment to self-reflection and lifelong learning.
We envision an environment where students are nurtured by the guidance and support they receive from their families, teachers, and community.
Wendy Preston
Wendy Preston is Beachcombers' Principal and a primary teacher. Wendy holds a BC Teachers Certificate, has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, and an International Montessori Teaching Diploma. Wendy has completed the first part of her Masters in Educational Leadership, but has taken a break in order to dedicate herself to Beachcombers Academy. She has 16 years’ experience teaching kindergarten and primary grades in independent schools in Canada and the U.K., and is experienced in curriculum development. Wendy is a caring, thoughtful, and enthusiastic teacher with a passion for literacy and quality academics. As principal she oversees our academic program and supports teachers to be their best. Wendy is a compassionate school leader with a deeply held belief in quality education. Wendy is committed to developing a warm, supportive, and respectful learning environment at Beachcombers; an environment that actively engages children’s passion for learning and brings out the potential in every child. Her son is a graduate of Beachcombers.
Mary Jo Purvis
Mary Jo Purvis is Beachcombers' Administrative Assistant. Mary Jo's joyful welcome in the morning is always a pleasure. She is a wonderfully positive person who loves being around young children and takes pleasure in her work at Beachcombers. She has 25+ years experience in administration/management and has a Bachelors of Arts in English and Philosophy. She is a volunteer with Kitty Cat Pals and enjoys hiking and kayaking. We are very pleased to have her on staff.
Julie Samson
Julie Samson is a Beachcombers’ primary teacher focussing on the early primary program. She has a lovely and kind approach with children. She is a BC Certified Teacher with 16 years teaching experience. She has additional experience working with preschool-aged children and has helped to facilitate children’s art programs for the Comox Valley Art Gallery. She has a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Diploma in Special Education. Julie has a passion for yoga, hiking, kayaking and gardening. In previous years, Julie worked as a teacher-on-call for Beachcombers. We are very pleased to be welcoming Julie to a primary teacher position at Beachcombers.
Carly Saba
Carly Saba is a Beachcomber’s primary teacher with a focus on upper elementary. Carly is a lovely caring teacher with an interest in environmental education and a deep belief in the values of respect and kindness. She has a BC Teachers Certificate, a Bachelor of Education, and is a Geography Major in Environment and Sustainability. She also completed a year at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, has experience as a diver, and is an avid surfer. Carly has worked with the Species at Risk Team at the Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites; been a field assistant with the University of Tasmania researching the Tasmanian devil; and been an Environmental Science Instructor on Grand Manan Island. We are very pleased to have Carly as part of the Beachcombers team.
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Above, Carly on a boat in the Bay of Fundy where she taught mammal behaviour and physiology, ornithology, geology, tide-pooling and botany to youth.
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Matthew Whitehead
Matthew Whitehead is Beachcombers' music teacher. He has a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Jazz and 10 years’ experience teaching music. This talented musician is an enthusiastic and energetic teacher who is popular with students. We are very pleased to have Matthew as a part of the Beachcombers team.
Megan Davison Moon
Megan Davison Moon is the Little Oysters' lead preschool teacher. She holds an Early Childhood Educator Certificate, Infant Toddler and Special Needs Diploma, Emergency Child First Aid and is a Seeds of Empathy trained coach. She has 10+ years’ experience in teaching preschool and childcare, including experience providing outdoor education for preschool-aged children. Megan is an inspired preschool teacher who beautifully integrates nature into her preschool curriculum. Her indoor classroom is a hive of exploration, learning and creativity; additionally she excels at providing outdoor learning environments for children to grow and discover through experiential learning. We are very pleased to have Megan as a member of the Little Oysters Preschool and Beachcombers Academy team.
Sarah Gibson
Sarah Gibson is Beachcombers’ student support teaching assistant and preschool assistant. She has 9 years experience working with children as a teacher assistant and social worker. She holds a Human Services Certificate, an Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate, and has additional diplomas in dance and homeopathy. Sarah is a gentle, warm and conscientious person who is well loved by both students and staff. She has a supportive and quiet presence that draws out the best in children; she has a warm acceptance of children and genuine interest in their world. Sarah is a pleasure to have on staff and is a valued member of the Beachcombers team.
Kathleen Radford
Kathleen Radford is a trained student support teaching assistant and preschool assistant teacher. She holds an Educational Assistant/Community Support Worker Certificate, an Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate, and a Level 1 Early Childhood Education Certificate (Alberta). This talented woman has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts Major. Kathleen has 7 years’ experience working with children in preschools and childhood development centres; and 2 years teaching visual arts to children. She has taken additional workshops in autism, sensory occupational therapy strategies and nonviolent crisis intervention. Kathleen has a love of the outdoors and spent several summers working for Jasper National Park; and was a kayak guide in Costa Rica. Kathleen brings a gentle, thoughtful and professional tone to her work. We are very pleased to have Kathleen on staff at Beachcombers.
Ben Anderson
Ben Anderson is a Beachcombers teacher-on-call and has been with Beachcombers for eight years. He holds a BC Teacher Certificate and has 15+ years working in leadership roles with youth. He is deeply committed to service to his community. He enjoys outdoor pursuits and is a busy father and a beloved teacher.
Zoe Lambert
Zoe Lambert is President of Beachcombers Education Society, a non-profit society that operates Beachcombers Academy & Little Oysters Preschool for the benefit of students and families. She has 16+ years’ experience in the non-profit sector and community development. She has worked with multi-agency groups that included schools; for municipal and cultural organizations; on contract with provincial and federal agencies; and for indigenous organizations. Her strengths lie in team-building, administration, evaluation, policy development, project starts, media relations, and consensus building. She has volunteered with Ground and Air Search And Rescue, and is trained as a 'Municipal Coordinator' under the BC Provincial Emergency Program. She has been Site Manager in two disaster situations. Following a career change, she became a commercial pilot working in the Polar Regions: this gave her exposure to polar environmental-science research, remote eco-tourism, the mining industry, and remote indigenous communities. She is an outdoor recreation enthusiast with a passion for wilderness. Her son is a graduate of Beachcombers.
Advisors
Roy Sakata
Roy Sakata is an advisor to Beachcombers Academy. He has 40 years experience in education as a teacher, vice-principal and principal. In 1989, he was recognized for School Administrative Excellence by the then BC Education Minister, Honorable Anthony Brummet. Roy has a passionate commitment to community service and is on the Board of Directors of the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Center. He has a Bachelor of Education, Elementary Degree from the University of British Columbia, and a Masters of Arts in Educational Administration from Simon Fraser University. He worked as a teacher and principal in both small and large schools, including independent, public and First Nation schools. He has served 5 years on BC Ministry of Education Assessment Teams for the Independent School Inspector’s Office and for the BC First Nations Education Steering Committee. Roy went to primary school on Quadra Island and in Campbell River, and attended high school in Courtenay. Roy brings with him a wealth of knowledge, a warm supportive approach and an exceptionally positive attitude. He is a tremendous resource to our school.
Janet Leblanc
Janet Leblanc is an advisor and mentor to the Little Oysters Preschool. Janet has 25+ years experience working with children. She is the former Director and founding teacher of Beachcombers Little Oyster's Preschool, and prior to that, Director of Stepping Stones Montessori in Comox. She also has many years experience working as a Special Education Assistant. She is a member of Early Childhood Educators of BC, BC Montessori Association, and the International Montessori Council. She has an Early Childhood Educator Certificate and an International Montessori Teaching Diploma. Janet is known for her gentle, stimulating, and inspiring approach with children, and her consistently positive, supportive and peaceful outlook.
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