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 enrolled at 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.
Anastasia Sakawsky
Anastasia Sakawsky is a dynamic teacher who has a gift for making learning exciting. She holds a Bachelor of Education with a Minor in Environmental Education, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. Anna is a BC Certified Teacher and a Certified French-language Teacher. She is an experienced teacher dedicated to inspiring a love for learning in her students and offers a thoughtful approach to quality academics. She believes in educating the whole child and has a passion for nature-based learning. Anna is a Beachcombers Elementary teacher and specializes in Coastal Studies, French and Language Arts. We are pleased to have this extraordinary teacher on the Beachcombers Team.
Ben Anderson
Ben Anderson is a Beachcombers' primary teacher, and heads up our physical education, health and math programs. He holds a BC Teacher Certificate, a Bachelor of Education, a carpentry certificate and has received in-house Montessori training. His academic strengths include health and fitness, outdoor recreation, science, and math. Ben has 7 years teaching experience, and 15+ years’ experience as a youth and Scouts Canada leader. Through his extensive volunteer experience, he has developed excellent people skills including conflict resolution. Ben is deeply committed to community service, and is a dedicated father and husband. He is well liked by his students. Ben is supportive children's learning while also setting expectations of his students. He actively enjoys hiking and climbing, has hiked the West Coast Trail 8 times, and has taught rappelling and safe climbing practices. Ben is enthusiastic, positive, motivated and energetic. He believes deeply in the importance of honesty, respect, listening, and developing mutual understanding; values that he nurtures in his own children and his students. We are very pleased to have Ben as 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.
Monica Hofer
Monica Hofer provides Beachcombers' music program under the direction of our principal. She has a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in German and French, and a Masters in Germanic Studies from the University of Victoria. She has 12+ years teaching experience, teaching at the primary, secondary and college level. Monica has studied with Mast African drummers and is a certified HealthyRHYTHMS facilitator. She has 10+ years' experience teaching music including drumming, rhythm, and as leader of a community choir. She has taught music in schools and community-based programs. Monica is well known in the Comox Valley for her wonderful music programs, energetic and positive attitude and great enthusiasm. We are pleased to have her as part of the Beachcombers team.
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 enrolled at 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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