FAWN VENTURA
Fawn is the founder of Amity Montessori, an independent online preschool created as an alternative to the traditional in-school Montessori program she launched as the founder of Peace Arch Montessori over 6 years ago.
Fawn has over a 18 years of experience in early childhood education. She originally immigrated from Thailand to study teaching, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Services & Administration from Khon Kaen University. She’s also a fully certified Montessori Teacher by Age of Montessori, founded by Dr. Elizabeth Caspari – a Montessori Accreditation Council (MACTE) approved program.
Fawn loves children, and has worked closely with preschool-aged children in the United States and abroad. She strives to apply the principles of Maria Montessori to help engage children age 3 to 6 years old in the online preschool learning process, and help them to achieve more learning than in the traditional Pre-K environment.
In addition to being a Montessori teacher & program coordinator Fawn also works in the local community, and coordinates extracurricular and enrichment activities for the school’s students, including field trips, special guest speakers, and dance & karate classes. She is also a Washington State certified Thai language interpreter.
OUR CREDENTIALS
Fawn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Services & Administration from Khon Kaen University, and is a fully certified in Early Childhood Education by Age of Montessori. Jacquee & Chel on our staff hold Montessori Classroom Assistant certifications as well.
In addition to her Montessori expertise, Fawn is certified to teach Mindfulness by Mindful Schools, and is a certified Yoga teacher & Wellness Champion through Breathe For Change, which she uses to help teach children valuable skills for a healthy lifestyle.
CHEL HAFICH
Chel is an assistant teacher at Amity Montessori. She was born, raised, and educated in the Philippines. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree (BS Psych) in Psychology at Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. Ultimately though, her passion was to further her education and become a teacher. In 2007, she enrolled at Mindanao University of Science and Technology in Cagayan de Oro City, subsequently graduating with a Certificate of Teaching, and later a Certificate of Teaching Special Education. The culmination of her academic endeavors allowed her to obtain her Master’s Degree in Teaching Special Education (MAT-SPED).
Chel was a full-time instructor at Lourdes College, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, teaching Major and Minor Psychology subjects. Prior to that, she had several exposure and experience teaching special kids through practicums in various and areas of special education.
In 2012, Chel married her husband Daniel and moved to the United States. Since then, she has been a dedicated mother raising their three children. Her youngest daughter is entering first grade this fall which will now allow her to pursue her original passion of education. In 2016, Chel became a proud naturalized United States citizen and currently resides in Birch Bay.
OUR HISTORY
Six years ago, Fawn Ventura founded Peace Arch Montessori to provide the caring, quality Montessori education and it rapidly grew from an in-home preschool to a fully-staffed facility with over 45 students.
In September 2020, Fawn took her school online, by creating Amity Montessori to provide children across the nation with the same caring, quality online preschool education that her team excels in delivering.
JAQUEE SOVEREIGN
Jacquee is our afternoon substitute teacher, who also puts together the monthly newsletter. In past years she volunteered at the school, implementing and writing the monthly newsletter, organizing school benefit events, and providing a special spring chick project.
Before moving to Blaine, Jacquee owned a music business company in Seattle, she booked and managed pacific northwest bands for 10 years. While working in the Seattle music industry she decided to go to college to fine tune her skills. She studied at Berklee College of Music, with a music business major. During this time Jacquee was also an assistant preschool teacher and nanny, and has always enjoyed teaching children.
In 2011 Jacquee, and husband Caleb, decided to move back to Whatcom County to start their family. She’s now a mother of two, and enjoys being a “domestic engineer” & homeschool teacher. She has several hobbies; raising chickens, gardening, crafts, event planning, volunteering for the parks and rec. department, and of course concerts. Both of her daughters attended Peace Arch Montessori School in the past, where they received a wonderful foundation for their education. Jacquee is very grateful to have the opportunity to be a substitute afternoon teacher at Peace Arch Montessori, and expects it to be an enriching experience.