Patricia Chase, Chair

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Pat, with her husband Rick, provides short and long-term contracted services in financial and business management through their company, Patrick Group Enterprises Inc.

Pat has over 30 years experience in most areas of administration and finance.  Recently as General Manager, she commissioned the start up of a new seniors’ residence in Langley which required expertise in financial management, hiring practices and operational assessments.  Pat has trained staff in computer systems, assisted personnel in business startups and provided financial expertise to clients seeking investment and financial planning advice.  She is interested in the impact of social media marketing.

Pat's involvement in the community includes Board tenure on not-for-profit organizations and associations, and a number of years of service as a member of the Vancouver Police Reserves. She has two sons and five grandchildren; she and her husband Rick have lived in Langley for 18 years where they presently reside with three cats and one rescued dog.

Veronique Bodart, Secretary

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Born and raised in Belgium, Veronique attended the University of Liège where she completed undergraduate and master degrees in biochemistry.  In 1990 she immigrated to Montreal, Qc, Canada to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences followed by post-doctoral studies in molecular pharmacology at the University of Montréal.  In 2001 job opportunities called our family to BC.

In 2003 she enrolled her three-year old son at Roots and Wings Montessori School and became progressively acquainted with Montessori education. In 2007, after several years spent working as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, she decided to change path and choose a career more in harmony with her desire to bring about concrete positive changes in the community. After one year of training she obtained the Association Montessori International Primary teacher diploma from the Montessori training centre of British Columbia in Vancouver and immediately began working as a primary teacher associate at Roots and Wings, where she now also teaches French and sciences to the elementary students.  As a board member since Sept. 2010, Veronique is now happy for the opportunity to contribute even more to the development of the school and to be an instrument of social change.

Michelle Wu, Director at Large

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Michelle immigrated to Canada in 1994 and graduated from West Vancouver Secondary School in 1996. From 1997 to 1998, her work experiences include a full-time tour escort, sales person, and business manager. She decided to continue her education at BCIT in 1999. Her major course is International Trade and Transportation Logistics and she received her BCIT management certificate in 2001. She continues working as a business manager, construction site (commercial and residential) coordinator and legal advisor to her family owned construction company. Since marrying in 2003, she has worked with her husband to operate a greenhouse and farm related business, which grows annual plants and vegetables, and operates a nursery, with such products as u-pick fruit and free range eggs.

Michelle became interested in child care education after giving birth to her three boys. She took early childhood education course together with Montessori (AMS) education in 2009. She discovered a great education system with a positive learning environment during her practicum at Roots and Wings Montessori.  Impressed, she immediately enrolled her three sons in the preschool program.

In January 2012, she continued her commitment to Roots and Wings by joining the board of directors, intent on helping to prepare a healthy and positive environment for all children to grow and learn.

Paulette M. Hayes,  Treasurer

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Paulette has resided in beautiful White Rock for the past 10 years. She is fluent in the French language and has many years of experience in Business Administration.  For the past 30 years, through her work as a business manager, she has gained expertise in finance, management and business consultation.  Her experience comes from working for a Chartered Accountant and as a Financial Director of a large organization in Surrey where she managed in excess of over 300 employees.  Upon retiring, she started her own financial consulting business that has grown to successfully provide accounting, financial expertise and management services for various businesses and individuals in the White Rock/South Surrey Community.

Paulette’s commitment to volunteering for her community includes a board tenure position for a non-profit society, providing fundraising expertise for events for numerous organizations, and volunteering her time for the municipal, provincial and federal elections.  Paulette is very passionate about her involvement in the community and is committed to maintaining and nurturing her own professional growth.

Paulette has two sons who live and work in the community and two grandchildren who keeps her happy and very busy. In her spare time she enjoys tending to her garden.  Her personal mission in life is to strive to be a positive, productive, committed member of our community, who promotes and encourages responsibility, connectivity and caring.

Kristin Cassie, Founder and Principal, ex-officio Director

Cell: 604-961-5713

Work: 604-574-5399

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Kristin has been a member of the school board of directors almost every year since it was first formed in 1991. Kristin holds a B.A. in linguistics and a Professional B.C. Teaching Certificate from Simon Fraser University.  In addition, she trained four years with St. Nicholas Montessori, based in London, England, attending branches in Coquitlam and Windsor, Ontario. Kristin taught public elementary school for ten years, specializing in French and including kindergarten to grade ten. After her Montessori training, she founded Roots & Wings in 1985, teaching at the primary level for four years.   She also spent three summers, including an intensive six-week training course, on Montessori adolescent education. She regularly attends Montessori conferences to stay abreast of progressive thought.

Kristin is a member of the North American Montessori Association, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Greenpeace, Canadian Feed the Children, BC Camping and Recreation Guild, a local church and many other conservation and philanthropic organizations.