Our Team
All teachers and pre-school educators are legally certified to teach except for the Spanish teacher who studied in Colombia for which she has received an equivalency in Quebec. Furthermore, all staff members are trained in CPR and first aid. The student to staff ratio is 7 to 1 while our teachers have an average of 15 years of experience. Unlike most elementary schools, we have specialists for almost every subject at Écolita Trilingue. In other words, there are specialists in the following areas: Spanish, French, Science and Math, Physical Education, English, and Early Childhood Education.
In addition to having teachers who are passionate about the subject they teach, the students benefit from having an excellent and continuous rapport with their teachers. Although every new school year is always exciting, teachers already know their students in September so they can start teaching efficiently as soon as school begins. Even though we have a physical education specialist in the school, the students are taught by qualified ski instructors in Rigaud, horseback riding coaches from Ste-Marthe, a Taekwondo expert, and a gymnastics coach.
Écolita Team Members
The most important criteria to work at Écolita Trilingue are
passion, open-mindedness, and huge hearts!
Michelle Vaudrin,
Principal, Founder, and Pedagogical Director
Ms. Vaudrin taught for 18 years at all grade levels including elementary, high school, and college. She worked at the Cegep de Valleyfield from 1994 to 2005 where she developed most of the English courses for the newly implemented reform. After creating and heading the Modern Languages Department and being part of many committees and projects, Ms. Vaudrin felt she was ready for a new challenge. “I wanted to create a safe, happy, and dynamic atmosphere where teachers would love to teach and children would love to learn.”
Although Ms. Vaudrin is French, she did all her schooling in English. She graduated with distinction from Concordia University with a Bachelor’s of Education specializing in Teaching English as a Second Language. She then studied French linguistics and grammar where she completed a certificate with great distinction. After taking a few English literature and writing courses, Ms. Vaudrin started a Master’s in Applied Linguistics at Concordia. She is currently halfway through the program with a straight A average. She is a member of a few organizations such as: The National Middle School Association, Fédération des Établissements d’Enseignement Privé, and the Learning Disablilites Association of Quebec.
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell, where his influence stops.”
Henry Brooks Adam
Nathalie Godin, Educator, Pre-K4, French
Madame Natalie graduated in Early Childhood Education from Cégep St-Jérôme. After studying Educational Psychology at l’Université de Montréal and Drama Productions at John Abbott College, she obtained a Certificate from l’Université Laval de Québec in Theatre Dramaturgy . Before joining us, Mme Natalie worked many years as an educator in preschools and teaching French to Anglophones. She then coordinated day care services in a school setting for five years and afterwards became director of a private preschool in Montreal. However, what Mme Natalie prefers is being close to children to listen to them and see them grow every day. With many years of experience in the education and preschool areas with a personal goal of encouraging children to discover and appreciate art, this educator is well-known for organizing projects that stimulate the imagination and reinforce self-esteem.
 Nellie Piotrowski, Kindergarten homeroom teacher
Ms. Piotrowski began working with children more than 20 years ago. She received her first university degree from the University of Ottawa in Psychology and Religion. After graduating with honours in the Early Childhood and Elementary Education program at Concordia University, Miss Piotrowski subsequently worked at various prestigious private schools. While she was raising her young family, Miss Piotrowski worked part-time as a fitness instructor and coordinated a seniors' education program at a non-profit organization. Our kindergarten teacher’s professional and personal experience along with her intense passion for teaching make her a precious part of our team at Écolita Trilingue.
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Brandi-Lee Hicks,
Cycle 2 homeroom teacher, Social Studies specialist
Before completing her Bachelor of Education at McGill University, Ms. Hicks did another Bacherlor’s Degree in Geography at the University of Ottawa. Before joining our team, Ms. Hicks worked in a Montessori school for 4 years.
 Silvia Rubiano, Spanish and Art Specialist
Senora Rubiano studied in the Pre-school Education Program in her native country, Colombia, and she also obtained a Diploma in Psychology of Children Education. Sra Rubiano started her career in Bagota where she taught for 6 years and then moved to Toronto where she taught for 2 years. She had been teaching all our students from pre-school to grade 6 since 2005.
 Amelie Boudreau, CGA, Accountant
Mme Boudreau holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a specialization in accounting. She is also a member of L’Ordre des comptables généraux licenciés. Mme Boudreau is currently on maternity leave.
Paula Mesa, Administrative Assistant
Senora Mesa received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration of Social Services from University of la Sabana in Bogota, Colombia. Before moving to Canada, Senora Mesa was administrative Manager and flight control manager for a large Colombian airline.
 Denis Vaudrin, Écolita’s Grandpa!
Mr. Vaudrin repairs things and refurbishes the old wooden desks and chairs you see throughout the school. Most importantly, he listens to, plays with, and takes care of all the students at Écolita.
Myriam Estensorro
Lunch Monitor, pre-school to grade 6
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