Owner/Founder/Head Directress

Kindred Spirits Montessori School is the first program of its kind in a town this size in Alberta, and it’s a vision that’s been shaped by both prairie roots and global inspiration.

I grew up in Alberta, surrounded by a rich family legacy of farmers and educators. My deep affection for the prairies runs generations deep—but like many with adventurous hearts, my partner and I set off for the West Coast over 30 years ago. After decades immersed in the beauty of British Columbia, we returned to Alberta in 2019 to be closer to extended family and rediscover the quiet magic of prairie life.

My Montessori journey began at the Western Montessori Teachers’ College in Vancouver, a satellite of the renowned St. Nicholas Montessori Centre in London, England. I trained under Professor Emeritus Carol Scarratt—still my mentor and kindred spirit—who was herself trained in the lineage of Maria Montessori. I’m proud to be a fourth-generation Montessori teacher and honored to have graduated top of my class, with high distinction. I also completed my Early Childhood Education training at Vancouver Community College and went on to serve as a Casa Directress, Head Directress, and Administrator in several respected Montessori schools across Vancouver for over a decade.

After starting a family, I poured my Montessori and musical training into homeschooling my two sons for more than 20 years. Alongside that, I worked as a preschool music teacher, led Young Naturalist Clubs in the Lower Mainland, and volunteered extensively in both Vancouver and Calgary. My commitment to child-centered education has been both professional and deeply personal.

Kindred Spirits Montessori was born from a desire to offer something truly special: a high-quality, city-caliber Montessori education in a small-town Alberta setting. It’s a place where children are known, nurtured, and inspired—where prairie warmth meets world-class learning.

Warmly,

Karen James