_{Visit our classrooms}

Our staff: School Year 2005/06

     at China World Campus       

at China World Campus 

Paula Zhou,            

          My name is Paula Zhou and I am principal and Primary teacher here at The China World Trade Center Campus of The Children’s House. I am originally from Wales in the UK, but having married and settled here, I now regard China as home. I have been with The Children’s House since February 2003, and have been in China for the past 7 years, all the while working with early learners. I studied Montessori pedagogy with the Montessori Center International and I hold a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wales.

            Having worked in China for quite some time, I feel that the Montessori approach is most definitely the way forward for this fantastic nation, an approach which helps the children learn, grow and become amazing individuals.

            When I first came to China, I spent months beforehand poring over a multitude of books trying to learn something about its culture. I imagined a romantic and mysterious land that I would be able to travel and experience for a year or two. Nothing prepared me for what I saw and what I experienced. I fell so in love with the people, the culture and the way of life that culture shock these days is what happens when I go back home to Wales!

Personally, I feel that I am able to offer the children here at The Children’s House the opportunity of realizing their own personalities. I believe that every child – every person – is an individual and each and every one of us should celebrate the miraculous beauty of the journey that a child makes from infanthood to adulthood. The space, the freedom, the environment and the non-judgmental attitude of all of the staff at The Children’s House helps to make this journey smoother and more comfortable.

Over the next year I hope to bring more love and cultural understanding to my classroom. I see my children learning holistically about life and the environment that surrounds them through each and every area of our curriculum.

Nursery Class

Coming from Canada, China has always held a fascination for me- its history, its philosophies and its unique culture. A keen interest in words led me to a Bachelor of Arts with Education and English as majors and a TESOL certificate. So, in 1999, I combined my education background with my interest for China and set off for Guangzhou. There I taught English as a second language in Primary schools and kindergartens for five years.

I was then offered the opportunity to teach in the newly formed Nursery Class here at the Children’s House Montessori Kindergarten in Beijing. To interact with little ones who have been exposed to many languages and to see how they respond to English, was of great interest to me.

I am presently enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program of The Montessori Centre International. Coming here has given me the opportunity to investigate this field of education. For the Nursery class, I wish to continue to provide a warm, safe place where these little ones can explore and find their voice in as many languages as possible.

As well as the Nursery Class, I am also involved in the after-school Music Classes and after-school English Classes as well as the recently implemented Reception Program. I have a Grade 9 Certificate in Royal Conservatory for piano, and in the past have taught piano as well as being a church music director.

I want these music classes to set a foundation for further instrument or vocal studies. I would like to promote experiencing different types of music, experimenting with sound and rhythm, as well as giving the children appreciation of music.

For the after-school English classes, I want to provide a happy, non-threatening environment and to break down the possible intimidation of a new language so that the children are able to start expressing themselves with confidence.

Our new Reception classes combine the Montessori teaching method with the traditional school curriculum. Within the Literacy classes, I hope to secure the fundamentals of reading and writing so that our children can enter primary school without hesitation or doubt.

I am joined in the Nursery classroom this year by Selina, Lidia and Huan Huan.

I am Hilary Smith and I have been a Montessori Teacher with the      Children’s House since September 2003. Six years ago I spent over    a month traveling in China. I enjoyed it so much and am now very    happy to be working here. There are so many changes happening in    Beijing and it is, indeed, an exciting city in which to live.

I graduated from the Montessori Centre International in London and hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Education and Diploma in Professional Advanced Studies. I have now been teaching for 14 years in Primary/Elementary school, Kindergarten and Pre-school. My teaching career started in Scotland before teaching internationally in Australia, Japan and China.

  Having had previous experience of working with a variety of early education methods, I am totally committed to the Montessori philosophy. My aim is to create a happy and secure environment, carefully prepared in a way which meets the needs of the children. In this environment children are free to choose materials which will help their development socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Each day the children are surrounded by English language in the form of songs, stories, games, discussions, Montessori presentations and language materials.

  From my experience of international school education I believe that it offers children a wealth of experiences and opportunities. In the warm, comfortable, friendly atmosphere of the Children’s House, children are provided with an environment which helps them to grow in their own special way. It is indeed a great joy to work with the staff and children of the Children’s House.

  I am joined in the Reception Class this year by Lily and Gracie.