Staff Profiles

Stephanie Garrett

Head Teacher

Early in my teaching career a poem inspired the question, Do trees have feelings? Several days later, during a maths lesson, a seven-year-old put his hand up and announced, “Trees do have feelings, because when you see them in the woods together they are holding hands.” The depth of children’s thinking has always astonished me, and inspired my own learning quest. I believe it was inevitable that this quest would lead to Dr Montessori’s work, someone whose respect for children’s minds led her to develop her own educational system. Since becoming a Montessori teacher I am startled on a daily basis by children’s thoughts.

I am a dual national with British and American citizenship and have lived in the UK for most of my life. I was born and grew up in Venezuela with parents who nurtured a delight in the exotic plants and creatures found there. However, I can still remember finding my first European apple tree miraculous because you did not have to evade big spiders to get to the fruit. Four years in art college gave me a lifelong appreciation of the arts. I am also an avid reader of children’s as well as other literature. When not in the classroom I can either be found on the beach, or in the woods under those affectionate trees.

Anshu Dinodiya

Assistant Teacher

Anshu has completed her Diploma in Elementary Montessori Teaching (6-9 years) from India in 2008. She has worked for 4 years as co-head teacher in a montessori school in India and also at another montessori school in London last year before joining Paint Pots in January 2011. 

She holds a Masters in Management from London School of Economics and has keen interest in fine arts and graphic design; yoga and travelling.

Gidon Shikler

Music Teacher

My name is Gidon Shikler – citizen of the world! I was born in Holland, was raised in California and Holland, and have also spent a lot of time in Israel. I teach music at Paint Pots House Nursery and at Paint Pots Chelsea primary school. I am very passionate and involved in music on many levels. Along with teaching music at Paint Pots, I write, record and perform original songs with my band here in London. I am also a professional photographer who has captured images ranging from weddings to Hollywood film sets.

I began teaching at a young age, starting out as a tennis instructor at the age of 13. Over the last few years I have taught music and art for high school students in Los Angeles, and was also a soccer instructor for children ranging from 3 years to 7 years of age. I love playing sports such as soccer and basketball; cooking healthy delicious food; practicing Tai Chi and Chi Gung; going for walks and backpacking in the natural elements; reading inspiring books about life, and most of all – playing music. 

Fan Yang Tan

Mandarin Teacher

Ni hao! My name is Fan, and I am from the coldest part of China, where winter is almost half year and where children build snow castle and play ice slide. My passion in teaching Mandarin is to engage children in the fun process of learning and through games and activities to give them a sense of successfulness for that Mandarin always has a ‘reputation’ of difficulty.  As a matter of fact I am so excited that I am able to share with children that Mandarin is not difficult but logical and learning Mandarin could be a great joy!

Ellie Misselbrook

School Administrator

Ellie graduated from a BA honours Acting degree at Leeds University in 2005. Ellie has always loved the creative arts and is extremely passionate about comedy, last year Ellie performed in the comedy farce ‘A Flea in her Ear’ at the Questor’s theatre where she is currently a member. Ellie is very fond of children and fascinated by psychology and is currently training to be a child psychotherapist. In her spare time Ellie loves dancing, visiting the Theatre, skiing and sailing. Ellie loves being part of a team at Paint Pots and is always here to listen, support and help with any school enquiries.