Meet our leadership team

Emina Tihak brings just over 15 years of experience in Ontario's education system to her role as Interim Head of School at Rowntree Montessori Schools. Throughout her career, she has served as a school principal, classroom teacher, and department head, bringing a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and fostering school communities where every learner feels known, supported, and inspired to succeed.

Emina joined Rowntree in the fall of 2025 as Director of Education, and previously served at Lynn-Rose School (an ISP partner school) as the Head of Lower School for six years. A certified principal in Ontario, Emina holds both a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development from the University of Toronto.

Drawing on extensive leadership experience across Ontario's education system, Emina is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to building meaningful partnerships with students, families, and staff. She believes that the strongest school communities are built on trust, kindness, high expectations, and a shared commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.

Outside of school, Emina enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children, travelling, staying active, and creating lasting memories with family and friends. She values community, lifelong learning, and meaningful connections— principles that guide both her personal and professional life.

As Interim Head of School, Emina is honoured to continue serving the Rowntree community and looks forward to working alongside students, families, and staff to build upon the school's strong foundation while inspiring every learner to thrive.  

Glyn Evans is an experienced educator and school leader who is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive and engaging learning environments where students are encouraged to challenge themselves. He holds a Bachelor of Music, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and a Master’s degree in Psychological Sciences.

Glyn joined Rowntree Montessori Schools as a Specialist Music Teacher, teaching students from Kindergarten through Grade 8 and fostering a love of music through singing, instrumental learning and performance. During his time at Rowntree, his role has grown to include Social-Emotional Learning, safeguarding, student wellbeing, behaviour support, staff development and wider school improvement. As Deputy Safeguarding Lead and SEL Lead, he works closely with students, families, colleagues and external professionals to ensure students are supported academically, socially and emotionally.

Glyn has also contributed to the development and implementation of school improvement priorities, supported professional learning for teachers, and coordinated a variety of extracurricular programmes and community events, including band, choir, Leadership Camp and the Festival of the Arts. 

As Deputy Head of School, Glyn is committed to working collaboratively with students, families and colleagues to strengthen a school culture grounded in care, respect, high expectations and continuous improvement. He believes that effective education goes beyond academic achievement, helping young people develop the confi dence, independence, resilience and life skills they need to become successful and compassionate members of their communities and the world.

Shalousha has been part of Rowntree Montessori Schools for over seven years, beginning her career as a Grade 3 teacher before transitioning into Admissions. As a parent of two Rowntree students, she brings both professional and personal insight into what families value most—a caring, supportive community, meaningful connections, and a love of learning. Her classroom experience allows her to understand students’ needs firsthand, while her parent perspective strengthens her ability to guide families thoughtfully through their educational journey.​

Now serving as Director of Admissions, Shalousha is passionate about creating welcoming and informative experiences for every family. She believes that children can reach their dreams when provided with a safe, stimulating learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Shalousha works hard to ensure each family feels supported, connected, and empowered as they become part of the Rowntree community.​

Shalousha’s dedication to nurturing students’ growth, combined with her deep understanding of Rowntree’s culture and values, makes her a trusted partner for families and an advocate for each child’s success.

With 26 years of classroom experience across Sri Lanka and Canada, and four years in leadership focused on Teaching and Learning, Sonali Abey is committed to placing student learning at the centre of every initiative. Her work is driven by a deep passion for developing effective, reflective, and future-ready 21st-century educators who can inspire students to reach their fullest potential.​

An advocate for environmental stewardship, Sonali strives to instill in students a lifelong love for nature and a strong understanding of sustainability. Her philosophy is guided by a quote from the late Jane Goodall, which serves as a daily reminder of the purpose and impact of her work:​
 “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”​

Mrs. Singh-Bowen is a passionate educator with over 38 years of teaching experience, including 28 at Rowntree Montessori School and 10 in Jamaica. She teaches Grade 7 and 8 Math and Science, making learning engaging, fun, and connected to the real world. Beyond the classroom, she organizes school events and serves as SCHILO for International Learning Opportunities, inspiring students and staff with her love for global connections. She looks forward to coming to school every day and sharing her enthusiasm for learning.

Ms. Botelho joined Rowntree Montessori as an Administrative Assistant, bringing with her a warm, student-centered approach and a strong commitment to supporting the day-to-day operations of the school. As one of the friendly faces students see each day, Ms. Botelho plays an important role in shaping the welcoming and positive atmosphere that defines the Rowntree community.​

As an Administrative Assistant, Ms. Botelho contributes to the smooth functioning of the school through her organization, attention to detail, and dedication to creating an efficient and supportive environment for all students, staff, and families. Her approachable nature, kindness, and genuine passion for working with students make her an integral part of the school community.​

Ms. Botelho is excited to continue growing within Rowntree, strengthening her connections with students, and contributing to a school experience where all families and students feel welcomed, valued, and supported throughout.

Henry is the Tech Manager at Rowntree Montessori Schools, bringing over 20 years of experience in the Information Technology sector. Throughout his career, he has held diverse roles across both the Public and Private sectors, equipping him with a wealth of knowledge in navigating the rapidly changing digital landscape. Henry is deeply committed to ensuring that RMS not only meets but exceeds the technology needs of today’s evolving educational environment.​

In addition to his extensive IT expertise, Henry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo. His passion for sustainability and improving the world around him extends beyond his professional life, inspiring him to impart this ethos to the students he works with at RMS—encouraging them to make a positive impact, one step at a time.

My name is Mrs. Burton, and I am delighted to be stepping into the role of' Downtown Campus Coordinator for the 2026-2027 school year.

I have been a proud member of the Rowntree Montessori Schools community since

2015. Throughout my i years at RMS, I have had the privilege of growing as an educator while building meaningful relationships with students, families, and colleagues. The Downtown Campus has been a significant part of my journey, having spent many of my years teaching within its classrooms and community. It holds many wonderful memories for me, making it especially meaningful to continue contributing to its growth and success in this new leadership role.

Beyond the classroom, I have had opportunities to take on a variety of leadership responsibilities. Most recently, I served as a Grade 2 Learning Lead, supporting the implementation of the ISP Life Competencies and collaborating with colleagues through professional development, learning visits, and school-wide initiatives. I have also been actively involved in clubs, special events, open houses, and initiatives that strengthen our school community.

As Downtown Campus Coordinator, Hook forward to bringing my experience, organization, enthusiasm, and understanding of the RMS community to this role. I am committed to being a consistent and approachable presence for our students, staff, and families while continuing the strong sense of community that makes Downtown so special. Open communication, positive relationships, and creating an environment where every student feels known, supported, encouraged, and celebrated will remain at the heart of my approach.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to welcome both new and returning families. Hook forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead!

Dear Parents and Guardians, As we look forward to a new school year, I am pleased to introduce myself as the Central Park Campus Coordinator.

In this role, I look forward to working alongside our students, staff, and families to build a school community grounded in inclusion, respect, safety, and kindness. With 11 years of experience in education as a teacher, Vice Principal, and Head of School, I am excited to take on this new role and to build meaningful relationships with members of our entire school community.

My philosophy of education is rooted in the belief that learning should always be student-centered. Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and I am committed to ensuring that their well-being, growth, and success remain at the forefront of our work as a school family. 

I consider myself a warm, welcoming, and approachable person who genuinely enjoys meeting new people and building connections. Throughout the year, I look forward to getting to know our students and families, listening to your ideas, and working together to make this a positive, successful, and memorable school year for everyone.

Please feel comfortable reaching out to me throughout the year with any questions, concerns, or ideas. Open communication and strong partnerships between home and school are essential to creating a thriving school community, and I look forward to working together with you. Wishing you and your families a wonderful start to the school year!