Our School - Escola Portuguesa Nossa Senhora de Fátima

For over 50 years, Escola Nossa Senhora de Fátima has been a welcoming and inspiring place where children and young people learn, grow, and connect deeply with the Portuguese language and culture. Our school fosters a sense of belonging while encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning through meaningful and shared experiences.

Portuguese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, ranking among the top six globally. Learning Portuguese is a powerful and enriching journey that introduces children to new ways of thinking, cultural awareness, and lifelong skills. From an early age, language learning strengthens cognitive abilities such as memory, problem-solving, and mental flexibility, while also enhancing communication skills and self-confidence. Being bilingual or multilingual supports academic success and prepares children to thrive in an increasingly global society.

At Escola Nossa Senhora de Fátima, we play an essential role in this journey by offering a supportive, engaging, and immersive learning environment. Children learn naturally through play, interaction, and meaningful experiences. Guided by dedicated teachers, age-appropriate methods, and a strong connection to Portuguese culture, each child is encouraged to feel motivated, valued, and proud of their progress. We help build confidence in their heritage while laying a strong foundation for future learning, personal growth, and global citizenship.

Our Teachers

Lina Couto Cunha

Chamo-me Lina Couto Cunha e sou professora na Escola Portuguesa de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, em Vancouver. Dou aulas para os alunos A1/A2 com idades entre os 12 e os 16 anos.

Nasci e cresci nos Açores, onde desenvolvi desde cedo uma forte ligação à educação e à língua portuguesa. Concluí a minha licenciatura em Educação de Infância pela Universidade dos Açores, formação que me proporcionou bases sólidas na pedagogia, no desenvolvimento infantil e na prática educativa.

Após me mudar para o Canadá, continuei a aprofundar a minha formação, realizando a equivalência em Early Childhood Education and Care pela Capilano University, na Colúmbia Britânica. Esta formação adicional permitiu-me integrar plenamente o sistema educativo canadiano e compreender as práticas de apoio à diversidade e inclusão infantil.

Atualmente, trabalho como Coordenadora do Supported Child Development Program na região de Tri-Cities, onde colaboro com famílias, centros infantis, escolas e profissionais de várias áreas para promover o desenvolvimento e a inclusão de crianças com necessidades diversas. Paralelamente, ensino na Escola Portuguesa de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, onde, movida pela minha paixão pela língua portuguesa, preparo jovens para os exames CAPLE, apoiando o seu percurso académico e cultural.

Rosa Marques

My name is Rosa Marques and I am the Kindergarten-Preschool teacher at Escola Portuguesa Nossa Senhora de Fatima. I have dedicated almost 40 years to building strong connections with both typical and developmentally challenged children and their families.

My goal is to spark wonder and develop early language skills in a playful environment. I introduce cultural experiences and love to play traditional games. We learn thru story telling and bringing creativity to all our activities. I hope that your child will surprise family members with the few words that they have learned each week and strengthen the bond they have to our heritage.

I grew up in Vancouver and am also an alumnus of this school as I attended for 9 years back in the 80's. Those classes aided in my move to Portugal where I lived with my husband and son for 18 years. Upon our return to Vancouver, I joined the Portuguese School team and have enjoyed creating a safe and happy space for our little ones. I look forward to a wonderful partnership in your child's education.

Rosa Anita

Originally from Portugal, I bring a diverse professional background and a strong commitment to education. I am a qualified Early Childhood Educator (ECE) with Montessori certification and also hold a degree in Accounting and Administration.

In 2018, I made a purposeful transition into the field of education, where I discovered my true passion—working with children and supporting their learning and development. I began my educational journey in the United Kingdom, where I worked as a Teaching Assistant and Midday Meals Supervisor. These roles provided me with valuable experience supporting children's academic, social, and emotional development in a structured school environment.

In 2023, I embraced a specialized role as a Portuguese language teacher for non-Portuguese speakers at a dedicated Portuguese School. In this position, I supported students in developing their Portuguese language skills while fostering a meaningful connection to Portuguese culture and identity.

Currently, I work as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE). My training and professional experience have strengthened my ability to create nurturing, engaging, and inclusive learning environments that respect each child's individuality and promote holistic development. My time working in England played an important role in shaping my educational approach and reinforcing my dedication to early childhood education.

I am known for my strong organizational skills, reliability, adaptability, and positive work ethic. I thrive in dynamic environments and value collaboration within committed and supportive educational teams.

Outside of my professional role, I enjoy activities that enrich both my personal life and my work with children. I have a longstanding passion for arts and crafts, which allows me to express creativity and bring ideas to life in the classroom. I also enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures, as well as spending time in nature, where I find inspiration and balance.

My multifaceted background reflects my commitment to continuous learning and a holistic approach to education. I am excited to continue contributing to a Portuguese School environment that values language, culture, and the development of young learners.

Volunteers & Guest Speakers

Our school welcomes student volunteers who assist in classrooms, particularly with the youngest children. These volunteers are often high school or college/university students. Occasionally, we have visits from our coordinator, book editors, and other special guests. Students greatly benefit from these visits, and the visitors are always excited to join our school.

Parents or grandparents who would like to come to a classroom as a guest speaker, to talk about their profession, lead an activity, or read a storybook, are welcome. Please let us know, and we will arrange it.