Our School

Rosa

Rosa is the Kindergarten-Preschool teacher at Escola Portuguesa Nossa Senhora de Fatima. With nearly 40 years dedicated to building strong connections with both typical and developmentally challenged children and their families.

Her goal is to spark wonder and develop early language skills in a playful environment. She introduces cultural experiences and loves to play traditional games. Learning happens through storytelling and bringing creativity to all activities.

Rosa grew up in Vancouver and is also an alumna of this school, having attended for 9 years in the 1980s. Those classes aided in her move to Portugal where she lived with her husband and son for 18 years. Upon returning to Vancouver, she joined the Portuguese School team and has enjoyed creating a safe and happy space for the little ones.

Aurelia

Aurelia Silva has over 30 years of experience in the field of education. She was born in France, where she spent her early childhood, and later moved to Portugal with her family at the age of 12. Raised in a bilingual household, she became fluent in both Portuguese and French, as her parents spoke exclusively Portuguese at home.

In Portugal, Aurelia taught children and adults of all ages, working with both beginner and intermediate learners. She pursued her academic and professional training at the University of Coimbra (Portugal), International House in Lisbon (Portugal), Langara College (Vancouver), and Vancouver Community College.

During the week, Aurelia works as a Junior Kindergarten Coordinator at the Az-Zahraa Islamic Academy in Richmond. On Saturdays, she teaches Portuguese for Grade 1 and 2 students at Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese School, where she has been an instructor for the past 13 years and the school director for the past 6 years. In addition, she is actively involved in the Portuguese community, particularly through events at the Portuguese Cultural Centre in Burnaby.

Portugal holds a special place in Aurelia's heart, as it is both her home and her passion. She spends every summer there, cherishing time with family and friends while enjoying the country's rich culture, beaches, landscapes, climate, Fado music, cuisine, and traveling throughout the country from north to south.

Outside of her professional life, Aurelia enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, two amazing adult daughters, and three wonderful grandchildren. Her hobbies include arts and crafts, sewing dresses, knitting, crochet, painting, reading, and listening to music.

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.

Lisandra

Lisandra Dora Silva e Sousa holds a PhD in Iberian-Hispanics Studies (Queen Mary, University of London, 2016). Her doctoral project pivoting round Portuguese modernist Fernando Pessoa was fully funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the national public agency that supports research in science, technology, and innovation in all areas of knowledge. She also has a MLitt in Modernities from the University of Glasgow, a BA in English, a CELTA, an Independent Schools Teaching Certificate to teach in BC, inter alia. For the past 20 years she has been teaching in the UK and in Canada, which includes lecturing posts at the The King’s University (Canada), Grant MacEwan University (Canada), and the University of Glasgow (UK).

Currently, Lisandra is working for a local private school as a teacher of English, Social Studies, ELL (English Language Learning) and modern languages. Lisandra has also been teaching Portuguese to children on Saturdays at Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese School. She is also a professional interpreter and translator with teaching experience in public and private schools.

Lisandra is also a collaborator for the Centre for English, Translation, and Anglo-Portuguese Studies (CETAPS) which is a dynamic research centre that brings together integrated members and collaborators from institutions of higher education around the world, promoting research and activities with high national and international reach. Lisandra participates in national and international conferences and publishes in refereed journals. To learn more about Lisandra's teaching and publishing accomplishments, please refer to her profile on the CETAPS website: https://www.cetaps.com/lisandra-sousa/

In her free time, Lisandra likes to read and write and go on nature walks with her family.

Manuela

Manuela Mowlavi has worked in the education sector for over 20 years. She was born and raised in Portugal and lived there for most of her life. Manuela acquired a degree in Education from the University of Porto, Portugal and taught in the Portuguese school system before moving to Canada. She then lived in Calgary for several years before moving to Vancouver in 2013.

Manuela has had extensive experience in her field; teaching in both English schools and Portuguese schools. She has been the curriculum leader at the Escola Portuguesa de Língua e Cultura de Calgary, and through eight years, taught grades 1 through 8. She also contributed greatly to the Portuguese community in Calgary, by planning and coordinating major events such as the Portuguese school's year-end celebrations, and holiday events that promoted the school and its activities

All of her life, Manuela has been invested in the field of education, from elementary school to the high-school level, and currently works as an instructor at an university. She also has been teaching Portuguese for grades 3 to 6 at Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese School on Saturdays for the past 10 years.

Throughout her career, Manuela has strived to improve her students' performance and develop innovative approaches to enhance the learning experience. She always puts her students' needs at the forefront. Her empowering teaching methods have allowed her to guide a diverse range of students towards success and a fruitful education.

Lina

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 [hyperlink], apoiando o seu percurso académico e cultural.