Margaux Overbeek is our founder and lead guide in the Nido group. After leaving high school, she studied to be a chef and patissier, and then changed course when she became a mother. She has been working with children for 15 years and completed her Montessori Early Childhood qualification through the College of Modern Montessori with distinction in 2016. What she finds most fascinating about children is their incredible potential, and seeing their great minds work and process information. Finding ways to respond to children’s needs in their environment is the most rewarding part for her. Margaux loves being a mom to her 3 young children and cross-training with her husband. She enjoys educating herself; especially on health and nutritional wellness. She also likes to be actively involved in and to help bring about positive change in pressing social issues. She also loves being in nature, especially the bush.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“It is indeed a form of love that gives them the faculty of observing in such an intense and meticulous manner the things in their environment that we, grown cold, pass by unseeing. Is it not a characteristic of love, that sensibility that enables a child to see what others do not see? That collects details that others do not perceive, and appreciates special qualities, which are, as it were, hidden, and which only love can discover? It is because the child’s intelligence assimilates by loving, and not just indifferently, that he can see the invisible. This active, ardent, meticulous, constant absorption in love is characteristic of children.” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Margaux Overbeek is our principal and guide in the Nido group. After leaving high school, she studied to be a chef and patissier, and then changed course when she became a mother. She has been working with children for 15 years and completed her Montessori Early Childhood qualification through the College of Modern Montessori with distinction in 2016. What she finds most fascinating about children is their incredible potential, and seeing their great minds work and process information. Finding ways to respond to children’s needs in their environment is the most rewarding part for her. Margaux loves being a mom to her 3 young children and cross-training with her husband. She enjoys educating herself; especially on health and nutritional wellness. She also likes to be actively involved in and to help bring about positive change in pressing social issues. She also loves being in nature, especially the bush.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“It is indeed a form of love that gives them the faculty of observing in such an intense and meticulous manner the things in their environment that we, grown cold, pass by unseeing. Is it not a characteristic of love, that sensibility that enables a child to see what others do not see? That collects details that others do not perceive, and appreciates special qualities, which are, as it were, hidden, and which only love can discover? It is because the child’s intelligence assimilates by loving, and not just indifferently, that he can see the invisible. This active, ardent, meticulous, constant absorption in love is characteristic of children.” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Sophy Masemene has been with Joyspring since its inception in 2018 and is the assistant in our Nido group. She has also been a part of our principal, Margaux’s, life for over 34 years, helping raise her from age 2. She wanted to be a mom from a very young age, and never had the opportunity to have her own children. Her favourite part about working with children, is being able to express her nurturing nature and being a mom to those in her care. Sophy is a very special person, and the children can certainly feel this. She has a deep respect for culture, especially uBuntu, which is our common humanity, and she is always ready to explain this to others. Sophy is a whizz with babies and so loved by parents that she has weekly arrangements with – taking care of their children at their homes in her free time. She also enjoys time with her family at home, having tea, and always looking for an opportunity to cater for friends and family.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“Adults must defend children. We adults must see the real humanity in children, the humanity which will take our place one day, if we are to have social progress. Social progress means that the next generation is better than the one before.” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Sophy Masemene has been with Joyspring since its inception in 2018 and is the assistant in our Nido group. She has also been a part of our principal, Margaux’s, life for over 34 years, helping raise her from age 2. She wanted to be a mom from a very young age, and never had the opportunity to have her own children. Her favourite part about working with children, is being able to express her nurturing nature and being a mom to those in her care. Sophy is a very special person, and the children can certainly feel this. She has a deep respect for culture, especially uBuntu, which is our common humanity, and she is always ready to explain this to others. Sophy is a whizz with babies and so loved by parents that she has weekly arrangements with – taking care of their children at their homes in her free time. She also enjoys time with her family at home, having tea, and always looking for an opportunity to cater for friends and family.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“Adults must defend children. We adults must see the real humanity in children, the humanity which will take our place one day, if we are to have social progress. Social progress means that the next generation is better than the one before.” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Thandi Ndovu is our toddler guide. She started her Montessori career in 1994, working at Zama Montessori and completed her Montessori Early Childhood qualification through the Sustainability Institute in 2011. She has also completed the Montessori Toddler course through MCSA. Thandi has always had passion for children, as she feels they bring out the inner child in her. The thing she values most about children is that they remind us to take notice of the small things in life and to be proud of our achievements. Thandi has the biggest heart and the smallest heart all at once. She is nurturing, kind, friendly, and a load of fun. In her spare time, Thandi enjoys being with her 3 children who are already grown up. They enjoy watching movies together, doing quizzes, and cooking together.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, “the children are now working as if I do not exist” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Thandi Ndovu is our toddler guide. She started her Montessori career in 1994, working at Zama Montessori and completed her Montessori Early Childhood qualification through the Sustainability Institute in 2011. She has also completed the Montessori Toddler course through MCSA. Thandi has always had passion for children, as she feels they bring out the inner child in her. The thing she values most about children is that they remind us to take notice of the small things in life and to be proud of our achievements. Thandi has the biggest heart and the smallest heart all at once. She is nurturing, kind, friendly, and a load of fun. In her spare time, Thandi enjoys being with her 3 children who are already grown up. They enjoy watching movies together, doing quizzes, and cooking together.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, “the children are now working as if I do not exist” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Josephine Mosima has spent the past 14 years assisting children in Montessori environments. She is currently part of our toddler group. Her soft nature really draws the children to her. The part she treasures most about working with young children is seeing their self-confidence grow every time they achieve something new. She really likes to observe and form bonds with those in her care. In her free time, Josephine likes to write in her journal, attend church, and learn about the world around her.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“Success in life depends, in every case, on self-confidence and the knowledge of one’s own capacity” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Josephine Mosima has spent the past 14 years assisting children in Montessori environments. She is currently part of our toddler group. Her soft nature really draws the children to her. The part she treasures most about working with young children is seeing their self-confidence grow every time they achieve something new. She really likes to observe and form bonds with those in her care. In her free time, Josephine likes to write in her journal, attend church, and learn about the world around her.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“Success in life depends, in every case, on self-confidence and the knowledge of one’s own capacity” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Vickie van der Veen is one of our 3-6 group guides. She is passionate about children’s learning, overall well-being, and safety. She is creative and loves doing art or baking with the Joyspring children. Vickie has been in the field of education for 18 years and has two teenage children. She completed her early childhood qualification for 3-6 year olds through MCSA and also holds a Montessori primary teaching qualification for 6-9 year olds, from Headstart Teacher Training College. Working with children gives her a sense of purpose, and she believes it is important to make a positive impact on the lives of the little people she works with. She enjoys being in nature, working in the garden, and treasures time with her family.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
Vickie van der Veen is one of our 3-6 group guides. She is passionate about children’s learning, overall well-being, and safety. She is creative and loves doing art or baking with the Joyspring children. Vickie has been in the field of education for 18 years and has two teenage children. She completed her early childhood qualification for 3-6 year olds through MCSA and also holds a Montessori primary teaching qualification for 6-9 year olds, from Headstart Teacher Training College. Working with children gives her a sense of purpose, and she believes it is important to make a positive impact on the lives of the little people she works with. She enjoys being in nature, working in the garden, and treasures time with her family.
Favourite Montessori quote:
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed” ~ Dr Maria Montessori
