ELC Staff Biographies
Mrs. Kate Lloyd, Manager/ECE
Certificate/Qualification:Early Childhood Education Licence to Practice, First Aid, Simply Accounting
Since childhood Mrs. Lloyd dreamt of being a mom and opening up her own child care centre. Once Kate completed her Early Childhood Education certificate in Kamloops, B.C. she enjoyed working in an Elementary School and for the Ministry of Children and Families as a child care worker for five years in her home town of Clearwater, B.C..
Mrs. Lloyd’s career took a change in direction when she started working as an office manger/bookkeeper for a construction/lowbedding company. In 2003 her family moved to Nanaimo and she held an office manger/bookkeeping position again until she started at Aspengrove in 2008.
Mrs. Lloyd now believes she has the best of both worlds; balancing her management/booking interest and also being able to practice her ECE in an atmosphere that strives for excellence and always provides the highest level of quality care and education for their children.
Mrs. Trina Reynolds, Junior Kindergarten 3 & 4 Educator/ ECE PYP Coordinator
Certificate/Qualification:Early Childhood Education Licence to Practice, First Aid
“It excites me to see the children at Aspengrove grow as individuals – to build confidence within themselves, to show their creativity and to become contributing members of their community.”
Mrs. Reynolds teaches the Jr. Kindergarten 3 and 4 year old programmes. In 2003 she graduated with honours in Early Childhood Education at Lethbridge Community College. Before coming to Aspengrove, Mrs. Reynolds ran her own preschool and her own family child care centre for 5 years. She has also worked with the Child Development Centre as a support worker and looks at each child as an individual with unique needs of their own. She is trained in the ‘Let’s talk about touching’ program and has taken many workshops and IB training opportunities. Mrs. Reynolds is currently working with the Early Learning Centre staff to bring IB into their programs. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner and enjoys new journeys and challenges along life’s path.
Ms. Yuko Ishii
Certificate/Qualification: BA in English Language, Early Childhood Education Licence to Practice with Infant & Toddler and Special Needs Certificate, First Aid
Ms. Ishii received her Bachelor of Arts in English Language from Tamagawa University in Tokyo, Japan. During her second year of University, she came to Nanaimo as an exchange student and fell in love with Vancouver Island. After graduating, she decided to come back to Nanaimo and study Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) at VIU. In 2004, she had an opportunity to volunteer at Aspengrove Jr. Kindergarten 3 & 4 year old Program. Graduating from ECEC at Malaspina in 2007, Ms. Ishii has been working in the Infant Program ever since bringing Japanese culture through songs and games, Yuko shares multiculturalism and diversity into children’s lives.
You will find Ms. Ishii being active outdoors! Catching waves and cruising the beautiful west coast in her Jetta or out in her yard gardening- no, not flowers but the edible kind. She plays her favorite sports; softball, baseball and swimming as often as possible and is always open to trying out new ones! At the end of the day, Yuko relaxes her body with power yoga.Yuko has an inquisitive sprit and an open mind. Seeing the world and its people in a way that makes the world a better place.
Ms. Jessica Gutierrez
Certificate/Qualification: Early Childhood Education License to Practice with Infant/Toddler and Special Needs, First Aid
After always having a love for children, Ms. Gutierrez decided to enroll in the Early Childhood Education and Care program at Malaspina University-College. Ms. Gutierrez received her diploma in 2007 and immediately began working in the field. Ms. Gutierrez has had the opportunity to work with several different age groups; which included a 3-5 preschool program, kindergarten program, and OSC program.
In 2009 she joined the Aspengrove Early Learning team and was placed in the Infant program. During her time as an educator in the program Ms. Gutierrez has found it both challenging and rewarding in so many ways.
Having both parents born in Mexico, she has had the chance to share her Spanish background through songs and simple vocabulary with the children, something she’s always enjoyed doing.
Ms Gutierrez looks forward to continuing in the field of childcare as each day working with children has proven to her that she has made the right career choice. Through their growth and learning Ms. Gutierrez has become the educator that she is today.
Ms. Natasha Fair
Certificate/Qualification: Early Childhood Education License to Practice with Infant/Toddler and Special Needs, First Aid
In 2009 Ms. Natasha Fair graduated from Vancouver Island University with a diploma in Early Childhood Education as well as her Infant Toddler and Special Needs. She is now working in the infant program which is for children aged 3-24 months.
Ms. Fair’s previous work experience includes working as a live out nanny for two young children and working for the Boys and Girls Club of Vancouver Island.
Ms. Fair spends a lot of her time volunteering with her youth group, non-profit organizations, and with those in need. She is very dedicated and loyal in leading and caring for young children both inside and out of the classroom. She has a love for the outdoors, music, and traveling. She enjoys sharing special treasures with her program that the children enjoy and learn from.
“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.”
Walt Streightiff
Ms. Veronica Smith
Certificate/Qualification:Certificate 111 in Children’s Services-Australian Child Care Career
“I believe every child is our responsibility and we come together to create ideal environments to provide for them. Learning is fun, and I myself very much enjoy being a part of it”
Ms. Smith received her certificate 111 in Children’s Services in Australia and is currently in the process of applying her Australian qualifications to the ECEBC standards. With 6 years experience back home, working with ages ranging from 6 weeks to 5 years, Ms. Smith is very enthusiastic in experiencing Child Care here in Canada.
Ms. Smith brings her happy personality, with that “Down Under” Aussie charm into the classroom, sharing with the children a different slice of life.
Curiosity and a love of travel and the world unknown, learning and sharing is what Veronica is all about.
“Curiosity killed the Cat” … Thank goodness I’m not a Cat.
Ms. Maria Valekova
Certificate/Qualification: Early Childhood Education License to Practice with Infant/Toddler, First Aid
Ms. Valekova believes that every child is a unique individual that has a right to a safe and nurturing environment where he/she can learn and grow at his/her own individual pace.
Ms. Valekova graduated with honors from Pedagogical Institute in Levice, Slovakia and has over 30 years of experience working with children in various settings. Prior to arriving at Aspengrove ELC Maria spent over 13 years working at SFU Childcare Society with infants and toddlers.Ms. Valekova is a member of ECEBC and Childcare Advocates.
Ms. Valekova enjoys doing art activities with young children, who constantly amaze her with their unique way of seeing the world and how everything works.
Some of Maria’s favorite hobbies include running, skiing, traveling and reading.
Miss Jennifer Bennett
Certificate/Qualification: Early Childhood Education License to Practice, Special Needs certificate, First Aid
Miss Bennett arrived to Nanaimo in 2009 after completing her Early Childhood Education Diploma at the Okanagan College in Kelowna. Originally from Prince Rupert, BC she has a diverse and open background in the Native Culture.
Miss Bennett brings spunk and enthusiasm to the Aspengrove Early Years Centre believing that everyday is a new learning experience for children.
Jennifer enjoys incorporating music and movement into her daily routine. When she is not working she loves the great out doors that BC has to offer, enjoying camping, hiking, rock climbing and the beautiful scenery.
Miss Grace Beal
Certificate/Qualification: Early Childhood Education Licence to Practice, First Aid
Miss Beal has always loved working with children. She started volunteering at Aspengrove after her first year at the University of Victoria. After her second year, she switched her studies to Early Childhood Education at Sprott Shaw Community College. Miss Beal has been working in the Early Learning Centre at Aspengrove since September 2010, where she started in the Toddler program before transitioning to the Jr. Kindergarten program.
Miss Beal loves the outdoors and loves to help the children discover the wonders and beauty of the world around us.
“Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.” Ron Wild
Ms. Leah Becker
Certificate/Qualification: Early Childhood Education and Care, Infant/Toddler Care, First Aid
Ms. Becker grew up in Powell River, BC and spent a year living in Brazil when she was a teenager. After spending much of her life volunteering with children in different settings and completing two years of studies in psychology at Vancouver Island University, Ms. Becker worked for a year in Before and After School Care at Kidz Company Childcare Centre and after which, she decided to switch her degree from Psychology to Early Childhood Education where she graduated in 2010. After obtaining her Early Childhood Education degree, Ms. Becker continued working at Kidz Kompany as well as Enchanged Woodlands, Wiggles and Giggles and NICC. In September 2011 Ms. Becker joined the Aspengrove Early Learning Centre team and says ‘I am having a great time and continuing to learn about children and myself!’.
Mrs. Alison Strobl
Certificate/Qualification: Early Childhood Education License to Practice, Child Safety First Aid
Alison graduated with honors from the Early Childhood Education and Care Program at Malaspina University-College in 2005. She is continuing her education at Vancouver Island University where she will complete her degree in Child and Youth Care. Alison believes in improving herself through ongoing education and experience and is dedicated to providing quality childcare.
“When you teach a child something, you take away forever his chance of discovering it for himself.” — Jean Piaget