木瓜直播

Workshop A1: Designing Play-Based and Inquiry-Focused Before and After-School Programs Through Professional Learning Communities

Jamie Wagler, OCT, RECE is an experienced Early Childhood Education leader with over 13 years in the field. She is the owner of Miss Jamie Consulting, a supervisor at Stratford Nursery School, and a part-time instructor at Sheridan College and Conestoga College. As a passionate advocate for playbased learning and professional development, Jamie specializes in creating innovative before and after-school programs and supporting educators through Professional Learning Communities.

Workshop A4 - How shaping learning environments, shapes learning

Bridgitte Alomes is the CEO and founder of values-based learning solutions company Natural Pod, a local BC business that manufactures educational furniture. Natural Pod strives to enhance the wellbeing of students by addressing the needs of learners and educators from early childhood into elementary and beyond in educational environments. Bridgitte is a thought leader in the design of learning spaces that encourage the development of agency, foster collaboration and promote openended play and has given talks around North America on sustainable spaces. Her focus is on the creation of inspiring spaces for learners and educators regardless of location, pedagogy or demographic.

Jennifer Friesen is an educational leader dedicated to advancing high-quality, equitable, and inclusive early childhood programs. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and a Masters of Education in Literacy from Queen’s University and is currently completing a Certificate in Early Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Jennifer has been leading the integration of child care into the K-12 system in School District 22 through her district’s participation in a variety of Ministry of Education and Child Care funded programs, pilots, and inquiries for the past 5 years.

Workshop A5: Partnering with Families

Theresa Martyn is a certified ECE with over 17 years in the sector. She is currently co-facilitating the West Kelowna 木瓜直播Peer Mentoring CoP. Theresa specializes in supporting and educating both families and educators on how to support children with cognitive exceptionalities. She was a key contributor in the development of the Can-ASSIST Behaviour in the Early Years professional development course on the Provincial Early Years Professional Development Hub. Her background and education helps educators and families to look deeper into the child's world and needs.

Carla Hees is a certified ECE and began her ECE professional career over 40 years ago. Carla is currently an ECE Instructor at Sprott Shaw College in Kelowna and the Sprott Shaw College Provincial Program Curriculum Development Administrator. Carla’s passion is to engage with and empower ECE’s throughout the Province of BC. Carla is the past President of ECEBC, Past 木瓜直播Branch Chair in Powell River, Best Choices Ethical Journey Guide, past participant of the 3rd Cohort of the 木瓜直播Leadership Initiative and is currently the Co- Facilitator of the 木瓜直播Peer Mentoring West Kelowna CoP.

Workshop B1 Brain Architecture

Amy Nicholas brings 19 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, with roles as an Educator, Director, Accreditation Validator, and ECE workshop presenter. She is deeply committed to creating high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environments and promoting professional growth within the early childhood education community. Passionate about empowering both children and educators, Amy advocates for standards that foster lifelong learning, excellence, and the continuous improvement of early childhood practices.

Workshop B2 - Story Stones

Beulah Smith has been and Early Childhood Educator working in the field for over 30 years. Her experience includes working in a variety of childcare settings, owning and operating her own preschool and multi-age childcare then later managing a 119 space extended hours childcare center. Her passion for teaching and inspiring colleagues began during her work with the Childcare Resource and Referral program. Beulah is an Ethical Journey Guide for 木瓜直播and for the past 7 years, the Early Learning Coordinator for School District 27.  She is committed to offering play-based learning, professional development opportunities to Educators throughout the region. “Inspiring others along their learning journey as educators brings me great joy”.

Workshop B3 - Power of Indigenous Foods

Qwustenuxun is a passionate Indigenous Foods educator, who had the privilege of spending much of his youth with his late grandmother, immersed in Salish culture. After graduating from culinary school he spent more than a decade working in restaurants across BC. Before he moved back home to Cowichan to take the role of Elder’s Kitchen Manager. Now, after more than 13 years of cooking for the Cowichan elders, Qwustenuxun works as an Indigenous foods educator, writer, and consultant for various universities, ministries and health authorities.

Most recently Qwustenuxun won several Canadian Online Publishing Awards, gave a TEDX talk on the power of Indigenous Foods, presented at the UN World Food Forum in Rome, and was elected as the chair of the Indigenous Advisory Council to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. But, most importantly, when he is not working on furthering Indigenous food sovereignty. Qwustenuxun spends much of his time with his wife and children on their small hobby farm in Cowichan.

Workshop B4 - Queering circle time: Research-based lesson planning with LGBTQ+ picture books

Cayley Burton is an Early Childhood Educator, advocate, researcher, writer, and consultant. Holding a Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Cayley has worked with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates on the federally funded project called "Exploring the Provision of Flexible Child Care Within BC’s New Universal Child Care System".

Workshop B5 - Getting children outside!

Jodi Eskelin is a keen outdoor enthusiast, sharing her passion for nature with both children and educators. Creating strong connections to space is integral in her practice with others.

Workshop C1: Flexible Child Care Project - $10aDay

Sharon Gregson is the provincial spokesperson for the successful $10aDay Child Care campaign in BC. She operated child care programs for several decades and was twice elected to the Vancouver Board of Education. She is well-known to be a feminist, skilled in campaign strategy, government and stakeholder relations, and sits on several Boards including the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada.

Cayley Burton is an Early Childhood Educator, advocate, researcher, writer, and consultant. Holding a Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Cayley has worked with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates on the federally funded project called "Exploring the Provision of Flexible Child Care Within BC’s New Universal Child Care System".

Workshop C3 - Pathways of Truth-A Reflection

Cathy Balatti, a member of the Haisla Nation is an uninvited guest residing on the unceded, unsurrendered lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwe虛pemc. She is an Indigenous early years professional with over three decades of experience, who is working toward a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care.

A group of Early Years professionals from the communities of Revelstoke and Golden are dedicated to exploring decolonized practices and fostering deep, reflective dialogue. Guided by Cathy Balatti’s lived experiences and the ongoing realities of Indigenous peoples, the group creates a space for truth telling and self-awareness. Through their work, they aim to understand and address the challenges of inequality, discrimination, and oppression that Indigenous peoples continue to face. Their collective efforts focus on raising awareness and inspiring change at the personal, organizational, and sector-wide levels.

Workshop C6 - Filling Your Spaces: Smart Marketing Strategies for Childcare Professionals

Kristen Eden is the former owner of both a daycare center and a before-and-after school care program, she offers a unique perspective on marketing strategies shaped by firsthand experience in the childcare industry. Having transitioned to a career in digital marketing, she has worked with businesses across a variety of industries, gaining valuable insights into strategies that drive growth. Ultimately, she has chosen to focus exclusively on marketing for childcare businesses, as this is the industry she most deeply loves and understands. If she had known then what she know now, it would've saved her plenty of headaches! Her desire is to empower and educate daycare owners with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their own marketing, helping them grow their businesses while staying connected to the families they serve.