Our Team

Home About Us Our Team
Meet Our Amazing Team

We’re proud of our remarkable team of high quality early childhood education specialists. Take a moment to get to know them.

Shelley
Assistant Manager, Early Childhood Educator

I have been in the Early Childhood Education field for 26 years. During this time, I have had many roles, with each one teaching me new skills. In 2003, I was asked to develop and implement a new program that would be used throughout Canada. That program was a huge success and is now being used across the country, including the LINC program for new immigrants.

As program manager, I have guided staff and families working with children on the autism spectrum, downs syndrome, and other exceptionalities. I have also been an educational assistant and taught sign language to new parents and children. In all my years, I continue to use sign language in all my programs which I have found helps children communicate more effectively and raise their self-esteem.

I have always loved the outdoors and nature and it is not uncommon to see a group of children and myself exploring our environment and bringing nature indoors for further exploration. Children in my care have made stick shelters, animals homes, dams, and ecosystems using materials found on walks or around the child care centre.

As for my family I am lucky enough to have been with my husband for the last 30 years. We have 2 grown children; our son is 26 and our daughter is 21. As a family we enjoy fishing, camping, and 4×4-ing throughout the year.

Karli
Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Educator

I have been working here for over four years and absolutely love all the parents and children I have met thus far.

I have sixteen years of work experience beginning as a nanny and teaching a variety of children’s programs. I was a preschool teacher for 7 years, which was a great growing opportunity for me in a classroom setting. I taught Junior Kindergarten but I was looking for a less structured, more Reggio play based program, which is how I ended up at Pebble Lane.

Something I am really passionate about is cooking with children. For the past 15 years I have dedicated my Saturday mornings to teaching a 3-5 program at the YMCA called Little Chefs. I really enjoy cooking and instilling that same wonder and enjoyment in children. I do not have any children of my own however I am a godmother to my niece and nephew, whom I am very lucky to see on a regular basis. In my spare time I love going on outdoor adventures and finding new places to explore with my dog Kaida. I also grew up as a dancer and love to dance whenever I get the opportunity.

I currently hold my ECE License to Practice, current First Aid and have completed my course work in Infant /Toddler however I still need to complete my practicums.

Svetlana
Early Childhood Educator

I am an experienced Early Childhood Educator, and have successfully owned and operated my own licensed multi-age child care centre for 11 years. I am also experienced working as an ECE and IT teacher in a variety of well established child care centres in the White Rock area. I have assisted many children in their
development, and fostered countless positive relationships with parents in my community. I have pursued a high level of education in psychology, education, and creative art.

I have spent the majority of my life with children, first with my own son and daughter and then as a certified Early Childhood Educator since 2008. I hold a Bachelors degree, Masters degree, and have a love for classical music, ballet, art, and public speaking that I apply to benefit the children’s learning and growing process. I also have a deep passion to support, respect, and educate young minds to enrich their potential in life.

I am bilingual, and speak both Russian and English. My accent might take a little while to get used to, but I’m always happy to repeat myself.

I also consider myself a potty training and early reading preparation specialist, please don’t hesitate to ask me for tips!

Goldy
Early Childhood Educator

I was born in India and lived there until I was 27, when my family relocated to Vancouver. I obtained my Early Childhood Education diploma and began working in a daycare setting with children ages 3-5, and have been doing so for the last 7 years.

I have two lovely children, my son who is 5 years old and my daughter who is 4 months old. In my spare time I like to be with my family and being a mom of two young children keeps me very busy!

I strongly believe that children are open to learning, imagining and dreaming. All they need is some encouragement that keeps them motivated and moving forward. Children need an environment where they can learn and explore and as adults it is our duty to create that type of environment.

I also believe in Nelson Mandela philosophy that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Melanie
ECE Support Teacher

I have been working in the ECE Industry for over 15 years. I earned my ECE and IT license at Langley College. For the past 10 years, I have been working as an infant and toddler educator and eventually became an IT Supervisor. I then became a Behaviour Interventionist. I was hired by the REACH Child and Youth Development Society where I was working with children 3 to 5 years of age who are on the Autism Spectrum. I was responsible for planning and implementing the programs that were designed by BCBAs, SLPs and OTs. I worked with the children in their homes and in centres. Working with children is my absolute passion and I am inspired every day to be a better educator.

Working with children with exceptional abilities has taught me to have a better understanding of how children learn and grow. All children are gifts and have unique ways of learning and are enthusiastic and curious about their environment.

I am so happy to be working in a program that is in the White Rock community. I am a proud local resident and have been living here all of my life.

Sara
ECE Assistant

I grew up in a family of thirteen, with four brothers and six sisters. Growing up in the Okanagan, I was always surrounded by children and we were constantly playing outdoors. At the age of 15, I realized that children are my passion and sought a career that involves making a positive impact on their lives.

After graduating, I worked on completing my ECE Assistant Certificate. Pebble Lane stood out to me as a place where children are valued as creative and intelligent individuals, and receive the best care. I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity to work alongside and learn from the wonderful teachers, parents and children I have met so far.

When I am not working or spending time with family or children, I spend most of my time oil painting portraits. Some of my other interests and hobbies include playing piano, watching hockey, playing tennis and volleyball and trying new things along the way!

I believe that learning occurs in everyday activities and experience is gained through all life’s moments, so even though I am heading to University this fall as my goal is to become a child psychologist , the experience and learning I gain everyday at Pebble Lane is so valuable to me and I look forward to spending time here and getting to know and work with each child and their families!

Caily
Early Childhood Educator

I have been a part-time ECE here at Pebble Lane for the past two and a half years. I am the mother of a very happy, curious and story telling 21 month old son and it has been the greatest joy in my life.

I graduated from Okanagan University College in 2005 and obtained my ECE License to Practice as well as my current First Aid Certification. I love to continue to expand my knowledge by taking courses such as Nurturing Pathways, Digging Deeper, YMCA Playing to Learn, 9 Ways to Bring Out the Best in You and Your Child as well as many other music and circle time workshops.

Over the years I have worked with children ranging in age from 6 months to 11
years of age. I have always loved children from an early age. I strongly believe in providing a positive and encouraging environment in which children can develop great self-esteem and self-confidence. I am very passionate and committed to helping children grow and believe in themselves. I also strongly believe in providing music and movement activities for children, as I love dancing myself, but mostly because movement is the gateway to learning with its positive impact on all areas of development.

Andrea
Early Childhood Educator
I’m a mother of two grown children, a son and a daughter. I began my career as a parent volunteer in my sons preschool, and that is where my passion for teaching children began.

I became an Early Childhood Educator 28 years ago, beginning working at the Surrey Immigration Centre for 6 years, teaching non-English speaking children. I taught preschool for 12 years, then a daycare for 10 years.

A few of the teaching methods that I like to use are music, art and Fun Family Phonics. I strongly believe in open ended and creative art as a way for children to express themselves. My love of teaching and watching the children learn and develop their own personality and skills motivates me every day. I have worked with children from many different cultures and languages and have learned to connect with each child’s individual needs.

In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors and I really love to paint. I am looking forward to meeting all of the parents and children. My motto is “When you believe in what you do, it never feels like work.”