Meet Our Staff
Qualified Teachers
We strive to work together to build and maintain trusting and respectful relationships with both children and families.
Carla Venasse
ECE/IT Educator
I am a mom to three grown children and a grandma to one. I have 17 years in the field of childcare, and I have been with Kamloops Child Development Centre for almost 6 years. I work on the Infant and Toddler side. I love spending time outdoors and being active. Teaching children to grow and learn through nature and experience is something I really enjoy.
Melisa Ritz
ECE/IT/ Special Needs Educator
I am a wife, mother, care aide, ECE, SN and IT educator. I had worked in the education field for 6 years until I took a break to become a care aide to work in the healthcare field. I had a beautiful little girl and chose to come back to working in the glorious field of childcare. I have been working at the Kamloops child development centre since Sept 1, 2020-percent. I love being a part of such a great team in making such a fun, safe and nurturing environment for children to explore, learn, create, and grow in. While I am not at work or chasing my little one around, I love playing sports (soccer, hockey, baseball etc..), watching holiday hallmark movies and baking/painting cookies.
Kelly Pombert
ECE/IT/Special Needs Educator
I have been in the childcare field since 2002. I have my ECE, IT and SN certification. Over the years I have worked with many children of all ages and abilities. I believe that children lean best though play in a nurturing play-based environment that fosters self confidence, creativity, respect, and trust. When I am not at work, I spend my time with my husband and 3 children enjoying the outdoors, crafting, or snuggling up to watch a good movie.
Kailey Dale
Early Childhood Educator
I am currently a teacher on the infant/toddler side, I work in the marsh classroom and the river classroom. Before joining the wonderful staff at the CDC, I was a gymnastics teacher while I was learning to be an Early Childhood Educator at Thompson Rivers University. I love being outdoors and enjoying the beautiful aspects of nature around our city, I spend the weekends hiking with my family or just being outdoors exploring our beautiful city and province. My philosophy in working with the children is very similar to that of the CDC’s love of the outdoors and all it has to offer, growing up as a child I always loved playing in the dirt and using the natural elements to create meaningful play and memories I cherish forever.
Sadie Mackinnon
ECE/IT/Special Needs Educator
I have been working in the childcare field since 2016 and at KCDC since 2018. My childcare philosophy is that children learn through play, I strive to provide a supportive environment where children can explore and feel safe to take risks. I believe that the natural world has lots of exciting learning opportunities for children. I believe in encouraging their curiosity and building off their interests to provide meaningful experiences. Some hobbies I enjoy are spending time outside, going for hikes, and snowboarding. I also enjoy baking and spending time with my family.
Chrystal Lagace
ECE Assistant Educator
I have lived in Kamloops since 1999 I went to school at Norkam high school. I was in a work share program, where I was in school for a bit of my time and in a work share for the other half of my time. I got offered to help work on a playground at a childcare center in Kamloops and you guessed it was the Kamloops child department center when the playground was Before all the beautiful changes that we have done to the backyard. I have been working on my education slowly at Thompson Rivers University. I want to accomplish my full Early childhood education, as I have my early childhood assistant certification. My philosophy is very much outdoors-based play. I believe that nature has a lot to offer us in all aspects of life. Learning, I find, is so enjoyable outside. With the peace that nature brings as well. My Hobbies are Photography, Cooking, Baking, Hiking, Artery, Books, DIY projects, Camping, fishing, kayaking, and Yoga. My interests, watching cooking shows, learning new yoga poses, going to workshops for Do It Yourself, and learning about new places in our province. Reading books about self-help for overcoming the mind over matter, how to understand the different behaviour of special needs children. Reading books about some of the world’s best places to see and why.
Dani Robinson
Early Childhood Educator
I graduated with honours in July 2021 from Sprott Shaw College where I received my ECE certificate. I believe it’s important to enrich young minds through natural play and mindful experiences. My goal as an educator is to work alongside families to create a safe and nurturing environment where children feel heard, trusted, and comfortable to express their true selves and where they can learn and develop at their own pace.
Outside of work I enjoy photography, exploring nature, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Michelle Asante
Early Childhood Educator
I have been an ECE educator for 24 years in the community and 4 years which I spent in Japan as an English Teacher. I have my ECE certificate, as well as my Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Geography and I have my Level 1 Montessori. My husband and I have 2 boys, we enjoy watching our oldest play academy soccer and my youngest making amazing train track creations. I enjoy making flannel story resources, reading going for walks, figure skating and bike rides with my family. I especially love travelling to the island to feel the ocean breeze and sun on my face. I look forward to many more years with the Kamloops Child Development Centre.
Borka Rodrigue
School Age Program Educator
I have enjoyed working with children at the CDC for 5+ years. I am the Educators in the Rainbow room and excited for the new programing with the children. Prior to working at the CDC, I spent 21 years supporting adults with special needs within our community. As a certified Teachers assistant, I felt the timing was right and the transition opportune. My love for the CDC being outdoor/nature-based programing is also what drew me. My hobbies are mostly family based and we all share the love for cooking. I required nature-based walks with friends and time with my grandchildren is m biggest joy. It is my goal to bring fresh and new ideas to my classroom focusing on diversity and child lead learning.
Salimah Wailing
ECE/Special Needs Educator
I’ve been at the Kamloops Child Development Centre since 2019. I am from Vancouver and moved to Kamloops in 2006. I have my bachelor’s in general studies, ECE, and School-Age Certificate and have had the opportunity to work with both school-age children and most recent preschoolers over the last 15 years. I enjoy going for hikes, gardening, and Cats! Cats! Cats! In the future, I plan to get some goats to add to our little hobby farm. It is a pleasure to be here working at the Kamloops Child Development Centre.
Juanita ("Nita" or "Weeta")
ECE Assistant
My husband and I with our 2-year-old son and pregnant with our second immigrated to this beautiful country over 13 years ago. My husband and I have 4 beautiful yet lively children who keep us on our toes, and are always have lots of fun. When I have a moment to myself I enjoy reading, being creative in painting and drawing, enjoying a morning run out in nature and camping. I have worked as a childcare teacher for about 20 years. It has always been a passion of mine to work with children. The joys of seeing them grow, learn and develop into their own individual independent selves. I have had the privilege of working with all the different age groups, families, and staff at the CDC over the last 12 years. I started as a qualified Montessori teacher, and then when I came to Canada, I continued my studies and became a teaching assistant in the near future, 2022 will be doing my ECE studies and would like to specialize in Special needs. I am currently working in the School Age Program as the supervisor, and I feel honored to work with an amazing team.
Heather Cook
ECE/IT Educator
I started at the CDC in 2016, as their ‘Exceptional Childcare, Nurtured in Nature’ philosophy resonated with me. I quickly learns that this was the place I belonged and wanted to shape young minds. I continued my education in 2017 to fulfill my passion of working with infants and toddlers. A couple short years later I became a mother to my own spunky, nature loving boy, who now gets to experience the CDC with me. Some of our favourite things to do include swimming, gardening, and searching our neighbourhood for construction vehicles. We love exploring Kamloops and discovering all it has to offer.
Diana Krahn
ECE Assistant
My husband and I with our 2-year-old son and pregnant with our second immigrated to this beautiful country over 13 years ago. My husband and I have 4 beautiful yet lively children who keep us on our toes, and are always have lots of fun. When I have a moment to myself I enjoy reading, being creative in painting and drawing, enjoying a morning run out in nature and camping. I have worked as a childcare teacher for about 20 years. It has always been a passion of mine to work with children. The joys of seeing them grow, learn and develop into their own individual independent selves. I have had the privilege of working with all the different age groups, families, and staff at the CDC over the last 12 years. I started as a qualified Montessori teacher, and then when I came to Canada, I continued my studies and became a teaching assistant in the near future, 2022 will be doing my ECE studies and would like to specialize in Special needs. I am currently working in the School Age Program as the supervisor, and I feel honored to work with an amazing team.
Diana Krahn
School Age Program/Custodian
I am the Janitor at the Kamloops Child Development Centre. I acquired my Custodian Certificate through School District #73. I have my Responsible Adult Certificate and my First Aid as well. This allows me to assist whenever help is needed. I am a dependable, trustworthy, and caring person. I take pride in the fact that I contribute to keeping the daycare a clean and sanitized environment in which the children can grow and thrive. When I am not working, I enjoy being outdoors, spending time in nature and hanging out with my three granddaughters. Children are such a delightful gift. They bring so much joy to my heart. I look forward to seeing you at the centre.
Hayley Bepple
Early Childhood Educator
I have been working as an early childhood educator for over 2 years now. Prior to becoming an ECE I worked as a babysitter/nanny. I loved working with children so much that I decided to go to school to find out more about how to help children as they grow and develop. Working at the Kamloops Child Development Center has been a dream. The outdoor program is something that is very important to me as I spent most of my childhood outside.
Meenakshi Kumar
Early Childhood Educator
I moved to Canada 10 years ago and started a new journey. I believe each child is an individual and as an educator I value and develop each child’s strengths, interests, skills, abilities, and knowledge to extend their learning. My interests are nature walks, cooking and crocheting
Chelsea Lammi
ECE/IT/Special Needs Educator
I have 15+ years of experience in the ECE field. Back in 2008 I completed my Early Childhood Education Diploma from Douglas College with training in; Early Childhood Education (Basic) Infant/Toddler and Special Needs (Inclusive Care). I have worked at the Kamloops Child Development Center since February 2015. I was born and raised in the lower mainland and moved to Kamloops in 2014 with my boyfriend and we have since then gotten married and welcomed 3 kitties and a little boy into our family. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my son and husband and playing with stickers in my planner.
