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.
Ally Burgess
ECE/IT Educator
I’ve been an ECE for five years and an ITE for two. I’ve worked at KCDC for almost three years! Currently, you can find me in the Meadow classroom. I believe that children learn through play and natural experiences. I love spending time in nature whether it be paddle boarding, biking, or walking the beautiful trails. Infant/toddler is such a fun age group as it’s the age of many “firsts”. I love being able to witness the discovery of new skills and experiences with the children.
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.
Stephanie Noakes
Early Childhood Educator
I graduated from Okanagan College’s ECE program in 2007. She has had experience spending time with children who have a range of different abilities and works with the children and their families to strengthen developmental skills. She uses her second language of American Sign Language (ASL) with all children to
offer an alternative way of communicating, processing, and retaining information. She believes that a child will more readily engage fully in other areas of development when they have a strong sense of self and are comfortable and familiar with knowing how to self-regulate. The empowerment and sense of control that comes from learning how to self-regulate will encourage a smoother transition into other experiences throughout their lives. She likes to blend multiple philosophies when program planning and approaching behaviours to create a well-rounded and more diverse way of encouraging children to engage, connect and grow in all areas of their development.
Kaylee Fryer
ECE/IT Educator
I have worked at CDC since 2012. I started in the 3-5 program and then continued my education to become an infant/toddler educator. In 2013, I took a small hiatus to live in Calgary to become a nanny, but that didn’t last long. Thankfully, CDC welcomed me back and I’ve been on the infant side ever since.
I am a mother to a very funny, kind, and smart little girl. She is my entire world. Together, we enjoy going for walks, spending time with our large family and admiring the beautiful Kamloops sunrises and sunsets.
The childcare philosophy I follow is that of the CDC; exceptional childcare nurtured by nature. I believe that being in nature is the key to our self care and self regulation.
I am proud to work at the CDC, but I’m most proud that my daughter gets to experience this amazing centre as well.
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.
Sarah Duncan
Early Childhood Educator
I am new to the field of Early Childhood Education. I am passionate and excited about what I am doing and feel like this is what I was meant to do. I have one son of my own and another baby on the way. I love to get out for walks with my dogs and family every chance I get and enjoy crafting on my free time. I am looking forward to continually learning and growing as an educator in the years to come.
My personal philosophy is to always maintain honesty and integrity in every aspect of my life and career. To respect individuality and embrace differences among children and their families. I understand the importance to meet all basic needs, but I strongly believe that childcare means so much more than that. All children deserve equal attention, support, and loving affection to flourish in their learning environments. I feel that a child’s job is to play and explore this big, beautiful world around them and it is our job to make that possible in a safe and loving environment. We can further their education by building a curriculum that is based on the children’s interests and curiosities. Together we can continually learn from each other, the environment, and ourselves.
Petra Roelz
Early Childhood Educator
I am originally from the coast and my family, and I relocated to Kamloops in 2019. I’m a mom of 3 boys who are all out on their own now, so my house is finally clean. I have 24 years of experience working with children and their families ranging from preschool to operating a childcare centre of my own. I received my ECE certificate in 2001 and the philosophy that bests describe my teaching would be Reggio. My approach with children is one that is flexible to the children’s interests and allows for emergent curriculum. I also welcome messy sensory play and lots of outdoor time. Outside of Kamloops Child Development Centre I also work on our farm where we grow food for market and have many happy chickens. My interests lie in learning how to grow food sustainability, food sovereignty, history, red wine and owning too many books.
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.
