Our Teachers

Helen

Director/Head Teacher

Helen is a Registered Childhood Educator with over 30 years of experience working in a variety of childcare settings ranging from non-profit, private, multicultural resource programs and high-risk childcare settings. Helen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as innovative ideas to her role as Director/Head Teacher for GCNS. Through her years of experience, she understands that getting to know the individual learner in your classroom is essential as well as inspiring children to reach their maximum potential by providing them with the tools needed to be successful. Through inquiry-based learning and open-ended questions, children can be inspired and challenged while finding deeper meaning through their ability to personally connect with materials. Learning only happens once children feel they are in a safe and nurturing environment and this is evident at GCNS as children have the confidence to take risks and grow without boundaries.

Helen believes that Early Years Education is an extension of the family unit and true quality is achieved through experiential learning opportunities for the child and establishing a genuine collaborative relationship with families. Working and learning alongside families as they see firsthand how their children are growing and developing is one of the many benefits of being part of the GCNS family. Through participation in a co-op, families develop a strong sense of responsibility that carries over into many aspects of community life.

Helen has been married for 34 years and together she and her husband have two wonderful sons, two beautiful daughter-in-laws, and two precious grandchildren.

Helen is grateful to have a job she absolutely loves. It is always so rewarding as an educator to see that every year children come in with “big eyes” and some apprehension, but walk out of the classroom in June a bit taller, wiser, feeling confident and “ready” because of all the knowledge and skills they have acquired.

Melanie

Teacher

Melanie considers it a privilege to have joined the Glebe Cooperative Preschool team in 2019. A graduate of Algonquin Colleges Early Childhood Education program, she also possesses a B.A. in Social Science from Ottawa University. She has been active in the Glebe community for over thirty years as a caregiver, community centre worker, preschool teacher for other local schools and a Girl Guide leader.

She enjoys her work at the preschool fostering and nurturing creativity and imagination through play and the use of all the tools and resources the school has to offer. She loves the sense of collaboration and ingenuity of her co-workers and is inspired by the school’s foray into the areas of loose parts in the classroom as well as natural materials to supplement learning. She also embraces a love of music and drama, as she has been a member of several choirs and theatre groups over the years.

Melanie believes that children are capable, natural, and loves their spontaneous qualities that make them a pleasure to teach. When she is not teaching Melanie enjoys being with her family, baking, singing, watching her daughters as they compete in Allstar cheerleading, and she also is fond of taking advantage of the many nature trails located in Ottawa to get exercise. She looks forward to many more years enriching young children’s lives at the preschool.

Erica

Teacher

Erica is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with over 25 years experience working in an array of childcare environments. She brings knowledge and experience from years of working in high needs childcare centres, EarlyON programs, nursery school programs, Kindermusik classes and as a home childcare provider. 

Erica feels grateful to continue in her early childhood educator journey,  bringing her enjoyment of music and storytelling as well her supportive and cooperative attitude. Erica has had the privilege of working closely with families and children in high needs situations and feels she is a better person for doing so. Working with children and families continues to be one of her greatest achievements and she looks forward to her continued growth as an educator.

Erica, her husband of 27 years and their 5 children have recently moved to Ottawa after many years of living in various locations across Canada. She is happy to call Ottawa the last stop in their cross country adventure. When not at work Erica can more than likely be found walking her beloved dog Charlie, spending time with her family and/or reading a good book.