Our Teachers

Erica, RECE

Director/Head Educator

Erica joined the team at GCNS as an Registered Early Childhood Educator in September 2023. Erica brings 30 years of dedicated experience in early childhood education to her role as Head Educator and Director. Erica believes as an educator it is her duty to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every child feels valued, respected and confident in their abilities. As an educator she finds joy in sparking children’s natural curiosity, building trusting relationships, and celebrating each child’s individuality. Erica brings to the program her love of music, storytelling and play which enhances her approach in providing opportunities for children’s creativity and imagination.

Erica feels privileged to work collaboratively with the team of dynamic educators, families and the Parent Board of Directors to provide an inclusive, play-based, supportive environment for the children that attend GCNS. In her leadership role Erica supports and values the team of educators and is committed to nurturing a collective environment ensuring all voices are heard and respected. She feels fortunate to encourage and assist families in their child’s early education journey.

Erica, her husband, her five children and their beloved family dog Charlie have called Ottawa home for the last five years. 

Melanie, RECE

Educator

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, 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.

Emily, RECE

Educator

Emily is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with 4 years of experience. As a more recent graduate, she is thrilled to be working alongside seasoned educators that continue to develop her skills as an Early Childhood Educator. She has experience in all age groups including infants, toddlers and preschool. Emily has worked in full time childcare and her time in the field has led her to discover a huge fondness for nursery school. 

Emily is passionate in creating a program tailored to the children’s interests by providing them with a multitude of activities that sparks their creativity, imagination and curiosity. She loves to extend learning by adding new and exciting art projects, books or other activities to the classroom to further develop children’s knowledge and creativity. Emily is greatly inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and believes in a child led program. She is thrilled to be working in the field and looks forward to the many opportunities she brings to the classroom.

Emily and her fiancé have made the move to Ottawa a year ago and have loved every moment. Out of the classroom, Emily can be found reading a good book, exercising at the gym, hiking and planning her wedding in 2027! 

Victoria, RECE

Educator