Caitlin McNeil – Manager / Educator

I have been an Early Childhood Educator for over 20 years; with opportunities working in Infant/Toddler programs, Out of School Care programs, Daycare and Preschool programs, as well as working at a private college with the ECE program and being a part of new educators beginning their career.  I knew early on that I wanted to work with children and have enjoyed all the experiences that my ECE journey has brought so far.  I can’t wait to see what I will learn next with the Hazelwood team.

I grew up in Coquitlam and now live in Port Coquitlam with my husband Marty, and two sons Oliver and Morgan. We enjoy exploring this beautiful place we call home with many camping trips each year and getting out to hike, bike, or swim when we can.  

 

As an educator, I feel lucky to be a part of the learning that happens every day as children play and explore the world around them. 

I look forward to learning and growing along with all the children and families here at Hazelwood!

“Observe and listen to children because when they ask ‘why?’ they are not simply asking for the answer from you.  They are requesting the courage to find a collection of possible answers.”

Sali Chippet – Educator – Sprouts and Seedlings Program

I moved to Port Coquitlam in 2016 after living in North Vancouver for 25 years. I continued to commute to North Vancouver for a year until I found Hazelwood. I am passionate about outdoor programming and also Responsive Curriculum so Hazelwood and I are the perfect fit!

I was born in England where I received my Diploma in Early Childhood Education. After Emigrating to Vancouver at the age of 18, I fell in love with everything the City has to offer including skiing, hiking and water sports.

I have three children. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, skiing and travelling with my family.

As an Early Childhood Educator I am proud to be a part of guiding children as they venture in to the world. I delight in joining them in their wonder and joy of learning.

I very much enjoy being with the children and the team at Hazelwood. I feel very fortunate to look forward to coming to work each day!

Alyssa Higgins – Educator – Seedlings Program

My entire life, I knew I wanted to work with children. It was something that I was passionate about when I was very young that carried on through my life. In 2009, I started on the path towards my career in Early Childhood Education; I obtained my Early Childhood Educator Certificate and Special Needs Certificate at the University of the Fraser Valley.

During my life, I ventured from Manitoba to British Columbia and settled in Port Coquitlam in 2013. I am very thankful I ended up in such a loving and warm community with such a high regard for the outdoors.

Bryan, my partner, has been a huge support in my life. We have a beautiful daughter named Katheryn who brings a new outlook and joy to our lives. My family and I love to spend our weekends exploring nature, going on hikes, venturing to the parks, swimming and cooking. I am truly grateful that I can raise my daughter in an environment that has so many opportunities.

My passion has always been to guide and support all young children while providing them with quality care and enriching experiences based on their interests. Working with children, building strong relationships and learning alongside them has helped me grow as an educator.

I have worked with many children and families in my career and am honoured to be able to provide care for the families at Hazelwood Early Learning Centre.

Jessie Somers – School Age Coordinator- Educator – Cedars Program

Hello! I’m Jessie, nice to meet you! Let me tell you a bit about myself. I have always lived in the lower mainland and am proud to call it home. I now reside in Port Coquitlam with my husband Rob and our two cats Keiser and Willow. My background is in fine art and education, combining them both makes my heart so happy! 

Having grown up in Mission, I completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2010 and went on to teach summer art camps at the Mission Art Centre. The creativity and imagination in children brings great joy to my daily life. My connection to nature informs my personal artwork. I display and sell my paintings regularly at local galleries and enjoy teaching watercolor classes on the weekends. Some of my favorite things are family, travel and coffee. In my free time I love being outdoors and going geocaching with Rob. 

Being a member of the Hazelwood team has been an exciting adventure with many opportunities that lay ahead. Embracing outdoor exploration and new art experiences with the children is what motivates me most. I look forward to growing with all of you!

Carrie Dillman – Educator- Seedlings Program

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous!

-Aristotle

Being in nature brings joy to my heart and refreshes my body. There is always something to marvel, learn about, and explore! It has been my dream to inspire children to marvel and learn from the natural world around us.

I have lived in the lower mainland for nine years now. Burnaby is home where I live with my partner Frank and my two bunnies! I grew up in a small town called 100 Mile House and completed my Bachelor of Science Degree at TRU in Kamloops. I had many amazing adventures in my position as an environmental monitor and loved time spent in nature leading summer camps at Richmond Nature Park. The idea of merging my two passions has led me here to Hazelwood Early Learning Center!

After working as an Early Childhood Education Assistant for two years I decided it was time to learn more! I am currently a student enrolled at Burnaby Community and Continuing Education in the Early Childhood Education certificate program! I am thrilled to be gaining knowledge that I can apply and grateful for the opportunity to continue to improve and grow as an educator.

My goal is to spark wonder, curiosity, and marvel in the unknown as I learn alongside the children. I want to create an environment where children feel safe, confident, and capable to explore, and share ideas. I am constantly amazed by how children view and think about the world. It reminds me to slow down and truly appreciate my surroundings.

When I am not at work or school you may find me hiking, camping, traveling, or spending quality time with people close to my heart. Backpacking has become a passion of mine and I often find myself near a glacier lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Last year I also had the opportunity to complete the West Coast Trail which has been a goal of mine for some time now.

I feel very fortunate to be joining the team at Hazelwood! I look forward to spending time with and getting to better know the families at our center!

Kim – Educator/School Age – Cedars Program

Hello there and welcome to Hazelwood Early Learning Centre.  My name is Kim and I’d like to tell you a bit about myself.  I’ve been a resident of Port Coquitlam for approximately 30 years and I love the small-town vibe we have here.  I live in the Mary Hill area and both of my sons (Mitchell is 28, Spencer is 25, man am I showing my age here) have been born and raised in Port Coquitlam.  On top of this they both attended Hazel Trembath so this neighborhood is very near and dear to my heart.

  I live with my husband Ivan and our three cats (yes, I said 3) Dory, Cailee and LeeRoy.  What is my background you ask?  I’ve been working in daycare now for 3 years as a Responsible Adult, prior to that most of my professional life has been in the medical field- 25 years as a Certified Dental Assistant and 7 years as a Medical Lab Assistant at Eagle Ridge Hospital.  Why am I working with children now? You may ask, good question.  It’s due to the fact that with every occupation I’ve had my work usually centered around children:  I was the first choice every time to clean a child’s teeth or take their blood (yup, I did that too).  Due to this, I finally concluded that it was time to work with children full time and I am so happy I have made this decision. Working with children is so gratifying and I love it.

I’m more of an out-doorsy type of person, I love camping in our tent trailer we call Timmy, riding my bike around and just hanging in the great outdoors.  I used to be a CanCan dancer in Port Moody so if you ever went to the May Day parade or to July Ist festivities you may have seen me at my “best” (lol).  I have an out-going personality, and am looking forward to meeting everyone, so let’s have some fun!!

Jadelynnn Schaffer – Educator – Seedlings Program

During grade 12 year in high school, I volunteered at an elementary school for a work experience class. I enjoyed working with and getting to know the children. I enjoyed this so much that in 2020 I started to look in to the Early Childhood Education program which I am currently studying at Douglas College to obtain my Early Childhood Educator Certificate.

As a young child , I grew up being in nature. My family has a trailer at Cultus Lake that we go to every year, it is like my second home.

Some fun activities I do are playing bocce with friends, going for walks with my dog Finn, whom I take everywhere I go, swim at the pool, kayak at the lake, look for creatures under rocks and stay up late to look at the stars. 

I am just beginning my journey and am honoured to be a part of the Hazelwood Early Learning Centre team.

Carolanne Davies – Educator/ School Age and Seedlings Programs

Hi! I’m Carolanne. I grew up in Port Coquitlam which I recognize as the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. This is where I still live with my partner Mitchell. I feel extremely grateful to live in British Columbia where I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, camping, mountain biking and anything that involves the outdoors – especially the forest! Traveling is a huge passion of mine, and I am lucky enough to have been to 25 different countries.  

I am currently in the last semester of my Early Childhood Education diploma and will be continuing in September to finish my Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care. Previously, I was an education assistant in the Coquitlam school district where I worked with children with diverse abilities. My long-term goal is to teach in the K-12 system. I have always had a strong connection with young children and truly feel as though working with them is something I was born to do. Providing children with a safe, inclusive environment to learn, grow and flourish is something I am deeply passionate about.  

 I am excited to be a part of the incredible team here at Hazelwood. I look forward to collaborating with all my colleagues who are knowledgeable, kind, and so positive. Through building strong connections with children and families, I hope to build on each child’s strengths while supporting their growth and development. I am excited to create rich experiences while having the opportunity to learn alongside the children. Being outdoors is something I believe to be vital to a child’s well-being, this making Hazelwood’s program the perfect fit for me. Let’s go jump in some mud puddles!

Feena Addam – Educator/ School Age – Sapling Program

Hi everybody! My name is Feena, also popularly known as the Lava Monster (: I have been lucky enough to call lots of places around the world ‘my home’, but Port Coquitlam will always be a special place to me. This is where I found my love for hiking, backpacking, camping, journaling, painting, and exploring nature!

I spent this past year travelling and exploring Australia and New Zealand where I lived out my surfer lifestyle and reenacted way too many scenes from the Lord of the Rings. Before my travels, I was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Victoria where I plan to continue this upcoming year. My long-term goal is to be an educational guidance counsellor that helps students navigate their education while encouraging their passions.

Working with children has never felt like work at all. They spark my silliness, imagination, and curiosity. Sometimes I’m convinced it’s the children that are teaching me. They are authentically themselves, view life with such curiosity, and share their excitements so passionately. Connecting with children has brought such joy and appreciation in my life, and in return, I hope to be the best Lava Monster they’ve ever seen.

This team at Hazelwood holds so much love for every child that walks through their doors. I am beyond excited to be working alongside such an amazing  group of people and grow with them as educators!

RJ Norbe – Responsible Adult / Educator

Hi! I’m RJ. I am from the small and humble town of Binalbagan in the Philippines. I moved to Canada as a student in January 2023 and reside in Port Coquitlam which I find is a very peaceful and relaxing neighborhood here in the lower mainland. I live with my supportive, loving, and caring uncle, aunt and cousins.

        

I have always been an outdoor person.  Being with nature provides me so much joy and relaxation and when I moved to Canada, I fell in love with nature and all the experiences it can provide. This year is my first summer here in Canada and I spent most of my weekends outdoors with friends to do hiking, camping, and backpacking which I really enjoy – also I love cooking!

I am currently enrolled in a Certificate program in Childcare and Language Assistant with Pacific Link College. Before that, I was a public high school teacher in the Philippines for 5 years and have been working with children with different ages and backgrounds since 2017 as a volunteer and parish leader in our church. I always love to impart something valuable and meaningful to all of my students and provide them a chance to emotionally and socially grow. I also enjoy learning from the children each day and that’s what I always look forward to! 

I am really excited to be working and learning with all the amazing, warm and passionate educators of Hazelwood and also to get to know all the children and families that are part of the Hazelwood Community!

Nadia Do Carmo – Early Childhood Educator

Hi, I’m Nadia!! I have wanted to work with children for as long as I can remember. I went to Vancouver Community College to obtain my Early Childcare Certificate. I have been working in the field for 12 years and my love of working with children has grown stronger.

I was born and raised in East Vancouver and moved out to Port Coquitlam 5 years ago with my
husband Jason. It seemed like a big move, but I am so happy that we chose Port Coquitlam as our
home. The community here has been so welcoming and to have such amazing nature at the tip of
fingers is awe inspiring at times. Since having our son Daniel, we have been exploring more of our backyard than ever before. Seeing nature through a child’s view is something that I will never
grow tired of.

When I have the time, I love to bake. Creating cakes and cupcakes bring me such joy! I have also taken up embroidery which is a skill that my grandmother had, and it was something I loved to watch her do.

I am so happy that I have the privilege to work here at Hazelwood Early Learning Centre. Getting to be with nature with the children has been so amazing. Everyday is a new leaning moment and I can’t wait to see what’s next.