Staff Bios

** We are currently looking for two 3-5 caregivers as well as substitute educators**

 Manager: Kim Letiec
I have been in the ECE field since 1989. I graduated from the ECE program in 1989 and moved to Kelowna from Newfoundland in 1992. In 2006 I completed the Infant/Toddler program at Okanagan College in Kelowna. I've also completed various other workshops such as Sleep Facts for Child Care Professionals, Food Safe, First Aid, and Facilitating Staff Skill Development. Over the years, I have worked with children ranging from 6 months to 11 years. I have been employed at the University Children's Learning Centre since 1996 and supervised the Infant/Toddler program for 10 years. Currently I am the manager of the daycare.  I am very passionate and committed to working with children. It is a real joy and very rewarding to watch their growth and development on a daily basis.

3-5 Program

Kerri Lang (Supervisor, 3/4 program)
I received my ECE from Okanagan College in 1995 and have been in childcare since then.  I took a break from working outside the home from 2006-2014 to raise my two daughters.  During that time, I cared for children in my home for a period of a year and a half.  I worked for UBCO daycare from 2003- May 2006 and started working again in the Infant/Toddler Program in December 2014. I enjoy being there for all of the children's firsts, watching them accomplish tasks and seeing their proud looks on their faces.  I like being able to teach them new things and provide them with new experiences.  In September 2018, I moved over to the 3-5 Program and am now the supervisor of the 3-5 Program. 

Lauren Buck (Team Lead, 4/5 program)
In 2016 I received my Early Childhood Education Assistant certificate and have worked in a daycare since. I previously spent years as a girl helping and later as a leader with Girl Guides of Canada.  I have also spent two summers working at Penticton and District Society for Community Living with both the adults and children with developmental issues. I graduated earlier in 2017 from UBCO with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Anthropology and a minor in English. I look forward to continuing to build a career as well as many friendships with the children, parents, and staff at this beautiful facility.  When I first started my degree my aim was to become an elementary school teacher.  Although that is not where I am now I could not be happier. It has always been a passion and brought me joy playing, teaching, and watching the children discover the world around them.    

Crystal Desjardins
I joined the University Children's Learning Centre in October of 2019 as part of the 3-5 team. I have worked as an ECE assistant for over 10 years and recently went back to school. I will complete my full ECE certificate by the end of 2020! My passion for Early Childhood Education arose from a desire to support children as they develop and learn through play. I look forward to 2020, the expansion and deeper connections to this amazing team and community. 

Julia Magacho
I am originally from Brazil and I joined UCLC in October 2021 in the 3-5 program. I have been fortunate and blessed to be working with such an amazing team. I have been in the early childhood field for 10 years and for the past few years I worked as a preschool teacher in Los Angeles, CA where I’ve lived for 7 years.
In 2013, I graduated from UFF with a bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy and in 2020, I got my Associate of Science degree in Child development from Glendale Community College where fell in love to the principles of Reggio Emilia inspired education, outdoor and nature education. I’m currently enrolled at UBC-O working towards my Master of Arts in Education. I have a passion for early learning, especially enriching young minds through play and mindful hands on experiences.


Toddler Program

Alex Miller (Supervisor)
I have been working at the University Children's Learning Centre since the Fall of 2013. I started as a Support Staff and shortly after became a caregiver in the Infant/Toddler Program.  I received my Assistant License in 2012 and completed my first year of ECE at Okanagan College and have since completed my ECE diploma and Infant/Toddler designation.  I love working with children and find so much joy in watching and aiding in their development as well as creating a unique bond with each child. It is a very fulfilling career. 

Teasha John (returned part time from Mat Leave)
I graduated from Sprott Shaw College in August 2018 and recieved my Early Childhood Education Certificate. This is my first job in the field and I started at the University Children's Learning Centre in September 2018. I enjoy helping children explore and discover the world around them. I love how each day is different and new to the children, they are all so creative and curious. We do something unique each day. I believe working with children is an extremely rewarding career.

Azadeh Kasperast 
My name is Azadeh(as-a-day)and I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 2014. I received my Diploma in Infant/Toddler from Vancouver Community College. I am in pursuit of receiving my Diploma in Inclusive Care. I moved from North Vancouver to the Okanagan in the Summer of 2019. My passion for working with children is that they wear their heart on their sleeves and they are always looking for opportunities to learn. Children are resilient, they are able to spring back from an experience and try again. I enjoy the fact children show us no matter how hard it is, they will keep trying until they learn and develop new skills. Watching children grow, learn and develop through play is the most rewarding experience for me.  

Aya Muira 
I completed my ECE through Sprott Shaw College in 2020 in Vancouver and recently started working at UCLC in the Toddler program at the end of August 2021. I previously worked in childcare for 4 years in Japan as well. I enjoy sharing happy things and to see the children smile. I believe children have good imaginations and learn so much through play. I like to teach children and learn from them as well. I strive to be successful in this field and as a part of this team. 

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Infant Program

Elyse Manning (Supervisor)
I graduated in 2010 from Columbia Bible College in 2010 with my ECE diploma with training for Infant/Toddler and Special Needs.  I have been working in the childcare field since then; beginning in a smaller centre in Chilliwack and then as a sub both at the University Children's Learning Centre and another multi-age centre here in Kelowna.  The opportunity for a full-time permanent position arise here in 2011 and I became a caregiver in the 3-5 Program. I enjoy exploring concepts and experiences with the children.  I'm always fascinated by their sense of wonder, their ability to soak in knowledge and the way each of their personalities plays a part in the dynamic of the group.

Rachelle Fortier 
I took my Early Childhood Education and Supported Childcare at Okanagan College in Kelowna in 2002.  I did my Infant/Toddler through Northern Lights College.  I have been working in the ECE field since 2003.  The first year I subbed at a variety of centres and have been at the University Children's Learning Centre since 2004.  I have taken a variety of workshops over the years to help develop my knowledge of children's development.  I enjoy working with the children and being able to see them develop new skills every day and being part of helping them to achieve those skills.

Jasmeena Patel
I completed my ECE in Vancouver at MTI college in 2010 and have been in childcare for over 12 years. I started working at the University Children's Learning Centre in December 2020 in the infant program. I most enjoy being a part of children's growth and development and this is something that drew me towards the field and towards the infant an toddler program in particular. 

Noriko Hagiwara
I am originally from Japan and one of my passions is to travel and see different cultures. After graduating from University in Japan (Major in Home economics, Minor in Child Study) and obtaining my ECE license there in 2004 I worked as an ECE in Japan, China and the USA.In 2009 I obtained my ECE license from Sprott-Shaw College and shortly after an opportunity arose to operate my own In-Home Multi-Age Program and I did so for 8 years. My family moved to the Okanagan in 2020 and here I am. I am grateful to be a part of the UCLC team. With over 15 years of working with children, I noticed that laughing with the children is one of the greatest moments in my life. I am looking forward to sharing the joy of every child's unique development with you. 


Substitutes

Janet Tait
I have been in the child care field for approximately 28 years.  I took my first ECE course in the Williams Lake College and it was the first time it was offered to us through Kamloops college in 1988-1989.  I worked in a preschool for 14 years, then moved to Summerland and worked in a daycare for 9 1/2 years.  We then moved to Kelowna and that's when I started to work at the University Children's Learning Society in late 2014.  I have been involved in both the 3-5 Program and the Infant/Toddler Program when needed.  Everything about children's early years I find a joy to be around.  They teach me new things all the time and I thank all the families tor allowing me to be a part of all the children's lives.  I have that joy of meeting their journey into new challenging experiences.