Our Team
Amanda Kelly
Director of Operations
Amanda graduated in 2015 with a BSc in Sports Coaching from Leeds Beckett University in Leeds, England where she was born and raised. After moving away from England in her late teenage years she developed her own youth soccer Academy in Texas. Now having moved to Victoria, BC She became the Director of Operations for Braefoot Community Association and is currently completing her MA in Global Leadership at Royal Roads University. She is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, wants transformative change and believes it is important to embed this into the holistic learning frameworks of child development.
*Get to know Amanda a bit more*
What were your favourite childhood hobbies?
I really loved playing Sports! Soccer especially competing professionally.
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What was your favourite childhood book or movie?
Harry Potter was by far my favourite series for both books and movies!
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
Being able to Build Relationships and connections with the parents and community.
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How much experience do you have working in childcare?
I have been working in childcare for 12 years from sport camps to preschool.
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What is you're favourite game to play with the kids?
Army. Gives the children multiple chances to try again teaching them it is okay to keep trying
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What's the most rewarding moment you've had as a childcare provider?
Watching a child who has been struggling to complete a task, or transition into a new place where they flourish and recognize their success and abilities.
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What's your favourite animal?
Any type of Monkey!
Vicki Kearnan
Braefoot Center Manager
She was born in Victoria but was raised in Cobble Hill, where she had the wonderful experience of growing up in a more rural environment. She has always lived on southern Vancouver Island, which is why one of her favorite hobbies is traveling—any chance to get off the island! Her other interests include buying (and sometimes finding the time to read) books, spending time at the ocean, and hanging out with her dog, Norman.
*Get to know Vicky a bit more*
What were your favourite childhood hobbies?
My favourite childhood hobbies were sports, cooking, and crafts.
What was your favourite childhood book or movie?
Growing up I loved Disney films, so much so there were a few where I knew all the lyrics to every song!
What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
The most important qualities I look for in childcare workers are adaptability, patience, communication, and general positive regard for people.
What is your favourite thing about working with children?
My favourite thing about working with children is the opportunity to supportively challenge their self-view.
How much experience do you have working in childcare?
I grew up in a family as one of the eldest of 16 cousins, on my mother's side alone! I have worked as a babysitter, tutor, swim coach, lunchroom aide, camp counsellor, outdoor guide, and childcare manager. I am also lucky enough to have travelled, getting to work with children from different countries and different cultures!
What's the most rewarding moment you've had as a childcare provider?
I have no set best moment with children...I have a number of amazing memories that helped me laugh, smile, and stay fulfilled and fueled.
What's your favourite animal?
My most favourite animal would be a cross between a wolf (for its loyalty, survival skills, and playfulness) and a panther (from lounging on tree branches to running and chasing and jumping)
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Sarah Jachimowicz
Out of school care leader
This is Sarah’s first year with Braefoot community association and she is so excited about what this year has to offer! Sarah is 23 years old and is working on her bachelor's degree at the University of Victoria. She studies psychology and will be graduating in the spring of 2024!
Sarah loves cooking and has been a vegan for 6 years. Her favourite thing to do is making any kind of art. Sarah is looking forward to sharing that hobby with the children!
*Get to know Sarah a bit more*
What were your favourite childhood hobbies?
I did ballet and jazz dancing, from ages 6 to 16!
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What was your favourite childhood book or movie?
My favourite childhood books were the Berenstain bears books.
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
Patience and empathy, so that you can really be there for the kids and tend to their needs!
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If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?
I would be princess peach because I love her pink dress!
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What's the most rewarding moment you've had as a childcare provider?
The most rewarding moment I have had working with children is when the child I nannied for told me I was her favourite caretaker!
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What's your favourite animal?
Unicorn!
Cecilia Davies-Stevenson
Out of school care leader
Cecilia Is 21 years of age, She has worked professionally with children for the past couple of years in summer camps, and this is her first year working as an Out of School Care Leader! Cecilia went to college straight out of High School and after two years received a Film Production Diploma from Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After completing that, She moved to Victoria with her family to attend UVIC. She is currently in her second year majoring in Greek and Roman Studies and minoring in Creative Writing. In Her free time, She loves to read, write and watch shows or movies.
*Get to know Cecilia a bit more*
What were your favourite childhood hobbies?
Growing up, I loved to roleplay stories on the playground with my friends, and also create stories with my toys. I also loved to colour, play Pokemon on my DS, and read as many stories as I could!
What was your favourite childhood book or movie?
How To Train Your Dragon. Not only was it my favourite childhood movie, but it still remains my top movie of all time to this day.
What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
I would say someone who can recognize that not everything is what it might seem. If children are fighting, there are always multiple sides to a story. Also, not all children communicate the same, and every child has different wants and needs, and they should always be respected. Every child is a human being at the end of the day, and they deserve the respect to be treated as such.
What is your favourite thing about working with children?
Definitely the creativity that only a child has. I'm also honoured when a child lets me into the world that they've created in their head which is unique to them. Children are so creative it always leaves me in awe!
How much experience do you have working in childcare?
When I was a teenager, I obtained my babysitting certificate and I did some babysitting. I also volunteered at the end of middle school and the first two years of high school at a couple of summer camps. More recently, for the past two summers, I have been a Camp Leader. I worked at Camp Pringle last summer, and I ran the Greek Olympics Camp this summer.
What's your favourite game to play with kids and why?
Definitely either Musical Chairs or Mafia. My favourite part about Mafia is the creativity and all the fun versions that I and the children come up with to make the game entertaining!
What's the most rewarding moment you've had as a childcare provider?
I'd say one of the most rewarding things for me is the bonds that I end up creating with the children. Nothing is more fulfilling when you greet a child at the beginning of the day and they're excited to be with you.
What's your favourite animal?
my favourite animals are wolves and cats.
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Marilou L. Saavedra
Out of school care leader
Marilou is originally from The Philippines and is 47 years old. Her hobbies include cooking for Her and her husband as well as video chatting with her family in the Philippines. She also enjoys doing TikTok videos where she dances for fun and posts them on her Facebook reels. She enjoys doing this because her friends and family members frequently interact with her on the videos, which alleviates the homesickness here in Canada.
One of her interests is working with children, which is why she pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education as an undergraduate degree in the Philippines. Prior to moving to Canada Marilou worked as an educator for the Blossom Nursery Group in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), whose main mission is to support Early Years Education in the UAE. Marilou currently has ten years of experience working in childcare, and working with her coworkers, the children, and their parents has helped her grow as an educator and as an individual. Marilou is looking forward to continuously improving her competencies and work ethic as she passionately strives to provide quality childcare to students here in Canada.
*Get to know Marilou a bit more*
What were your favorite childhood hobbies?
As a child, my favorite hobby was eating the snacks that my mother made for me, which is why I was quite chubby during my childhood days.
What was your favorite childhood book or movie?
My favorite childhood books and movies were Cinderella and the Little Red Riding Hood. I really loved fairy tales as a child and even up until now and these two are by far my
favorites.
What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
In my opinion, the most important quality for someone working in childcare is patience because children can be stubborn sometimes so it requires a lot of patience and understanding to deal with them on both the professional and personal level.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?
I want to be Cinderella because, as I’ve mentioned in the previous question, the story of Cinderella was one of my favorite childhood stories and I just love how pure she is despite living in the cruelty of her stepmother and stepsisters.
What is your favorite thing about working with children?
It is when the children start opening up to you on a personal level and they see you as someone important to them. Then, I also appreciate when the parents connect with me and thank me for being an important person to their children, who is there to guide them and instill essential knowledge in them.
How much experience do you have working in childcare?
Overall, I currently have 10 years of experience working in childcare. My most recent
previous experience was as an educator for the Blossom Nursery Group in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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GINI
Daycare Teacher
*Get to know Gini a bit more*
What were your favorite childhood hobbies?
Reading books and swimming!
What was your favorite childhood book or movie?
Anne of Green Gables!
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
Loving and caring mind towards kids!
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If you could be a fictional character, who would you be and why?
Sherlock Holmes, I dont think there is anyone smarter or more creative than Sherlock.
What is your favorite thing about working with children?
I really love reading books to children!
How much experience do you have working with children?
1 Year.
Julia
I am a 49-year-old Early Childhood Educator (ECE). After graduating from Sookmyung Women’s University in Korea, I initially worked as a nutritionist in hospitals and companies. While raising my two children, I also began teaching math to students. Spending time with kids has always been a joy for me, as I love listening to their stories and building strong connections with them. After moving to Canada and studying at Fanshawe College, I worked as a Developmental Service Worker (DSW). This was a deeply meaningful experience, where I had the opportunity to support individuals with disabilities, discover their talents and interests, and collaborate with them to help them live fulfilling lives within the community. Now, as an ECE, I have the privilege of meeting many children and viewing the world through their eyes. At this stage in their lives, they are amazed by even the smallest things. I believe that positive and appropriate stimulation can become a powerful driving force, enabling them to achieve even greater things in the future.
*Get to know Julia a bit more*
What were your favorite childhood hobbies?
I loved books and enjoyed riding a bicycle when I was a child
What was your favorite childhood book or movie?
I like the movie Cars, which I enjoyed watching with my eldest child. The story of the main character, Lightning McQueen, and his friends teaches us the importance of friends and the relationships we build in life. Also, listening to the theme song, Life is a highway, makes me want to go on a trip somewhere as well.
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
I think it is about being able to understand children from their perspective and be willing to wait patiently.
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If you could be a fictional character, who would you be and why?
I want to be Marty from Back to the Future. I want to travel to the future like that and find out what kind of future my children will live in.​
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What is your favorite Flower, Color or Animal?
My favourite flower is geranium. They have so much variety and colour, which makes growing them so much fun. Unsurprisingly, my favourite colour is light green, like those you see from budding sprouts. My favourite animal is a fennec fox. If you see their cute face and big ears, you too will fall in love. ​
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Vanessa Ma
ECE
*Get to know Vanessa a bit more*
My name is Vanessa! I’m an ECE that is new to working in daycare. I was born in Vancouver, but moved to Victoria when I was five years old. As of writing this introduction, I’m a 23 year old who enjoys writing, reading, and video gaming. You can find me in bookstores or with a laptop in front of me as I try to write. I’m currently learning to needle felt, and hope to learn crocheting or knitting sometime in the future. Tips appreciated!
What were your favorite childhood hobbies?
Swimming, reading, drawing simple shapes (stick-people were a favourite). I also journaled when I was young, so I think this is where my writing hobby nowadays started. Also loved to watch movies.
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What was your favorite childhood book or movie?
I watched many Barbie movies! If I had to pick one, my favourite is Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses. Seeing the dances and hearing the music really made me want to try dancing along to the ballet on screen!
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
Love. I know it seems simple, but so much of what we do in childcare is related to our relationships with your child(ren) and that relationship is built on care and love. To guide, support, and teach, we build upon each other’s care and love in a reciprocal way.
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What is your favorite thing about working with children?
My most favourite part of working with children is to see every child’s creativity and imagination blossom into ideas as they play. Seeing their ideas through dramatic play, building something, or trying something new is always amazing to behold!
How much experience do you have working with children?
A majority of my experience is as a student learning in different daycare centers. I have a few months of experience working as an ECE however!
What's your favourite flower/colour/animal?
Giant pandas are my favourite animal. It’s not only because the pandas look cute, but pandas are also an animal closely tied to my Chinese heritage. Helps me feel a connection to family.
Lulu
ECEA
*Get to know Lulu a bit more*
After graduating from Sookmyung Women's University in Korea, I worked as a nutritionist at hospitals and companies. While raising two children, I started teaching math to students as well. Since I always spend a lot of time with kids, I really enjoy listening to their stories and building a bond with them. After coming to Canada and studying DSW at Fanshawe College, I worked as a DSW. It was a very meaningful experience to be with people and students with disabilities, discover their talents and interests, and work together to help them live full and satisfying lives within the community. Working as an early childhood educator, I get to meet lots of children and see their world from their perspective. Children are impressed and amazed by even small things at this point in life. I believe that positive and appropriate stimulation can become the driving force that allows them to achieve greater things moving forward.
What were your favorite childhood hobbies?
I loved books and enjoyed riding a bicycle when I was a child.
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What was your favorite childhood book or movie?
I really like the movie Cars, which I enjoyed watching with my eldest child. The
story of the main character, Lightning McQueen, and his friends teaches us the
importance of friends and the relationships we build in life. Also, listening to the
theme song, Life is a highway, makes me want to go on a trip somewhere as
well.
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
I think it is about being able to understand children from their perspective and be willing to wait patiently.
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What is your favorite thing about working with children?
I love dancing and laughing with my children.
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How much experience do you have working with children?
I started last October.
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What's your favourite flower/colour/animal?
My favourite flower is geranium. They have so much variety and color, which makes growing them so much fun. Unsurprisingly, my favorite color is light green, like those you see from budding sprouts. My favourite animal is a fennec fox. If you see his cute face and big ears, you too will fall in love.
Zahra Nemati
ECEA
*Get to know Zahra a bit more*
I am Zahra Nemati. I am 26 years old. I have a bachelor’s degree in medical science and have worked for several years in a hospital. However, my interest in children led me to change my career path. I completed a training course to become an early childhood educator assistant. Before starting my collaboration with the Braefoot Community Association, I worked for 7 months as an ECEA. I also love theatre and yoga. When I get the chance do some yoga exercises. I was born and grew up in Iran, I have an older sister. I am married and live with my husband. I love theatre and yoga. I have a bachelor’s degree in medical science and have worked for several years in a hospital. However, my interest in children led me to change my career path. I completed a training course to become an early childhood educator assistant. Before starting my collaboration with the Braefoot Community Association, I worked for 7 months as an ECEA.
What were your favorite childhood hobbies?
My favorite hobby was reading books, I liked to explore magical worlds and get lost through stories.
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What was your favorite childhood book or movie?
My favorite book was Little Red Riding Hood and I loved Pink Panther movies.
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
patience, adaptability, and creativity are essential for handling various situations and engaging children effectively.
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What is your favorite thing about working with children?
My favorite aspect of working with children is witnessing their boundless curiosity and imagination. Their question whether about stars, bugs, or rainbows, reminds us of life’s magic. As a guide, I get to nurture their creativity and learn alongside them.
How much experience do you have working with children?
Before starting my collaboration with the Braefoot Community Association, I worked for 7 months as an ECEA
What's your favourite game to play with children?
Simon Says!
Tori
OOSC Leader
*Get to know Tori a bit more*
My name is Tori Goss and I use they/them pronouns. I am 18 and currently attend Camosun College working towards my psychology degree. I was born and raised in Victoria with my 3 brothers. I am a big movie buff and am always up for a new watch! I am bilingual and graduated highschool with both my French and English diplomas. As a nonbinary person I am very passionate about inclusion and celebrating differences with the kids.
What were your favorite childhood hobbies?
My favorite childhood hobbies were reading and basketball.
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What was your favorite childhood book or movie?
My favorite childhood movie was The Lion King!
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What do you consider to be the most important quality for someone working in childcare?
I think that a very important quality when working in childcare is patience and understanding to be able to connect and build relationships with children.
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What is your favorite thing about working with children?
My favorite thing about working with children is watching them accomplish new things and feel proud of themself.
How much experience do you have working with children?
I have been babysitting for 6 years and have 3 years of experience working with childcare organizations.
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What's your favourite game to play with children?
Imaginative play because it helps them explore their creativity and I can remember being that age.
Tana
Practicum Student
*Get to know Tana a bit more*
Hello, my name is Tana Pankratz and I am currently a student at Uvic completing my second practicum at Braefoot Community Association. Growing up my favorite hobbies were a variety of sports including volleyball, track and field, dance, and basketball which I still play at Uvic for the Vikes. My favorite books growing up were the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I believe that the most important quality for someone working in childcare is patience. I think that by having this quality it will allow you to connect with and help children in different situations. It is also important to understand that some kids need more time and attention than others do. My favorite thing about working with children is being able to chat with them and see where their minds are at. I like hearing about their many different thoughts that pop in their heads and remembering when I was that little and figuring things out as I grew up. I have lots of experience working with children as I grew up babysitting and coaching kids in basketball. Now I work at Braefoot throughout the week and train kids on the weekend. There is not one specific rewarding moment I have had but I have had a handful of times where I feel like I actually made a difference in a child’s life. Many of these moments happen after my basketball games at Uvic and when little girls talk to me and say that they look up to me and want to play basketball one day because of me. I love when they ask to take photos after the games and when their parents talk to me individually and tell me how much their daughters love watching me play.