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Nanaimo Innovation Academy
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A unique educational program to inspire life-long learning.
CHILD CARE FACULTY
At Nanaimo Innovation Academy, we hire professional, experienced ECE and ECEA teachers that are young at heart, excited about teaching and learning, and are creative with how they engage students. Our teachers imagine the future of our students and work with them through trusting relationships that bring out growth and achievement.
Please read more below about our current teachers and their passions...
If you are interested in joining our team, please email your cover letter and resume to admin@nanaimoinnovation.org
Joana - Pre-K Manager
prek@nanaimoinnovation.org
Hello! My name is Joana Gorjao and I am the Oak Pre-K manager. I’ve had the pleasure of being an ECE since 2015 and have loved to grow and learn alongside the children ever since! I love to bring in items and books that spark the children’s curiosity and imagination and lead to in-depth conversations.
I feel thrilled to work at NIA where a love for the outdoors is so clearly present in all of our spaces and routines.
In my free time I enjoy learning more about the fauna and flora of Vancouver Island, hiking with my cat and photographing my adventures.
I feel thrilled to work at NIA where a love for the outdoors is so clearly present in all of our spaces and routines.
In my free time I enjoy learning more about the fauna and flora of Vancouver Island, hiking with my cat and photographing my adventures.
Vanessa- IT Manager it@nanaimoinnovation.org
My name is Vanessa and I have been working at Nanaimo Innovation Academy since June 2022. I graduated from the VIU ECEC program in 2017, but most of my life has been spent working with children. I started babysitting as soon as I could and volunteered to help in Sunday School at a young age. I have also worked as both a behaviour interventionist and as a home caregiver for a child with muscular atrophy. I believe every child is unique and has the right to quality care. I do my best to ensure that every child in my care feels cared for, honoured and respected each and every day. I wholeheartedly love spending my days getting to play and learn alongside children, and having the opportunity to see the world through their eyes is such a wonderful experience.
Misty - Forest Manager forest@nanaimoinnovation.org
This field has really turned out to be my "find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in your life." As someone who has been engaged with the outdoors since a young age, the Forest Programs here at NIA are my happy place. After 21 years as a graphic designer, the call to make the world a better place saw me switch careers and move to Vancouver Island with my family. My husband and I have two cats named Barley and Nitro. I enjoy camping, sewing, crafting, roller skating, art, volunteering with Girl Guides of Canada, cheering on the Canucks, walking in the rain, and sitting by a campfire in the snow. I'm also a fan of banana slugs! I'm currently in a course through the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada to become a certified Forest School Practitioner. I look forward to sharing and learning about the world around me with both the "smalls" and the "talls" :)
Lea -Office Manager
info@nanaimoinnovation.org
I grew up in a small town in Northern Alberta. I have lived on the island for 10+ years and have enjoyed many career paths, but working with children and their families is the most rewarding.
I enjoy spending time exploring, volunteering with many programs for youth and the community, most of all time with my son.
I am looking forward to working with and getting to know everyone at NIA
I enjoy spending time exploring, volunteering with many programs for youth and the community, most of all time with my son.
I am looking forward to working with and getting to know everyone at NIA
Alex - ECEA Teacher
Alex has been with N.I.A going on 4 years. After floating between different programs, she is now invested with the Forest Program and Forest Explorers. Her passion for being in nature, and seeking new knowledge has grown alongside the children in these programs. Alex has a background in music, theatre, puppetry, and yoga, and very much enjoys sharing these art forms with the N.I.A community. She is currently an E.C.E.A. who drives the bus, and is working towards her full E.C.E.
Terri - ECE Teacher
Hello, my name is Terri. I feel so fortunate to be part of the NIA team! Originally from England I have now lived on Vancouver Island for the past 18yrs and have loved every minute of it. I recently graduated from Vancouver Island University with my ECE Diploma. Before my journey into early childhood education I volunteered for numerous child focused programs and found my passion lay with advocating for every child to have the education and care they all deserve.
When I’m not working I can be found with my own family, exploring this beautiful island. Me and my children love hiking with our dog Duke, paddle boarding, kayaking, playing board games or just simply enjoying what time we are lucky to have together.
When I’m not working I can be found with my own family, exploring this beautiful island. Me and my children love hiking with our dog Duke, paddle boarding, kayaking, playing board games or just simply enjoying what time we are lucky to have together.
Lisa - ECE Teacher
My name is Lisa, and I am thrilled to be a team member at Nanaimo Innovation Academy! I recently graduated from the North Island College ECE program and plan to continue my education in order to complete a child and youth care degree. Previously I have worked alongside children with diverse abilities as a behavioural support worker. I love to recognize and celebrate each child’s unique spirit and strengths. I value building positive and mutually respectful relationships with the children and families I work with.
I believe every child is a gift and that providing a quality environment for them to play, be curious, explore, problem solve and work in cooperation helps to build their sense of belonging and confidence in their own abilities. Children hold boundless potential and I feel honoured to work in collaboration with them and guide their learning and discovery.
I grew up in the Okanagan and New Zealand and moved to beautiful Nanaimo when I was a teenager. I feel so lucky to call this incredible island home and love to explore its endless opportunities for adventures alongside my husband and our daughter Emerson. I enjoy expressing my creativity through quilting, pottery, painting and gardening.
I believe every child is a gift and that providing a quality environment for them to play, be curious, explore, problem solve and work in cooperation helps to build their sense of belonging and confidence in their own abilities. Children hold boundless potential and I feel honoured to work in collaboration with them and guide their learning and discovery.
I grew up in the Okanagan and New Zealand and moved to beautiful Nanaimo when I was a teenager. I feel so lucky to call this incredible island home and love to explore its endless opportunities for adventures alongside my husband and our daughter Emerson. I enjoy expressing my creativity through quilting, pottery, painting and gardening.
Larissa - ECE Teacher
Hello, I’m Larissa, an ECE at NIA! I attended the ECE diploma program at VIU where I achieved my ECE with infant/toddler and diverse abilities specialties. Through my time at NIA, I have gained much experience in nearly every program NIA has to offer. Throughout my teen years, I spent my time teaching CanSkate through Skate Canada, swimming lessons through RedCross and babysitting. Through these experiences, I was inspired to go into the childcare field. When I’m not at NIA, I enjoy spending my time playing sports. Some of my favourites are baseball, soccer, hockey and figure skating.
Tarena - ECE Teacher
My name is Tarena, and I am thrilled to be a part of the team at Nanaimo Innovation Academy (NIA), where my journey began as a practicum student in 2021. Over time, I have had the privilege of contributing to various programs at NIA, including Pre-K, Forest, and the Infant/Toddler program. I even gained experience in the kitchen when I first started, which gave me a well-rounded perspective on our community.
I come from Sri Lanka, a small but vibrant country where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design. Despite my academic background, my passion has always been working with children, a calling that has only grown stronger over the years. This passion inspired me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
My journey with children began in my early 20s when I worked with underprivileged children in my city, offering after-school tuition in Math and English for 5-6-year-olds. I later co-headed the Sunday School Teens department at my home church for over three years and volunteered as a teaching assistant at a kindergarten in Sri Lanka. I also had the honor of coordinating the childcare program for Project OASIS, which supported war orphans and children affected by conflict in Northern Sri Lanka.
These diverse experiences, both in Sri Lanka and Canada, have shaped my approach to connecting with children and understanding their unique needs. Being part of NIA allows me to continue learning and growing alongside the children and my fellow educators.
I feel privileged to contribute to such a nurturing and inspiring environment, and I am committed to fostering creativity, curiosity, and joy in the children I work with.
I come from Sri Lanka, a small but vibrant country where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design. Despite my academic background, my passion has always been working with children, a calling that has only grown stronger over the years. This passion inspired me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
My journey with children began in my early 20s when I worked with underprivileged children in my city, offering after-school tuition in Math and English for 5-6-year-olds. I later co-headed the Sunday School Teens department at my home church for over three years and volunteered as a teaching assistant at a kindergarten in Sri Lanka. I also had the honor of coordinating the childcare program for Project OASIS, which supported war orphans and children affected by conflict in Northern Sri Lanka.
These diverse experiences, both in Sri Lanka and Canada, have shaped my approach to connecting with children and understanding their unique needs. Being part of NIA allows me to continue learning and growing alongside the children and my fellow educators.
I feel privileged to contribute to such a nurturing and inspiring environment, and I am committed to fostering creativity, curiosity, and joy in the children I work with.
Lily - ECE Teacher & Kitchen Assistant
Meaghan - ECE Teacher
Hello, my name is Meaghan and I completed my diploma in Early Childhood Education at VIU. I also completed my BSc at UBCO and am passionate about science! I love to spend my time hiking, camping, backpacking, or just being outside. I am thrilled to be a part of the NIA team and to learn alongside children.
Avneet - ECE Teacher
Hello, My name is Avneet Kaur, I was born and raised in India. In 2019, I moved to Canada to pursue higher studies. I graduated from Northern College of Arts and Technology Pures campus (Toronto, Ontario) with an ECE certification in December 2021. I knew coming into my practicum that I wanted to become an ECE. Because during that time, I realized there is no better feeling in the world than doing something that actually makes a difference in young lives that you enjoy and are proud of. I worked with both Preschool and Infant/toddler age groups for almost 2 years in Ontario. While employed as an RECE in the toddler room with Upper Canada, I also assumed the post of Assistant (designated supervisor). Last year I moved to Vancouver Island with my spouse. I am really excited for all new learnings, and I am grateful that NIA gave me a great opportunity to be a part of their team. I am looking forward to discovering and getting to know everyone.
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