DOREEN Ng

Owner/Director/Early Childhood Specialist

This journey started when I was looking for a daycare for my first child and was unsatisfied with what was being offered for the price and quality of care. Being a teacher and a mom, I had certain expectations of what a daycare should offer. After talking to many parents, I found they struggled with the same problem and a lot of moms also had a hard time adjusting to the huge change of putting their baby into the care of others.

This inspired me to create Little Heartprints Academy, where I could continue my passion for teaching and help families feel comforted and excited to leave their child in a loving and thriving environment.

BACKGROUND

I hold a Masters degree in Education with a minor in Applied Psychology. I have over 15 years of experience with working with children. Before starting my career as a teacher with the Calgary board of Education (CBE), I worked in daycares and volunteered in a variety of roles where I worked with young children.

During my 10 years with the CBE, I taught Kindergarten-Grade 6. I spent the majority of my career teaching Grades 1 and 2 which helped me to develop my skills in Early Childhood Education (helping students develop core skills in reading, writing, numeracy development, emotional regulation and interpersonal skills).

After having my first son, my fascination with the early developmental years grew. That is when I started learning more about Montessori practices to incorporate at home. It was amazing to see my son develop and learn so quickly in a short amount of time. With my knowledge and experience in Early childhood education and development, I felt like this was the natural next step in my career.

I am excited to meet all the amazing children that will touch my heart and leave a special heartprint!

Fabiola Barrios-Salas

Program Facilitator/ Reggio Emilia Specialist

My journey as an early childhood educator started in the fall of 2012 when I visited for the first time, the municipal schools of Reggio Emilia. During my first Study Group, I was deeply touched by the image of the child, reflected in the incredible pedagogical documentation that educators at Reggio Emilia shared with us, as well as the magical learning environments I experienced firsthand while visiting their schools. What I learned there became a new passion and professional career in my life. Reggio materialized some of my most important beliefs about education like the relevance of creativity, innovation, personalized learning, multiple intelligences, art as a language for learning, and the value of an unscripted curriculum. In addition, I connected my art and interior design passion with the aesthetic learning environments and the role of the Atelier proposed by Reggio.

As an educator, I believe that learning is a natural process for all human beings. We are born with the capacity, eagerness, and curiosity to discover and make sense of our world. What I love about teaching in a Reggio Emilia-inspired program is that adults and children embark on a learning journey together where the focus is not on transferring knowledge but on co-constructing a learning path for life. Children are capable learners and citizens with the right to be listened to and participate in their learning process. Adults are part of the learning process by reflecting constantly on what, and how children learn, and they become co-learners and co-researchers together with the children.            

BACKGROUND

I have more than 15 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education as a Director, professional development facilitator, learning coach, and preschool teacher. I have a Bachelor’s in Science Communication and a Master's in Education. Recently, I completed a Certificate in Early Childhood Education, and the training Exploring Early Childhood Curriculum: Flight Alberta´s Early Learning and Care Framework. Because I believe that learning is a lifelong principle, I am constantly taking courses, reading, and facilitating learning experiences for colleagues. Nowadays, I am pursuing a Visual Design Certificate, and I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Calgary Reggio Network Association.

Michelle CHong

Early Childhood Educator

Toddler Room

I am a mom of a very lovely boy Julian.  I found inspiration for cooking when my son was born and wanted to provide him with a well balanced diet.

Before moving to Calgary and starting my own family, home was then in a small town on a land very far away and very sunny on the other side of the globe. Being the only gal among 4 brothers, I assumed the role as my mom’s young apprentice and learned the ropes on how to maneuver around the kitchen.

I started as a Chef with Little Heartprints Academy and I have recently finished my Level 1 Childcare Certificate! I am now working in the toddler classroom to gain more skills to help young children grow, develop and thrive in this environment.

BACKGROUND

Graduating from college with Business Administration and Secretarial certifications, and with vast experiences in the administration sector throughout my career, I am thrilled and happy to move on to a different sector where I get to mingle and be surrounded by sweet little cuties throughout the day!

I recently finished my Level 1 Child care certification and I am excited to be working with your children!

Shyanna Wohlgemuth

Early Childhood Educator

Toddler room

For a part of my life I lived on a farm outside of a very small town with my four siblings, parents, grandparents and many animals. All I knew growing up was life in a small town, moving to

Calgary away from my family was a big and scary step but was a step that I needed to make. Although I love living in a small town I knew I needed a change. Once I got settled I was then able to bring my dog and cat to the city too.

From a very young age I knew I wanted to work with children, my small home town is where my journey in childcare all began. This led me to babysitting, as I grew older my passion grew too which then led me to working in childcare. The beginning of working in childcare I knew instantly that this was my passion, it was something I wanted to continue to pursue. I strive to make it a safe, fun and caring environment for all the children to learn and grow. I am passionate about being a lifelong learner in which I can continue bettering myself for the children.

BACKGROUND

I have about six years working in childcare. I have my level one but plan on pursuing my level two and three. I've worked with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and have been an EA in a kindergarten classroom. When I first moved to Calgary I worked as a respite worker for a short time. I have my Montessori Early Childhood Assistant certificate and my Montessori Early Childhood Advanced Certificate.

Allana White

Early Childhood Educator

Toddler room

Although my path to Early Childcare Education has been unorthodox to say the least, it's also been an experience of deep learning and self discovery. Starting as young as 12 years old as a junior gymnastics coach at Southern Alberta Gymnastics Club and continuing for 7 years after as a Senior coach, I found my love for inspiring young minds in developing their own skills and abilities early on. I then transitioned into corporate life as I pursued a degree in Finance. During my time in University, I completed Level 1 of Early Childhood Education (ECE) to be a Before and After School Childcare Worker as I still found joy in working with children and thought it could be a good hobby. Once I graduated, and working full time for 5 years in the industry of wealth management and investment planning, I realized I wasn’t feeling the same love or passion as I did when I was working with children. After a long hard look in the mirror and many conversations with loved ones, it was time to quit my career and pursue my passion. 

I’ve now been working with Little Heartprints since February as a substitute teacher and full time since May in the Toddler Room. The new found joy for life and learning has been a wonderful  discovery. I’ve found a deep connection with the children as we tackle the nuances of practical life, fine motor and gross motor skills, and language and speech development together. 

BACKGROUND

Several certifications in foundations of gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline. A bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Major in Finance and Minor in Economics. Passed my CFA Level 1 exam. Have my Level 1 ECE and am planning to pursue Level 2 and 3.  Currently reading the book on Reggio Emilia’s Approach.

Sofia Ceja

Early Childhood Educator

Preschool room

I arrived in Canada 7 years ago, seeking new adventures and with many dreams to fulfill. I am passionate about traveling and discovering new places; since I was young, I always felt that my home would be far from home. I embarked on this journey without knowing where it would lead me and found my destination in Calgary. Now, I am a mother to a 3-year-old girl and a stepmother to two beautiful children. Since arriving in Canada, I started working as a nanny, which turned out to be the perfect job. I loved spending time with the children, playing, going to the zoo, the park, museums, and many other places. Telling them stories, eating ice cream, going swimming, teaching them Spanish, cooking together – and the best part was getting paid for so much fun. Since then, I knew I wanted to explore my career in the childcare field. My background as a psychologist has allowed me to have a different perspective on parenting and has helped me support each of my children in the way they need. After 6 years of being a nanny, of interacting and growing with extraordinary families, I decided it's time to take a step further in my career with children.

When my baby was 8 months old, I started working in a dayhome. I had a group of 6 children between 1.5 and 3 years old, always providing them with a lot of love and the best care.

I found Little Hearts Prints Academy in November 2023, where I am now starting as a preschool teacher. It brings me great joy to put all my love and knowledge into teaching these little ones.

BACKGROUND

I studied psychology for 5 years at the University of San Nicolas de Hidalgo in Mexico. After graduating, I began working as a Human Resources Analyst at a company called PC&B. There, my responsibilities included creating job profiles, recruiting and selecting candidates, conducting psychological tests, and seeking to find the ideal person for the right position. My team oversaw the proper development of each area of the company, and we developed new workshops to keep all personnel updated. After approximately a year and a half of working in this company, I decided to move to Canada.

In Calgary, I obtained my First Aid certification and attended a workshop called “Childhood Trauma: Finding a Way Through”. I have worked as a full-time nanny for three different families over the past six years. Recently, I obtained my Early Childhood Educator Level 1 certificate

Daniela Ortiz

Early Childhood Educator

Preschool room

Before coming to Canada, 3 years ago, I had the opportunity to live in different cities in my home country, Chile.

Born and raised in the beautiful coastal city of Viña del Mar, I moved to the capital, Santiago, in 1998, where I started working as an English teacher at a very prestigious British school in Santiago.

After 15 years living in Santiago, we moved to a city in the north of Chile, Antofagasta, in the middle of the Atacama Desert, where I lived for 6 years before returning to my hometown for 1 year, and then to Santiago for a year, from where we flew with my family to Calgary, to start a new life adventure in Canada.

Mother of 3 daughters aged 20, 18 and 15, I really enjoy the sea, rivers, lakes, and the sun. I take advantage of every moment of the summer, but I have also learned to value the beautiful moments that each season of the year brings us, especially winter because I love skiing.

With more than 25 years of experience in the field of education, I have had the opportunity to work with different age groups, so I am very excited about the opportunity I have to apply what I have learned and use my experience in the development of children from an early age.

Background

I am an ECE Level 1 in Alberta from 2022. I have a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from the Catholic University of Chile, and have specialized in the implementation of the Diploma, PYP and MYP programs of the International Baccalaureate (IB). Throughout my more than 20-year career, I have developed various roles in the field of education, as a teacher, room teacher, IB coordinator and vice principal.

I consider it very motivating to contribute to the development and early learning of children and to the introduction in learning a second language.

suhaira Qureshi

Development Coach/ Early Childhood Educator

 Preschool Room

Teaching is my passion. As an early-years teacher, I have learned that each child is unique. My roles as a teacher, and as a mom have taught me that there is a connection between children's well-being, behaviour, and their early years experiences. As an early childhood practitioner, I support the whole child, which includes areas of child's development: physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. In my daily practice, I strive to remember the three R's: respect for the uniqueness of the individuals, responsiveness to the children's and family needs and reciprocity of learning interaction.

In my free time, I read books about ECE, I enjoy cooking, travelling and spending time with my beautiful family.

BACKGROUND

I hold a B.A. degree, and a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Development. I am a certified Level 3 Early Childhood Educator from the Government of Alberta. I also have achieved a Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Diploma (3-6 years old children).

I have been in the teaching profession for more than 15 years, and have worked with the YWCA of Calgary for 12 years. As a pedagogical leader, my goal with the YWCA organization was to teach young children through Reggio Emilia's approach and coach Bow Valley College students from the Early Childhood Education Program. Now at Little Heartprints Academy, my priority as a lead teacher is to teach Pre-K students through Montessori/Reggio Emilia approach and to train teachers at school, incorporating topics of: "Emergent Curriculum", "Children have stress too!", "Importance of attendance in Early Childhood Programs", are some of the examples.

 "The secret of good teaching is to regard the child's intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination." (Montessori, M., To Educate the Human Potential, Chapter, The Right Use of the Imagination, 1973)

Camilla Casallas

PROFESSIONAL CHEF

My passion for cooking starts since when I was a kid. I was always around of special woman that teach me the art of cooking and nurturing based in the local  ingredients. When I was at the university, I had the opportunity to study anthropology and I found an interest the relation between "power and food" thought the history of the humans. I get deep in the the learning and understanding of the food practices, ingredients, cultures, ancestral knowledge and the actual power of the food in our social, political, economic relations. 

My professional career as a chef started when one day my dad asked me for help in the family business (a very popular restaurant in my town). I felt the need to understand the professional way to run a food business so I decided to study something related. I won a scholarship to study Culinary Arts in Colombia and Argentina. Since then I have been working in the industry for more than 10 years in differents roles.In the past 5 years that I have been working in Canada. I had the opportunity to work as a manager in well-know restaurants and institutions in the city. However, as mom and wife it has been very difficult to find a balance with the restaurant demands so I decided to open new opportunities and now I am working in LHP. I am very grateful with this opportunity because I feel very fulfill in my personal and professional career.  I loved share my knowledge in the cooking activities with the kids.  I enjoyed cooking and bring new flavours, ingredients and experiences in every meal. 

I truly believed that we are what we eat so I tried to cook as Healty and tasty as possible.  I love cook with high quality and fresh-local ingredients. 

BACKGROUND

I have more than 10 years of experience working in the food industry as a Cook, Chef and Manager. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Technician Diploma in Culinary Arts. I had different courses and certifications in business management and food handling. I am pursuing start my professional education in Canada as well.