Our Family
Tammy Frenette
My name is Tammy. I have been married for 13 years and a mother of two wonderful children. I have been working in the field of childcare for the past twenty years. I have a diploma in the field of Child and Youth Worker as well as Early Childhood Education. During my years as an educator I have had the opportunity to work with all different age groups from infant to school age. I am presently working with the toddler age group. I have been working in the Early Childhood field for some time now, and I can honestly say that I enjoy coming to work each day. I have taught a great deal to many children over the years, but I feel thaat I have learned much from them. What I have learned over the years has helped me to be a better teacher. And for this I am truly blessed. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that you helped make a difference in a child’s life. I look forward to sharing and learning with your child.
Christina Marchese
It all started in the month of February 2008, when I realized that working with children in a daycare is what I decided to do for the rest of my life. I have my aesthetics certificate and decided to do that for a while until I needed a change and went to the University for social work. That still wasn’t for me. Finally I had the opportunity to work in a daycare part time and loved it. Before I knew it I began working full time and I enrolled myself in the ECE apprentice program. I couldn’t be happier with the choice and am greatly looking forward to the opportunity of getting my credentials and advancing my education in the ECE program. I am usually found working in the infant room and on occasion I am in toddler as well.
Stephanie Shepley-Qassisiya
I am currently working in the infant room at the Olivia DiMaio Early Childhood Ecucational Centre. I have worked in the early childhood field for six years and have worked at the Early Childhood Education Centre for five and a half years. Before I started at the Early Childhood Education Centre I graduated from St. Clair College in 2003 and also had experience in other daycares with various different ages. As the infant room teacher I provide a class room that cares for the childs individual and emotional needs. I also help children learn through their everyday skills and through extensive curriculum. I enjoy working in a daycare environment because I get the satisfaction of watching children grow and achieving their goals.
Penny Bowser
I am a proud mother of two great children. My husband and I raise our family out in Harrow as we enjoy the “small town” atmosphere. My children are huge sports fans and play hockey, soccer and baseball so you can guess what I do when I’m not at work! Run, Run, Run. I wouldn’t have it any other way though! I graduated from St. Clair College in 2001 and have my Early Childhood Education diploma. I have been working in childcare since highschool. Let’s just say a long time! Children have always been my passion. I love knowing that at the end of the day, I have done my best to give my toddler friends a stimulating, fun, learn experience each and every day.
Vanessa Gallant
My name is Vanessa Gallant. I have one handsome little devil as a son whom is in the toddler room at the centre. I will be expecting baby number 2 in August. I graduated from St. Clair College in the summer of 2002 from the Early Childhood Education program. I have been a qualified ECE for 7 years, working for the centre in Tecumseh for the past 6 ˝ years and joining the Olivia DiMaio team in September of 2008. Over the past 7 years of my journey in the ECE field I have experienced working with all different age group range from infant to school age. Working with children everyday is a great learning experience. Not only for the children but for myself also.
Irene White
I have been with the ECE centre for eight years. I graduated from the ECE program in 1998. I have my First Aid and CPR. Currently I am working in the infant room. Over the years I have learned to plan and implement child-centered curriculum that is responsive to the individual and group needs of the children. I encourage and support each child to express his/her independence, decision making, problem solving, communication and appropriate expression of feelings. Most importantly, I create a physically and psychologically safe environment for the children in my care.
Jenna Banks
My name is Jenna Banks and I have been currently working at the Olivia DiMaio Early Childhood Education Centre for 2 years and I am also working towards getting my ECE diploma. At the Olivia DiMaio Early Childhood Education Centre I supply in all the rooms. I enjoy working here – children are amazing as well as my colleagues.
Brigitte Rainville
My name is Brigitte, I am 32 years old and have a wonderful family of my own, “two brilliant boys”, and a very supportive spouse who I have shared the last fourteen years of my life. I am a very patient and encouraging teacher, parent, and spouse and possess a very warm and caring approach.
My desire is to give each child the fundamentals to build their self-worth, self-esteem, self-discipline, independence, respect and cooperation with peers. I truly believe in a quality program for young children, and am honored to be participating in the development and guidance within the “Olivia DiMaio” educational program.
I have achieved ten years experience in providing childcare services. I have demonstrated eight years of that experience in a day nursery program working as an assistant and a head teacher for many different age groups. I have established a very successful year in a Montessori school as an assistant and directress in the toddler program and moving up to the casa program, and have provided private childcare services within my home.
I have diligently maintained my First Aid, CPR and Life Saving Training certificates. I continue to partake in different child based seminars when they become available, for example “Barbara Coloroso, and Kent Billinghurst”.
I have been very privileged to have been expose to many different varieties of teaching methods and upon completion of my Montessori certificate look forward to many more educational experiences. I look forward to sharing my wealth of experience and knowledge with you and your children to build happy well rounded and balanced educated children.
Margaret Stobbs
My name is Margaret Stobbs but when you come into the centre everyone just calls me “Miss Peggy”! Over the past 22 years I have had the distinct pleasure of providing children in the LaSalle area with a positive, nurturing and loving environment for their first school adventure. My entire career as an Early Childhood Educator has been spent at the Early Childhood Education Centre. I have had the joy to watch many children and families grow, with some of the children returning to the centre with their own children. What a privilege. In December of 2008 I became a Registered Early Childhood Educator through the College of Early – I am very proud and honoured to have had this opportunity. For the past 18 years I have been the centre’s supervisor as well as a classroom teacher. I have had the opportunity to experience every learning environment in the centre from the Infant Room all the way to the Before and After School Program. I strongly believe in leading by example in everything I do, whether it be in the classroom as a teacher, in the administrative area of childcare as a supervisor and as a loving and caring wife and mother. I am married and have been for the past 21 years to my extremely patient and always supportive husband Bill. Together we have a truly remarkable son Josh, who is Grade 11 student at Villanova High School. As an Early Childhood Educator I remain up to date on current issues and trends in our field. I am continually challenging myself through professional development conferences and workshops. I am dedicated to providing children with a variety of early learning experiences within a positive, nurturing and gentle atmosphere. I look forward to meeting your child or children as well as your whole entire family and making your family a part of ours.
Lindsay Baker
Hello, my name is Lindsay Baker and I’m 26 years old. I have been working with young children for 8 years now, and I find it to be very rewarding and satisfying. I have just started working at the Early Childhood Centre and I thoroughly enjoy it. I work in the toddler room and have fun working with the age group. I have my Montessori teaching degree and I have both worked in Daycare Centres and Montessori Schools. I am happy that I have experienced both teaching methods I have had the best of both worlds.