Welcome to our new PCC Manager Sarah Jones!
We are thrilled to let you know that Sarah Jones has accepted the Manager's position at the Pemberton Children's Centre.
Please read below for a Q&A with Sarah to allow us to get to know her a little better.
Introduction to Sarah...
Sarah’s passion for teaching and working with children began at a young age and steered her to accomplish a Degree in Primary Education at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Upon the completion of her degree, Sarah left her hometown of Hereford, England in 2008 and moved to Squamish to pursue a certificate in outdoor education and leadership through Capilano University’s Advanced Wilderness Leadership Program (AWLP). Her training through the AWLP taught her how to effectively lead others and address situations in a calm and professional way.
Sarah joined the team at the Whistler Children’s Centre in 2010 where she worked as an ECE Assistant for five years before moving to Pemberton and subsequently accepting a position at Stewardship Pemberton Society as a Nature Educator. At over six and half years working with the Organization Sarah held many roles and accepted the position of Executive Director shortly after the birth of her son in 2018.
Sarah brings to Pemberton Children’s Centre over 17 years’ experience in working with children, as well as current Occupational First Aid Level 3 certification.
Q&A
Q: What is the most rewarding part of working with children?
Watching children grow, learn and develop through play is, for me, the most rewarding experience. I very much enjoy being able to see children develop new skills every day, while being part of helping them to achieve those milestones. Children are great teachers in the concept of, no matter how difficult something may seem, through perseverance and determination (both of which children have in abundance) you can pretty much achieve anything you set your mind to!
As a mother of a busy 4-year old, I am also reminded daily of the importance of nurturing, guiding and mentoring the natural curiosity and deep senses of wonder and empathy already existent within all children, and strive to foster children’s connections with others, and within themselves, through exploration and play.
Q: Reason for living in (or moving to) the S2S?
I moved here with my entire family back in 2008.
The full story: My Dad spent his teenage years in Guelph Ontario - My Grandad saw an advert for a job in Ontario while reading the local newspaper and decided to apply. He was successful in his application and shortly after their whole family of four moved to Ontario. While my Granddad was happy to be in Canada, he eagerly awaited the day that they would receive their Permanent Residency and be able to move to B.C. (he was an avid fisherman and always wanted to fish the Fraser River). Unfortunately, shortly after receiving their Canadian Permanent Residency, they found themselves having to move back to the U.K.
As the years passed, my Dad often found himself thinking of Canada and had always wanted to move back with us all so we could, hopefully, have the same, fun experiences he had while living over here. In 2008, we made the decision to move to Canada as a family and just try it out for 12 months. We also decided to follow my Grandad’s dreams and move to B.C. - It was during my first week of living in Squamish that I knew I was home in Canada and here to stay.
Q: What is your favourite children’s book?
Oh, that’s a tricky one as I have a lot of favourites! If I had to choose, it would likely be one of the many books from the Roald Dahl collection - I really enjoyed his quirky imagination.
Q: Favourite Disney character, and why?
Tigger – “T-I-Double-G-ER”! I was obsessed with Winnie the Pooh as a child and can still recite the Tigger song to this day. I’m not too sure why Tigger was my favourite of all the Winnie the Pooh characters but my guess is it was something to do with his energy, confidence and cheery nature… That, and he has his own song.
Q: What is your favourite holiday?
My favourite holiday will always be Christmas as, growing up, it’s always been about spending time with family and loved ones. I’m one of those people who can’t wait to decorate the house and get into the festivities.
Q: Skier, snowboarder or N/A?
100% Snowboarder - While I’ve always been intrigued to try skiing, I’m pretty accident prone so feel as though one stick attached to my feet is safer and more manageable than two.
Q: What is your favourite summer activity?
While I have been fortunate to find a passion for lots of activities through my AWLP course (climbing, hiking, sea kayaking, canoeing), my favourite will always be hiking. I’ve seen some pretty breathtaking places over the past thirteen years just by putting one foot in front of the other.
Q: What’s usually in your lunchbox?
I like to snack so my lunch kit usually includes lots of choices; which often includes a couple types of fruit, crackers, dried fruit, chocolate, bars, as well as a seasonal lunch (right now it’s soup).
Q: What 5 items you would bring with you to a desert island?
First aid kit (would that count as one item?); pocket knife; fire making kit; shelter and pocket water filter - This answer would have been VERY different pre-AWLP course and would have likely included lots of chocolate and a book.
Please read below for a Q&A with Sarah to allow us to get to know her a little better.
Introduction to Sarah...
Sarah’s passion for teaching and working with children began at a young age and steered her to accomplish a Degree in Primary Education at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Upon the completion of her degree, Sarah left her hometown of Hereford, England in 2008 and moved to Squamish to pursue a certificate in outdoor education and leadership through Capilano University’s Advanced Wilderness Leadership Program (AWLP). Her training through the AWLP taught her how to effectively lead others and address situations in a calm and professional way.
Sarah joined the team at the Whistler Children’s Centre in 2010 where she worked as an ECE Assistant for five years before moving to Pemberton and subsequently accepting a position at Stewardship Pemberton Society as a Nature Educator. At over six and half years working with the Organization Sarah held many roles and accepted the position of Executive Director shortly after the birth of her son in 2018.
Sarah brings to Pemberton Children’s Centre over 17 years’ experience in working with children, as well as current Occupational First Aid Level 3 certification.
Q&A
Q: What is the most rewarding part of working with children?
Watching children grow, learn and develop through play is, for me, the most rewarding experience. I very much enjoy being able to see children develop new skills every day, while being part of helping them to achieve those milestones. Children are great teachers in the concept of, no matter how difficult something may seem, through perseverance and determination (both of which children have in abundance) you can pretty much achieve anything you set your mind to!
As a mother of a busy 4-year old, I am also reminded daily of the importance of nurturing, guiding and mentoring the natural curiosity and deep senses of wonder and empathy already existent within all children, and strive to foster children’s connections with others, and within themselves, through exploration and play.
Q: Reason for living in (or moving to) the S2S?
I moved here with my entire family back in 2008.
The full story: My Dad spent his teenage years in Guelph Ontario - My Grandad saw an advert for a job in Ontario while reading the local newspaper and decided to apply. He was successful in his application and shortly after their whole family of four moved to Ontario. While my Granddad was happy to be in Canada, he eagerly awaited the day that they would receive their Permanent Residency and be able to move to B.C. (he was an avid fisherman and always wanted to fish the Fraser River). Unfortunately, shortly after receiving their Canadian Permanent Residency, they found themselves having to move back to the U.K.
As the years passed, my Dad often found himself thinking of Canada and had always wanted to move back with us all so we could, hopefully, have the same, fun experiences he had while living over here. In 2008, we made the decision to move to Canada as a family and just try it out for 12 months. We also decided to follow my Grandad’s dreams and move to B.C. - It was during my first week of living in Squamish that I knew I was home in Canada and here to stay.
Q: What is your favourite children’s book?
Oh, that’s a tricky one as I have a lot of favourites! If I had to choose, it would likely be one of the many books from the Roald Dahl collection - I really enjoyed his quirky imagination.
Q: Favourite Disney character, and why?
Tigger – “T-I-Double-G-ER”! I was obsessed with Winnie the Pooh as a child and can still recite the Tigger song to this day. I’m not too sure why Tigger was my favourite of all the Winnie the Pooh characters but my guess is it was something to do with his energy, confidence and cheery nature… That, and he has his own song.
Q: What is your favourite holiday?
My favourite holiday will always be Christmas as, growing up, it’s always been about spending time with family and loved ones. I’m one of those people who can’t wait to decorate the house and get into the festivities.
Q: Skier, snowboarder or N/A?
100% Snowboarder - While I’ve always been intrigued to try skiing, I’m pretty accident prone so feel as though one stick attached to my feet is safer and more manageable than two.
Q: What is your favourite summer activity?
While I have been fortunate to find a passion for lots of activities through my AWLP course (climbing, hiking, sea kayaking, canoeing), my favourite will always be hiking. I’ve seen some pretty breathtaking places over the past thirteen years just by putting one foot in front of the other.
Q: What’s usually in your lunchbox?
I like to snack so my lunch kit usually includes lots of choices; which often includes a couple types of fruit, crackers, dried fruit, chocolate, bars, as well as a seasonal lunch (right now it’s soup).
Q: What 5 items you would bring with you to a desert island?
First aid kit (would that count as one item?); pocket knife; fire making kit; shelter and pocket water filter - This answer would have been VERY different pre-AWLP course and would have likely included lots of chocolate and a book.