Our Amazing Teachers and Staff
Centre Managers
Sarah Jones Manager Hello Pemberton Children’s Centre Families! Originally from the UK, Sarah’s passion for 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. In 2008, Sarah moved to Squamish to pursue a certificate in outdoor education and leadership through Capilano University’s Advanced Wilderness Leadership Program (AWLP). Opportunities to follow were at Whistler Children’s Centre, where she worked as an ECE Assistant for five years, and at the Stewardship Pemberton Society as a Nature Educator, and eventually Executive Director, 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. |
Ola K Perkins Assistant manager My name is Ola K Perkins and I am the Assistant Manager of the Pemberton Children's Centre. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education program at Capilano College in 1989. I started with the Whistler Children's Centre in the fall of that year. While I was working at the Centre I completed my post basic training for my Infant Toddler and Special Needs certification. I joined to Pemberton Children’s Centre when it opened in 2007. |
Teachers
Debbie Gabriel Head Teacher My name is Debbie Gabriel. I am an ECE and Support worker in Dragonflies. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree from the Aboriginal Child-Youth Care Program (UVIC) in Mount Currie in 1999. I obtained my Infant Toddler/Special needs certificate in 2003. I’ve worked in Pemberton, Mount Currie, and N’Quatqua prior to joining the Pemberton Children’s Centre team in June of 2019. |
Sammy Lossee head teacher Hi everyone! My name is Sammy. I am the Head Teacher in the Beetlebugs program. I have an ECE Assistant certificate and I’m working towards my ECE license. I am fortunate to know most of the children that attend the Pemberton Children's Centre, watch them learn, help them to grow, keep them safe and learn from them every day. They make me laugh and keep me believing in magic. I’m so thankful that every day is brand new. All of these things make this the most rewarding job I've ever had. I myself am a wife and a parent. I've been married to my husband Cookie since 1999 and we have two beautiful children named March and Charlie Parker. |
Sabrina McDermot head teacher “Children are not only innocent and curious but also optimistic and joyful and essentially happy. They are in short everything adults wish they could be.” -Carolyn Haywood I am lucky enough to be able to help the children at the Pemberton Children’s Centre on their journey through infant and toddlerhood with the hope that they are able to hold onto their joy and wonder as long as possible. I am known throughout the centre by children and staff as “Bina". At home I am known as “Mom” to two wonderful balls of energy. Having two little ones of my own allows me to share my experiences as a Mother with the families in our Centre. Currently, I am the Head Teacher in the Crickets program. I work alongside the Management team and the hard working teachers in the Crickets room to ensure that the children learn through play and guidance. I feel that children should be allowed to learn through self exploration with as much or as little guidance as needed. Each child is full of possibilities and personalities that are ready to learn. As a Teacher, I am here to give them as many opportunities as possible. |
Emi Yoshihara My name is Emi Yoshihara. I graduated from the Nova Saho College and Osaka University of Arts Junior College in Japan. I have worked in licensed centres in Japan and at the Whistler Children's Centre before starting at the Pemberton Children's Centre. |
Christel Rabung My name is Christel Rabung. I am a teacher in the Dragonflies program. I completed the Early Childhood Education course through Northern Lights College. I worked at the Whistler Children's Centre before starting at the Pemberton Children's Centre. |
Sue Williams Hello my name is Sue Williams. I have my ECE certification and have been working at the Pemberton Children’s Centre since 2010. I have worked in all the rooms. I enjoy working, learning and playing with all the children. |
Lucy Eccles My name is Lucy and I grew up in Whistler. I have been working in childcare for the past 10 years. I have a degree in Elementary Education from the UBCO and an Early Childhood Educator Assistant certificate. I am currently working on my Diploma in Special Education from UBC. I enjoy spending time outside playing in the sun and snow, exploring different places and learning from the world around us. I am now happy to call Pemberton my forever home and look forward to getting to know all of the families that make up this wonderful community. |
Baylie Littau Hello my name is Baylie Littau, I am a wife, and Mother to a German Shepherd Cross. I love paddle boarding, mountain biking and snowboarding. I have my Early Childhood Educator Assistant certificate and working towards my full ECE license. I graduated University to become a Hair Designer in 2011 and Loved it! Later a Client of mine opened a new door to become a part-time care worker for her 10yr old son who has a genetic disorder and requires full time support. He Changed my life and how I looked at the world and most of all how to be patient. With a chronic disorder myself I have the ability to connect with children, especially those who struggle. I see the importance of learning at the child's pace. I am honest and trusted by many people and families. If I could teach one thing to a child it would be to have patience. With more patient people, the world would be a much better place. |
Ayaka Nakajima Hi My name is Ayaka. I am working in the Beetlebugs program. I am originally from Japan. I have my Early Childhood Education and Infant/Toddler certificates. I have been working at the Pemberton Children's Centre since 2015. I enjoy snowboarding, camping, hiking, swimming, reading and going bike riding with my son. |
Juyeon (Ju) Park Hello, my name is Juyeon Park, originally from South Korea. As I love being with children and I believe this job is a very worthwhile career, I started my career at the Whistler Children's Centre in 2018 before starting at the Pemberton Children's Centre in 2020. I enjoy skiing, biking, learning and now I'm enjoying doing everything again from beginner level with my daughter Shinbee! |
Yuka Hikita-Feuz My name is Yuka and I joined Pemberton Children’s Centre in 2014. I hold a certificate in Early Childhood Education and Infant/Toddler certificate. I believe in attachment theory which is a foundation of early learning. I also believe that play is a child’s most important work. I have 2 children of my own, Alisa and Alex. When I’m not at work, I enjoy gardening, hiking, skiing and baking. |
Marna Bateman Hello! My name is Marna Bateman. I am originally from South Africa. I got my degree in Communication Sciences in 2011 and have since worked in the education field on various levels. I have my Early Childhood Education Assistant certificate. My hobbies include baking, reading and spending time outside with my family. I love working with all the children and getting to know the families in our community. |
Georgia Curulli Hey I'm Georgia. I have my ECE Assistant certificate and I moved to Canada 3 years ago with my husband from Melbourne, Australia. I'm so excited to be working with your kids and helping them to learn and grow. On my weekends you will find me hiking and camping or in the winter trying to learn to ski! |
Whitney Tsang My name is Whitney and I have been living in the Sea to Sky, Whistler for 12 years. I have been weaving between career paths in childcare and hospitality and culinary for many years and have finally made the decision to go to school again and upgrade my skills. Currently I am a practicum student for the Early Childhood Educator program at College of the Rockies. I will get my certification by July 2021. Most of my experience is caring for children the ages 18-24 months. Forever playing is a way of life for me. I mostly enjoy having art nights and cooking with my partner. We also love adventuring with our dog Coastal. She has high energy and always wants to play and loves eating snowballs. My goal is to get touring gear to expand my love for the snowy months. |
Sylvia Levine Hi, my name is Sylvia. I am a fully certified Early Childhood Educator with my Infant/Toddler and Special Needs certification. I am a teacher on call for the Pemberton Children’s Centre. I am from the N’Quatqua community where I live with my partner and daughter. |
Carla Arney
Staff bio to come...
