Hello! My name is Janaya, I am the Director at Avon Co-op. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I started my journey working with children on Vancouver Island (where I was born and raised), 15 years ago. I have administrative as well as management experience from previous jobs. I enjoy getting to know families and do my best to keep our amazing team of educators feeling happy and supported. In my spare time I work on my natural health consultant course, kayak, spend time with my son, paint and hike. I look forward to getting to know everyone and helping guide our school to an emergent curriculum that focuses on children's holistic growth and allows them to explore through open-ended materials and gentle guidance of their teachers. We all learn best when our interests are focused on and explored!
Hello I’m Melissa Wright and I have been at Avon Co-op since 2020. I graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education. I’m also certified with Standard First Aid and CPR level C + AED. I love working with children and learning with them! I love watching the wonderment in children’s eyes as they learn, grow and experience new things!
In my spare time I enjoy crafting and reading. But most of all I LOVE to sing!
Hi, my name is Tracy Richardson and I am the RECE in a preschool room. I have been in the field for over 20 years, and have loved every moment! I find it simply amazing to observe children learning and exploring through play, and the best part is I am able to help and guide this development! I have a diploma in both Early Childhood Education and Developmental Service Work, which I obtained through Fanshawe College. I have also taken additional courses from various colleges including, various psychology courses, basic sign language, autism spectrum disorder, and community sociology. My experience includes working with all ages of children in a variety of settings, and I also have 2 boys of my own, who also had the wonderful experience of attending Avon Co-op! In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends, going to the beach, camping and reading. I am certified in Standard First Aid and CPR level C+AED, and a member of the College of ECE’s. As an educator, I always remind myself, no significant learning occurs without a significant relationship, and therefore one of main guiding principles is to spend time every day building that trust, and love of a child!
Hi, I’m Liz (the children call me Ms. Liz). I am a mother of 3 boys: Sam, Owen, and Jack. All 3 of my children have attended Avon Co-op. My oldest son started in 2009 and I have been somehow involved with the school ever since. I was a regular parent volunteer and co chair of the community events and fundraising committees. I then took on a bigger role, and accepted the position as a Program Assistant. I am also Avon Co-op’s Health and Safety Representative . I love working with the children, helping to foster learning through play and watching their skills grow! I am certified in First Aid and CPR level C+ AED. When I’m not at school I love hanging out with my sons and my fiancé Joe. I have a big love for animals. I have 2 dogs named Ally and Lucy; 2 cats named Zoey and Tigger; and a large Collection of reptiles and tarantulas.
Hello, my name is Alison and I am a program assistant at Avon Co-op. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfred Laurier and I am certified in First Aid and CPR level C + AED. I volunteer with multiple athletic associations, as a board member, convenor, and coach. I am very excited to begin a career working with children, and helping them grow and learn through play at nursery school. In my spare time I love to relax at home with my husband and three kids, play cards and spend time outside.
Hello my name is Melissa Mikel. I have been teaching at Avon Co-op since 2011. I am a RECE who graduated from Lambton College. I have taken numerous workshops which include Esso Family Math and Mother Goose. I am certified in First Aid and CPR level C +AED. In my spare time I enjoy going to the beach, reading books, walking, being outside and spending time with my friends and family. One of my favourite parts of my job is learning and exploring along with children of any age.
Hello, my name is Helena Turpin. I am the Program Assistant in the Dragonfly room with Melissa Mikel. I have three kids, Georgia, Fitz, and Freddie, two of whom attended Avon Coop during their nursery school years. I have been involved with the nursery school for the past year and a half, first as a board member and later as a supply program assistant. I have a bachelors degree in Speech Communication from the University of Waterloo and am certified in First Aid and CPR level C + AED. I love to work with children and am committed to creating a classroom that fosters curiosity, creativity, and social development. Outside of Avon Coop, I own a small pop-up floral business called Floraphilia Co. and occasionally work at a local shop, Wills & Prior. In my free time, I love to garden, host dinner parties, spend time with my family, and work on slowly restoring our crumbly, old stone cottage
Hi, my name is Gill Klassen. I have worked with young children as a volunteer for over 28 years. I love the boundless energy that children have to learn, to create, and to be curious about the world around them. I hope to exude my love for reading and books! I also love to walk everyday, to sing and dance; and to be creative. I am married and I am a mother of 2 adult children. My son has a variety of special needs. I had the great opportunity to stay home full-time for 9 years. I have a diploma in Executive Administration from Seneca College. I am certified in Standard First Aid and CPR level C and AED; as well as I am certified in Food Handling Training. I am excited to be apart of a great team as I begin my year at Avon CO-OP as a program assistant. I look forward, along with the children to learn new things, and to discover and explore this wonderful world around
Hi! My name is Heather Dittrich. I am the RECE in the toddler room. I have been working at Avon Coop since 2020, but have been working in childcare for a number of years, and have helped run the Sunday school. I enjoy working with children of all ages. I am a member of the College of ECE. I have five wonderful children, a cat and a Guinea pig. In my spare time I like reading, playing music, swimming, going for walks, and spending time with family and friends. I have my First Aid & CPR level c and AED. I have also taken various workshops on baby signs, and How does learning happen. I am very excited to get to know all our families and watch the children grow each day!
Hi my name is Kaitlin and I am a program assistant! I recently
graduated from university with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
and Justice and completed a year of college to obtain a graduate
certificate in Victimology. I have been working as a Child and Youth
worker for the past year and recently started working at Avon Coop
Nursery School in March of 2024. I have always loved working
with children and getting to learn different ways to engage with
them. In my personal life I am the oldest of 5 kids and one of my
biggest accomplishments is being a big sister (it’s one of my
favourite things ever!!). I have a pet Guinea Pig named Pipsqueak
who we call squeaky due to him being extremely talkative. I love
reading! Typically you can always fine me with some kind of book
in my hands! Aside from books in my spare time I love everything
to do with true crime and crime shows on TV! One of my all time
favourites is Criminal Minds! I am looking forward to meeting and
getting to know everyone!
Hi my name is Michelle Ward. I am a mother of two and just recently started working at Avon Co-op as a program assistant! I have my First Aid and CPR level C AED. My passion is working with children, helping children and their families is the most rewarding job I can think of. When I am not working I like going on adventures with my kids, hanging out with family, cooking, singing and reading.
Bio coming soon!