meet our team

​​under 3 team

Shirley

​Years of Service: 25
Education: Child and Youth Care Degree, Behaviour Interventionist Certificate, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Early Childhood Education, Infant Toddler and Special Needs Certificates
​Languages Spoken: English

I have been working here at St. Barnabas since 1994. The children and staff here are just like my second family. I enjoy seeing the smiles of the children every day. I have three lovely children of my own and am a new grandmother. I enjoy gardening, reading, cooking and spending time with my family.

​​under 3 team

Irina

Years of Service: 13
Education: Early Childhood Education & Infant and Toddler Certificate
Languages Spoken: Russian, English

I began my career in Early Childhood Education in 2006 when I started working here at St. Barnabas. Working with young children inspired me to take my infant and toddler training in 2012. Some of my strengths are that I am hard working, responsible and a very patient teacher.​

​​under 3 team

Jing

Years of service: 4 
Education: Early Childhood Education, Infant Toddler and Special Needs Certificate, Bachelor Accounting.
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin.​

I graduated from Douglas college ECE with a specialty in special needs and infant toddler training in 2015. I like gardening, reading and hiking. I believe children are competent, capable and unique with their strength and interests. My goal for children is to ensure that they develop strong sense of themselves and reach their full potential physically, emotionally socially and intellectually.

​​small 3-5 team

Sylvia

Years of Service: 20
Education: Early Childhood Education, Medical Office Administration
Languages Spoken: Tagalog, English

I have been working at St Barnabas Daycare since 1999. I worked in Singapore for three years before I migrated to Canada in 1992. I went to school for medical office assistant and got my certificate soon after. I received my ECE training in 1998 and have been at St. Barnabas ever since. Working with children is very challenging and yet very rewarding. They motivate me to live a happy life.

​large 3-5 team

Jane

Years of Service: 19
Education: Early Childhood Education, Special Needs Certificate, Bachelor Education (Philippines)
Languages Spoken: Tagalog, English

​I migrated to Canada with my Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education, and was a full time Mom until the youngest of my three children attended Kindergarten. I pursued a Canadian career as an Assistant Nursing Aide and was able to fulfill my passion for children earning my ECE and Special needs certificate soon after. In this adventure, children can teach us a great deal about life. There is no effective attitude that can counteract a child-like trust, simplicity and open spirit. They are full of wonder and awe that we as adults, have lost or take for granted. It’s my inspiration in life knowing that parents trust you with their precious children. Special Talent: I can play the Ukulele.

large 3-5 team

Juliet

Years of Service: 13
Education: Early Childhood Education, Bachelor Electronic Engineering
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin, understanding of Cantonese

I am proud of being an ECE teacher because it makes me feel accomplished, happier and younger by fulfilling the needs the children by helping them become more intelligent, confident and to help them grow healthier and happier each day. Coming from a Chinese Canadian background my Chinese language skills also helps create multiculturalism and is beneficial in assisting Chinese families in the neighborhood.

large 3-5 team

Raj

Years of Service: 5
Education: Early Childhood Education
Languages Spoken: Punjabi, English

I am an organized and creative individual with a positive attitude and have a great passion towards working with children. I have two and a half years of education in the Early Childhood Program along with practical experience as an Early Childhood Educator. I am a dedicated and qualified early childhood educator with a passion for children’s learning and care, and have experience working with children from infants to school age. I have completed my Early Childhood Certificate with Douglas College and am delighted to be part of the staffing team with St. Barnabas.

large 3-5 team

Brian

Years of service: 6
Languages: English, Basic French
Education: Hons. Bachelor of Commerce, Post Graduate Commercial Property Valuation Diploma, Level 3 Soccer Coach

Six years ago, eighteen months before I retired, I began an excel list of the places I could invest my free time. The list included Canadian University Services Overseas, where I began my post-college life as a teacher in Ghana. I included Medicins Sans Frontier, CIDA, and two UN organizations and Canadian volunteer based organizations. When retirement drew near, I found that I would prefer to live in Canada, rather than take on, as a senior, the health risks associated with overseas life.

I came to New West from Moncton 15 years ago, at the end of marriage, leaving a family business in my brother’s hands. Early in my days here, I was introduced to St. Barnabas Church.  Sometime later, the church offered me a board position at St Barnabas Daycare, where I eventually accepted chair.

It was through the Daycare, I came back in touch with younger families. The experience mirrored a fulfilling time in my life. Also I came to know and admire the caring-professionals working at St Barnabas. Dropping into St Barnabas, I would be lifted by the relationships, the cheer and the love expressed by all. I have to admit, I enjoy child play and especially the way the St Barnabas kids do it. I’ve always experienced a very positive play interaction with children, we have fun together. With the perspective of a father, neighbor and coach, I decided to approach St Barnabas as a volunteer. The role allows me to continue to be a contributor in my community as I age. A three day per week commitment allows me to enjoy friends, and madly pursue outdoor passions, particularly as a cross-skier, a novice instructor and as treasurer of the “Vancouver Skiers”. 

director

Jill

Years of Service: 8
Education: Early Childhood Education, Infant and Toddler and Special Needs Certificate, Human Service Counselling Diploma
Languages Spoken: English
​
I knew at an early age that I wanted to work with people to make a difference and support them during their life adventures. I started working with children straight out of high school and fell in love with their enthusiasm, silliness and honesty. I believe that the early years are the most important years in a child’s life to learn, which is how I ended in early childhood facilities. We have such a huge opportunity at this age to teach children while they are at play, and we are so fortunate to be a part of that. I have been managing large multi license centers for over 13 years. The culture and community feel in New West has given me an opportunity to use my social service background and love for children and combine them into a job that I love in an office surrounded by children. Lucky me.