I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and Executive Director at Upper Yonge Village Daycare Centre (UYVDC) since April 2011. I was born and lived in Slovakia until the year 2000, when I emigrated to Canada. I have dedicated my life to working with children. I graduated University as an elementary school teacher. In Canada, I graduated from Seneca College as a Registered Early Childhood Educator and then completed Daycare Management at George Brown College. Over the years, I have worked in all the roles of a daycare including: Assistant, Teacher, Supervisor, Assistant Director and Director before joining Upper Yonge Village Daycare Centre as Executive Director. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye” – Le Petit Prince by Anntoine de Saint-Exupery
My name is Josie Greco. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator and I am also the Assistant Director here at UYVDC. I am also currently a staff in the preschool room. I have been with UYVDC over 30 years; with a break in between raising my own children. I am blessed to be working at a place that I can say is like my second home, and to be surrounded by amazing staff, families and children. “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” -H. Jackson Brown
My name is Michelle Rego. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and have lived here my entire life. I have had the privilege of being a Registered Early Childhood Educator for the last 31 years, all of them at UYVDC. I have spent most of my career working with toddlers and preschoolers but am always educating myself and learning new ideas for all age groups. In my spare time, I enjoy my adult children, my puppies and travelling when I can.
My name is Rosalee (Rose) Wall. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I am privileged to have been a part of the UYVDC team for many years. I graduated from George Brown College …in fact, it was my first placement with GBC that brought me to these hallowed halls and have never really left. I have been incredibly fortunate to have spent time working with all of our age groups here at Upper Yonge Village Daycare. In my time away from work, I am an avid reader, sports enthusiast & aspiring world traveler. “Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about?” Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
My name is Jacqueline (Jackie) Mitchell. I studied to become an ECE at St. Clair College in Windsor and graduated June 2016. I have been a part of UYVDC since October 2016. One of my favorite things to do with the children is arts and crafts. During my free time I enjoy being outside, especially at my cottage. I look forward to getting to know you all and spending time with your children!
My name is Caitlin Wallis-Collins. I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada but spent many years living, studying and working in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. I am an office administrator at UYVDC and a mother of two young kids. My passion in life is working with children and I look forward to developing friendships with the amazing staff and families of UYVDC.
Hi, My name is Kennedy Morrison, and I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Toronto, I moved to Japan and spent 4 years teaching English in the Japanese school system. Upon returning to Canada, I was highly motivated by this experience to continue my career in education, and I recently completed my ECE diploma with George Brown College. My interests include playing the guitar, climbing, and reading. I am excited to engage in meaningful co-learning with the children and staff at UYVDC!
My name is Shokoufeh Talaei. I have had the pleasure of working as an assistant at UYVDC since 2018. I have a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, however, after I started working at Upper Yonge Village Daycare, I found out that my passion is to work with children. This made me pursue my studies in childcare. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I love watching children grow and develop and watching them grow throughout the centre from infants till just before they go to school. It is very rewarding knowing we have helped shape every one of them. I am a mom of an eight-year-old boy. It is fun when we play board games together. In my free time, I like to go swimming, walking in the nature, and watching movies with my family.
Hi. My name is Roman Bravakis. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator who recently graduated from Seneca College and am excited to join the Upper Yonge Village team. I gained two years of co-op experience in high school as a teacher’s assistant in a JK/SK classroom. That’s when I decided I wanted to work with children. I am sensitive to how children learn and patient in finding what works best for each child. I’m a tennis coach and love seeing children learn the sport and keep active. I love travelling (especially to a beach!), playing tennis, working out and meditating.
Hello, my name is Sanjida Amin. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I have completed Diploma from George Brown college in April,2023. I am a Full-time teacher in UYVDC from June, 2023. I am very excited to meet you all and spend time with your children.
Hi my name is Maria Cerelli. I'm a great team player. I enjoy my family and my little chihuahua Abby and my Italian greyhound Zuko. I have a degree in social service work. I enjoy working with children and dealing with all the potential moments they bring. I enjoy the outdoors and nature. I Love to garden.
My name is Tamy Valdez I’m From México and I am privileged to have been a part of the UYVDC team.I am a graduate of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, I have a master's degree in communication and a bachelor's degree in organizational development, with more than 25 years of experience in the educational area.I am a certified coach, international facilitator and I have worked with recognized universities and multinational companies in Canada, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Peru, Venezuela etc.My passion is to travel the world and learn about new cultures and as a professional I believe in teamwork and internal and external customer service! all details are important.
Hi my name is Danielle McMillan I am continuing my studies as an EARLY Childhood Assistant (ECA) at Anderson College. I am privileged to become a part of the UYVDC team and to watch and encourage children learn and grow. In my free time I enjoy doing crafts such as painting and drawing. I also enjoy being outdoors. I am looking forward to working with the UYVDC family.
My name is Saada Bouh-Fahal. I have been working as an ECA in Canada for 18 years. In January 2002, I graduated from Mothercraft College where I studied to become a childcare assistant. Since then, I have been working at Upper Yonge and building my knowledge as an ECA. Over the past 18 years I have built my friendships with all the staff, parents and kids, and Upper Yonge has become a second home for me!
My name is Ana Cristina Ibarra. I am an Early Childhood Assistant, and I have been working at the Upper Yonge Daycare since 2015. I really enjoy working with children and I knew this was my passion and what I wanted to do from a young age. During my free time I enjoy exploring our wonderful city and I also love to travel.
My name is Shaidah Williams. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario graduating from Seneca College in 2020 as a Social Service Worker. Over the past four years, I have enjoyed working with youth and children helping them to learn and grow in many different ways. It is a privilege to work with children to make a positive impact in their lives. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors in nature by myself or with friends and hiking. I like to spend time with my family including my grandma. I enjoy learning new things everyday. I am looking forward to working with the UYVDC family.
My name is Zahra Andani. I was born and raised in Toronto. I have worked with infants, toddlers and preschool age children. I am currently studying Early Childhood Education at Seneca College. I love watching children developing into their own self.
Hello, my name is Thilagarani Mahalingam but for short go as Rani and I am working at Upper Yonge Village Daycare as an ECA for Toddlers. Since working at Upper Yonge Village Daycare I have grown as a person and learned different skills each year. Over the past years I have built friendships with everyone from staff to parents and kids. I enjoy my time here and the passion I have to spend time with the wonderful children and staff here are so enjoyable, it makes my work very fun and exciting. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
My name is Maryam Mahdavi, and I am delighted to be part of your child's educational journey in daycare. With a background in children's theatre as an actress, I have had the wonderful opportunity to witness the transformative power of creativity and imagination in young minds. As an enthusiastic and dedicated educator in Early Childhood Education (ECE), I am committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can flourish. By integrating my theatre experience, I aim to ignite their imagination, promote self-expression, and cultivate a love for learning.
