​April is a certified Early Childhood Educator with a BA in Anthropology and several years of experience teaching English as a Foreign Language to children and adults. She is passionate about early literacy, language learning, and outdoor education, and is thrilled to have found a supportive community at Saplings. Outside of work, she enjoys paddle boarding, kayaking, and skiing, embracing the natural world she helps children connect with every day.

Carolina is a dedicated Early Childhood Educator with over nine years of experience supporting young children’s growth and development. Originally from Brazil, she brings a strong connection to the outdoors and a love for beach activities and, more recently, biking. Carolina is excited to be part of the Saplings community, where she looks forward to building meaningful relationships and contributing to a vibrant, nature-based learning environment.

Alejandra began her career in children’s publishing, spending over a decade creating stories and learning materials to spark curiosity and imagination. Three years ago, she moved from Mexico City to Vancouver to pursue her passion for early childhood education and is now a dedicated Early Childhood Educator.

She believes nature is the best classroom, where children can explore, problem-solve, and connect with the world around them. Whether through storytelling under the trees or discovering small wonders on a forest walk, Alejandra values the moments when children’s imaginations shine.

Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, running, mountain biking, paddle boarding, and snowboarding—activities that reflect the same sense of play and discovery she fosters in her teaching.

Jacqueline is a certified Early Childhood Educator and Forest School Practitioner with a rich background in outdoor education, ecology, and the arts. She holds a diploma in Parks and Outdoor Recreation from Sault College and has worked as a Forest School Educator for several years, drawing on her experience in field botany, land stewardship, and children’s wellness. Passionate about fostering early connections to nature, Jacqueline brings creativity, curiosity, and a deep respect for the natural world to her work at Saplings.

David is an Early Childhood Educator with a background in Social Sciences from the University of Toronto and a deep-rooted passion for the outdoors. His early experiences exploring the forests of Stanley Park sparked a lifelong love for nature, which continues to shape his educational philosophy today. With experience tutoring students in multiple subjects and working with infants and preschoolers, David is committed to learning alongside young children and inspiring a strong connection to the natural world during their formative years.

Sepideh is passionate about supporting young children’s growth and development through care, patience, and play. Drawn to Saplings’ outdoor-based approach, she believes nature fosters confidence, creativity, and curiosity through rich, hands-on learning experiences in the early years.

Chia-Chi, also known as Kelly, was born and raised in Hualien, Taiwan, surrounded by the mountains and forests of the East Coast. Her journey into education was inspired by her own daughter and the joy she observed in children’s natural curiosity and learning. After enrolling her daughter in Saplings, Kelly was deeply moved by the school’s nature-based philosophy and knew she wanted to be part of it. Now an Early Childhood Educator, she brings a strong appreciation for both nature and cultural diversity, often sharing her own heritage with the children and learning from theirs in return.

A mother of three school-aged children, Candice transitioned from a career in banking to pursue her passion for early childhood education. She finds joy in supporting children as they explore and learn through nature, fostering their curiosity about the world around them. Since joining Saplings in spring 2024, she has worked in the Toddler Program and Gleneagles Preschool, and now splits her time between the Toddler Program and Pemberton Preschool on Fridays.

Shabnam was born in Iran and brings 17 years of teaching experience to her role as an educator, primarily as a first-grade teacher in a bilingual school setting. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Trinity Western University in Canada, a Master’s degree in English Translation from Tehran, and an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certification. Throughout her career, Shabnam has created nurturing, inclusive learning environments that foster children’s early development and support bilingual learning. She believes education should be rooted in love, patience, and creativity, and her work is driven by a deep commitment to children’s growth and success. Outside the classroom, Shabnam enjoys caring for flowers and plants—nurturing life with the same attention and care she brings to her teaching.

Mahi is an experienced educator with over a decade in the field and holds a Bachelor’s in English Language Teacher Training from Esfahan University. She is currently completing her Master’s in Leadership in Education at Trinity Western University and pursuing her ECEA certification, with additional training in autism, neurodiversity, and special education. Passionate about play-based and inclusive learning, Mahi brings creativity, compassion, and a strong commitment to supporting every child’s unique potential in the outdoor classroom.

Parisa is an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) passionate about supporting children in nature-based environments. Originally from Iran, she grew up exploring the outdoors and observing wildlife—an experience that shaped her belief in the power of play and exploration to foster creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. At Saplings, she is excited to nurture children’s growth through meaningful outdoor experiences and help them build a lasting connection with the natural world.

​Born and raised in the Philippines, Stef is an enthusiastic educator who believes the best classroom has no walls. With a Bachelor’s in Special Education and over seven years of experience, she brings her passion for outdoor learning to Saplings, inspiring children to explore and connect with nature. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Leadership (K–12 Education) at Trinity Western University, Stef strives to nurture curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for the natural world.

Grace (she/they) has been part of the Pemberton Heights Preschool program since August 2022. Originally from the Tseshaht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nations, and raised in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, Grace brings a deep appreciation for nature and the importance of land-based learning to their role. Grateful to teach and play on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, Grace is passionate about fostering children’s curiosity and connection to the natural world through outdoor education.

Devora brings over 20 years of experience working with children in diverse settings, including nannying, daycare, preschool, and nature school. A 2023 graduate of Langara College’s Early Childhood Education program, she completed her practicum at Terra Nova Nature School and continued working there as an EA and auxiliary educator. Devora is passionate about fostering a love for learning through outdoor exploration, music, and movement, and is excited to join Saplings full-time to connect with children, families, and the wider community.

Lulu was born and raised in Japan, where her love for nature began while helping her family grow vegetables and make buckwheat noodles. After working as a kindergarten teacher, she moved to Vancouver in 2021 to pursue her passion for outdoor education and has been with Saplings ever since. Lulu loves guiding children as they explore nature through play, and she believes outdoor learning fosters curiosity, well-being, and a lasting connection to the natural world. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and kayaking in BC’s mountains and waters.

Morgan is from the North Shore and has also lived in Colorado and California. She holds a degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from SFU and is completing her ECE certification at UBC. With experience as a facilitator at Science World and in a research lab at SFU, she brings a strong background in science to her work with children. After completing practicums at Saplings, Morgan is now developing preschool science workshops. She enjoys sharing her passion for the natural world, sports, crafting, and time outdoors—especially at the beach.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Keane has always felt a strong connection to the coast and the outdoors. Their journey in childcare began as a neighbourhood babysitter, later expanding into volunteer work and respite care. After supporting various Saplings camps over the summer, Keane is excited to join the After School Care team, where they bring their creativity and love for all forms of art—from sewing to drawing—into their work with children.

Antonette is an Early Childhood Educator Assistant with three years of experience in early learning and after school care settings. She is dedicated to creating safe, engaging, and inclusive environments where children can play, explore, and build confidence. Antonette loves supporting each child’s unique growth and enjoys fostering curiosity and creativity through meaningful experiences.

​Sarah is an experienced educator with a strong passion for play-based and inclusive learning. She holds a bachelor’s degree from a university in Iran and a master’s degree in Leadership in Education (K–12) from Trinity Western University. A certified Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA), she also brings specialised training in autism, neurodiversity, and special education. With more than a decade of experience, Sarah is dedicated to nurturing each child’s unique potential through creativity, compassion, and meaningful outdoor learning experience

Born and raised in North Vancouver, Emma has been working with children since 2013 and holds an ECE diploma from Langara College. Currently completing a Bachelor’s in Child and Youth Care at UVic with plans to pursue a Master’s in Counselling, they bring a passion for creativity, inclusivity, and helping children celebrate what makes them unique. Outside of Saplings, Emma is a musician and artist who enjoys writing music, exploring nature, and finding inspiration in the imagination of the children they work with.

Austin Merenyi Amuchastegui (he/him) is a licensed service dog trainer with PADS, where he has worked since June 2023, focusing on advanced training and care for dogs aged 12 months and up. He recently joined the Saplings team and often brings service dogs in training along as part of their socialization and development. Austin is always happy to share his knowledge—feel free to reach out with any questions about service dogs or the training process.

Julia has lived in West Vancouver her whole life. She loves working with children and spending time in nature.
In her free time, Julia enjoys being active, playing sports, making crafts, and baking. She has worked on the North Shore with child care and school age programming for the last 18 months. Currently she is also working part-time at Upper Lynn Community Centre as an Early Years Instructor. Julia has a diploma from Capilano University and is hoping to pursue her ECE certification in the near future.

Arsh is an Early Childhood Educator Assistant with two years of experience working with children. Even before becoming certified, Arsh naturally connected with kids while helping to raise a younger brother and cousins. With a deep love for nature, animals, and plants, Arsh believes the outdoors is a powerful teacher that inspires curiosity and wonder. Outside of work, Arsh enjoys reading by the water, playing basketball, roller skating, and swimming, and brings that same sense of adventure and playfulness to the children in their care.

Evan recently joined the Saplings team after six years of volunteering with various children’s programs across the Lower Mainland. In addition to his role at Saplings, he works part-time as a support worker with the Canucks Autism Network, bringing valuable experience in supporting neurodiverse children. He holds an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certification through the YMCA and Vancouver Community College. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, travelling, plane spotting, and spending time with his dog, Bailey.

Mikayla has lived on the North Shore most of her life and loves hiking and exploring the outdoors. She is bubbly, energetic, and caring, and brings that energy into her work with children. Mikayla enjoys creating a fun and welcoming environment where kids feel safe, supported, and excited to play and learn about the natural world.

Pablo, originally from Spain, holds a degree in Fine Arts and a Teacher Training Master’s. Now based in West Vancouver and completing his ECE training, he blends his love for art, nature, and education through illustration and forest exploration.

Muskan is a caring and motivated Early Childhood Educator Assistant who supports children’s growth through play, creativity, and hands-on learning. With volunteer experience in a hospital and a background in retail, she brings empathy, patience, and strong communication skills to her work. She is committed to creating safe, inclusive environments where every child feels welcome and encouraged. Outside of work, Muskan enjoys reading, exploring nature, and spending time with family and friends.

Sangita is originally from Nepal, a country that inspires a deep love for nature. Although her professional background is primarily in banking, her passion for being around children in a fun, active, and nature-filled environment led her to join Saplings. She also has a strong interest in painting and enjoys exploring creativity through trying new things. Sangita has volunteered with various organisations across Vancouver, supporting programs such as family drop-ins and child-minding initiatives.

Ghazal is a certified Early Childhood Education Assistant with experience in daycare and preschool settings since 2022. She has a passion for outdoor education and supports children’s growth through creativity, art, storytelling, and music, often playing the ukulele and singing. Ghazal always keeps herself updated with new approaches to child development and enjoys guiding children, observing their growth, and encouraging exploration

Born and raised in Dubai, Rebecca is an artist and educator with a Master’s in Art Education from NSCAD and experience teaching children in studio, school, gallery, and outdoor settings across Canada and internationally. She is currently part of the Saplings Outdoor Program team and also teaches visual arts to children in community and studio spaces. Deeply inspired by the natural world, Rebecca weaves her love of the outdoors and creative exploration into her teaching. She values building meaningful relationships with her students, supporting children’s confidence, curiosity, and connection through hands-on, play-based learning, and believes that creativity grows strongest when children feel seen, safe, and free to explore.

Emily is originally from Ontario and now calls the West Coast home, where she enjoys having both the mountains and ocean close by. Passionate about experiential learning, she believes in the power of learning through doing and in fostering a deep connection to the natural world. Outside of work, Emily can often be found on a trail with her dog, skiing, sailing, or making pottery.

Binu was born and raised in Nepal, the home of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. Growing up, she was closely connected to nature and experienced a nature play–based upbringing, which shaped her deep appreciation for the outdoors. She is a BC-certified Early
Childhood Education Assistant (ECEA) with over two years of experience working in preschool settings. Passionate about fostering a love for learning in young children, Binu thrives on creating nurturing, engaging environments where curiosity can blossom. She believes nature is
one of the best classrooms a child can have and encourages children to explore, play, and learn in natural settings, helping them develop creativity, resilience, and a lifelong connection to the
world around them.