Meet The Saplings Summer Team
Lulu Katoh
Lulu moved from Japan to Vancouver in 2021 after working as a kindergarten teacher. She loves guiding children’s outdoor adventures and, in her free time, enjoys hiking, backpacking, and kayaking.
Lena Xue
Lena is an ECEA passionate about supporting children’s growth through creative, nurturing experiences. With backgrounds in education and architecture, she enjoys art, gardening, hiking, and inspiring outdoor exploration.
Faye Ebrahimi
Faye is an ECEA and Responsible Adult certified educator with experience supporting children of all ages. She enjoys fostering curiosity, creativity, and outdoor exploration while helping children learn through play.
Ann Louise Gilbert (Alf)
Alf is an ECE with backgrounds in mathematics and business. She enjoys supporting children’s curiosity through play and exploration and values strong partnerships between educators, families, and children.
Kelly Lu
Kelly is an Early Childhood Educator from Taiwan who found her passion for nature-based learning through Saplings. She enjoys sharing her cultural heritage while supporting children’s curiosity, growth, and exploration.
Alejandra Gonzalez
Alejandra is an Early Childhood Educator who transitioned from children’s publishing to outdoor education. She loves storytelling, nature exploration, and supporting children’s imagination, curiosity, and sense of discovery.
Sara Sharafi
Sara is a compassionate ECEA with experience supporting children in preschool and after-school programs. She creates inclusive, nurturing environments that encourage growth, learning, and strong relationships with families.
Ciara Macdonald
Ciara is an Early Childhood Educator Assistant with a passion for nature-based learning. Inspired by her international experiences, she enjoys supporting children’s growth through creativity, movement, relationships, and outdoor exploration.
Edgar Raygoza
Edgar is an experienced educator with over seven years of teaching and childcare experience. He enjoys fostering creativity, curiosity, and confidence through play-based learning, storytelling, music, and meaningful cultural connections.
Stephanie Veltheer
Steph is an outdoor educator and Arts student with over three years of childcare experience. She loves helping children connect with nature through exploration, adventure, and meaningful experiences outdoors.
Tina Le
Tina is an Early Childhood Educator passionate about supporting children, families, and communities. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, she values outdoor learning, mindful engagement, and nurturing meaningful connections through play.
Ashley Lajeunesse
Ashley is an educator and psychology student who loves exploring the outdoors with children. She enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, and fostering curiosity, discovery, and meaningful connections through nature.
Amatullah Al-Asima Rahim
Amatullah has worked in early childhood education since 2013 and is passionate about supporting each child’s unique journey. She values inclusivity, adaptability, and creating environments where children can thrive.
Arsh Sandhu
Arsh is an Early Childhood Educator Assistant who loves helping children explore nature through play and discovery. Inspired by a passion for animals and the outdoors, they foster curiosity, confidence, and adventure.
Ashley Perron
Ashley combines her passion for outdoor education and child development to create engaging learning experiences. She believes risky play builds confidence, resilience, and self-trust, helping children thrive through exploration and adventure.
Mikayla Pez
Mikayla is a North Shore local who loves hiking and exploring the outdoors. She brings warmth, energy, and enthusiasm to her work, creating fun environments where children feel supported and inspired.
Austin Merenyi Amuchastegui
Austin (he/him) is a licensed service dog trainer with PADS, focusing on advanced training and socialization for dogs. At Saplings, he brings service dogs in training along, sharing his expertise and always happy to answer questions!
Emma Daly
Born and raised in North Vancouver, Emma has been working with children since 2013. Currently completing a Bachelor’s in Child and Youth Care, they bring creativity, inclusivity, and a passion for helping children celebrate their uniqueness.
Pablo Muniz
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.
Mahboubeh (Mahi) Shafiei Alavijeh
Mahi is an experienced educator passionate about play-based and inclusive learning, she brings creativity and compassion to support each child's unique potential.
Keane Vallis
Originally from Nova Scotia, Keane has a deep love for the outdoors and the coast. With experience in childcare and volunteer work, they bring creativity and a passion for art to their role on the After School Care team.
Jacqueline Kerr
Jacqueline is a certified Early Childhood Educator and Forest School Practitioner with a diploma in Parks and Outdoor Recreation. She draws on experience in ecology and land stewardship, bringing creativity and curiosity to her work fostering early connections to nature.
David Han
David is an Early Childhood Educator with a background in Social Sciences from the University of Toronto. Passionate about the outdoors, he brings a love for nature, experience with children, and a commitment to fostering young children’s curiosity and growth.
Stefanie Zaldarriaga
Born in the Philippines, Stef is an enthusiastic educator with a Bachelor’s in Special Education and 7+ years of experience. Currently completing her Master’s in Leadership, she brings warmth, creativity, and a passion for outdoor learning to Saplings.
Shabnam Golafshan
Shabnam, born in Iran, has 17 years of teaching experience in bilingual schools. With an MBA and ECEA certification, she creates nurturing, inclusive learning environments rooted in love, patience, and creativity, driven by a passion for children’s growth.
Grace Sarlandie
Grace (she/they), from the Tseshaht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nations, brings a passion for land-based learning to their role at Pemberton Heights Preschool. They foster children’s curiosity and connection to nature on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Devora Laye
Devora has over 20 years of experience in childcare, including work as a nanny, in daycares, preschools, and nature schools. A Langara ECE graduate, she’s passionate about fostering a love for learning through outdoor exploration, music, and movement.
Mako Kawamura
With a BA in Sociology and ECEA certification, I’m a passionate educator who values outdoor learning and “risky play.” I create safe, engaging environments where children build creativity, resilience, and connection—drawing inspiration from nature and my love for adventure.
Nadine Obstaculo
Nadine is a psychology student with 8 years of experience working with children. She hopes to become an elementary teacher and is excited to step into her role as an outdoor educator, combining her love for teaching and the outdoors.
Sepideh Ansari
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.
Rho Pylypenko
Rho (she/her), born in Ukraine, brings a love for art, teaching, and nature to Saplings. With experience as a STEM teacher’s assistant and years of environmental volunteering, she’s passionate about supporting children’s learning through curiosity and outdoor exploration.