top of page
Nanaimo Innovation Academy
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A unique educational program to inspire life-long learning.
CHILD CARE FACULTY
At Nanaimo Innovation Academy, we hire professional, experienced ECE and ECEA teachers that are young at heart, excited about teaching and learning, and are creative with how they engage students. Our teachers imagine the future of our students and work with them through trusting relationships that bring out growth and achievement.
Please read more below about our current teachers and their passions...
If you are interested in joining our team, please email your cover letter and resume to admin@nanaimoinnovation.org
Joana - Pre-K Manager
prek@nanaimoinnovation.org
Vanessa- IT Manager it@nanaimoinnovation.org
Misty - Forest Manager forest@nanaimoinnovation.org
Olive - Nutrition Manager
nutrition@nanaimoinnovation.org
Lea -Office Manager
info@nanaimoinnovation.org
I grew up in a small town in Northern Alberta. I have lived on the island for 10+ years and have enjoyed many career paths, but working with children and their families is the most rewarding.
I enjoy spending time exploring, volunteering with many programs for youth and the community, most of all time with my son.
I am looking forward to working with and getting to know everyone at NIA
I enjoy spending time exploring, volunteering with many programs for youth and the community, most of all time with my son.
I am looking forward to working with and getting to know everyone at NIA
Alex - ECEA Teacher
Terri - ECE Teacher
Lisa - ECE Teacher
My name is Lisa, and I am thrilled to be a team member at Nanaimo Innovation Academy! I recently graduated from the North Island College ECE program and plan to continue my education in order to complete a child and youth care degree. Previously I have worked alongside children with diverse abilities as a behavioural support worker. I love to recognize and celebrate each child’s unique spirit and strengths. I value building positive and mutually respectful relationships with the children and families I work with.
I believe every child is a gift and that providing a quality environment for them to play, be curious, explore, problem solve and work in cooperation helps to build their sense of belonging and confidence in their own abilities. Children hold boundless potential and I feel honoured to work in collaboration with them and guide their learning and discovery.
I grew up in the Okanagan and New Zealand and moved to beautiful Nanaimo when I was a teenager. I feel so lucky to call this incredible island home and love to explore its endless opportunities for adventures alongside my husband and our daughter Emerson. I enjoy expressing my creativity through quilting, pottery, painting and gardening.
I believe every child is a gift and that providing a quality environment for them to play, be curious, explore, problem solve and work in cooperation helps to build their sense of belonging and confidence in their own abilities. Children hold boundless potential and I feel honoured to work in collaboration with them and guide their learning and discovery.
I grew up in the Okanagan and New Zealand and moved to beautiful Nanaimo when I was a teenager. I feel so lucky to call this incredible island home and love to explore its endless opportunities for adventures alongside my husband and our daughter Emerson. I enjoy expressing my creativity through quilting, pottery, painting and gardening.
Larissa - ECE Teacher
Tarena - ECE Teacher
Lily - ECE Teacher & Kitchen Assistant
Meaghan - ECE Teacher
Avneet - ECE Teacher
Katie - ECE Teacher
Junko - ECE Teacher
Paige - ECE Teacher
Nick - ECE Teacher
Hi there, I'm Nick Larsen, an enthusiastic educator and mentor originally from Regina,
Saskatchewan. My wife and I moved to the Island in April of 2020, and we've been
awe-inspired by the area ever since, spending as much time as we can exploring and
camping.
In 2017, I graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor's of Education. Since
then, I've had the privilege of working with children in various settings such as
elementary schools, daycares, and preschools. I'm passionate about helping young
people develop confidence and overcome challenges such as anxiety, low self-esteem,
and negative self-talk.
After dedicating nearly a decade to studying personal growth, psychology, and human
behavior, I became a consultant with the Proctor Gallagher Institute and started my own
coaching/consulting business. It's been an incredibly rewarding journey, helping
individuals bring out their best selves.
I firmly believe that every child has greatness within them and an infinite flow of creative
potential waiting to be expressed. That's why I'm grateful to be an educator at Nanaimo
Innovation Academy, where I can support preschoolers in their learning, wellbeing and
self-understanding as they embark on this beautiful school called life.
I look forward to getting to know you!
Saskatchewan. My wife and I moved to the Island in April of 2020, and we've been
awe-inspired by the area ever since, spending as much time as we can exploring and
camping.
In 2017, I graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor's of Education. Since
then, I've had the privilege of working with children in various settings such as
elementary schools, daycares, and preschools. I'm passionate about helping young
people develop confidence and overcome challenges such as anxiety, low self-esteem,
and negative self-talk.
After dedicating nearly a decade to studying personal growth, psychology, and human
behavior, I became a consultant with the Proctor Gallagher Institute and started my own
coaching/consulting business. It's been an incredibly rewarding journey, helping
individuals bring out their best selves.
I firmly believe that every child has greatness within them and an infinite flow of creative
potential waiting to be expressed. That's why I'm grateful to be an educator at Nanaimo
Innovation Academy, where I can support preschoolers in their learning, wellbeing and
self-understanding as they embark on this beautiful school called life.
I look forward to getting to know you!
Keely - Executive Director admin@nanaimoinnovation.org
Michael - HR and Family Support
I have been in many career paths since the 1970s, artist, musician, wildlife technician, and eventually by the 1980s began working in education as a primary and middle school teacher for a few years in Alberta, where I was born and raised. Eventually, I went into art as therapy, counseling with youth and families and ended up in higher education with a MA in Adult Education and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (UBC). Over the years I have been part of several conscious learning communities and worked as an organizational consultant in various places of which mostly my experience is in the caring field. I've most enjoyed this new adventure with NIA and getting to know young children and the ways they create and learn, especially in the outdoor and nature-based settings. I delight in challenging children and others to 'think outside the box.' After doing a five month artist residency at NIA in July-Dec. 2021, I made a commitment to help out in the social building of a forest school and community in my semi-retirement years, here in Nanaimo. My special interest is helping staff, administration and parents in supportive ways so that they may continue to grow and develop a quality life-style and improve their knowledge and skills in being with children. I look forward to serving on the NIA leadership team and as HR and Family Support.
Garrett - Head Chef
Bio coming soon
Ben - Kitchen Assistant
Katy - ECE Teacher (on leave)
My name is Katy and I graduated from the Early Childhood Education and Care program at VIU in June of 2015. I feel that there is something unique and special about every child and it is important that we cherish and celebrate these qualities. Early childhood is a time for exploring and discovering the world around us. Children should have lots of opportunities to explore materials, their environments and get messy, whether it be mud or paint. The learning opportunities are endless!
Charmaine - Administrative Assistant (on leave)
I recently graduated from the Office Administration program at Vancouver Island University in June of 2022. Prior to my program, I was going to take the Early Childhood Education and Care program, I chose Office Admin, but I still plan to take the ECEC program in the future! I am happy to be able to work in an environment that truly makes me so happy and excited for work every morning.
A little bit about me- I was born and raised in Nanaimo. I was a member of the Nanaimo Youth Choir for 11 years, the best decision ever as a child. I love animals, I have one cat and one fish. I love the outdoors and everything plant related. I love Vancouver Island; I think we are all so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. During my free time I am usually at a beach, or on nature walks. My grandparents, partner and pets mean so much to me.
I am so thrilled to be a part of the team at NIA.
A little bit about me- I was born and raised in Nanaimo. I was a member of the Nanaimo Youth Choir for 11 years, the best decision ever as a child. I love animals, I have one cat and one fish. I love the outdoors and everything plant related. I love Vancouver Island; I think we are all so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. During my free time I am usually at a beach, or on nature walks. My grandparents, partner and pets mean so much to me.
I am so thrilled to be a part of the team at NIA.
Flo - Maintenance and Special Projects (on leave)
As the oldest of 9 children I was always taking care of the needs of others.
I grew up in the Austrian Alps drawn to adventures and exploration
with creek wanders, sledding races and deep forest hikes with my
sisters and brothers.
It was clear I wanted to work with something natural, so I took up an
apprenticeship in Carpentry, became a journeyman in Austria and later
a Red Seal in Canada, and also studied some years in Vienna in the
field of Wood and Fibre Utilisation on the University of Applied
Science and Natural Resources. Personally I understand more about wood
but it was too little practical for my taste.
So in the end I became an ECE and worked in The Interior of BC and
Vancouver Island for the last 4 years.
At the moment I immerse my skills in the creative process of
upkeeping, improving and managing the maintenance task at Nanaimo
Innovation Academy. A great Joy to work with so many fabulous People.
I am also a father of a 5 year old daughter and married for 10 years
with my lovely wife Anita.
I grew up in the Austrian Alps drawn to adventures and exploration
with creek wanders, sledding races and deep forest hikes with my
sisters and brothers.
It was clear I wanted to work with something natural, so I took up an
apprenticeship in Carpentry, became a journeyman in Austria and later
a Red Seal in Canada, and also studied some years in Vienna in the
field of Wood and Fibre Utilisation on the University of Applied
Science and Natural Resources. Personally I understand more about wood
but it was too little practical for my taste.
So in the end I became an ECE and worked in The Interior of BC and
Vancouver Island for the last 4 years.
At the moment I immerse my skills in the creative process of
upkeeping, improving and managing the maintenance task at Nanaimo
Innovation Academy. A great Joy to work with so many fabulous People.
I am also a father of a 5 year old daughter and married for 10 years
with my lovely wife Anita.
bottom of page