JUNIPER EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Holly has recently been nominated for the 31ST ANNUAL 'WOMEN OF INFLUENCE RBC CANADIAN ENTREPRENEUR' award. The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards is the premier national awards program celebrating the achievements of the most successful in this inspiring group.
Holly Schafer, Director/Owner
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Holly is a licensed Early Childhood Educator and Montessori Primary Teacher with over 25 years of experience working with young children in many different capacities.
Prior to attending the Early Childhood Education Program at Okanagan University College, Holly taught preschool in New York, NY where she ran a program for two to three year old's called the "Two Group." Upon completion of her studies in the Early Childhood Education field in 1993, she was hired as an Assistant Teacher at the Okanagan Montessori Preschool in Kelowna, B.C. This was a wonderful experience! Having been exposed to many preschool and daycare environments, Holly found, what she believes, to be excellence in Early Childhood Education. Holly found her niche in the Montessori classroom and could never imagine a career that could be as fulfilling and inspiring as working with children in a Montessori environment. Holly went on to take her St.Nicholas practical training and examination at the Pacific Montessori School in Victoria during the summer of 1995. In March of 2002, she completed The Montessori Foundations Level 1 Certificate at the Western Montessori Teachers College in Port Moody, B.C. Because of her dedication and love for children, appreciation of the Montessori Method, and the desire to offer such a program to the families of Kamloops, she made the decision to open the Kamloops Montessori Preschool/ Kindergarten and Kamloops Montessori Academy in 1998. After 18 years of providing excellence in Child Care in the Aberdeen and Sahali areas of Kamloops, Holly was excited to extend her Childcare Centers into the Juniper community.
Grace Corno - Manager
Early Childhood Educator/Bachelor of Child and Youth Care
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Grace was born in Kamloops and attended Kamloops Montessori as a child herself. From a young age Grace knew she wanted to pursue a career with children. After graduating from South Kamloops Secondary School, Grace completed her Early Childhood Education diploma at TRU and has received her Montessori level 1 training. She then went on to get her Bachelor of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria. Grace is very interested in the development of children and learning how their creative minds work. Going through the Montessori program as a child, Grace knew that she wanted to work in a Montessori classroom and share her knowledge and experiences with her students.
Holly-Ann Fraser - Administrative Assistant
Holly-Ann is our Administrative Assistant. She came to us at the end of the summer 2018, and brings with her many years of administrative experience, from working in several medical office​s, as well as many other capacities. She moved to Kamloops from Alberta, shortly before starting work in our office. She has also worked with children in many capacities over the years. She has 4 grown children of her own and 5 grandchildren; has acted as a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, and provided childcare from her home at different times, over the past 35 years. She and her husband were Directors of Torch Trail Bible Camp in Northern Saskatchewan for 3 years, where she also gained extensive experience in Administration and working with children of all age groups.
Pyper Currie-Boyle,
Early Childhood Educator with Infant Toddler and Children with Exceptionalities
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Pyper has always loved being around children and has a passion for helping others. She decided to pursue her dream of teaching and working with children in 2016, when she moved from her hometown of Squamish to Kamloops, where she attended the 'Early Childhood Education' Program at TRU. She then went back to school to attain her Infant and Toddler Certification as well as her 'Special Needs' certification. She will be working in the Full Day program with the 3-5 year old children. Pyper’s favourite moments throughout the day are seeing the results of each child’s exploration and discovery in ordinary happenings.
Lin Roth
Early Childhood Educator with Infant Toddler and Children with Exceptionalities
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A friend introduced Lin to the Montessori Method when her sons were preschoolers. She identified with the philosophy and began using many of the Montessori activities at home. Lin began teaching the Montessori method at Kamloops Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten in 2000. She brings many years of experience to Juniper Early Learning Center, where she continues to delight in sharing this positive method with the children at school, and finds it very rewarding as the Head Teacher of the Toddler Program.
In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree, Lin holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, including specialties in Infants, Toddlers and Children with Special Needs, which she completed in 2002 at TRU (formerly UCC). Lin has a Montessori teaching Diploma and a Library Aid Certificate, and has experience in elementary school libraries, and a background in teaching music. She has been a member of the ECE Program Advisory committee at TRU since 2000 and is a recipient of the Childcare Award of Excellence for the Interior Region, 2012.
A highlight for Lin was a trip to Italy in 2009 where she visited several Montessori schools in Rome and Naples. It was inspiring for Lin to see the site of the original Montessori school in the San Lorenzo district of Rome, which Maria Montessori began over 100 years ago. She even had opportunity to observe the classes there. Montessori truly is a universal philosophy of education dedicated to the whole development of children in all areas of life!
Margarita Ochoa-Fernandez
Early Childhood Educator/Masters of Education
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Margarita was born and raised in Colima, Mexico. She holds a Psychology degree and a Kindergarten Teacher's degree, back in her country of origin, with 20 years of experience working in education with young children between 2 to 6 years old. Margarita taught and coordinated the academic preschool and kindergarten program in a private elementary school in Colima, Mexico, for ten years. At that time, she decided to train in Montessori, which she did in the Pierre Faure Institute in Guadalajara, Mexico, attending the teachers' summer school for seven summers. In 2012 Margarita founded and ran Colegio Arbore, a private preschool and kindergarten that works with the Montessori philosophy of education, for seven years. In April 2019, she moved to Canada with her husband and three sons to pursue her Masters of Education at TRU and in April 2021, she graduated. She recently completed the Early Childhood Educator Certification as well. Margarita has always been very focused on balancing the educative system's expectations with the respect for every child's individuality and unique personality.
Shirin Mashayekhi
Early Childhood Education Assistant/Masters in Physics
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Shirin was born and raised in Tehran, Iran and moved to Canada in 2023. Teaching has always been a passion of Shirin’s, so she studied Mathematics and Physics in high school and later earned her Master’s degree in Physics. After more than 15 years of teaching in Iran, she, her husband and their son, decided to move to Canada. They arrived in Kamloops in April 2023, and she began working towards her ECEA (Early Childhood Educator Assistant) certificate. She was very happy to join Juniper Early Learning Center in September of 2023. Over the years, she has taught Math and Science to various age groups, and worked with younger children in a Pre-School setting, as well as an Elementary school. Shirin has also completed courses in child psychology! Since coming to Juniper Early Learning Center, she has worked with children ages 18 months to 12 years old, in all of our programs. Shirin continues to work in all of our programs but has also taken on the Lead Teacher position in the School Age program.
Bernie Akpong
Early Childhood Educator/Masters of Education
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Bernie’s interest in Montessori education began while searching for a school for her son. Motivated to dive deeper into this unique educational philosophy, Bernie completed a Montessori Diploma specializing in education of children aged 3-6 years. Though Bernie initially began her Montessori journey by teaching adults, her desire for hands-on experience in the classroom led her to work in various preschools in Nigeria. There, she found her true passion—working directly with children, guiding their development, and observing the natural joy they experience through learning. In addition to her Montessori qualifications, Bernie attained a Bachelor's degree of Accounting, which complements her educational and organizational skills. She moved to Canada in 2023 in order to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education at TRU. While working on her Masters she also completed her Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certification (in November 2023) and then graduated with a Masters in Education in December 2024. Bernie continues to expand her knowledge and skills in early childhood education and is currently taking courses to attain certification as an Early Childhood Educator. She finds immense gratification in watching children grow and evolve and is dedicated to helping each child reach their full potential through the Montessori method.
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YounNam Lee
Early Childhood Educator/Bachelor of Education
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Youn Nam has been honoured to work with the young children in our community. Youn Nam is a Montessori trained staff member who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, an Early Childhood Educator Certificate, a Teachers Aid Certificate, Montessori Foundations Level 1 Certificate and a Diploma in Applied Linguistics. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and taught kindergarten, elementary, and adults for many years back in Korea. She has been working in Juniper Early Learning Center since 2016 and has found her joy of working with pre-schoolers and school age children. She loves being a part of children's learning, growing their own potential, and sharing countless loving moments. She continues to contribute to each child's success and happiness. YounNam will continue to work with the 3-5 year olds as well will be teaching in the School Age program.
Sepideh Nasiri
Early Childhood Education Assistant/Masters of Education
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Sepideh was born and raised in Iran, where she dedicated years to running her own playground for children. She became a certified daycare teacher in her home country, which allowed her to gain valuable experience in early childhood education. Sepideh moved to Canada in 2021, to pursue her Master’s Degree in Education. She worked as a private Nanny in here, in Kamloops, while she completed her Masters Degree at TRU, as well, she completed certification as an Early Childhood Educator Assistant. She works mainly in the Toddler program, here, at Juniper Early Learning Center, and is passionate about fostering each child’s unique potential within an enriching learning environment.
Yadira Corro
Early Childhood Educator with Infant Toddler/Masters of Education
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Yadira Corro was born and raised in the Port city of Veracruz, Mexico. She completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and graduated from the La Paz de Veracruz Teacher Training School (Normal School), an institution specialized in preparing teachers.
Throughout her Bachelor’s program, she has participated in teaching practicums with children aged 2 to 6, and she has two years of experience working as an ECE Head Teacher. Yadira is a kind, empathetic, and passionate educator. She is deeply committed to the Montessori philosophy and to teaching and caring for children, fostering their learning, development, and holistic growth. She highly values diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment where all children feel respected and supported.
In 2024, she moved to Canada to pursue her dream of further enriching her knowledge and skills, enrolling in the Master of Education program at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops. On July 2, 2025, she attained her Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certification in Canada, marking an important milestone in her professional journey and reaffirming her commitment to continuously grow and learning in the field of early childhood education.
Sevim Erdem
Early Childhood Educator with Infant Toddler
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Sevim Erdem was born and raised in Ankara, Turkey. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Child Psychology.
In Turkey, Sevim gained four years of professional experience working with children in private schools as well as Montessori-based educational settings.
In 2023, Sevim moved to Canada with her husband and two children. Shortly after, she successfully completed the process of obtaining Canadian equivalency, first as an ECE Assistant and later as a fully licensed Early Childhood Educator (ECE).
Sevim is continuously striving to support children’s growth and learning, and to create a safe, caring, and engaging environment where every child can thrive.
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Eloise Bartram-James
Early Childhood Educator
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Eloise grew up in a large family with seven siblings; her parents are Social Workers and instilled in her, a passion for working with children from a very young age. Eloise was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England and moved to the small community of Paul like, outside of Kamloops, when she was 4 years old. After graduating high school Eloise attended Thompson Rivers University where she did her 1st year in psychology and sociology, While Eloise attended University, she also filled her days with private nannying and taking additional courses in Behavioural Intervention of Children, at Sprott Shaw College, alongside her mother. Eloise did her practicums here at Juniper Early Learning Center, where she fell in love with the Montessori Philosophy. After attaining her Early Childhood Educator Certification, she worked in our FD and Toddler programs at Juniper Early Learning Center, and led our multi-age program at Children's Casa.
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Buriga A (Eric) - Bus Driver
Early Childhood Education Assistiant/Masters in Education
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Buirga A (Eric) was born and raised in Inner Mongolia, China.
Buriga has years of experience working in the education system, with children between 2 and 12 years old. He began his teaching career at his hometown public school in 2014. In 2016, he joined the Preschool program, as a teacher, at Rise English School, the most prominent private school (with 34 centres) in Beijing, China. At the beginning of 2020, because of the pandemic, he joined VIPKID, the most prominent online teaching education company in China, as a learning partner. It was Buriga’s dream to further his study in the field of Childhood Education, so in September 2021, he moved to Canada, where he attended Thompson Rivers University and attained his Masters Degree in Education. During this time, he also completed his Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certification. Buriga is passionate about education, and Juniper Early Learning Center is very happy to have him as part of our teaching team in the Kinder Prep Extended Day program, and in the School Age program.
John Fraser - Maintenance/Bus Driver
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John has lived in Kamloops for several years, after living in many parts of BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. John was in the banking industry for over 30 years, after a career driving truck in his young adult years. He has worked extensively with Youth, volunteering over those 30 years and then as the Full Time Director of a Children/Teen Camp for 3 years. For the last 5 years he has been dispatching trucks for a fuel company here in Kamloops. John recently joined our team as a volunteer Bus Driver, and is enjoying being part of Juniper Early Learning Center team!
Lisa Wiseman - Substitute Bus Driver
Lisa has been with Juniper Early Learning Center since fall of 2021. Originally from Newfoundland, Lisa moved to Kamloops seven years ago. She is married and has an adult child. Lisa has had her bus license since 2003 and has many years of experience driving School Bus for different School Districts. Before coming to Junip​er Early Learning Center Lisa was driving bus for a Seniors Living facility. She really enjoyed working with children previously and is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to get back into the childcare field, with Juniper Early Learning Center. Lisa always greets the children with a smile and a cheerful attitude!