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Meet Our Staff

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Amira Mohammed

Closing Manager

My name is Amira and I'm the Closing Manager at NICCS. I moved to Canada from Ethiopia with my husband and two children in 1995. I have worked in childcare for over 10 years and I have loved every minute of it. Of the 13 languages we speak at NICCS, I speak 5: Oromo, Haaric, Arabic, English and Amharic. NICCS is multicultural and I am able to help new families translate, which makes them feel home here. My favourite thing about working with children is watching them learn and learning what
interests them.

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Kristina Pullin

Team Member

Hi my name is Kristina. I have worked at NICCS daycare for 11 years. I have an ECE Level 1 and I also finished the FLIGHT Course from MacEwan University in 2021. I have worked in every classroom. I have also enjoyed volunteering for Brooks High School and Brooks Preschool. I was born and raised here in Brooks. I have two beautiful daughters who are 3 and 6 years old. What I enjoy most is being outdoors and doing things like camping and fishing. I also enjoy walking and traveling. I love childcare because every day I am learning new and creative ways to teach and having the experience to teach a child is incredibly rewarding.

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Nasim Akhtar

Team Member

My name is Nasim. I have been working as a Child Development Supervisor at NICCS since 2008. I have a Bachelor of Education and I was a school teacher in Pakistan for 29 years. Here in Alberta, I have an ECE Level 3 certification. I have completed the FLIGHT (Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework) Course from MacEwan University in June 2022.

I enjoy absolutely everything about working with children. I love spending all day with them and I love each and every child like my own. I am very friendly with co- workers, children and families. I communicate in four languages such as Urdu, English, Punjabi and Arabic. My favourite part about my job is watching children explore and learn new things. To me, it’s a blessing to watch children playing and growing. In my spare time, I enjoy sewing and helping people in the community, and taking care of my friends and family.

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Navpreet Kaur

Program Coordinator

My name is Navpreet Kaur and I am the Program Coordinator at NICCS. I was born in Punjab, which is located in northern India. I have completed my Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Masters in Political Science. I have an ECE Level 3 certification and have also completed the FLIGHT Course from MacEwan University, AB. I taught high school in India for 6 years. I moved to Brooks, Alberta in 2014. I worked at the Plains Motel for 2 years and in 2016 I began working at NICCS. I also worked at the Parent Link Centre here in Brooks from November 2019 to March 2020. I love the opportunity to work with children and shape adults tomorrow.

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Verlynn Keeping

Program Director

Hi my name is Verlynn and I am the Program Director here at NICCS.
I am originally from Newfoundland and moved to Brooks 14 years ago. I have my Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Small business management, bookkeeping certificate, plus many more child care related courses. I have 15 plus years experience working in a daycare environment. I have also completed the Alberta Early Learning Curriculum Course (FLIGHT) from MacEwan University in 2021. My family is my world. I have been married for 18 years and we have a wonderful son who is the light of our lives. We enjoy camping, game nights and family gatherings. A few years ago I decided to leave my job as a child care worker to try something new. Even though I enjoyed my new position I always felt like something was missing. I have realized that helping children is where my heart is. I am so thankful to NICCS for giving me a second opportunity to do what I love doing, caring for children!

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Insha Shahzad

Team Member

Hello, my name is Insha Shahzad. I was born in Punjab, Pakistan. Before coming to Canada, I used to teach Math in a primary school in Pakistan. I moved to Brooks in 2016. I live with my husband and two sons. I have completed Bachelor in Arts from University of Punjab, Pakistan. I completed my Certificate in Montessori and Diploma in Early Learning and Childcare. I also have completed the FLIGHT (Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework) Course from MacEwan University in June 2022.

I started my first ever job in Canada as an early childhood educator here at NICCS in 2018 and feel lucky to have such nice co-workers. I love to work with children because they bring joy to me and I enjoy making positive changes in their lives.

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Jasmine Bolt

Team Member

Hi, my name is Jasmine Bolt. I am from a small town in Newfoundland. I lived there until I was about 4 years old. After that, my family and I moved to Brooks and I have lived here since.
Fun fact about me is that I have an identical twin sister.
I recently completed the Early Learning and Childcare 2 year diploma program at Medicine Hat College which certifies me as a Level 3 Early Childhood Educator.
My favorite things to do is to go for walks and drink coffee. I am so happy to be working in this field and cant wait to see what the future holds.

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Germaine Anne Ronque

Team Member

Hi! I am Germaine Anne Ronque. I am currently an educator in the Toddler room.
I am from Vigan, Locos Sur, Philippines. I am a recent graduate of Child and Youth Worker Diploma. I love to go for long drives and travel with my family and friends. I love to sing, dance and play the guitar. I am slowly taking on challenges and improving myself while I explore this next chapter in my life as an Early Childhood Educator.
I started as a practicum student at NICCS, it opened opportunities that I did not expect. Spending time with the children and receiving mentorship at NICCS, I decided to further my education in childcare and enrolled in College to proceed with obtaining my Level 2 Certificate.

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Taylor Harris

Executive Director

Hi, I am Taylor, and I am the Executive Director here at NICCS.
I have known since a very young age that early learning was my passion. I started working in a childcare center immediately after high school while simultaneously completing my post-secondary education.

Over the last 10 years working in childcare, I completed my Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program with honors. I had the opportunity to work in multiple centers in our region in various positions. I am always eager to learn, and I value constant professional and personal development. In 2021 I completed the FLIGHT course (Alberta’s early learning curriculum framework) along with my colleagues.

When I started leading the team at NICCS in 2019, I was immediately overwhelmed with the love and kindness I got from my team. I had never felt this kind of compassion at a workplace before. Once I met the families, children, and the Board, I felt such a high level of support and I quickly became passionate about helping NICCS become the high-quality learning center it is today.

My job is incredibly rewarding in so many ways. I often look around at all the children in the center and think of how honored I am that so many families trust me with their children, and what a privilege that is to play such a vital role in a child’s life during those critical early years. My proudest moment of being Executive Director at NICCS is when we were nominated for and took home the Non-Profit of the Year Award for 2021.

Other than being ED at NICCS, I also work with ARCQE as an early learning coach and I’m an active member of community and sector boards. In my free time I love hiking, fishing, biking and camping with my friends and family.

Welcome to our center!

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Isabel Valdez

Team Member

Hi, my name is Isabel Valdez. I was born in Tequila Jalisca, Mexico. I moved to Brooks in 2009. I live with my husband and my 3 girls. I have been working in childcare for 10 years. During my 10 years, I completed my Level 3 Certification.
Working with children is such a beautiful profession. The love and care you show children, it will teach them how to treat other people for the rest of their lives.

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Asiya Ali

Team Member

Hi, my name is Asiya. I was born in Somalia and raised in Ethiopia. I came to Canada in 2017 with my family. I enjoy playing badminton and volleyball in the summer. I attended school in Brooks and graduated at BCHS in 2022. I started working at NICCS in July 2022. While working at NICCS I registered for the Childcare Orientation Course and succeeded in receiving my Level 1 Certificate. I have gained significant experience working with others, as well as finding my passion in childcare. I love working with children, exploring with them and learning about them and their families.

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Kassie Negenman

Team Member

Hi! My name is Kassie Negenman. I am currently an Educator in the Pre-Kindergarten. I have an ECE Level 1 Certification. I started my journey in childcare 8 years ago. I have experience working at other daycares and operated my own Dayhome for 3 years.
I am from a small farming town in Saskatchewan. I moved to Brooks when I met my husband. We have 2 daughters. I love playing softball and volleyball, and spending time with family & friends.
I truly love helping children grow into their own characters and helping them when they need it.

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Hannah Winter

Team Member

Hi, my name is Hannah Winter. I was born and raised in Brooks, AB. I currently have my Level 1 Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification and have worked in this field for five years. Currently, I am pursuing my Bachelor of Education at Medicine Hat College. I have a passion for working with children, which has driven my career choices and educational pursuits. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks, exploring the mountains, and snowboarding during the winter months.

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