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Meet Our Staff

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Amira Mohammed

Closing Manager

Amira moved to Canada from Ethiopia with her husband and two children in 1995. With over 10 years of experience in childcare, she speaks five of the 13 languages at NICCS—Oromo, Haaric, Arabic, English, and Amharic—helping new families feel at home through translation. She loves watching children learn and discovering their interests.

My Childcare Philosophy: "I love children because of their innocence and how they come to us ready to learn anything from what we teach. It's incredibly rewarding to see them grow, developing new skills and discovering their world through play and exploration."
Favorite Learning Activity: Reading and Sensory Play
Hobbies: Reading books and listening to the Quran

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Kristina Pullin

Educator-Pre-Kindergarten

Kristina, was born and raised in Brooks. She has worked at NICCS daycare for 16 years and holds an ECE Level 1 certification. She completed the FLIGHT Course from MacEwan University in 2021 and has experience in every classroom. A dedicated volunteer at Brooks High School and Brooks Preschool. She has two daughters, ages 3 and 6, and enjoys camping, fishing, walking, and traveling. Kristina loves childcare for the opportunity to learn creative teaching methods and finds the experience incredibly rewarding.

My Childcare Philosophy: ""
Favorite Learning Experience: Sensory Play
Hobbies: Going for walks and the beach, sledding and skating

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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 Director

Navpreet was born in Punjab, India. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and a Master’s in Political Science, along with an ECE Level 3 certification and the FLIGHT Course from MacEwan University. After teaching high school in India for six years, she moved to Brooks, Alberta, in 2014. She joined NICCS in 2016 and also worked at the Parent Link Centre from 2019 to 2020. She loves working with children and shaping the adults of tomorrow.

My Childcare Philosophy: "I love taking part in the children's learning as a co-learner, co-researcher, and co-imaginer of possibilities in the classroom and environment"
Favorite Learning Activity: STEM activities
Hobbies: Painting and sewing

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Verlynn Keeping

Executive Director

Verlynn is originally from Newfoundland and moved to Brooks 14 years ago. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, along with certifications in Small Business Management and Bookkeeping, plus numerous childcare-related courses. With over 15 years of experience in daycare settings, she completed the FLIGHT Course from MacEwan University in 2021. Married for 18 years, she and her family enjoy camping, game nights, and gatherings. After exploring another career, she realized her heart remains in childcare and is grateful to NICCS for the opportunity to do what she loves.

My Childcare Philosophy: ""
Favorite Learning Experience: Movement and Expression through Dance
Hobbies: Camping, road trips, and spending time with family and friends

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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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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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