Meet Our Team

Theresa Martyn

Director

Hi, my name is Theresa, I am the co-owner and Director of Adventure Time Early Learning Centre. I’m a mother of two beautiful children who fill my life with joy. When my son was diagnosed with autism at age 3, I put my whole self into learning everything I could that might be able to support him moving forward. With all that learning I have not only been able to support him but many other children.

It has been a dream of mine to create this centre, an environment that is designed to meet the developmental needs of each child. A Centre that encourages exploration, creativity and independence. I wanted to create a space that will make all children feel capable, valued and encouraged.

I believe in the Reggio approach to learning because it respects the children. It takes them seriously. It sees them as strong, capable and resilient, rich with wonder, knowledge and potential. It breeds greater self-awareness and self-confidence. Children learn about collaboration, teamwork and community. They’re encouraged to be researchers and scientific thinkers, questioning the world around them.

Ashley Lohse

Assistant Director

I am Ashley, I am the co-owner of Adventure Time Early Learning Centre. I have a passion for chubby little cheeks, growing families and exceptional care for children. I worked as a professional nanny for 7 years, assisted in various preschools working with children with exceptionalities and own a successful Sleep Consulting firm here in the Okanagan.

I was so stressed trying to find childcare that met my children’s needs and seeing the lack of care available in the Okanagan, I began my journey to opening my own Centre. I was so fortunate to have met Theresa Martyn along the way. Her passion, drive and ideas for developing a Reggio Centre just blew me away. It was fate that brought us together to bring this dream of ours to fruition. You will often catch me in and out of classrooms, touring families around the centre or chatting over email and on the phone.

Ashley
Brenna

Brenna

Early Childhood Educator Assistant 3-5 Program

Hi my name is Brenna and I am an ECEA at Adventure Time Early Learning. I am a Kootenay girl from Nelson BC and moved to the Okanagan in early 2020. I enjoy being very active and often spend my time working out or running. I also love exploring and camping around the Okanagan in my free time. I have such a love for kids and have from a very young age. I have transitioned from working in Europe as an Au pair at age 18 and a Nanny to now working at Adventure Time with such a lovely group of children and staff in a beautiful facility.

Katelyn Lamont

Early Childhood Educator 3-5 program

Hi I’m Katie! I moved to the beautiful Okanagan from the lower mainland in 2017. In my free time I enjoy hiking with my rescue dog Bentley and painting. After graduating with my ECE in 2018, I had the opportunity to do my practicum at various Child care centres and fell in love with making a difference in a child’s life. I found a fantastic fit here with Theresa and the Adventure Time team in the crazy year of 2020. I absolutely love the Reggio Emilia approach. I adore the staff, the children, and their parents. I feel very lucky and I am filled with joy that I get to see them everyday! I want my children to feel safe, and yet, feel free to express themselves in a loving and supportive environment. I adore my work with children and am passionate about what I do!

Katie
Sara E

Sara E.

Early Childhood Educator 3-5 program

Hello My name is Sara E. and I joined the Adventure Time Early Learning Centre in August 2020. I started my ECE journey in Sept 2017 and graduated in June 2018 with honours. I love being in the child education field because I meet so many amazing educators and get to know so many amazing families and children. I chose this field because I have 2 beautiful children and felt I would do really well helping teach other children! I really like how Adventure Time has a Reggio Emilia approach to learning, I like how children can learn and explore and show their interests through play and I like how we can extend from that interest and find fun ways to help them learn and grow. I look forward to getting to know the children and families of Adventure Time more each day.

Eilis

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR - INFANT / TODDLER

My name is Eilis (pronounced Alish) Everard and I am an educator in Adventure Time’s preschool room. From Ireland, where I graduated from NUI Maynooth with a degree in Anthropology and English, I then lived in Calgary where I completed a diploma in Early Learning and Child Care.

I have worked with children of all ages in various roles, including infants, kindergarten, after school, and youth work. I have also been a nanny and Au Pair with different families for over a decade and was lucky to travel in Europe while doing so. I love to teach and guide children in their development through play and get creative in the process. It’s a joy to support children’s social and cognitive development by introducing new experiences and developing a program around individual needs and interests. I am a firm believer in supporting children’s creative capabilities and learning through play.

I consider myself a lifelong learner and, when not at work, like to try my hand at new things which gives me more to share with the children I work with. I love to travel and be outdoors, especially doing water-based activities and camping. In my downtime, I enjoy reading, movies, cooking, and playing the violin.

Eilis
Emma

Emma

Early Childhood Educator

Hi my name is Emma! I have been working with children since my early teens when I started teaching preschool art classes. There I discovered my passion for childcare, and since then I have worked in many childcare classrooms including infant toddler, preschool, childcare and before and after school care. My favourite part of working with children is watching them explore the world around them and giving them opportunities to do activities they love! I recently moved to West Kelowna with my family, and I am enjoying getting to know the area. In my free time I can often be found outside enjoying hikes and spending time with my husband, daughter, and dog Odie.

Natalia P.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR

I’m Natalia, I began working with families as a nanny in 2014, as well as coaching kids’ hockey and ballet. In 2016 I moved to Edmonton to pursue an Education in Dietetics but I quickly realized that my passion is for working with children and families. I recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, majoring in Family Science.

My goal is to support children in building their self-concept and confidence while encouraging autonomy and space to discover the wonders of life. In my work, I strive to create mindful and intentional programming to support children in their emotional, physical, cognitive, and social development.

In addition to teaching preschool, I am a registered yoga and fitness teacher. I spend most of my free time trying to tire out my Border Collie or baking!

Natalia P
Whitney

Whitney

Early Childhood Educator 3-5 Program

Hi! I am Whitney, and my pronouns are they/them. I am an educator in Adventure Time’s Daycare program; I joined Theresa, Ashley and the team in April 2021, after moving to West Kelowna from Kamloops. I studied Early Childhood Education at Thompson Rivers University, with a large focus on the Reggio Emilia approach. I graduated in 2016, and began my journey as an educator. During my career, I have had the opportunity to work in infant and toddler care programs, preschool programs, and daycare programs. I’ve even had the opportunity to sub at a preschool in Methven, New Zealand, during the year I lived abroad there. I believe that every child is unique, deserving of respect and holds extraordinary potential, so as an educator it is my mission to provide a safe and engaging environment so that every child has the space to learn, create, and grow. As well as being an educator, I strive to be a lifelong learner, and with each new day spent in the world of young children, I learn.

When I am not here learning alongside the children, I enjoy spending time in nature, exploring new places in the city, spending time with the people I love, or getting lost in a book.

Nicole K.

Early Childhood Educator - Infant / Toddler

Hi, my name is Nicole, I am new to British Columbia and Adventure Time. My family and I moved out west in August 2021 to start a new ADVENTURE! My husband, three beautiful children and three cats travelled here from Ontario in an SUV over two days, yikes right!

I am a registered early childhood educator and graduated with honours in 2018. I have worked with all ages, most recently I taught French immersion kindergarten in Ontario. I value play and how it gives children the space they need to do what matters to them. Mr. Rogers said it best, “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning”. My goal is to provide the best possible start for children in their early years of life.

During my free time I enjoy listening to music, reading and camping and plan to include these interests in the children’s activities. I am thrilled to meet and build relationships with the children, family and staff at Adventure Time.

Nicole K
Veronica M

Veronica M.

Early Childhood Educator - Infant / Toddler

Hello, my name is Veronica and I recently moved to Kelowna from Calgary but originally I’m from Windsor, Ontario!
I have a diploma in Early Childhood Education and have been working in the field since I graduated in 2016. I absolutely love what I do and am always happy to come to work knowing that I will get to play, laugh and learn with the children each day.

When I’m not working my favourite thing to do is being outside! I love staying active and exploring new things. I love to ski and snowshoe in the winter, bike rides and hikes and this summer I’m very excited to try paddleboarding!

Book A Tour

If you would like to meet our exceptional team and explore our centre please complete the contact us form or call us at 778-754-5447

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