Bilingual Preschool & Kindergarten Teachers

Alerces bilingual teachers are all certified in Early Childhood Education with additional degrees in Education and Arts. Our teachers are native Spanish speakers and are fluent in English. Teachers have been carefully selected through a thorough interview process based on their education, unique skill set, and passion for teaching children. They provide a nurturing environment to care for your children when they need a hug or help falling asleep at nap time. Our preschool and kindergarten teachers love to see the joy in each child’s creative expression and enjoy guiding them through their daily lessons in art, music, literacy, math and outdoor exploration in our forest school program.

Bati McComas

I’m the Pedagogic and Educational Director of Alerces. I am an Argentinean-Canadian that has been living in Saskatchewan for many years and loves the Prairies. My whole professional life has been focused on advocating for and inspiring children’s love for learning. It is a wondrous experience to imagine and develop, along with Maru, a dream space for children and families. For us there are no limits in what children want to learn, achieve and create.I’m a teacher and Social Psychologist, I have more than thirty years of teaching experience in Preschool and Kindergarten, and facilitate workshops for teachers and educators. I believe in the beautiful benefits of yoga so as a certified Vinyasa Yoga for Youth instructor I offer a fun yoga experience to our students everyday. I love learning alongside children, and I express myself through art, knitting, and cooking. I enjoy the outdoors and traveling.

Maru Aguirre

I’m the Administrative Director and Human Resources Manager. I was born and raised in Colombia and became a Canadian citizen in 2009. I have been walking odd paths through my life from Forestry Engineering in my early twenties to Psychologist in my early thirties, working with teenagers for many years in my home country. I had the opportunity to land myself in early childhood education. Holding Bati’s hand through continuous training in several aspects of Early Childhood Education has been very rewarding. Three years ago I took the Outdoor Education training from Forest School Canada and York Region Nature Collaborative. After bringing forest school to Alerces I have been enjoying the “Escuela del Bosque” everyday since, learning with the children, experiencing nature and being challenged by the weather. I love spending time with children. I also enjoy reading, embroidering, crocheting and learning quilting.

Vanessa Galarza

I come from Ecuador. My education includes a bachelor degree of Child Psychology and Psycho Rehabilitation, and a postgraduate degree as M.D. in University Teaching and Educational Administration. I have been teaching for over twenty years. I have had the opportunity to work in different areas as a teacher and coordinator in preschool. I have found that teaching little children is marvellous and magical. Adventure, exploration, discovery, and creativity are experiences that I always try to provide to my students; as well as the inspiration to learn with love in a wonderful place.

Daniella Garcia Lugo

Although I was born in Canada I spent most of my life in Venezuela. I earned a Bachelor of Education with a major in Early Childhood Education from the University of Los Andes. I have been a preschool teacher for almost 15 years. My professional experience includes the position of head teacher for nursery school children, preschool coordinator, and educational advisor for children living in refuge. I really enjoy working with children, so I feel privileged accompanying them on their educational journey and at the same time learning constantly from those little great masters.

Karen Meza

*Currently on maternitiy leave.

Hello! My name is Karen Meza, I am from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

I have been in Canada for 3 years, and I can say that it’s a wonderful country. I graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California as a General Psychologist. Since I was in the University, I knew that I wanted to be part of the school environment. I am passionate to be part of the process of development of children. I love to learn, and I love the idea of sharing my knowledge of Spanish to others. Alerces has given me the opportunity to share that knowledge to the most wonderful creatures in the world, children. I am always ready to learn new things, and hear new ideas and opinions.

Eliana Zuluaga

Hi, my name is Eliana and I am an Early Childhood Educator from Colombia. After living three years in the beautiful jungle of Panama working with Indigenous children, I had the privilege of moving to Canada with my husband. Since December 2017, I have learned and experienced the richness of multiculturalism in this country, which I love and respect. I recognize that each child is unique and special and has so much to teach us. My love and passion for them has led me to this amazing, joyful and challenging journey in teaching and learning alongside them. I love to create the best experience for them, to be, flourish, grow, and discover the world around them at their own pace. I enjoy dancing, and creating things with my hands. I am always up for any outdoor adventure, along with travelling and experiencing new cultures.

Mirna Quintanilla

I was born in El Salvador and received my diploma in physics and mathematics, as well as studying computer science and RPG programming in El Salvador.

In 1991 I got married and moved to Canada in June of 1992. I studied Child Orientation at Sask Polytech (formerly Kelsey Institute) and went on to work at Maggie’s Childcare for teen parents. Following that, I worked at the Open Door Society.

I also taught Spanish for 14 years at Mount Royal Collegiate through the multilingual schools program. In 1998, I graduated from the University of Saskatchewan on methods of teaching heritage languages. During my time at Alerces I also received my Early Childhood Education certificate.

Florencia Araneda

Bio coming soon!