Children are rich with wonder, knowledge and curiosity and the teachers at Little Willows know we have just as much to learn from them as they do from us. Our roles as teachers in a Reggio Emilia inspired childcare setting is to observe and really listen to the children and provide them with opportunities to explore their interests further
Myra Johnson- Director of Operations
My name is Myra Johnson and I am the Director of Operations.
I completed the Early Childhood Education program in 1999 and have been in the field ever since. I completed the Infant Toddler program in 2008. Over the years I have worked with children from 6 months to 11 years; as an educator, supervisor, manager and coordinator. I have been with Little Willows since 2016 and I am passionate and committed to working with young children and look forward to making great memories with the families here.I live in a float home community on the Fraser River with my husband and dogs. We enjoy traveling the world, fishing and camping!
Deanna Zaharoff- Regional Manager
I am an Early Childhood Educator with my Special Needs Diploma. I began working in the childcare field in 2013 in New Zealand where I had the chance to work in a Reggio Emilia center. I am passionate about learning through hands on activities and enjoy making messy art and science experiments which the children have the chance to be fully involved in. I look forward to meeting everyone and embarking on this new adventure together!
Alyssa Modugno- Assistant Regional Manager
I have been working with Little Willows since 2020 and have absolutely fallen in love with the programs Little Willows has to offer and the community of families that support Little Willows. I have known my whole life that working with children was my passion, and I am so fortunate to be able to be working with them as a career. I am passionate on building partnerships with families through mutual respect, open communication, and opportunities for participation within the programs, to provide support and resources to families, and to model and promote the highest quality of developmentally and culturally appropriate practices in childcare to families and the community at large. I look forward to being able to get to know the children, to learn from each of them, as they help me grow everyday as a passionate and committed educator in my role with Little Willows.
Melissa Amiel- Team Educator and Support Consultant
As Team Educator and Support Consultant at Little Willows I work exclusively with Little Willows childcare programs to build individual programming for children to facilitate behaviour and emotional regulation. Through our inclusive approach, Little Willows creates a cohesive, positive learning environment that values a team perspective between educators and family participation. I have had the privilege of working with children and staff on many different platforms over my 17 years in the Early Child Education Field. In 2007 I completed my Early Childhood Education Certification and recently obtained my Education Assisting Diploma and Autism training from the Provincial Outreach Program in 2022.
I have truly enjoyed creating authentic opportunities for children to play and learn from the environment around them. I am so excited to help children in our community experience this and help them reach their fullest potential.