Meet the Teachers

Sandy Erler, Director, S.S.W. (Honours), R.E.C.E. (Honours)

Hello everyone and welcome to Manotick Nursery School and Riverside South Nursery School.  I consider myself lucky to have been a part of such a wonderful co-operative since 1992. Both of my children have happy memories of their time here and the philosophy my husband and I held raising them is one that I am still reminded of each day at Nursery School: “What we learn in play, we never forget”. Contrary to popular belief among the preschoolers here, I do not live in the Nursery School office! Outside of class time, I enjoy traveling, reading, gardening and hiking. My message to all of the children I meet along life’s journey?

Little children, I wish you two things;
To give you roots and to give you wings.

Amanda (Delahunt) Rocque R.E.C.E

I grew up on a farm outside Richmond, ON and continue to enjoy country life, living with my husband and two young children outside Burritts’ Rapids, ON. I graduated from St. Lawrence College, Kingston campus, in 1998 with my diploma in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching  at Manotick Co-operative Nursery School ever since. While at the nursery school I have taught in the junior and senior preschool programs as well as the former kinder class. I became a member of the College of Early Childhood Educators when it began in 2009. It’s great to have a job I truly love, and I look forward to seeing my little “friends” everyday at school.

Jennifer Duff B.A. (Psych)

I have been teaching at the nursery school since 2002. I have a Bachelor of Psychology Degree from Carleton University, with a concentration in Early Childhood and am currently working towards obtaining my E.C.E.   I am originally from, and currently live in, Manotick with my husband and two children (both of whom are MCNS graduates).  I love working with children, and feel very fortunate to be able to share in such a small piece of your child’s day and life. We all hope that your child’s experience at MCNS is something that not only they, but you as their parents, will look back on fondly.

Concetta Minella R.E.C.E (Honours)

I graduated with honours from the Early Childhood Education Program at Algonquin College. I have been a preschool teacher at Manotick Co-operative Nursery School since 2003. Over the years, I have enjoyed gaining valuable experience working with a wide range of age groups, from infants to school age children. I take pleasure in planning and implementing activities for young children to learn from, as well as to have fun with. I hope to help provide children with a safe and friendly environment where they can learn and grow through their play.

Basic aspects of everyday life can be achieved through play such as problem solving, interacting with others, compassion and understanding. I believe in fostering children’s self-esteem in a positive way, in hopes that they will feel good about themselves and will be able to face new challenges and experiences with confidence. It is such a pleasure to be in a profession where you can influence and inspire young children in giving them the best possible opportunity to reach to their full potential.

Stephanie Bousquet

When my family and I moved to Manotick in 2003 I registered my son at MCNS. I became an active member of the MCNS Board of Directors and thoroughly enjoyed volunteering and supplying in Liam’s and Fiona’s nursery school classes. I happily accepted a teacher position in 2006. I took an extended maternity break following the birth of my twin girls in 2008 but am thrilled to return as the junior preschool teacher this year.

Holly Mundy, B.A. (Psych), E.C.E. (Honours)

Born and raised in the Toronto area, I graduated in 1994 with honours from Seneca College’s Early Childhood Education program.  In 1999, I obtained my Bachelor of Psychology degree from Carleton University. I have taught toddler and preschoolers in Toronto and Ottawa.  Now a proud mother to two young children, my daughter loved her time here at MCNS and my son is currently enjoying his second year in the program. I was a supply teacher for the 2010/2011 school year and am now overjoyed to join the amazing teachers here at MCNS.

Crystal Hitsman – R.E.C.E. (Honours)

I am from the small town of Prescott, Ontario, which I love because I live so close to my family. I am a Mom to “Patch” (my English Bulldog). In 2004, I graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at St. Lawrence College. I have been so fortunate to have numerous opportunities of working with children from a wide-range of ages (Toddler-School Age) in daycare settings, as well as with School Boards. I feel so lucky, to be a part of MCNS and look forward to working with the children and building relationships with their families.

The following verse is words I live by when working with children:

“Today like millions of other Canadians I went to work, however I didn’t design a beautiful skyscraper, I didn’t write a proposal to save an endangered species, and I didn’t drive a bus or fly a plane, or write a crucial bill that would someday become a law. However, I did spend some time with some very important people. I read a story to an attorney, I sang the alphabet song with a Supreme Court Justice. I ate lunch with a pastor, and patted the back of an engineer until he fell asleep. I taught a policeman how to tie his shoes, and introduced an astronaut to the colour red. Tomorrow, who knows whom I’ll meet, but one thing is for sure….they will be very IMPORTANT: for they are our precious, children, and the hope of our very FUTURE”. (author-unknown)