Staff Members
Cathy Paton, ECE - IT - Centre Director
Cathy Paton has been an Early Childhood Educator since 1985, when she graduated from the ECE Program at College of the Rockies. She started her career in a municipal child care centre in Tumbler Ridge where she quickly moved into the management role.
Cathy started working for the Salmo Child Care Society (then the Salmo Playschool Society) in 1993, upon moving to Salmo. She was instrumental in the creation of the Salmo Children's Centre in 1998. Cathy's experience and education have made her a resource for many local and provincial conferences, presentations and initiatives. Her involvement in the provincial Implementation of BCs Early Learning Framework, and the Provincial Investigating Quality in Early Childhood Education Project, have given her insight into best practices in ECE around the world. Cathy has been married to Fred since 1985, is the mother of three wonderful people, and the grandmother of 3 more!
Cathy Paton has been an Early Childhood Educator since 1985, when she graduated from the ECE Program at College of the Rockies. She started her career in a municipal child care centre in Tumbler Ridge where she quickly moved into the management role.
Cathy started working for the Salmo Child Care Society (then the Salmo Playschool Society) in 1993, upon moving to Salmo. She was instrumental in the creation of the Salmo Children's Centre in 1998. Cathy's experience and education have made her a resource for many local and provincial conferences, presentations and initiatives. Her involvement in the provincial Implementation of BCs Early Learning Framework, and the Provincial Investigating Quality in Early Childhood Education Project, have given her insight into best practices in ECE around the world. Cathy has been married to Fred since 1985, is the mother of three wonderful people, and the grandmother of 3 more!
Christine Stewart, ECE - Assistant Director and 3-5 year old Program Supervisor
Christine has lived in Salmo her whole life, and raised her two children here. She graduated from the Early Childhood Education program at Selkirk College in 1995, and has been involved with children and their families ever since.
Christine has lived in Salmo her whole life, and raised her two children here. She graduated from the Early Childhood Education program at Selkirk College in 1995, and has been involved with children and their families ever since.
Audrey DeGroot - Assistant Early Childhood Educator
Prior to joining the staff at the Salmo Children's Centre, Audrey worked for Community Living, supporting and facilitating the needs of adults who have special needs, to live in their own homes. Audrey has a background as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Motherhood has given her the opportunity to bring these skills together. Audrey has worked at our Centre since 2012; beginning in a casual position, then to part-time once her son was established in school routines. Finally, she went to full-time as an Assistant Early Childhood Educator. Audrey says, "I love supporting your children through their days with us."
Prior to joining the staff at the Salmo Children's Centre, Audrey worked for Community Living, supporting and facilitating the needs of adults who have special needs, to live in their own homes. Audrey has a background as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Motherhood has given her the opportunity to bring these skills together. Audrey has worked at our Centre since 2012; beginning in a casual position, then to part-time once her son was established in school routines. Finally, she went to full-time as an Assistant Early Childhood Educator. Audrey says, "I love supporting your children through their days with us."
Tara Zeznik, ECE-IT/SN Infant/Toddler Program Supervisor
Tara first joined our team in 2009 as a support worker for a child with special needs. Tara loved her work so much that she headed to Okanagan College in Kelowna to get a diploma in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Inclusive Practice in 2012. She was instrumental in starting our Infant/Toddler program, and attained her specialization in Infant/Toddler Care in 2016 upon opening the program.
Tara first joined our team in 2009 as a support worker for a child with special needs. Tara loved her work so much that she headed to Okanagan College in Kelowna to get a diploma in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Inclusive Practice in 2012. She was instrumental in starting our Infant/Toddler program, and attained her specialization in Infant/Toddler Care in 2016 upon opening the program.
Melissa Boardman, ECE
Melissa attained her certificate in Early Childhood Education from College of the Rockies, and is now working on her Infant/Toddler and Special Needs certifications, when she isn't working in our Centre. She and her family enjoy the outdoors, and helped start the wonderful Salmo Valley Trail Society.
Melissa attained her certificate in Early Childhood Education from College of the Rockies, and is now working on her Infant/Toddler and Special Needs certifications, when she isn't working in our Centre. She and her family enjoy the outdoors, and helped start the wonderful Salmo Valley Trail Society.
Shelley-Anne Jorgensen, ECE
Shelley-Anne has been an Early Childhood Educator since 2012, after attaining her ECCE Certificate from the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. Shelley-Anne is excited to be working in Salmo, and recently moved her young family here!
Shelley-Anne has been an Early Childhood Educator since 2012, after attaining her ECCE Certificate from the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. Shelley-Anne is excited to be working in Salmo, and recently moved her young family here!
Lisa Newton - ECE - IT Infant Toddler Program
Lisa started work in our Infant/Toddler Program in June of 2020. She moved from Vancouver in the fall of 2019, to Nelway, where she and her husband bought a farm. Lisa has been an Early Childhood Educator, specializing in Infant/Toddler Care, since 2013. Lisa says, "I love working here in Salmo!"
Lisa started work in our Infant/Toddler Program in June of 2020. She moved from Vancouver in the fall of 2019, to Nelway, where she and her husband bought a farm. Lisa has been an Early Childhood Educator, specializing in Infant/Toddler Care, since 2013. Lisa says, "I love working here in Salmo!"
Shawna Paulson - Assistant Early Childhood Educator
Shawna has been working as a caregiver since 2015, and has started the process of becoming an Early Childhood Educator. Shawna helps out in all of the programs, but spends most of her time helping children who have extra support needs. Shawna is currently on maternity leave after the birth of her first baby in November 2020.
Shawna has been working as a caregiver since 2015, and has started the process of becoming an Early Childhood Educator. Shawna helps out in all of the programs, but spends most of her time helping children who have extra support needs. Shawna is currently on maternity leave after the birth of her first baby in November 2020.
Sheri Pawlyshyn - Support Worker
Sheri and her family have been part of the Salmo Children's Centre family for years. Sheri has a BSW from the University of Regina. She now helps out part-time at the Centre with children who have extra support needs.
Sheri and her family have been part of the Salmo Children's Centre family for years. Sheri has a BSW from the University of Regina. She now helps out part-time at the Centre with children who have extra support needs.
Hannah Flick - Assistant Early Childhood Educator
Hannah is in her last year of a bachelor's degree in sociology, which she is completing online. Next fall, she will be doing the West Kootenay teacher Education Program to become and elementary teacher. Hannah has been working with children since around 2014; as a nanny, music instructor and at our Centre since June of 2019.
Hannah is in her last year of a bachelor's degree in sociology, which she is completing online. Next fall, she will be doing the West Kootenay teacher Education Program to become and elementary teacher. Hannah has been working with children since around 2014; as a nanny, music instructor and at our Centre since June of 2019.
Jillian Graham - Assistant Early Childhood Educator
Jillian joined the team at the Salmo Children's Centre in the fall of 2020, and gracefully fits in wherever her skills and education are needed most. You may see her in any of our programs gently helping children of all ages
Jillian joined the team at the Salmo Children's Centre in the fall of 2020, and gracefully fits in wherever her skills and education are needed most. You may see her in any of our programs gently helping children of all ages
Lee-anne Graham - School-age Program
Lee-anne has been part of the Salmo Children's Centre family for many years; first as a parent, then a community sponsor, then a parent again, and now as a staff member in our school-age program. We are happy to have her calm, helpful presence in our Centre
Lee-anne has been part of the Salmo Children's Centre family for many years; first as a parent, then a community sponsor, then a parent again, and now as a staff member in our school-age program. We are happy to have her calm, helpful presence in our Centre
Staff Photo Credit
Jacey Kendall Photography
Jacey Kendall Photography