Staff Members
Cathy Paton - 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, and is the mother of three wonderful people.
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, and is the mother of three wonderful people.
Christine Stewart - 3-5 year old Program Supervisor Christine lives just outside Salmo with her husband Cory and their two children - Rhianne and Connor. Christine earned her certification in Early Childhood Education at Selkirk College in 1995. She has been working with children and their families since then, and says without any hesitation. "I love every minute of it!"
Audrey DeGroot - Assistant Early Childhood Educator Audrey is a certified nutritionist who started with us as a support worker, but now is a full-time assistant in the group daycare for 30 month-school age program. Audrey and her family have relocated here from Ontario, and we are grateful that they did!
Tara Zeznik - Infant/Toddler Program Supervisor Tara first joined our team in 2009 as a support worker. Tara loved her work so much that she headed to Kelowna to get her diploma in Early Childhood Education. She is back with 2 children of her own and several years of ECCE experience. She now supervises our Infant/Toddler program.
Shelley-Anne Jorgensen - Preschool Teacher and Classroom Support Worker 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 is looking forward to moving her family here in the very near future.
Jen Smuck - Infant/Toddler Educator Jen comes to the Salmo Children's Centre full of energy, compassion and fun learning ideas for our youngest friends. Jen attained a diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2012, from Durham College in Ontario. She has had experience in some wonderful settings, and with some wonderful philosophies of care.
Melissa Boardman - School-Age Program Supervisor/ ECE Student Melissa is in the process of attaining her certificate in Early Childhood Education from College of the Rockies. When she isn't working in our Centre, or enjoying time in the outdoors with her family, she is running family programs like Love 2 Learn and Play With Me.
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.
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.
Our Invaluable Casual and Support Staff:
Jocelyn Stuart
Jacey Paton
Teresa Perrin
Staff Photo Credit: JaceyKendall Photography
Jocelyn Stuart
Jacey Paton
Teresa Perrin
Staff Photo Credit: JaceyKendall Photography