Our Staff
Tracy - RECE, Director
Welcome to Junction Daycare. My name is Tracy Spence and I am the Director at Junction. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I come to Junction with 35+ years of experience in the field working in Not-For-Profit school based childcare settings. I have worked all across the city but love working in the west end the most. I have been in managerial positions for 30+ years in my career and I learn something new everyday. I am thrilled to be a part of the incredible team of Educators here at Junction Day Care and look forward to many years here.
Hang- RECE, Program Director
Hi, my name is Hang Le and I am the Program Director at Junction. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education program at George Brown College in June 2018. I have been working at Junction Daycare since 2017 after I had my first field placement here in the 9+ room. I have worked with all of the age groups at Junction from the preschool rooms to the 9+ room, in the office as the acting Assistant Supervisor and now I am currently working as the Program Director. I am very excited to be working in this new role and I cannot wait to continue to learn new things everyday as I work with the staff to enhance our programming. I enjoy working with all the children and families at Junction and I am so excited to continue to build on the relationships that I have formed with everyone!
Keleah- RECE, Assistant Supervisor
Hi my name is Keleah. I have worked here at Junction Day care for 7 years. I have worked with all age groups at Junction from the Preschool to the 9+ classroom. I am now the Assistant Supervisor and incredibly happy to be in the office. I have an 11-year-old son and a beautiful new daughter who is almost 2. I enjoy cooking, singing, and watching movies. I look forward to working here for many more years to come.
Adlin
My name is Adlin Malcolm. I have been working at Junction Daycare for over 18 years. I graduated as an ECA from the Learning Enrichment Foundation in 1999. I have worked with all age groups and now I am working in one of the Kindergarten rooms. I am a wife and a mother of a teenage daughter who use to attend Junction daycare when she was a child. In my spare time I like to cook ,bake and do anything creative.
Albert- RECE
Hi, my name is Albert I have been with Junction Daycare for 10+ years. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator and I have worked with all age groups from preschool, kindergarten, junior school age, senior school age, and 9+. Right now, I am the float which lets me go into all the classrooms. I look forward to working with your child.
Alena - RECE
Hi, my name is Alena. I completed my Diploma in Early Childhood Education at George Brown College in May 2020 and have been working at Junction since the summer of 2021. Prior to that, I worked as a private nanny and as an ECA at Ferncliff Daycare. I view every child as autonomous, capable individuals worthy of respect and dignity. I am currently an RECE in the FDK 105 program. I am a huge children’s book nerd and I love reading to children leading cooperative group games.
Alice- RECE
My name is Aram Lee. Please, call me Alice. I graduated from Seneca College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education and am now Registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. I have been an educator at Junction daycare since 2015. I was a kindergarten and preschool teacher in South Korea for over seven years. I have many experiences with children and families. I also studied visual art while earning a certificate of teaching art for children in South Korea. I have a particularly good skill of origami!
Anesa- RECE
My name is Anesa Baksh. I started working at Junction in July 2023 as a Casual RECE staff. I had the amazing opportunity to become a permanent staff and be a part of the new Junior School Age program. I went to Sheridan College to complete my Early Childhood Education Diploma and graduated in April of 2021. I gained my experience working at various daycare organizations and at the Peel District School Board. I absolutely LOVE interacting with children and being able to learn from them. I love nature and exploring the outdoors. I enjoy spending my spare time with my dog Romeo. I look forward to getting to know everyone in the Junction Day Care community. and building long lasting relationships.
Ayumi- RECE
My name is Ayumi. I have been at Junction Daycare Centre for 8+ years. I worked at a kindergarten in Japan before I came to Canada. I have an ECE diploma from George Brown College and am Registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. I like to do art activities such as Origami, sewing and painting with the children.
Chichi- RECE
Hello Everyone, my name is Nawang Choedon but you can call me Chichi. I graduated from George Brown College as an Early Childhood Educator in April 2020 and I am now a registered ECE. I have been working at Junction Daycare since 2019, first as a casual staff then in the Preschool 1 Room and enjoyed my role as Acting Assistant Supervisor in 2022 and now again in 2023.. I have always loved working with children. I feel like I have been taking care of children for my whole life because I grew up looking after my 2 younger siblings. I’m a very outgoing person and I love interacting with children and parents at Junction, I am very passionate and committed to what I do as an RECE. During my free time, I like watching movies, travelling, listening to music, cooking and playing basketball.
Derron - RECE
My name is Derron Gooden. I graduated with high honours in Early Childhood Education from Seneca College and am now Registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. I was offered a job to teach it at Seneca College as a facilitator and was flattered but choose to stay at Junction Day Care. I was nominated and awarded the George Brown College’s Mentoring/Cooperating Teacher Award. I have worked with all the age groups from preschool to 9 plus. Realizing that I love working with all the age groups, I jumped at the chance to be a Float Teacher when the Float position came up. The Float is a full-time position where you get to replace teachers that are away for one reason or another. I got the position and I now work as a Float Teacher. I am currently working in the Kindergarten room, replacing a leave of absence. I have worked at Junction Daycare for over thirty-four years. In my spare time I like to workout/bodybuilding, gardening (Garden Friendly Guy on YouTube) and anything physical and creative.
Joanne- RECE
Hello everyone, my name is Joanne Farrugia. I have had the privilege of being part of our Junction Daycare community 33+ years. I graduated with Honours from George Brown College in the profession of Early Childhood Education (RECE) also Certified in Advanced Special needs training, including Personal Support Certification. I have had the opportunity to work with all age groups over my 33+ year career adventure. I am currently in the preschool educator position, truly enjoying and dedicated to utilizing my vast experience and skills, supporting the growth and development of all the children in my care alongside with their families. I look forward too many more joyful and rewarding experiences as I continue my career at Junction Daycare.
Kathy. RECE
My name is Kathy Sliwa and I have been working at Junction Daycare since 1990. Both of my adult daughters Soleil and Emerelle attended Junction many years go and they still reminisce about their daycare experiences. I am a graduate of Centennial College in the Community and Social Services Program and also a graduate from Seneca College in the Early Childhood Education Program (with High Honours). I earned a Certificate of Apprenticeship in Child Development with the Ministry Of Colleges and Universities and a Preschool Literacy Certificate for a two-year program from York University. I am now Registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Having worked with many age groups and in various settings, I am extremely grateful for the wonderful friendships within the Junction community. I am passionate about social justice, environmentalism, and Indigenous Rights, and mentoring youth and students. I enjoy reading, writing, art, sports, and live music in my spare time.
Li- RECE
Li is an Early Childhood Educator and has been with Junction Daycare since 2011. Before moving to Canada, Li was a teacher in China. A Graduate of Seneca College and a registered member of the College of Early Childhood Educators, Li has been teaching in Canada for over 10 years. To relax, Li enjoys playing Badminton with her husband and her daughter. Li enjoys working with the amazing staff, children and parents that make up Junction Daycare.
Michelle- RECE
Hi! My name is Michelle Henriques. I have lived in Toronto my entire life. I graduated in Early Childhood Education from George Brown College in 2014. I have been working at Junction Daycare as a Registered Early Childhood Educator since 2015 and have the experience of working with all age groups. I am currently an RECE in our Preschool 1 program. I am extremely passionate and committed to working with children. It is a joy and rewarding to watch their growth and development daily. I am a mom to my wonderful daughter, Leanna. In my free time, I enjoy baking with my daughter. I like reading, listening to music, travelling, and exploring new places.
Pat
Hi, my name is Pat. I have been at Junction Daycare for the last 9 and a half years. Throughout this time, I have had the opportunity to work in all age groups, from Preschool to 9+. I am currently working in the Preschool 2 program. I have a daughter that is currently in University. I enjoy spending time with her and friends. I am incredibly happy to be in the Junction community and look forward too many more years.
Pempa- RECE
Hello, my name is Pempa Bhuti and I am proud to say that I am a member of the Junction Day Care Centre team as a non ECE. I am completing the Early Childhood Education program at the George Brown campus in downtown Toronto. I have prior experience from my placement at Ferncliff Daycare & Macaulay Child Development Centre- Dover court. In addition, I have worked as a team leader in a summer camp to guide the children attending with various activities. I love working with children and it brings me happiness assisting with their development and creating special bonds with each child. I look forward to deeper connections to this amazing team and community.
Riley
My name is Riley and I started working at Junction Day Care in the summer of 2021 as a casual staff. I am now one of the teachers in our new Junior SA1 program.
Robin
Hi, my name is Robin. I work in the kitchen in the Preschool 1 room. I am a certified Food Handler. I have worked in restaurant industry kitchens for 20 years but when I saw an opportunity to work at Junction Daycare I leapt. I’ve lived in this community for 38 years. My mother worked at Annette PS, I attended Annette PS, my daughter attended Annette PS…….. This building and community mean a lot to me and I am so excited to be a part of it. :-)
Shawn- RECE
I’m Shawn Querido. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at George Brown College. I am an RECE at Junction Day Care Centre and have been working here since 2019. I love challenging activities, free art and play. I also love reading stories that promote anti-bullying and encourage positive behaviour and thinking. In my free time, I love hanging around with my friends and cat, playing video games and thinking about what my next tattoo will be.
Sharon- RECE
Hello, my name is Sharon. I have been a member of the Junction Day Care family since 1994 starting as a casual staff. I have a youthful and lively spirit .I am an avid sports fan and I enjoy physical activity of all kinds such as running and dancing. I have a daughter and I am a proud grandmother to five boys. I believe every child is a rockstar. They are each individuals and their creative instincts should not be limited. I recently retired from a long career in hospitality to join the Junction team full time in the FDK 105 Before and After School program.
Terez- RECE
Hello, my name is Terez. I have lived in Canada since 1989 with my family. I have two grown-up children and two grandchildren, I have been working in the early childhood education field since 1995 in Toronto, working with many age groups through these years from toddlers to school-age children, first as an assistant teacher and later as a ministry approved ECE equivalent teacher. I graduated from Seneca College in 2013 and earned my diploma in Early Childhood Education with Honours. I hold a Certificate of Apprenticeship as a Child Development Practitioner from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. I also hold a certificate from Seneca College in The Role of ECE in Full Day Learning. I have been attending many workshops through these years like Nutrition, Health and Safety Workshops, The Joy of Childhood, the Umbrella Workshops, WHIMS (Ministry of Health), First Aid, CPR and occasional workshops provided by George Brown and Humber College. I am extremely passionate about nature, music, art and literature and as a part time textile artist, I truly believe, I am able to pass on the appreciation of creativity. I have been so lucky to work at Junction Daycare since 2013 in the FDK Before and After Program.
Casual Staff
We are very lucky here at Junction to have not only an incredible team of dedicated permanent educators, but we also have very dedicated team of casual educators who support our programs when our permanent staff are absent for any reason. We would like to acknowledge their role in our centre and say thank you for choosing Junction. They are Emily- RECE (July 2021), Manuel (December 2021) Loan (August 2022), Stephanie (May 2023), Astrid (June 2023), Linh-RECE (July 2023), Natasha-RECE (September 2023), Silvia- RECE (October 2023), Suzanne (December 2023) and Laura- RECE (February 2024).