Shawna Hindson, ECE
Shawna Hindson is a co-owner and primary teacher at The Gardens. She has been working in the Early Childhood Education and Family Support field for twenty five years. Shawna has taught in several integrated preschools across Canada. She has provided early childhood support to diverse learners in educational, home and community settings. She owned and operated a Reggio inspired Preschool and school age program, where she says her passion for child originated programming was strengthened. She has been employed as an Early Childhood Consultant and Mentor, providing guidance in regards to curriculum development and best practices within the Early Childhood field. Shawna has worked directly with families throughout her career, providing parenting support, co facilitation of parenting groups, and crisis intervention. She is always looking at opportunities to further develop skills and knowledge as a professional and plans to continue her studies through McMaster University. Shawna is the mother of two children.
Shawna Hindson is a co-owner and primary teacher at The Gardens. She has been working in the Early Childhood Education and Family Support field for twenty five years. Shawna has taught in several integrated preschools across Canada. She has provided early childhood support to diverse learners in educational, home and community settings. She owned and operated a Reggio inspired Preschool and school age program, where she says her passion for child originated programming was strengthened. She has been employed as an Early Childhood Consultant and Mentor, providing guidance in regards to curriculum development and best practices within the Early Childhood field. Shawna has worked directly with families throughout her career, providing parenting support, co facilitation of parenting groups, and crisis intervention. She is always looking at opportunities to further develop skills and knowledge as a professional and plans to continue her studies through McMaster University. Shawna is the mother of two children.
Maggie Powter, M.Ed, ECE
Maggie Powter is a co-owner and primary teacher at The Gardens. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood for over twenty years, in a variety of settings including pre and postnatal support, childcare, in a therapeutic preschool for children with special needs, and as an instructor at the college level for pre-service Early Childhood Educators. She has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. Maggie believes in empowering young learners and their families by building on their existing strengths and resources and providing them with learning experiences that are meaningful to their everyday lives. Maggie is also the mother of three children.
Maggie Powter is a co-owner and primary teacher at The Gardens. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood for over twenty years, in a variety of settings including pre and postnatal support, childcare, in a therapeutic preschool for children with special needs, and as an instructor at the college level for pre-service Early Childhood Educators. She has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. Maggie believes in empowering young learners and their families by building on their existing strengths and resources and providing them with learning experiences that are meaningful to their everyday lives. Maggie is also the mother of three children.
Ashley Griffis, B.Ed
Ashley Griffis is our Inclusion Teacher, using a strength-based approach to ensure inclusion of all children and especially those with special needs. She has worked in the early childhood field for over 20 years. She started working with children at 16 years old as a volunteer in a day care centre, and has been involved in a variety of teaching environments since then. Her background experience includes working with preschool children running a youth program for teens and pre-teens with special needs, providing and delivering curriculum as a lead teacher in a Montessori preschool classroom and providing inclusion support as a Supported Child Care Worker. Ashley has completed most of the Early Childhood Education Program, has a diploma in preschool/kindergarten Montessori training, and holds a Bachelor's degree in education. She has collaborated and worked alongside community programs such as Learning Disabilities Association Yukon, Child Abuse Treatment Services, and the Child Development Centre. Ashley has lived in Whitehorse her entire life and has three young children.
Ashley Griffis is our Inclusion Teacher, using a strength-based approach to ensure inclusion of all children and especially those with special needs. She has worked in the early childhood field for over 20 years. She started working with children at 16 years old as a volunteer in a day care centre, and has been involved in a variety of teaching environments since then. Her background experience includes working with preschool children running a youth program for teens and pre-teens with special needs, providing and delivering curriculum as a lead teacher in a Montessori preschool classroom and providing inclusion support as a Supported Child Care Worker. Ashley has completed most of the Early Childhood Education Program, has a diploma in preschool/kindergarten Montessori training, and holds a Bachelor's degree in education. She has collaborated and worked alongside community programs such as Learning Disabilities Association Yukon, Child Abuse Treatment Services, and the Child Development Centre. Ashley has lived in Whitehorse her entire life and has three young children.
Anne Pinkerton, M.Ed Sciences
Anne Pinkerton holds a Master of Educational Sciences, hailing from Dresden, Germany. She has worked with young children for many years, educated teachers and worked in special education. Anne's previous jobs in Whitehorse include working as an Educational Assistant at Hidden Valley Elementary School as well as working for Equinox Adventures. Her passions include land and adventure based education as well as experiential Learning. Anne has two kids, the elder of which is an alumni of The Gardens, and the younger can't wait until she is old enough. In her spare time, Anne loves gardening, hiking, camping and anything else she can do outside. If she gets stuck inside she enjoys sewing and crafting.
Anne Pinkerton holds a Master of Educational Sciences, hailing from Dresden, Germany. She has worked with young children for many years, educated teachers and worked in special education. Anne's previous jobs in Whitehorse include working as an Educational Assistant at Hidden Valley Elementary School as well as working for Equinox Adventures. Her passions include land and adventure based education as well as experiential Learning. Anne has two kids, the elder of which is an alumni of The Gardens, and the younger can't wait until she is old enough. In her spare time, Anne loves gardening, hiking, camping and anything else she can do outside. If she gets stuck inside she enjoys sewing and crafting.
Janine Aberson, B.Ed
Hello everyone, I'm Janine. I'm really excited to be a part of the wonderful team at The Gardens. For the past decade or so, I have been busy raising my three kids and working at the Child Development Centre in various roles such as Preschool Teacher, Supported Child Care Worker, Handle With Care Research Coordinator and ASQ project coordinator. This year I am feeling extremely lucky to be spending my work days split between this beautiful centre at The Gardens and working as ELPS coordinator at the CDC. When I'm not at work or lacing up kids' hockey skates, I can usually be found hiking with my dogs and kids in the beautiful trails around my home. I have a huge passion for the outdoors and I look forward to exploring the trails around the preschool with all our Little Sprouts!
Hello everyone, I'm Janine. I'm really excited to be a part of the wonderful team at The Gardens. For the past decade or so, I have been busy raising my three kids and working at the Child Development Centre in various roles such as Preschool Teacher, Supported Child Care Worker, Handle With Care Research Coordinator and ASQ project coordinator. This year I am feeling extremely lucky to be spending my work days split between this beautiful centre at The Gardens and working as ELPS coordinator at the CDC. When I'm not at work or lacing up kids' hockey skates, I can usually be found hiking with my dogs and kids in the beautiful trails around my home. I have a huge passion for the outdoors and I look forward to exploring the trails around the preschool with all our Little Sprouts!
Rea Knight, ECE
Rea loves outdoor adventures and storytelling. She holds an ECE diploma from Yukon College and is currently completing her Child and Youth Care degree through University of Victoria. Rea is a parent, a respite foster parent and preschool teacher. She is passionate about children and early learning and is a co-founder of a community of practice for local ECE's. In her spare time she likes to dress as a superhero and advocate for early childhood educators, children, early learning and families.
Rea loves outdoor adventures and storytelling. She holds an ECE diploma from Yukon College and is currently completing her Child and Youth Care degree through University of Victoria. Rea is a parent, a respite foster parent and preschool teacher. She is passionate about children and early learning and is a co-founder of a community of practice for local ECE's. In her spare time she likes to dress as a superhero and advocate for early childhood educators, children, early learning and families.
