Hi, my name is Derek. I have been an RECE in the K2 room for over 5 years! During my time, I have worked diligently to keep the program and classroom fresh and welcoming. Some of my favourite parts of working with children are teaching them through stories and connecting what we’ve learned from books to other areas of play such as art, sensory or dramatic play. Reading about animals, diverse heroes and silly stories are my favourite! A highlight of a usual day is working with the children in setting up the classroom. I believe in the importance of teaching them how to set up and maintain centres in the classroom in purposeful and beautiful ways while enabling them to fully explore and engage their current interests with a developmentally appropriate approach. I happen to live quite close by and I am so happy to live and work in such an amazing community. I enjoy researching natural materials, unique manipulatives and socially relevant books to enhance the experiences and esthetics of the program and classroom.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my partner and dog, taking my niece on adventures, tennis and camping!