Board of Directors

 

 

Katherine Kaiser, Director at Large

Katherine is the Executive Program Director at Wee Wild Ones and Of the Wild, a nature and movement inspired early education centre located in Calgary, Alberta. Katherine has played an integral role in the development and growth of Wee Wild Ones since its inception in 2016. She has personally designed and developed the philosophy and learning approach behind their programs.

She holds a degree in Education from Laurentian University and a Masters of Education from the University of Calgary with a focus on Early Childhood Education and Instructional Leadership. She firmly believes that Early Childhood Education should focus on emergent curriculum and inquiry-based learning to prepare children for future jobs that have yet to be invented. She has a true passion for education and is a lifelong learner. Katherine enjoys sharing her knowledge on early childhood with others and has designed and facilitated numerous Early Childhood workshops for Wee Wild Ones and the greater Calgary community.

Katherine is extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve on the ARCQE’s board of directors and is excited to help make a difference in the lives of educators, children and families throughout Alberta.

 

 

Sharon Shybunka, Treasurer

Sharon is the Controller at Drivewyze in Edmonton and has over 10 years of financial management experience. Prior to joining Drivewyze, she held positions both in public practice and industry giving her a variety of business knowledge across industries. Sharon holds a CPA-CGA designation in accounting and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.

In her personal time, Sharon enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two young children. Sharon is honoured to have the opportunity to work with ARCQE, an organization that has positively shaped the services provided by her own family’s childcare centre.

 

Ruth Okafor, Director at Large

Ruth Okafor is an experienced and passionate early childhood professional with years of experience in the sector. She has her masters’ degree in early childhood teaching from Monash University Australia. She is a program director in a school-age setting, an early childhood (contract) instructor at Bow Valley College and at Mount Royal University here in Calgary. She has worked as a kindergarten teacher for over 6 years in Australia and also as an elementary and high school teacher in Nigeria. She has a bachelor’s degree in home Science, nutrition and institutional management. She enjoys building positive relationships with children and connecting with the families. She has wealth of experience supporting children with additional needs and partnering with other early childhood professionals such as psychologists, occupational therapists and child services during these years. She is passionate in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the children and families as well as supporting and equipping other educators with the knowledge, skills and confidence that are needed and to make positive impacts in the lives of the children and their families. As a mother of two who recently moved to Canada from Australia with her husband and two boys, she understands the need for diversity awareness and inclusive practices to ensure holistic learning and development for all children and families.

Ruth is very grateful for the opportunity to serve on the ARCQE board and look forward to making positive impacts in the early childhood sector.