Our Team

Rebecca has been working in the field of early learning and childcare for over 20 years with direct experience in family childcare, school aged care and centre-based childcare. Her focus during her education in both her undergraduate and graduate work has been on advocating for the workforce in terms of early childhood educator wellbeing as well as for children’s rights. Along with her Bachelor of Applied Child Studies and Master of Education degrees she also holds a certificate in Children’s Mental Health and completed the Maxbell Public Policy Institute. She is a member of the Alberta Early Learning and Care Leaders Caucus under the Canadian Child Care Federation and is also a casual instructor at a public college for Early Childhood Education and Development. Rebecca is a proud Calgarian, enjoys dancing and playing a variety of sports. She spends as much time with her husband, two cats, friends and family as she can.

Amaka Amadike is an ECE professional with over 20 years’ experience. She is driven by a profound passion for young children and education. She emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural contexts in addressing challenges in the ECE space and she brings this unique perspective to her teaching and practice. Amaka has significantly increased the number of programs participating in CCC in southern Alberta where she has worked to improve cultural awareness and to create a sense of belonging with children and families’ programs. Amaka currently teaches Early Childhood Education and Development and has also taught Indigenous Early Childhood Education. Amaka holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education, dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Early Childhood Studies and Human Services, and a dual Master’s Degree in Child and Youth Studies and Open, Digital and distance Education. Amaka is involved in the SPARK Guide as an advisory committee member and a storyteller in the guide. She is an Alumni of the ELECT Program. When not working, Amaka loves to travel the world with her family and loves to watch tennis.

Megan holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education from MacEwan University and has been an Early Childhood Supervisor since 2008. With 15 years of childcare experience in Edmonton, she served as a Day Home Consultant for six years, fostering her passion for adult mentorship.

Since 2021, she has worked as a Pedagogical Partner and Early Learning Coach at ARCQE, supporting curriculum development and promoting quality childcare through the Early Learning and Care Framework: Flight. Currently, she is the Project Coordinator for the Curriculum Framework Support project. A mother of two boys, Megan enjoys family time and has a passion for camping, dancing, and creativity.

Kathy has been with ARCQE since 2016. Her love of learning led to her completing a Masters of Education from the University of Alberta. After 45 years in public service as a Kindergarten teacher, ECS Coordinator, Day Care ED, college instructor, City Branch Manager, ELCC coach, management consultant and elected official, she retired from the City of Edmonton and continues to support capacity building in social services as an ARCQE Project Coordinator and entrepreneur. When not working, Kathy Barnhart spends her leisure time golfing, reading, and travelling with family and friends.

Lauren Bailie is the Child Development Supports (CDS) Project Coordinator at the Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement (ARCQE). She partners with childcare programs, Family Resource Networks, Home Visitation agencies, and the coaches who support them, to implement Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and utilize the ASQ online database to promote children’s development. With over 10 years of experience in the early learning sector, Lauren is passionate about providing educators with the tools and guidance they need to foster children’s growth and development. She believes in the power of early intervention and creating supportive environments where every child can thrive. Lauren holds an Early Learning and Child Care Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Program Management. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and cherishing everyday moments with her children.

Molly is a Project Coordinator for the Curriculum Framework Supports project at ARCQE. Throughout her career she has worked with children and families in many different capacities with most of her experience being in elementary education and early childhood education. Molly first joined the Early Learning and Childcare sector in 2020, her passion for early learning was quickly ignited and has since grown into a dedication to advocating for and positively impacting the sector in Alberta. Outside of working with children and families Molly finds joy in spending time outdoors hiking, running, or relaxing with her dog Gunner, friends, and family.

Allison Caouette will be joining ARCQE in the role of Professional Learning Administrator. With over a decade of passionate dedication to the early learning and childcare profession, Allison brings a wealth of experience and advocacy for continuous education. Her career spans early intervention programs, childcare settings, and mentoring roles, where she has been a staunch advocate for professional growth and development.

Allison’s journey in the field has been marked by her deep commitment to fostering a holistic understanding of child development among parents and educators alike. She emphasizes the transformative power of continuous education, believing it to be instrumental in shaping the future of early childhood education.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Allison is a devoted mother of two children who inspire her daily. She shares her insights and passions through blogging, focusing on themes such as early learning and nature inspired living. Allison’s holistic approach underscores her belief in the profound impact of nurturing environments rooted in respect for both children and nature.

Rojanie Quiling is the Financial Administrator at the Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement. In this role, she collaborates closely with the executive team and stakeholders to ensure the organization’s financial health is maintained. Her responsibilities include strategic planning for the annual budget, keeping detailed business records, overseeing payroll and invoice processing, managing budget operations, preparing for audits and tax documentation, and compiling various financial reports and statements to communicate the organization’s financial standing. Rojanie is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of compliance and confidentiality to protect sensitive financial information and build trust within the organization.

Rojanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, but her passion for finance led her to pursue further education in Accounting, which she successfully completed at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. With nine years of experience in the financial industry, her commitment to her profession is evident. Rojanie values continuous learning and believes in its transformative power, as she feels that significant lessons often arise from real-world experiences.

Wahida serves as the Administrative Coordinator at the Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement (ARCQE), where she manages incoming inquiries and oversees the distribution of program resources. As the welcoming face at the front desk, she plays a vital role in ensuring smooth operations at ARCQE. With two years of ongoing experience in Office Administration and over nine years in customer service, Wahida brings a wealth of expertise to her role. After initially pursuing a Bachelor of Science and Nursing, she discovered her passion for administration and enrolled in the Office Administrative Program at MacEwan University, where she earned her certificate. Wahida began her administrative career in sales, where she gained valuable insights into administration and management. Her diverse background in customer service, sales, and management equips her with the skills needed to contribute to the continued success of ARCQE.

Elizabeth Friesen is the Design and Communications Specialist at ARCQE, where her expertise in Visual Communications shines through her award-winning portfolio. Passionate about fostering creative and collaborative communities, Elizabeth continues to draw inspiration from her mentors as she navigates her professional journey. Over the past 6 years, she has photographed the Taste of Edmonton and other events and designed books for Stonehouse Publishing, all while taking on contract illustrating and branding projects that keep her deeply connected to the field. A graduate of MacEwan University from the Visual Communications Design Program, Elizabeth loves to blend various disciplines in her design work. When she’s not immersed in her projects, you can find her in her studio, surrounded by music, art, and books. Elizabeth has a special talent for befriending animals, making her the unofficial pet whisperer of the team.

Terri-Ann Dufeal is a Project Support Specialist at ARCQE, where she contributes to the Curriculum Development and Framework Supports projects. With over 20 years of experience in the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) sector, she is a dedicated Child Development Level 3 educator. Terri-Ann holds a post-graduate diploma in Instructional Technology and Design, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies and Human Relations from Concordia University in Montreal. In addition to her formal education, she has earned certifications in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion practices. Her diverse background includes running her own day home and teaching at the college level, along with experience in daycare and non-profit organizations. Beyond her professional endeavors, Terri-Ann is a proud mother of two daughters and a committed wife. She is passionate about fostering a culture of kindness and inclusivity in her workplace and beyond.

Suditha is a Program Support Specialist with ARCQE, supporting regulatory initiatives in Southern Alberta for over a year. She works with a multidisciplinary team to assist in resource development, event planning, and training for projects like LINK/PLAN and Creating Cultural Connections. As part of ARCQE, she supports various events and collaborates closely with project coordinators. Her past work includes active participation in the ASaP project and the Continuum Project, focusing on professional development, family engagement, and individualized support for children. Suditha is also a pedagogical mentor with the Flight framework, guiding early childhood staff in curriculum integration. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and received the Laurette Watson Award in 2006. In 2023, her leadership team earned an award from ASaP as a Program Wide Implementation Demonstration Site. In her free time, Suditha enjoys baking, cooking, and spending time with her family and her cat, Dinu.

Luke Yang is an IT Support Specialist known for his expertise in server and network management. A proud graduate of NAIT’s Digital Media and Information Technology program, he thrives on troubleshooting and optimizing technology to keep everything running smoothly. With a passion for technology, Luke is ready to tackle any tech challenge that comes his way. When he’s not busy ensuring systems run flawlessly, he enjoys exploring the latest tech trends. Luke is always on the lookout for innovative solutions that make a difference. A man of few words, Luke’s record for sitting in front of a computer is 16 hours. Top that!