MEET THE TEAM
Coded Minds staff is diverse and rich, bringing the best of many cultures in educating your child(ren). Scroll down to meet everyone.
Banting and Best
Alexssa
Hi, my name is Alexssa Villanueva, I am very excited to be here and be part of an amazing program at Banting and Best. When I am not at Banting and Best, I am at home with my 2 lovely sons. I have my Level 1 in Early Childhood development and currently enrolled in my level 2 certificate, I have my first aid and 4 years of experience working with kids. I am from Chile and speak fluent Spanish along with English. I have worked with all ages of children and loved each experience.
Supervisor
Dayanara
My name is Dayanara, I am from Panama and I have been in Canada for 8 years. I have more than 5 years experience working with children in my country and here in Canada. I have Level 1 Certification and a Bachelor Degree in Preschool from my country. I love to work with children, because everyday I can teach them new things and enjoy working with them. I am a very dedicated teacher. I am the mother of two boys. I like crafts and am a creative person. My hobbies are: I like to do crochet, jewelry, cooking and baking and also I love teaching yoga and soon I will be Certified as a Yoga teacher.
ELCC Educator
Sukhwinder
BIO Coming soon :D!
ELCC Educator
Lucy Mills
ELCC Programs Manager
I have done various things in my life but my last position before I left England was having my own practice as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP Counsellor, of which I did have children among my clientele. I came to Canada from England in 2007 and did a full time 2 year diploma in Child Care Education. After I gained my Diploma, I became Director of Daycares with over 100 children and 23 staff. Due to various circumstances, I decided to run my own business for 5 years which I retired from this year. I love working with children and inspiring them to enjoy learning. At this age they are little sponges, with such wonderful open minds, that it is a real joy and so rewarding to offer them as many interesting opportunities to learn without them even realising it. I am very Reggio influenced and like to show children how wonderful their planet is and how to treat each other equally and with respect. This year I am very excited to take on the position of Area Manager, programing. I love working with children and ensuring we offer them as many aspects of education and life skills as possible so that they not open their minds to enjoy and have fun learning but to build them into the sort of people that we need to take us into a caring and happy 21st century.
Tazeen Naveed
ELCC Operations Manager
Bio coming soon :D
Eric Harvie
Asma
My name is Asma Shahzad and I did my bachelors degree in Fine Arts. Having over Nine(9) years of experience working with Calgary Board of Education in various roles, I love working with kids at various levels. For over Two(2) years at Coded Minds as an ELCC educator, I am excited to return this year as a program supervisor where I'll look forward to helping kids learn and grow through trusted relationships and fun activities with the help of my team and support from parents and family members.
Supervisor
Sarvpreet
Hi everyone, I am Sarvpreet. I moved to Calgary in October 2020. Before that, I was in Saskatoon and had spent almost nine years there. This is my first year of working with Coded Minds. I was born in India and came to Canada in 2011. I have nine years of working experience with children ages 18 months to 12 years. I really enjoy baking, cooking, gardening and yoga. I like spending time out in nature with my children. I am also fond of watching cricket and hockey games. I love kids and it fills my heart with joy to watch them grow. I believe children are our future. I feel very privileged to be joining this amazing team of educators and to facilitate growth and learning for the children.
Assistant Supervisor
Sara
Hi, I am Sara Calesso and I am currently in my third year at Mount Royal University in the Bachelor of Child Studies majoring in Early Learning and Child Care. I currently am a Child Development Worker, and I have four years of experience with children of all ages. This is my second year with school age children in a before and after school program, and my second year with Coded Minds. Having the opportunity to work for Coded Minds has allowed me to fulfill one of my biggest passions in my career which is allowing children to learn new concepts through fun activities. I believe children are motivated to learn new concepts if it is done in a fun and engaging way, especially if they are allowed to get their hands dirty. Through play, we are able to see children’s interests and watch them grow emotionally, physically, and most importantly intellectually. I cannot wait to meet all the new families entering the program and see the returning families, and to create fun and engaging activities.
ELCC Educator
My name is Anna. I am very excited to be here as part of the wonderful Eric Harvie team. I am originally from the UK but have lived in Calgary for 15 years. I spent many years in the corporate world and hold a degree in International Business with German. Since having children of my own, my passion shifted to child development and the lasting impact that caregivers can have as positive, reliable and inspirational role models. I pursued a certificate as an Educational Assistant and am excited to continue my learning whilst working for Coded Minds. I have had the luxury of experiencing the Coded Minds program both as a parent and educator and this has steered me towards seeking out a career in this field. When I am not testing out activities for class on my own children, I can be found hiking, biking, skiing and camping. My passion for the mountains, nature and being outside is something I love to bring to classroom activities when possible.
Anna
ELCC Educator
Bio Coming Soon... :D
Mayra
ELCC Educator
My name is Manuela. I am from Colombia. Working in childcare is something that I like and am interested in, since they learn to explore the world and generate knowledge in different ways, and I like to guide them so that they can build and strengthen their skills that will help them succeed in their projects and their development.
Manuela
ELCC Educator
As a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience and training, she is committed to being a driving force in the exploration of individual potential and passion. Her ultimate goal is to influence, equip, and empower both current and future generations.
She has been to educational field more than 10 years. She has MBA (Marketing) degree. Very friendly and love traveling.
Summera
ELCC Educator
Bio coming soon :D
ELCC Educator
Ramsay
Kara
My name's Kara and I am incredibly excited to be part of the Coded Minds team. I have my diploma in Early Childhood Education from Lethbridge College. I have 10 years of experience in a day care setting, working from newborn to 12-years-old.
I grew up in Strathmore, and have called Calgary home for the past nine years. Outside of work, I enjoy time with family. Whether it be family dinners, road trips to Manitoba or Zoom call with my sisters. I enjoy the mountains, board games, card games and taking our lab Popcorn on adventures.
I cannot wait to see what Coded Minds has in store and I look forward to learning and growing.
Supervisor
Kasia
My name is Kasia and I’m originally from Poland. I have been working with CMC since November 2021 as a substitute educator. I am excited to be a part of the CMC family and contribute to children's growth. One of my favourite things to teach is art that I find important in children's development as it allows them to learn to express their emotions, ideas and solve problems in creative ways. I’ve had experience in working with children from various backgrounds and different age groups for over 15 years including teaching art and Polish language in Polish school in Edmonton, working with families as a supervisor at OSC and daycare in Calgary and Edmonton.
In my free time you can find me painting in oils, making stained glasses, reading, hiking, taking photographs and spending time with my friends and family.
I have level 3 in ECE, Diploma in Bronze & Metal sculpture from Art College from Poland and currently taking French and Spanish language courses at AU.
Assistant Supervisor
Karen
Hi my name’s Karen, I moved to Calgary from the Philippines when I was 14, and I graduated as an Educational Assistant in 2021. I have a level 1 in Early Childhood development and is planning to work my way up to level three. I have five years of experience working with children ages 1-14. When I’m not around them, I like to spend time with family, friends, and to play with my dog Uzzi. I love to sew and I also get hired to do makeup occasionally. I am very thrilled to get to know your kids, to work with, and to learn various things from them!
ELCC Educator
Saveena
My name is Saveena Bhatti I was born in Calgary, and I graduated from Bow Valley College attaining a diploma within the Disability Studies Program. I found out that my education is equivalent to an Early Childhood Education Certificate (Level 2), I have experience working with children within a school setting through my time at Top Kids where I was able to learn within my practicum program. I truly enjoy working with children and want to continue to build my experience within the field of early childhood education. I enjoy being active and going for walks, making traditional Indian food at home, and spending time with family and friends. I spend time reading upon material that is relevant to my field of work and want to continue to grow in my practical, leadership, and client-oriented skills within the workplace. I am very excited to start my position at Coded Minds and am very excited to work with my upcoming team and clients.
ELCC Educator
Sharmilla
I am thrilled to be an ELCC Educator at Coded Minds in Ramsay. I hold a Master's degree in Computers and a Bachelor of Education in Computers and Mathematics. Teaching has been my passion since I was young, and I've been working as a teacher for 10 years. After migrating to Calgary, I pursued my Level-1 in Early Childhood Education and plan to achieve Level-2 and eventually Level-3.
My focus is always on the child's perspective, and I put in extra effort to create engaging animation, cartoons, and smart teaching videos to make learning enjoyable for children. Being an educator brings me immense joy and satisfaction, and I make it a priority to learn new things every single day to better serve the children's needs.
When I'm not at Ramsay, I spend my free time creating animations and cartoons, reading books, and listening to music. I cherish spending time with my son Kevin, who is in Grade 5 at Ramsay. I am confident that I will thrive in this job and find a great sense of accomplishment in the work I do. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.
ELCC Educator
Anna
Hello! I'm Anna, originally from Ukraine. For the past 7 years, I have been living in Europe, where I got my Bachelor's degree in Education. However, in 2023, I made a move to Canada.
I find great pleasure in working with children and take joy in helping them develop new skills and discover their unique talents through a personalized approach. Teaching is my real passion. I also love traveling and have 14 countries under my belt already. During my time away from work, I'm likely to be embarking on adventures to discover the marvels of Machu Picchu in Peru or reveling in the vibrant Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. However, rest assured, I'm eagerly counting down the days until we reunite at Ramsay School ;)
ELCC Educator
Ingrid
Hello! My name is Ingrid, and I am an early childhood educator currently pursuing my Level 3 diploma at Bow Valley College. I have always had a passion for working with young children and creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for their growth and development. I have over 10 years of experience in the field, which has allowed me to build a solid foundation in early childhood education practices. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work with children from diverse backgrounds, ages.
ELCC Educator
Simons Valley
Allyssa
Hi, my name is Miss Allyssa! I have been in childcare for over ten years! I am enrolled at Lethbridge College to complete my level 2, then I will be taking my level 3 right away. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats, ranging from 5 years old to 5 months old, so my house is fairly busy. I have been married to my husband since December 2021. I enjoy spending time outside as much as possible, whether I’m going for a hike, going to the dog park, or just going for a long walk in the city. My husband and I will go for hikes in the mountains, usually lasting 5-12 hours per hike! We love exploring new outdoor areas and seeing new scenery.
I look forward to the school year and all that it has to bring us!
Supervisor
Dua'a
Bio coming soon! :D
ELCC Educator
Olesia
Bio coming soon! :D
ELCC Educator
Anna
Bio Coming Soon :D!
ELCC Educator
Management
Amna Khaishgi, a veteran journalist, opted to be an educationist after spending 2 decades in a successful media career because she believes that education is the right not a luxury.
Amna Khaisghi
Chief Operations Officer
Tuscany
Supervisor
Hello! I’m Simran Bindra. I have been in the field of education for more than 8 years. I am the Supervisor for the Tuscany iSTEAM Lab. I love working with children. I have a Master’s of Science and Bachelor’s of Education degrees. I am working on my Level 3 ECE certification.
I love to study and upgrade my professional skills. I worked for First Nations University of Canada for more than three years as an Early Childhood Educator. Before moving to Canada, I worked as a Post Graduate Teacher in a school. I love to help people. I am passionate about my work. I am self-driven and a people person.
I love to explore different places, go out for adventures (hiking, camping) and trying different cuisines.
Simran
Miriam
Assistant Supervisor
My name is Miriam Ghebrehiwet, and I am originally from Eritrea, East Africa. I am married and have two kids. I moved to Canada in October 2016, and now I live in the NW Dalhousie community with my husband and my children. While in my home country, I completed two certification programs: secretarial science and office management, and the second one was supply chain management. I worked as an executive secretary in civil service administration in Asmara, Eritrea, for around two years. I moved to Calgary, and I worked with children ages six to eight for four years in my community church as a Sunday school teacher. From that time on, the notion of being an early childhood educator comes to my mind, and I accomplished the level two certificate. I have just completed my Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I love working with kids and making a difference at an early age. I believe that children are mighty learners, so
I want to assist them by being alongside them.
In my free time, I like to listen to TED-Talk, and watch TV I enjoy playing with my kids, usually outdoors. I like drinking traditional coffee with my family and friends.
Kshitija
ELCC Educator
My name is Kshitija. I am originally from India. Four years ago , I moved to Calgary and have been calling it my home since then. I am very happy to be here and be a part of this amazing program at Coded Minds. Being a mother of a 10 year old, I have always loved spending time with kids. I believe the greatest love we receive is by becoming the reason behind their smiles. I have also had the privilege of working in the corporate world and conducting knowledge sessions for the new members. My teaching philosophy centers around creating a safe and engaging environment where children can lead their own way. I'm excited to continue inspiring young learners and contributing to their growth.
During the weekends, if I am not on a family outing, you will find me spending time in my backyard and gardening. Just like the children's imagination and their potential, nature also fascinates me :)
Rabia
My name is Rabia and I come to Coded Minds with a Child Development Diploma and a degree in Arts from the University of Calgary. I was born in Pakistan and moved to Calgary with my family several years ago. I have several years' experience in childcare as well as CBE as lunch support staff. In my free time I like going to the gym and love to spend time with friends and family. I also like to volunteer and keep myself engaged in new courses.
I am excited to be a part of Coded Minds and look forward to working and having a wonderful time with the amazing staff and students we have in the program!
ELCC Educator
Shiyu
Shiyu moved to Canada in 2015. She has a language diploma and business degree, as well as she completed her ECE level 3 in Canada in 2017. Shiyu also teaches Mandarin both in person and online in her spare time. She loves to impact Mandarin on children to see them achieve their academic goals.
Shiyu had 7 years of teaching experience in China (2008-2014). She was in charge of a before and after program between 2018-2023. She moved to the Tuscany community in 2021. Shiyu’s passion for teaching and educating led her to continue working with children and focus on supporting children in their formative years of learning to create a solid foundation for the future.
Shiyu enjoys the outdoors, she loves nature, hiking, skiing, swimming, and exploring new things
ELCC Educator
Seyhan
I am Seyhan and I moved to Canada in 2021 from Turkey. Before moving here, I worked as a teacher for more than 10 years at public schools, teaching English to students from grade 4 to 12. I am a mum of two and I love going for a road trip and sightseeing with my family. Reading a book with a cup of tea in my hand on the deck is my other pastime. While I was working as a customer relations agent at a transportation company, I completed my ECE level 1 training. Being in an educational environment, having a positive impact on children and seeing them thrive has always been my passion and I am delighted to be starting a new journey at Coded Minds Canada and looking forward to meeting my work team and children.
ELCC Educator
Carla
Bio Coming Soon :D!
ELCC Educator
Bio Coming Soon :D!
ELCC Educator
ELCC Substitutes
Merve
ELCC Educator
substitute
Bio Coming Soon! :D
Libby
ELCC Educator
substitute
Bio Coming Soon! :D
Khaoula
ELCC Educator
substitute
Bio Coming Soon! :D
Rukhsana
ELCC Educator
substitute
Bio Coming Soon! :D