Meet Our Team
Joanne Saunders
Executive Director
My name is Miss Joanne (Joanne Saunders), Certified Early Childhood Educator and I have been in child care since 1978. I am a retired foster parent of 20 years and have adopted 3 children as well as having 3 biological children. My training has been in many different philosophies including The Reggio Philosophy of Early Education from Italy. I have been on the Board of Directors for The Association of Early Childhood Education for 10 years in which I have been President, have taught Early Childhood Education in the Continuing Education at Algonquin College, have advocated for services for families at many different venues and remain committed to serving children and families in whatever way I can.
Acorn Early Learning Centre is my dream come true. I am thankful to the dedicated staff who have joined me as well as to the parents who have helped in so many ways. Acorn is truly a place for all of us and I look forward to proving that.
Many Smiles,
Miss Joanne
Amanda Douglas
Director
My name is Amanda Douglas, Early Childhood Educator. I am married and a mother of our two year old daughter Logan who attends Acorn. My passion is working with young children during their early years. I have many years of experience working with children of all ages, seven of which I have worked with Miss Joanne. While working as an Educator, I have gained extensive knowledge of child development and behavior guidance. I have attended several workshops geared towards observations and documentation. I consider myself to always be a learner and always look forward to new learning opportunities.
I look forward to forming a great relationship with all the children and families.
Miss Amanda
Fiorella Padoin-Castillo
Administrative Services Coordinator
Hello. I am the Administrative Services Coordinator for Acorn Early Learning Centre. I currently have two children enrolled at Acorn Early Learning Centre and I am happy to be part of this centre and look forward to meeting and working with all our parents.
Miss Fiorella
Tianna Arcangeletti
Early Childhood Educator
Hello, my name is Tianna Arcangeletti and the newest member of the Acorn team. My educational background is a degree in Early Childhood Education from Algonquin College and a diploma in Child Studies from Carleton University. I have been involved with the Acorn staff since my placement while at Algonquin College and continued to supply teach after I graduated. I believe strongly in the philosophy of the centre and I feel that the development of the individual child is very important. Education has been an important part of my life for the past five years and I enjoy incorporating music and art into my teaching everyday. It will be an exciting New Year and I cannot wait to join the team full-time!
Miss Tianna
Marie Wright
Early Childhood Educator
Hi there! My name is Marie, and I am incredibly excited to join the Acorn team in the Toddler Room. After comleteing my degree in Physical Anthropology at McMaster, I made the decision to pursue a career in a field that would make me happy. I studied Early Childhood Education at Algonquin College and had the opportunity to do my final placement here at Acorn with the Preschoolers. I have been working as a supply teacher since August and was honored to be asked to come and be a part of the centre. I am a firm believer in the Reggio philosophy and what it means for our children and families. I am fully bilingual and I love music and painting and cannot wait to get to know the families better and learn something new from everyone!
Miss Marie
Sharon Petsche
Early Childhood Educator
Hello, my name is Sharon Petsche, RECE (Registered Early Childhood Educator), I have a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Algonquin College, and am a member of the College of Early Childhood Educators. Prior to becoming a RECE, I worekd in the corporate world for 8 years, after having received my diploma in Information Management from Algonquin College. I have gained extensive experience working with children in the past 9 years, having successfully operated my own home daycare, and worked in licensed daycare centres. I have worked with children from infant to school age. I am married and have a 9-year-old son, Jonathan. I enjoy reading, knitting and walking, but most of all spending time with my family. I enjoy working with children, providing teachable moments, and celebrating their successes. I look forward to meeting the children and parents of Acorn.
Miss Sharon
Maria Marasco
Early Childhood Educator
Hello, my name is Maria Marasco. I graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2010. I continued my education at Carleton University and graduated with a BA in Psychology. During my last semester of college I had the privilege of completing my last placement at Acorn, which provided me with the opportunity to become a supply educator and now part of the Acorn team. I am excited for the opportunity to work with the children and meet all of the parents.
Miss Maria
Chadwick Ruby
Early Childhood Educator
Hello, my name is Chadwick Ruby and I am a recent graduate at Humber College where I studied Early Childhood Education. During my time in school I have had the opportunity to work a variety of age groups as well as different early learning centres. I am passionate about helping children reach their full potential by focusing on their interests and using them to create engaging activities. I look forward to bringing my experience to the classroom and working with the children and families.
Chadwick Ruby
Corianne Bell Albinati
Choir Instructor
Previously an Associate Artist and Production Assistant for Opera Lyra Ottawa, Corianne Bell Albinati made her National Arts Centre stage debut as Frou Frou in Lehar's The Merry Widow and has since sung in numerous productions with Opera Lyra Ottawa. In addition to teaching voice and acting as musical coach and artistic director to local children's productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors, Annie and The Music Man, she has been a frequent concert and oratorio soloist in Ottawa and throughout her native Alberta. Ms. Bell Albinati is the winner of the Anna Maria Kaufman award for vocal excellence and was the runner-up in Ottawa's prestigious Brian Law Opera Scholarship Competition. She looks forward to having the oportunity of teaching your children in the Acorn Children's Choir.
Miss Corianne
Miss Lisa Poushinsky
Piano Teacher
Hi! My name is Lisa and I can't wait to teach piano at Acorn Early Learning Centre. My specialities include Classical Guitar, Contemporary Guitar (Acoustic and Electric), Classical Piano, Contemporary Piano and Keyboard, Songwriting, Performance, and Band Management. I have been teaching music since I completed Grade 7 RCM Piano and Grade 5 RCM guitar as a teenager. As a performing singer/songwriter and band leader with four albums of original music under my belt, I have taught songwriting workshops and facilitated band camps across the countery. After playing Ottawa's Bluesfest and B.C.'s Arts Wells Festival Summer 2010, I was nominated for Ottawa Xpress' Best Folk Artist and Best Folk Album 2010. I released a music video with video artist Pixie Cram in the spring of 2011, and am currently writing my next two albums, preparing tours for 2012, and assisting in organizing the Petite Nation Melting Pot Party Music Festival in Ripon, QC. I also play guitar and piano for a rotating roster of local bands, singing soprano in Ottawa's Southminister Chamber Music Choir (under the direction of Roland Graham), arrange music for and sing in the a capella group "Bella Borealis", and organize Ottawa's annual XO Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser Concert. Please see weblinks for examples of my songs, performances, and a concert calendar. My Teaching Philosophy: I think that it is important to structure my music classes to fit my students' needs, combining ear training, chords, and jamming tips and techniques with practical theory and the "how tos" of reading music in different formats. Whether you're new to your instrument or hoping to improve your skills, my music lessons are always taught in an engaged and positive atmosphere with the focus on pursuing your music goals. www.youtube.com/lpoush, http://www.sonicbids.com/2/EPK/?epk_id=50321
Miss Lisa