Besides having a 4 year degree in Education, Meridy has 15 years of teaching experience, 11 years of which have been at the Preschool level in non-profit parent co-operative playschools. She has also volunteered with, and/or been on the board of, many children's groups over the years, including Parents of Allergic and Asthmatic Children of Edmonton, Association for Bright Children, Peanut Butter And Jam Playgroup, and Earl Buxton School.

Meridy has been the lead teacher at Giant Steps Playschool for 4 years, and has introduced many changes to the program. The program now includes an academic component (calendar counting, weather bear, alphabet, numbers, colours and shapes), some music instruction, drama, music and movement/dance, some cooking, art, science, and more sensory experiences with paint, water, sand (and alternatives) and playdough (and alternatives).

Meridy is married, has 2 children who are 18 and 21 years of age, and a pet rabbit called "Cuddles". She loves to travel, and enjoys hobbies of photography, card-making, caligraphy, reading and gardening.

 

Evelyn has a degree in Education and has over 15 years of teaching experience at the Preschool level. She has also worked with children with special needs in the Preschool Head Start Program and in Special Education. She has volunteered with the Association of Bright Children, the Special Olympics, Scouts Canada, run various children’s camps and lead various children’s programs within her church. Evelyn was compelled to join Giant Steps after her daughter went through the program and she has now been with the Playschool for 8 years!

Evelyn is married and has 2 children. In her spare time she enjoys running, camping, the outdoors and is an avid reader.

 

In addition to our superb teachers, two assisting parents attend each class to help the children with crafts and offer additional supervision. We have found that by having such a low adult to child ratio we can offer our children a varied program that caters to each child’s needs and abilities.