Meet our Team of Dedicated Educators
Guiding with Intention and Heart
Meet our Team of Dedicated Educators
Guiding with Intention and Heart
Co-Researchers in Your Child’s Journey
At Raising Stars Preschool®, our educators are more than just teachers—they are co-researchers alongside your children. Our team of six specialists facilitates a curriculum rooted in wonder, inquiry, and the Reggio & Curiosity approach.
Miss Sewell
Owner/Manager
Pedagolgical Leader
Early Childhood Educator
Little Stars ℠
4 Years
at Raising Stars
After navigating her own journey with an invisible disability, Miss Sewell founded Raising Stars Preschool® with a singular mission: to provide every family access to high-quality, inclusive early childhood education. A fierce advocate for mental health and a two-time mentor for the BC ECE LOT program, she blends professional expertise with a heart for advocacy. Miss Sewell is dedicated to cultivating calm, aesthetic spaces where every "Star" feels a deep sense of belonging and discovery.
Training & Credentials
☆ ASL level 4☆ ASL & D/deaf Studies
☆ Reggio-Inspired Certification
☆ Learning Outside Together Certification☆ Special Education Assistant
☆ NONA Discussion Series
☆ BC MECC Training
☆ ELF Certification
☆ Autism Support Certification
☆ Music, Rhythm & Regulation Certification
☆ Following Child’s Interest Training
☆ Observation of Play Training
☆ Playing with Process Art Training
☆ Next Steps to Universal Childcare
☆ Bringing Nature Inside
☆ Bringing Indigenous Stories to Life
Ms. Papou
Human Resources/Parent consultant
Pedagolgical Leader
Early Childhood Education Assistant
Little Stars ℠
4 Years
at Raising Stars
As the mother of Miss Sewell and a cornerstone of Raising Stars Preschool®, Ms. Papou brings a wealth of experience in supporting children with disabilities and navigating the complexities of early diagnoses. A fierce advocate for age-appropriate, authentic preschool experiences, she bridges professional HR expertise with a heart for family support. Outside, she is a master gardener, passionately sharing her love for nature and "seed-to-table" education with all our growing Stars.
Training & Credentials
☆ Currently a Play Therapist student☆ NONA Discussion series
☆ BC ELF Certification
☆ Reggio-Inspired Certification
☆ Trauma & Attachment Certification
☆ Prenatal Exposure Certification
☆ Neurodiversity & Behavioural Management Certification
☆ Cultural Competence Training
☆ Long Term Care Training
☆ Following Child’s Interest Training
☆ Observation of Play Training
Ms. Ziola
Early Childhood Educator
Shining Stars ®
3 Years
at Raising Stars
With 14 years of experience in the field, Ms. Ziola truly "found her heart" at Raising Stars Preschool®. She thrives in our hands-on, Reggio-inspired environments, where she creates meaningful spaces for inquiry-based learning. A passionate advocate for outdoor education and gardening, she shines during our summer programming with her adventurous spirit and grounded nature. She is especially known for her love of our beach days, where she leads our Stars with a sense of wonder and discovery.
Training & Credentials
☆ 15 Ways to Tell a Story Certification☆ Oral Language & Litteracy Certification
☆ NONA Discussion series
☆ Caring for Planet Earth Certification
☆ Music, Rhythm & Regulation Certification
☆ SEY2KT Training
☆ BC MECC Training
☆ ELF Certification
Mrs. Frederick
Early Childhood Educator
Shining Stars ®
3 Years
at Raising Stars
A proud mother of two with five years of experience in the field, Mrs. Frederick brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal heart to Raising Stars Preschool®. Having navigated neurodiversity diagnoses within her own family, she offers a profound level of empathy and understanding for every child’s individual path. She is dedicated to creating a gentle, inclusive space where all learners feel celebrated, supported, and empowered to shine in their own beautiful way.
Training & Credentials
☆ ASL level 1☆ Music, Rhythm & Regulation Certification
☆ Waste as Materials Certification
☆Bringing Indigenous Stories to Life
☆Food Safe certification
☆ Changing behaviours certification
☆ Inclusive practice certification
☆ Vulnerability Certification
☆ Emotional Intelligence certification
☆ SEY2KT Certification
☆ Myth of Normal Certification
☆ Temper Tantrum Training
Ms. Weir
Early Childhood Educator
Super Stars ®
Joining the Team Summer 2026
With over 30 years of experience, this dedicated Early Childhood Educator fosters creativity and inclusive, interest-based learning. A parent of three, she deeply values family connection and believes children thrive through hands-on, outdoor, sensory exploration. She views outdoor play as an essential
part of a meaningful play-based early learning experience. Viewing children as both learners and teachers, she focuses on building strong relationships to cultivate happy, confident stars.
Training & Credentials
☆ Power of Play Certificate☆ Rest, Play, Grow Certificate
☆ Self Regulation and Inclusion Certificate
☆ Education Assistant Certificate
☆ Supporting Educational Domains
☆ Translating and Supporting Behaviors
☆ Education and Child Development
☆ Understanding Autism and other Neurodivergent Exceptionalities
Mrs. Davidson
Early Childhood Educator
Super Stars ®
10 months
at Raising Stars
With 11 years in the field, Ms. Davidson is a passionate advocate for "loose parts" and authentic play. Dedicated to the Curiosity Approach, she excels at curating intentional environments that invite our Stars to innovate. She loves taking our older Super Stars® "out of the centre" for nature-based discovery and thinks outside the box to develop unique process art experiences. Her adventurous spirit ensures that learning is always an unhurried journey of exploration and wonder.
Training & Credentials
☆ Currently a Play Therapist student☆ The Reggio Emilia Approach to Preschool Certification
☆ Autism Spectrum Certification
Understanding ECE Certifications in British Columbia
ECE – Early Childhood Educator
An ECE is a licensed educator who has completed a full diploma in Early Childhood Education, including 8 university-level courses and 3 practicums. They must renew their license every 5 years with at least 40 hours of professional development. ECEs serve as lead educators, classroom teachers, and mentors.
ECEA – Early Childhood Educator Assistant
An ECEA is an assistant who has completed at least one of three foundational courses (Guiding and Caring, Growth and Development, or Health, Safety, and Nutrition). Their license can be renewed twice by completing additional courses. ECEAs may temporarily lead a class but cannot hold a permanent lead role without full ECE certification.
Community Partners & Guests
At Raising Stars Preschool®, we welcome trusted partners who enrich our space. On any given day, our environment may include pedagogical consultants (ECPN), specialized support workers from NONA SCD, or intergenerational volunteers. We also occasionally host student teachers, professional observers, and licensing officials. While these individuals provide wonderful value, they are present strictly in a supportive or observational capacity and are never included in our primary staff-to-child ratios.
Pedagogist - Ms. Wilder
A pedagogist plays a vital role in elevating the quality of early childhood education by working alongside educators to deeply reflect on and refine classroom practices. Rather than focusing on standard checklists, they bring research-backed insights to help educators weave advanced philosophies—like the Reggio Emilia and Curiosity Approach®—into everyday learning. By critically analyzing how children interact with their environment and materials, a pedagogist ensures that the curriculum remains profoundly responsive, meaningful, and child-led.
SCD Support
Supported Child Development (SCD) workers are essential partners in creating a truly inclusive early learning environment. Coming from trusted local organizations such as NONA or the Okanagan Friendship Centre, they work collaboratively with educators to ensure that children who require extra support, whether due to developmental, physical, or emotional needs—can fully participate alongside their peers.
Gen Blend
At Raising Stars Preschool®, our "Gen Blend" practices bring the profound beauty of intergenerational connection directly into our daily rhythm. Having a trusted grandmotherly figure, like Grandma Papou, present in our environment bridges the gap between generations, offering children a unique sense of security, wisdom, and extended family comfort.
Raising Stars Vision Statement
At Raising Stars Preschool®, all children are welcomed, celebrated, and included—regardless of ability, gender, race, or any barriers that may be present. We believe every child deserves equal opportunities to grow, play, and thrive.
We recognize the importance of playful learning and embrace a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to Early Childhood Education. Our curriculum is rooted in both the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the BC Early Learning Framework, guiding our daily practices and classroom environments.
Children engage in co-constructed research through open-ended provocations and meaningful projects based on their interests. We encourage curiosity, questioning, and wonder—because these are the building blocks of lifelong learning.
Our classrooms are vibrant, messy, and full of joy—because as we always say,
“A messy classroom is where the magic happens!”
Whether it’s exploring the outdoors, experimenting with art, or diving into imaginative play, we foster an environment that promotes creativity, collaboration, and self-expression
Raising Stars Mission Statement
At Raising Stars Preschool®, we ignite the spark of inquiry and creativity in every child—cultivating a lifelong disposition for learning and exploration. We are committed to creating a responsive and intellectually stimulating environment where children are seen as capable protagonists, families feel connected, and learning happens through reciprocal and meaningful relationships.
Careers & Practicum Opportunities
At Raising Stars Preschool®, we believe that educators are lifelong learners. Our team is made up of passionate Early Childhood Educators who are dedicated to creating nurturing, curiosity-driven environments for children. We value collaboration, creativity, and a genuine love for early learning.
Whether you’re an experienced educator looking to grow your career, or a student eager to complete your practicum in a supportive and inspiring setting, Raising Stars Preschool® is proud to provide opportunities for both. With our Reggio-inspired, Hygge-accredited, and Curiosity Approach-aligned philosophy, we offer a truly unique environment for both teaching and learning.
Ready to take the next step? Explore how you can start your career with us or complete your practicum at Raising Stars Preschool®.
Raising Stars Preschool®, Shining Stars®, and Super Stars® are registered trademarks of Raising Stars Preschool. Little Stars℠ is a service mark of Raising Stars Preschool. All rights reserved.
Raising Stars Preschool Limited
Address: 3404 24th Street Vernon BC, Canada
Phone: (250) 938-7264
Email:info@raisingstarspreschool.ca
Hours: 8:30am - 6:00pm