Our Staff
Our qualified educators, each bring their own passions, skills, experiences, and share in the daily joys of being a child.
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Andrea Kaback
General Manager & ECEa
I am continually inspired by children's outside-of-the-box thinking and problem solving. Watching the children's and staff's growth, as their connections and relationships deepen, is the most rewarding part of my job.
When I'm not at work I try to make theatre happen - the best way I know, for grown ups to play!
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Jody Moyls
ECE - Acorn Program
I have always enjoyed working with children. I feel so lucky to have a career doing what brings me joy and amazing people I get to work with.
Outside of the centre I enjoy spending time with my own children. We love that we live in a place where we can walk the mountain and spend time on the beach all in the same day.
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Melisande Chagnon
ECE IT - Catkin Program
Children remind me, in every moment, that being here and now is the most important. They bring me so much joy, just in being themselves that it makes me want to give them, and myself, the best of me.
Every week I thrive in reminding myself that there IS enough time for everything, such as growing gardens, building with mud, practicing self-healing, prepping gourmet food, creating therapeutic stories, kayaking the ocean and cycling the roads.
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Jala Klone
ECE - Adventure School
I have had the opportunity to support children of all ages most of my life. I am a passionate ECE that loves to connect with young children through hands on, child led inquiry and play based approaches. My favourite way of supporting children’s growth, curiosity and development is by providing opportunities for building relationships and connection with the outdoor environment.
When I am not supporting children I can be found in my garden, long forest or beach walks or being creative sewing and weaving willow baskets.
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Kath Pantalon
ECE - Catkin Program
Everyday is a new adventure with the children pf Hornby .. we explore , sing , dance , and experience together their natural curiosity . Their spirits and genuine love of life and land is such a gift to be part of.
I spent most of my childhood surrounded by our beautiful Salish sea where I love to be when not at work. -

Sandeep Sandhu
ECE - Catkin Program
I am passionate about working with children and supporting their growth and overall development in a caring and nurturing environment. I love listening to their giggles, encouraging their creativity, and exploring their unique thoughts and imaginations. Building meaningful relationships with children and families brings me great joy.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and pursuing my love of gardening, which helps me stay connected with nature and inspires creativity
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Surbhi Singla
ECEa - Catkin & Acorn Program
I enjoy working with children because every day is different and full of learning, creativity, and fun. I love helping children grow, build confidence, and feel supported in a safe and caring environment. Seeing their smiles and watching them learn new things brings me a lot of happiness and satisfaction.
Outside of work, I enjoy visiting new places, meeting new people, and listening to music. I love exploring different experiences and spending quality time with family and friends, which helps me stay positive and energized.
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Elise Gottzmann
RA - Acorn Program & Adventure School
I’m passionate about working with children because they see the world with curiosity and excitement. Being part of their everyday discoveries is what makes spending time with them feel like a privilege as opposed to work.
Outside the daycare, you’re likely to find me jamming on the beach.
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Imogen Ignatiuk
RA - Acorn Program
Every morning, as soon as I step into the daycare building, there is a huge smile on my face. I feel so deeply grateful to work a job that fills me with so much purpose and passion. Every day brings a separate challenge that is a joy to figure out.
Along side childcare, I spend my time writing, dancing, and creating and participating in theatre projects!
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Catie Castle
RA - Catkin Program
I have dreamed about working in childcare since I was 10 years old. Children’s innocence, honesty and their eagerness to learn makes it all so rewarding.
When I’m not at work I love playing baseball and spending time with the people who make me happy.
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Delia Markus
RA - Catkin & Acorn Programs
I am a summer worker at the Hornby Island Daycare. As a kid, summers on Hornby were the most cherished memories of memories, running free on the rocky beaches and eating blackberries straight from the bush. Now, as an adult, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to witness and facilitate that same magic with the kids at the daycare.
When I'm not dancing and swimming on Hornby, I study Film Production at Concordia University in Montreal, where you can usually find me watching movies, or making some of my own..
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Chaya Max Mills
RA - Raven Summer School
I love working with kids and getting to connect my love of arts and ecology to their creativity and curiosity. They help me unlock my inner child and are the lightest part in this world. I hope to bring just a bit of positivity, confidence and love for nature into their lives.
In my free time my hobbies/passions are under-water photography, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, (really anything outside), and watercolour painting. I plan on bringing these elements into the program to hopefully inspire our Hornby youth.
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Jack Reid
RA - Raven Summer School
Some of my favourite parts of spending time with children is how creative they are, how much fun they’re capable of having, their innocent nature, and how they lead with curiosity instead of judgment.
As an oldest brother of 4 boys I take a great pride in being a good role model for younger kids to be around and connect with.
Things I love outside of work is making music, visual arts, the outdoors and having fun.
Work With Us
Interested in joining our team of educators?
We’d love to hear from you.
We are not currently hiring, but feel free to send a resume as things change!
Our Board
As a non-profit society and registered charity, the Hornby Island Daycare Society is overseen by a volunteer board of directors made up of parents and community members.
Please email board.hids@gmail.com to inquire about joining the board.
The board meets monthly from September through June with meetings called in the summer as necessary.
Our most recent Annual General Meeting was held on September 15, 2025.
Faron Crowe, President
Ellah Matten, Vice President
Julia Tassonyi, Secretary
Mathona Thomson, Treasurer
Jennifer Fletcher , Director at large