Team
MARIA JOSE OBANDO
Co-Founder and Educator
I am a nature lover. I love to be outside. I love adventures. I love rainy and sunny days.
I grew up in Ecuador, a place surrounded by so many beautiful landscapes and unique biodiversity. As a child, I played, explored, got muddy, climbed trees, and had so much fun in the countryside of Ecuador.
Nature to me has always been a place to admire, take care and learn from.
My love for nature led me to Canada where I got my master’s degree in Environmental Education.
As an educator, I am committed to helping children to explore and learn in nature. My passion is connecting children with their environment through experiential education and unstructured playing.
Nothing brings me more happiness than seeing the growth and evolution of my students in the outdoors.
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Certifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering
- Master's Degree in Educational Foundations with a cohort in Ecology and Environment
- ECEA (Early Childhood Education Assistant)
- Responsible Adult Course in Child Development
- Forest School Training Certification
- Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C
- Wilderness First Aid Certification
- English/Spanish
ANA MERCHÁN
Educator & Program Director
I grew up in the countryside of Cuenca - Ecuador where I was always surrounded by animals and nature and learned the importance of taking care of the environment. I got to play with dogs, chickens, guinea pigs, horses, and rabbits next to a forest by the river. My parents and I traveled a lot around the country when I was a kid and as an adult, I have visited many countries which changed the way I see the world today.
As a co-founder of “Kea” preschool in my hometown and as a psychologist I know the impact early childhood education has on kids and families. I believe in hands-on learning, project-based education, play-based education, and learning by making so kids can shine and learn at their own pace while connecting to their surroundings.
I´m constantly learning and looking for new pedagogical approaches related to kids’ development, this is why I feel so drawn to outdoor education.
Exploring nature in this beautiful country has motivated me to pursue my dream to be an outdoor educator.
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Certifications:
-Bachelor´s degree in Psychology
-Master´s degree in Family Intervention and Counselling
-International Certification Infant and Child Sleep Consultant
-Montessori Methodology Diploma
-Co-Founder of Kea Preschool
-Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C
-Spanish/English
Cecile Savioz
ESDM Certified Therapist
I am very happy to be a part of this amazing team, and eager to build a strong connection between kids and the outdoor in a fun and inclusive space at the heart of beautiful Stanley Park.
My professional experience as a therapist (specialized in ESDM - 'early start' for children with autism 0-5year old) and as a school counsellor has brought into focus the importance of inclusive education in children’s development. As such, I always strive to create an inclusive space for children who need support, engaging with them in fun activities and creating strong community around them.
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I strongly believe being outside is a great opportunity to learn, enhancing social connections in a wonderful environment for kids to grow and thrive.
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With my training as an ESDM therapist and experience as a school counselor, I can create a specialized plan for your child, designing individualized objectives and helping you make a therapy plan coherent with other approaches you might already have for your child.
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I look forward to bringing my passion and specialization as a therapist to help kids connect and thrive in the beautiful outdoors.
Certifications:
- Autism service provider as a Senior BI (BC funding)
- ESDM certified therapist (early start for children with autism, 0-5year old)
- ESDM advanced training, UCDavis, California, distance learning
- Master in Clinical Psychology for children and teenagers UniL
- The Hanen program for educators (More Than Words, speech and language developpement training)
- Courtney’s First aid & safety Training (non-violent crisis interventions)
- Language : English/French
Liz Arevalo
Educator & Marketing Director
Bugs, children, and music are what gives meaning to my days.
Teaching and learning are my greatest passion, I love hearing the most curious and funny questions. Always ready to not have an answer, but instead a space and time for exploration.
I was trained as a teacher in Mexico where I experienced indoor classes, I mixed my experience working in camps and workshops in the forest, having great learning about childhood, youth, and their relationship with nature.
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Being a teacher, and my latest years as a childcare provider, have given me the opportunity to observe the importance of treating kids, taking care of their most fragile aspects, (their heart
and soul.) In these years of collaborative work with children, I have learned to sow, through play and art, seeds of affection, tolerance, and respect for other and nature.
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Certifications:
ï‚· - Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy
ï‚· - Course in Conscious Discipline
ï‚· - Responsible Adult Course in Child Development
ï‚· - Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR
ï‚· - English/Spanish
Yongyi Huang (Lara)
Educator
I value cultural diversity and I am fascinated by languages and culinary arts.
I was born in China and grew up in Brazil. A few years ago, I moved to Canada to advance my studies, and I immediately fell in love with this wild and wonderful land. To me, home is where I can connect with nature.
I have a deep love for nature and enjoy spending time outdoors in every season. Whether it is skiing and snowshoeing in winter or hiking and camping during the summer you’ll often find me adventuring in the woods.
Becoming a mother I’ve developed a profound appreciation for young children and embracing my love for the outdoors has inspired me to pursue my career as an outdoor educator.
I strongly believe in nature-based and play-based education where I can learn alongside with children and where children can form meaningful connections with nature as well as improve their confidence & creativity and safe risk-taking.
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“If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don't understand it, they won't protect it.” David Attenborough.
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Certifications:
ï‚· - Responsible Adult in Child Care Settings Course
- First Aid CPR/AED Level B
- Food Safe Level 1
Self Study:
-SECD Science of Early Child Development
-British Columbia Early Learning Framework
-English/Portuguese/Spanish/Cantones
MARCO URFER
Co-Founder and Admin
I had the privilege to grow up surrounded by nature in a beautiful area known as "the gate to the Swiss Alps". I remember these exciting times as a child running through fields, building forts in the forest, and exploring mountains in hiking shoes or on skis.
Today, I still can't get enough of outdoor activities - I am a nature lover and I want to give everything it takes to protect the environment.
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Founding Little Paws gives me the joy to contribute to a healthy community more connected with nature. I love to see how children are becoming and already are stewards of the great outdoors while providing them a natural experience I enjoyed when I was little.
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With my background as a Business Engineer, I bring some valuable skills to the administrative work and support the operations of the programs behind the scenes.
