Megumi Arakawa (Kind)

North Van Esplanade Centre in British Columbia

Nominated by Co-worker: I have been working with Megumi since I started working at Kids & Company in March 2021. Since I started working with her she has shown me how Kind she is through her personality and nature. She has shown her Innovation through her activities with the children and she is an amazing and creative educator. She is able to work independently, is supportive and takes initiative to help others. Diversity comes along with her because she is open to change and learning new ways. She is Courageous! She is a strong educator that I truly admire. She knows where she stands and has a lot of confidence and shares this with everyone! Another one of the things I love about her is her Optimism. Since working with her we have ups and downs and during hard times I never see her giving up. She always finds the words to encourage others and shares her positivity and motivates us.

I am nominating her because I believe that she has all of these characteristics!

Mayam Jacobo (Innovative)

Chicago Harrison Center in Illinois

Nominated by a Co-worker: Mayam constantly finds resourceful ways to support her centre and encourage her team to rise to their full potential. She has an incredible way of finding interesting professionals in ECE and training, supporting them, and working as a team to help them find success.

She is able to find incoming teachers, or veterans in the industry and coaches them to offer high level programming and lessons for the students. Mayam is so creative in how she resolves problems at her centre and almost NEVER needs support when it comes to ratios and coverage.

I am so thankful for her continued commitment to Kids & Company, I can’t imagine our regional team without her and anytime I get the chance to celebrate her – it’s my pleasure and honour 🙂

Camila Cepeda (Diverse)

Head Office in Ontario

Nominated by a Co-worker: Camila teaches me about her culture and her upbringing. I have learned a lot about the Latin community through Camila through her opening up about her language, traditional food and dances! I learn something new every day with Camila. Camila is the definition of what diversity is all about!

Melody Thomas (Courageous)

Millrise Centre in Calgary, Alberta

Nominated by a Co-worker: Someone once said “If I have children, I would want them in Melody’s class”. She doesn’t just come to work, she is her work and loves every second with her children. She has overcome many obstacles during her 15-year tenure with Kids & Company. She is in the Jr. Kindie room at Millrise where she creates an amazing program where the children feel loved and love learning because she makes it fun.

Kyla Thornton (Optimistic)

Sylvan Lake Centre in Alberta

Nominated by a Co-worker: Kyla is always looking to complete tasks and provides care for the little ones in an optimistic environment. The infant room is always an inviting and warm space to be. Kyla has on a number of occasions provided support and a shoulder for other staff. She has consistently taken the time to connect with families and truly made the space feel like a tiny community. I would love for her to be recognized for her efforts.