Lisa Bleskie - Daycare Co-ordinator
My name is Lisa Bleskie and I have been the Coordinator of Tree Frog Daycare since March of 1999.
I grew up in Waterloo, Ontario and completed the Early Childhood Education program there, at Conestoga College, before moving to Salt Spring in 1993. I am licensed as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), Infant Toddler Educator and Special Needs Educator.
I have worked at Tree Frog since it opened in January 1994 and my time here has allowed me to work with children from infancy through school age. Over the years I have seen “The Frog” go through many changes and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this great little daycare in the woods that we have created.
Seeing the joy of discovery & learning in children continues to keep my Tree Frog experience fresh. I love the way the world looks through the eyes of a child making a new discovery and their laughter is among my favourite sounds ever!! As a caregiver it’s so rewarding to be a part of a child’s growth and development from the early days of rocking them to sleep through the excitement of kindergarten at “the big school!”
When I’m not at Tree Frog I enjoy spending my time near the ocean, reading a good book or being with the people I love.
I grew up in Waterloo, Ontario and completed the Early Childhood Education program there, at Conestoga College, before moving to Salt Spring in 1993. I am licensed as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), Infant Toddler Educator and Special Needs Educator.
I have worked at Tree Frog since it opened in January 1994 and my time here has allowed me to work with children from infancy through school age. Over the years I have seen “The Frog” go through many changes and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this great little daycare in the woods that we have created.
Seeing the joy of discovery & learning in children continues to keep my Tree Frog experience fresh. I love the way the world looks through the eyes of a child making a new discovery and their laughter is among my favourite sounds ever!! As a caregiver it’s so rewarding to be a part of a child’s growth and development from the early days of rocking them to sleep through the excitement of kindergarten at “the big school!”
When I’m not at Tree Frog I enjoy spending my time near the ocean, reading a good book or being with the people I love.
Celine 'Mona' Vezina- Assistant
My name is Celine Vezina. They call me Mona at Treefrog. I am the oldest caregiver there and along with Lisa, have been on staff since it opened, sixteen years ago.
My formal training is in Journalism. Before moving to SSI in 1979, I worked as a proofreader, editor and occasional translator for the government in Ottawa, my home town. Since starting work at Treefrog I have taken courses and attended workshops in E.C.E regularly. My co-workers have also taught me a few tricks of the trade over the years. It is a true privilege to work with such competent, creative, and compassionate people.
My two children were born in the early to mid-80’s. Raising them and other children in the neighbourhood, whom I babysat in my home, took me to Treefrog’s doorstep. Local parents asked me to apply to work at the new daycare and now, with many of our original kids in university, I guess you could say I’ve been “grandmothered in”.
In my spare time I like to read, garden and hike in wild places. I like working with young children for the same reason I like to walk in the woods: they are pure essence, and no-nonsense. I get great delight in playing a part in their learning and growth.
My formal training is in Journalism. Before moving to SSI in 1979, I worked as a proofreader, editor and occasional translator for the government in Ottawa, my home town. Since starting work at Treefrog I have taken courses and attended workshops in E.C.E regularly. My co-workers have also taught me a few tricks of the trade over the years. It is a true privilege to work with such competent, creative, and compassionate people.
My two children were born in the early to mid-80’s. Raising them and other children in the neighbourhood, whom I babysat in my home, took me to Treefrog’s doorstep. Local parents asked me to apply to work at the new daycare and now, with many of our original kids in university, I guess you could say I’ve been “grandmothered in”.
In my spare time I like to read, garden and hike in wild places. I like working with young children for the same reason I like to walk in the woods: they are pure essence, and no-nonsense. I get great delight in playing a part in their learning and growth.
Debbie Bennett- ECE
I've always had small children in my life, including my own daughter. Suddenly, when I was in my forties, there seemed to be no little ones around. I missed them, and therefore, began volunteering at a daycare/preschool. After a while, I started working there, first on a relief basis and then, as a part-time staff member. I enjoyed the children and the work so much that I decided to take a year to comunute to Camosun University-College to obtain my ECE certificate. After graduation, I continued working in the child care field. However, my own little grandaugher came along. I wanted to know more about infants/tolddlers and kid with special needs (a field I'd always been intrigued by) so I took another year to go to Malaspina University-College and recieved my diploma in ECE. I've been working at Tree Frog ever since I finished that program about five years ago.
My husband and I have been living on Salt Spring for about fourteen years. Our own daughter lives in Nanaimo and we have Vienna, our grandaaugher, most weekends.
Jody Hicks- Assistant
Hello! My name is Jody Hicks and I am the newest staff member at Treefrog as of June 2011. I feel so incredibly grateful to be working with a crew of amazing likeminded women who adore and honour the uniqueness of each little human being. From the moment I discovered Treefrog existed I simply knew it was the right place for my daughter Dakota and myself.
I grew up just north of Quebec City on a turkey farm. As a child I loved spending as much time as I possibly could being outside. I just love the wonder of the natural world, and being around children helps me to nurture that part of myself. I so appreciate exploring with children as they naturally embody a curiosity to learn, grow and discover. In addition to play, creativity and exploration, I fully believe in the importance of creating safe space and rhythm for children, honoring their physical, emotional and developmental growth.
I have my Master's degree in Counselling Psycholgy with a concentration in Wilderness Therapy. Early childhood prerequisites for this degree gave me my ECE Assistant certification.
I feel truly blessed to be a part of the team and am grateful to be spending my days playing with my daughter and the rest of the Treefrog family.
To learn more about my past therapeutic practise please visit www.jodyhicks.net and my for more on my creative endeavours- www.peapublishing.com.
I grew up just north of Quebec City on a turkey farm. As a child I loved spending as much time as I possibly could being outside. I just love the wonder of the natural world, and being around children helps me to nurture that part of myself. I so appreciate exploring with children as they naturally embody a curiosity to learn, grow and discover. In addition to play, creativity and exploration, I fully believe in the importance of creating safe space and rhythm for children, honoring their physical, emotional and developmental growth.
I have my Master's degree in Counselling Psycholgy with a concentration in Wilderness Therapy. Early childhood prerequisites for this degree gave me my ECE Assistant certification.
I feel truly blessed to be a part of the team and am grateful to be spending my days playing with my daughter and the rest of the Treefrog family.
To learn more about my past therapeutic practise please visit www.jodyhicks.net and my for more on my creative endeavours- www.peapublishing.com.
Danica Lazar- Practicum Student/Assistant
Hello! My name is Danica Lazar. I am an early childhood educator in training. I am excited to be completing my final practicum here at Tree Frog this summer, for the certification program through Northern Lights College. I have completed practicums at both the Salt Spring Day Care Center, and at Little Red Preschool, and I thoroughly appreciate the opportunity to get to know more of the children here on the island. These practicums have been loads of fun, and offer many learning opportunities from the many amazing, insightful early childhood educators here on Salt Spring.
My three wonderful children, ages 8, 10, and 12, also provide me with endless learning opportunities. We are an active family, and often spend weekends playing sports together, or hiking and exploring the many beautiful areas of the island, usually with friends, and always with our little four legged furry friend, Lukey.
I am looking forward to introducing yoga to the children at Tree Frog during my practicum, and I also plan to facilitate some fun, process oriented nature art activities. Mostly, I look forward to sharing the joy and wonder of life with these delightful souls, who are so eager to learn, grow, and experience our world.
My three wonderful children, ages 8, 10, and 12, also provide me with endless learning opportunities. We are an active family, and often spend weekends playing sports together, or hiking and exploring the many beautiful areas of the island, usually with friends, and always with our little four legged furry friend, Lukey.
I am looking forward to introducing yoga to the children at Tree Frog during my practicum, and I also plan to facilitate some fun, process oriented nature art activities. Mostly, I look forward to sharing the joy and wonder of life with these delightful souls, who are so eager to learn, grow, and experience our world.
