Meet the Educators

Meet the Educators

More than a facilitator, our educators listen in a hundred ways and respond in a hundred, hundred more. Embracing a passion of lifelong learning, we engage in daily reflective practice with self and others.

Click on one of our Educators below to read their bio

Tanya Andrejas

RECE, BCD, MA

Manager and

Pedagogical Leader

Laura Salau

RECE

Niluka Perera-Jones

RECE

Nicole Pierce

RECE, BA

Gabriele Brum

RECE

Fran DeFillips

Forest School Practitioner 

RECE, BCD

Pauline Tuck

RECE

Tanya Andrejas

I began my journey in the field of ECE over 25 years ago as a student teacher placed in the Lab School. I fell in love with the philosophy, ways of being and knew it was a place I wanted to continue to grow, live and learn with. I have been blessed to work in all our classrooms, became a part-time faculty in our school of ECE and recently took on the role as pedagogical leader and director in 2017. I was the proud recipient of the 2017 Prime Minister’s Award in Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The Lab School has always been a place that inspired me and continued to push me to grow alongside children and our community. I am passionate about all things ECE, honoring and living our pedagogical commitments, both in my work and how I choose to live my life. I am committed to supporting the amazing team of educators at the lab and the broader Early learning Community in pedagogical dialogues and practices that inspire change. I look forward to walking alongside all of you in our journey.

Laura Salau

I began my journey at Seneca Lab School as a Toddler student 20 years ago. Right away I felt I belonged. The Lab School has always been on a progressive educational path that values children at its core. This journey has challenged my beliefs and values and supported my growth professionally, as well as personally. I have had opportunity to work with many influential educators throughout the years; which in turn fosters and strengthens my pedagogical philosophy and continuous journey of learning.  I believe every person and living thing comes into my life for reason and with purpose. All of these interactions enrich my life both professionally and soulfully. I have been blessed with two smart, beautiful, lovely daughters who both began their educational journey at Seneca Lab School. Still today, they love to come and ‘mess about’ and play. They have both expressed that they want to have a career in the educational field and I believe Seneca Lab School has inspired this in them.

Niluka Perera-Jones

Greetings everyone. I am Niluka Perera-jones.  I’m a full time teacher currently working with preschoolers. I graduated from Seneca ECE program in 2000. My journey at the lab school began in 2003. I have enjoyed learning and growing each day working with our amazing educators and the children here at the lab school. Aside from working with children, I also enjoy traveling, weight training, competing in fitness shows, cooking and DIY crafts.

Nicole Pierce

I was honoured to join the team at the Seneca ECE Lab School as I finished my last placement for my ECE diploma 7 years ago. Since starting here it has become my home. I believe that at the Lab School we strive to create a sanctuary for learning, beyond the rules that society places on what it means to be a child or teacher. A place where children can truly flourish and have the time, space and respect they need to truly learn. I have a passion for co-learning with the children, and researching how they think, test, and create meaning in the world around them. I believe in seeing each child not only as a unique individual, but as a person first. Other passions of mine include music, movies and anything Harry Potter! I can’t wait to get to know all of you and to learn from and with you through your time here in our Seneca Lab School community.

Gabriele Brum

My journey at the Lab School began in 2016 as an ECE student in the toddler program. This opportunity has immensely impacted me and transformed my view of the child and my view of the educator. 

During my experience in the field I have worked with children from 18 months to 10 years old, and I have witnessed the competent child in all stages of their lives. 

What deeply resonates with me is the value of the child as a citizen with rights and a voice in our daily lives. I strongly believe that they are critical thinkers who deserve the opportunity to express themselves, to be listened to, and to be an active part in our program. They hold the power of noticing the variety of worlds around them and to invite us into their journey of learning, that is when the image of the educator as a co-learner takes place. The children can show us the hundreds of different paths we can track together, if we only allow ourselves to be led by them.

I am also a fierce advocate of children’s emotional intelligence, and my desire is to contaminate more and more caregivers with the importance of valuing and nurturing children’s mental health.

I love walking alongside children, families, and our ECE community on this beautiful journey of partnership, trust, collaboration, and community.

Fran DeFillips

I am graduate of Seneca College’s ECE diploma and Bachelor of Child Development degree program and a Certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner.  I began my journey with Seneca at the King Observation Teaching Lab School (KOLTS) in 2012 as an early childhood educator working alongside children from infants to school age. My interest lies in challenging the traditional norms of early education and exposing independent thoughts and ideas filled with possibilities for re-imagining and reformulated our ways of being. I am always look for the JOY in learning!  

As a part time professor for the School of Early Childhood education, and Forest and Nature School Practitioner, I have the privilege of sharing everything the children teach me others. Learning with others exposes concepts and ideas from a ray of perspectives inviting curiosity and complexity. I am grateful for my time as former Director of the KOLTS and all the relationships built with community members, especially our friendship with First Peoples@ Seneca.  

Pauline Tuck - RECE

I started my journey at Seneca College King Campus Lab Observatory Teaching School (KOLTS), during my field placement as an ECE student. During the summer and winter breaks from school, I worked as a student on the floor with my supervisor (at the time).  I felt that this is what I would like to pursue and be effective in an early learning setting. When I completed my school and graduated with Honors, I joined full time with KOLTS. I was able to have the opportunity to work close with King Seneca College faculty during my time at KOLTS, and for many years I was part of many fond experiences and memories. 

KOLTS Lab School is closed at this time and I am very honored to continue my journey and join with the team at Seneca Newnham Lab School. 

Over the years, I watched children learn, develop and saw them grow into remarkable people in school/high school/college and university. Some students that have moved forward from KOLTS returned again and shared their experiences with me. I have been blessed to have an opportunity in this career that I am passionate about. I feel each and every child is unique in their own way and I am inspired to learn alongside each child every day.

I was part of Forest School at Seneca King Lab School (KOLTS) and enjoyed being in an outside classroom environment. This was a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages to be able to be engaged in many explorations and work as a team together or discover by themselves. 

Children are part of many possibilities and wonder that can be achieved from learning, balancing, creativity and science outside.