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

Carrie Harrison-Lameira

RECE, BA

Nicole Pierce

RECE, BA

Gabriele Brum

RECE

Fran DeFillips

Forest School Practitioner 

RECE, BCD

Donna Brown-Kerr

RECE

Bernadine Dinnard-Williams

RECE

Kelly Li

RECE

Ellen Gu

RECE

Areeba Jamal

RECE

Rebecca Pinto

RECE

Lauren Leung

ECA

Apple Liu

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.

Carrie Harrison-Lameira

As well as being an Early Childhood Educator here at the Lab School, I am also a wife, mother to two awesome children and a competitive 5-pin bowler. Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a teacher (unless being the first female professional baseball player worked out 😊). Throughout my long career I have had the opportunity to work with children many different capacities, including child care supervisor, full day kindergarten educator and Early Childhood Educator with every age group in child care. I also teach part-time in the Early Childhood Education diploma program here at Seneca College’s Continuing Education Department.  Working with young children is something that I am passionate about and I hope to share that passion, inspiring ECE students and other ECE professionals. I am excited to continue my journey with the families and children here at the Lab School!

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

Hi! My name is Gabriele. At the Lab School, better known as Gaby.
I’ve being living in Canada for less than 2 years now. I am Brazilian, a warm and extrovert person who enjoys being surrounded by children and learning about this world together with them and from them! I am just at the beginning of this beautiful journey, where I know I have so much to receive from the children, as I see them as individuals with lots of potential and wonder! From my perspective, they hold the power of exploration and discovery as they have a different way of looking at things that for us “adults” seems to be so ordinary. Therefore, I can easily let myself go into this world of wonder where I’m led by them. That’s what makes this profession so pleasant and exciting to me!  “It is only with the heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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.  

Donna Brown-Kerr

Hi, my name is Donna Marie Brown-Kerr. I was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica and came to Canada as a teenager. I have been a member of the Seneca Lab School since graduating in 1994. I have gained a lot of experience since joining the Lab School team and have formed a trusting relationship with the children and staff. I am a passionate wife to my husband Prince Kerr (which makes me Princess Donna Kerr). I am also a loving mother to four wonderful children; Michael, Mikayla, Myesha and stepson Demar. In my spare time, I love traveling, cooking and spending quality time with my very large family.

Bernadine Dinnard-Williams

Affectionately known as Bernie or Aunty Dine;  I am a wife, mother grandmother, sister and friend. My name –  Bernadine Dinnard-Williams is lovely and I acknowledge it; but Bernie creates an immeasurable ray of sunshine within my soul, which radiates my whole being. I love singing, dancing working with my hands helping others and just being a happy person. My career as an R.E.C.E. has awarded my all the accolades I ever hope to achieve. Thank  you for the privilege to work with you – Colleague, children and their families, students and the community.

Kelly Li

I am the mother of two children. I chose this career because I love children, and also being an early childhood educator was my childhood dream. In my childhood, I encountered an accomplished educator who influenced me with her beautiful songs, graceful dance and sweet smile which deeply affected me. Immigrating to Canada gave me the second chance to choose my career, and Seneca ECE Lab School gave me the opportunity to be an apprentice, so it made my dream come true. Lucky for me, I got training here, became part of the team, have grown in this high-quality Lab, and met amazing children, families, educators and students. 

Now I have been working here and witnessing the growth of the children for over four years. Each child I’ve cared for is forever in my heart. I have enough courage and confidence in myself to continue my journey in my life and continue learning, improving, enjoying, loving…

Ellen Gu

I joined Lab School while studying early childhood education at Seneca College. Raising my child in Korea and Japan, I’ve experienced and realized the importance of the family, educator, and community in my child’s early years. That experience led me to come to Canada and commit myself to be an early childhood educator. I believe that children explore and grow the world in their own way and through this process they grow into mature citizens of society. I’m glad to go on these journeys with children in their early years. In addition, I think it is a great reward to form and build our community with children and families together.

Areeba Jamal

I began my journey here at Seneca ECE Lab School in 2018 as a student… I have been privileged to work with preschoolers, toddlers and inspiring Educators… I have always looked-up to the lab school and have been inspired by it’s philosophy and ways of being and thinking with children and its community.. Coming to the lab as a student allowed me to grow as an educator…it taught me to pause, listen and notice with children… I believe that children hold the power to change the future. Lab school is a space in which research happens, challenges get accepted and a place where each human grows and starts to believe in their abilities. Lab school is a “home” for the educators, children, families and community. This home holds the space for us to be ourselves, to take off our shoes and walk on the wet clay and paint…It’s a space where I can be “ME..” A place which respects, accepts and believes in us… Other then my passion for ECE, I am a big fan of cooking and anything that makes you LAUGH! I look forward to working alongside each of you, learning and creating memorable memories with you as we walk on this journey together!

Rebecca Pinto

I was lucky enough to start my journey at the lab school my very first semester when I was studying Early Childhood education at Seneca College. Joining the lab school family has been one of the best experiences for me. I have been able to meet so many children, families, educators and students through this time. I have been grateful to experience new and joyful memories with the children as they grow in life. I am currently a student again at Seneca College this time studying my Honors Bachelor of Child Development. To help me continue on my path as an educator and a learner.

Lauren Leung

Hello, my name is Lauren and I’m a fourth semester Seneca College student studying Early Childhood Education. I’m excited to be starting my part-time position here at the Seneca Lab School.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with and caring for children of all ages in various settings. I’m looking forward to applying both my knowledge and experience while working with you and your child(ren).

Apple Liu

I was honored to join the Seneca Lab School team as I did my third semester placement in here. After I finished my Early Childhood Education diploma and I am continuing to get my BA in child development. For me as an educator, I see children in hundreds of image. Especially in lab school, I saw children playing in the nature, and children are using their curious eyes and unique way to make connect with the nature world. It’s my pleasure to be a co-learner with your child(ren).