Rebecca Bowes, RECE, B.A.
Director
Becky first walked into Beacon Learning Centre in 2010 on her daughter’s very first day of nursery school. Since then, she’s worn many hats at BLC: parent, board member, fundraising co-chair, and now director. After completing her diploma in Early Childhood Education at Algonquin College in 2015, Becky returned to BLC as a teacher before stepping into her current role as director, where she works hard to foster a warm, supportive, and friendly environment for children, families, and staff alike.
When she’s not at BLC, Becky is busy raising teenagers (aka moonlighting as an unpaid Uber driver). She loves a good joke, camping under the stars, and sour candies.
Sandy Robinson, B.A.
Senior Preschool Teacher/Assistant Director
Sandy began her career with children working in a childcare centre in Ottawa in 1980. She continued working in various childcare centres while completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (1987) at Carleton University, specializing in the early childhood years. When she began her family of three (now grown) children, she used her education and experience to build a successful home daycare which she ran for over 20 years. That experience has brought her to the BLC where she can continue her passion for working with children. Encouraging them to learn and grow in a stimulating, nurturing environment, as well as helping them feel confident and happy through play and social interaction, is what she believes is the basis for a love of learning.
Chelsea Fraser, RECE
Junior Toddler Teacher (On Maternity Leave)
Chelsea graduated from the Early Childhood Education program through Algonquin College in 2015. In 2018, Chelsea decided to specialize in her field and graduated from the Special Needs Resource Consulting program at Seneca College. Throughout her career, she has worked with preschool programs, the Ottawa Catholic School Board, before- and after-school programs, and as a Resource Consultant with Children’s Integrated Support Services. Chelsea would visit BLC during her time as a Resource Consultant. She became familiar with the program and the teachers, and decided she would love to work with them one day! She believes in fostering a safe and nurturing environment that celebrates all children and their individual needs. She is so happy to be a part of the program!
Emily Elizabeth, RECE
Senior Toddler Teacher
Emily, RECE began her journey at BLC in 2019 as a college placement student. After completing her placement, she continued to work as a supply educator while finishing her Early Childhood Education Diploma at Algonquin College.
Since graduating in 2021, Emily has been a full-time Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). She has gained valuable experience working in both the Junior and Senior Toddler programs and is dedicated to creating a nurturing, safe, and positive environment where children can thrive.
Emily believes in a child-led approach and is passionate about helping children develop their social, emotional, and cognitive skills. She looks forward to learning alongside the children and watching them blossom into unique individuals.
Layla Aliriani
Part-Time Junior Toddler Teacher
Layla has been an essential part of the toddler team since 2019. She shows warmth and a genuine love for what she does, to children and colleagues alike . Before arriving in Canada, Layla was principal of an elementary school in Yemen. She enjoys being with children and watching them learn and grow. In her spare time Layla likes learning to cook different types of foods, walking in the countryside, and spending time with her family which includes her four children.
Linda Fortin, RECE
Senior Toddler Teacher
Linda’s passion for working with children started while she was doing her co-op placement at BLC in 1998. Over the years, she has worked as a program assistant for children with special needs, as well as a nursery school and junior preschool educator. She attended Algonquin College on a part time basis and obtained her Early Childhood Education Diploma in 2018. It brings Linda great joy to be a part of children’s growth and development. She looks forward to learning and laughing with the children every day.
Karen Cameron, RECE
Junior Toddler Teacher
Karen has been in the childcare field for over 30 years and has a wealth of experience as educator and program supervisor. Her diverse background ranges from home daycare, to work in a variety of childcare centres, and as an RECE at the Ottawa Carlton District School Board. Now an essential part of the toddler team, Karen first supply taught at the Beacon Learning Centre before realizing this is where she wanted to stay. She brings her love and passion for young children to BLC every day. Her mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, play-based learning environment for all children. Karen has three grown children of her own and recently welcomed her first granddaughter.
Bouchra Khodr, RECE
Senior Preschool Teacher
Bouchra has been working with children for over 20 years. While raising her 5 children, she obtained a diploma in Teacher Aide in 1999 and then a diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2017. She cared for children at her home for about 10 years, supplied at different centres around Ottawa and worked with OCDSB for over 3 years. She has experience working with children of all ages. Bouchra loves to plan individual and group activities to encourage learning and develop social interaction skills.
Amy Poirier aka “Chef Amy”
Cook
As cook for all of the Beacon Learning Centre, Amy operates under the principle that nutrition is the basis for all learning. She has been in the childcare profession for over 10 years, and has been running the BLC kitchen since 2015, designing and executing creative menus, bringing hot meals and healthy snacks to almost 70 children each and every day! Amy is a mother of two, a lover of animals, the outdoors, and all things crafty. She brings to BLC a passion for food, and enjoys the challenge of satisfying the palettes of young children.
Lindsey Miller
Senior Toddler Teacher
Lindsey began her career at the Beacon Learning Centre in 2007. She is currently a Teacher in the Senior Toddler class. She has spent many years at BLC working in all the areas of the school, which has given her the opportunity to work with all age levels, get to know the children and be a familiar face as they move up through the programs. She loves working with children and getting to know the families while coming to a place every day where she can smile, have fun, and create a lasting impact.
Renate Steinmetz, M.A.
House Manager
Worldly Renate has an extensive education and considerable experience working with children. She worked for a brief period as a nanny in Paris and for 15 years, she was involved in Waldorf Education, from teaching her own children using this curriculum, to teaching language courses (grades 1-7) at the Trillium Waldorf School in Guelph.
While on a European posting with her family, she worked at Kinder Korner Daycare in Niederheid Germany, serving Canadian and other NATO families. This was one of the opportunities that has given her experience in working with children of various national backgrounds.
Renate sees learning as self discovery and finds that the role of the teacher is to inspire a love of learning while nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of the child. She finds that developing good language skills begins in the early years. Renate has experience in almost every role at BLC where her personality and hard work always shine.
Veronica Barerra
Part-Time Junior Toddler Teacher
Veronica began her relationship with the Beacon Learning Centre, when both of her children, now teenagers, were cared for and had their first learning experiences at BLC.
At that point, she appreciated the quality and commitment of the staff to look after the little ones, and being an at-home mom, that motivated her to get involved in the activities at BLC.
She started out as a volunteer, joining the staff in 2017 and progressively moving from supply staff into more permanent roles within the team.
Veronica has also been balancing her family life while taking courses that will empower her with the tools to provide the very best learning experiences for the children at BLC.
Kerem Vivas Samora, RECE
Junior Preschool Teacher
Kerem is an Early Childhood Educator who is excited to work at the BLC. She is a compassionate, patient, and creative person who has been working with children for the past few years. Her goal is to contribute to the community and give wonderful memories to the children. In her spare time she enjoys paper crafting, crocheting and painting – and loves to help teach the kids these skills and many other crafting ideas. She believes in fostering a good sense of well being in her classes and loves planning activities where the children can be both mentally and physically active.
Manal Noman
Senior Preschool Teacher
Manal loves working with children. She believes that each child is a unique, competent, and capable individual and hence must be given the opportunity, the space, the proper environment and every educational requirement to grow and develop with full potential.
She has a Bachelor degree in Political Science and a High Diploma in Gender Studies, both from Sana’a University, Yemen.
She joined the BLC in 2019 as a substitute teacher then became a regular teacher as she started working towards her ECE degree.
She brings energy and positivity anywhere she goes mixed with an excellent, rational and knowledgeable mind.
Alison Campbell, B.A, B. Ed
Wakers Teacher
Alison was a toddler teacher at Blackburn Hamlet Preschool before joining BLC as the wakers teacher in 2017. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Bachelor of Primary Education from Aberdeen, Scotland. She was a stay at home mother to her four children before starting at Blackburn Hamlet preschool. Alison loves to do science with her wakers group as the experiments appeal to the children’s curiosity and desire to explore the world around them.
Fahima Benzina
Junior/Senior Toddler Program Assistant
Fahima began working at BLC in 2023. She is passionate about leading lively activities for the Junior and Senior Toddler classes, ensuring each day is filled with learning and fun. Fahima is a mom of three and a lover of cooking and decorating, bringing joy and creativity to both her home and BLC! Fahima aims to create a positive and lasting impact on all of our BLC children and families.
Sabrina Aguilos, RECE
Junior Preschool Teacher
Sabrina started at Beacon Learning Centre during her first placement while studying at Algonquin College in Ottawa, where she earned her certificate in the Early Childhood Education Program. She joined BLC with over 15 years of experience in the field. Sabrina has worked as an ESL instructor in South Korea and as a Montessori educator in Canada, she has a deep understanding of child development and a commitment to creating a nurturing environment for young children. Additionally, she worked at AFCS for a year and 8 months while studying full time.Fluent in Tagalog, Ilonggo, English, and Korean, Sabrina’s diverse language skills enhance her ability to connect with a broad range of students and families. Her goal is to create an enriching environment where all students can thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. She is dedicated to tailoring individual and group activities that inspire learning and promote social interaction skills. Outside of work, Sabrina enjoys reading, watching movies, and exploring nature on walks with her husband.
María Peña Acosta, RECE
Junior Toddler Teacher
Hello, I am Maria Helena Peña Acosta, and I’m very happy to be part of the team.
I am from Colombia, and grew up in a large family with seven siblings, which taught me
from a very young age the value of teamwork, solidarity, and empathy. I lived in Argentina
for 12 years, where I studied Nursing and I worked for seven years in the pediatrics area of a
hospital. It was one of the most wonderful stages of my life, as I consider it a privilege to be
able to help children and their families in difficult situations. As a professional, I am a truly
passionate person who loves the profession and is always looking to learn new things and
improve my knowledge to serve others.
Three years ago, I decided to come to Canada to continue growing professionally. What
began as learning the language and looking to update my skills in the healthcare field
transformed into a new passion, Early Childhood Education. I recently graduated as an Early
Childhood Educator from Algonquin College and since then, I have been committed to
providing children with a safe, nurturing, and respectful environment where they can learn
through play, explore their interests, and develop their skills.
As an early childhood educator, I believe that learning should be a joyful and meaningful
experience, in a safe and nurturing environment where children and their families feel valued,
part of the community, and supported. I fully recognize that every child is unique and has
different and wonderful abilities and capacities to experience the learning process. For this
reason, my focus is on promoting inclusive practices, respect for diversity, and close
communication with the children’s family members. I am always willing to continue learning
from my colleagues, mentors, children, and their families to effectively support the growth
and development of each of our young learners.
Anna Diloyan, RECE
Senior Preschool Teacher
Anna joined Beacon Learning Centre in 2025 after graduating with honours from Algonquin
College, where she earned her diploma in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Armenia. With a strong passion for fostering curiosity
and creativity, Anna is dedicated to creating engaging, child-centred environments where
every child can explore, learn, and thrive.
Fluent in English, Russian, and Armenian, Anna values the role of language and
communication in building strong connections with children and families. She believes in
the power of play, exploration, and literature to inspire children’s love of learning and self-
expression.
Outside of the classroom, Anna enjoys photography, journaling, travelling, and discovering
new neighbourhoods in Ottawa with her husband and their dog.
Beacon Learning Centre 