Meet Our 2026–2027 CKC Team

My name is Ailani, and I’m excited to be joining the Connections Community Services Society team as a School Aged Child Worker. I’m currently an undergraduate nursing student with a goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. Working with children is meaningful to me because I hope to build my career supporting children’s health, well-being, and development.

I would describe myself as friendly, caring, patient, responsible, and enthusiastic. I enjoy creating a safe, welcoming, and positive environment where children feel comfortable, supported, included, and encouraged to be themselves. My experience working with children has taught me the importance of communication, empathy, patience, and building meaningful relationships. I believe every child is unique and deserves to feel heard and respected.

Outside of work and school, I enjoy staying active, going to the gym, hiking, running, and spending time with friends and family. I’m looking forward to getting to know the children and families, contributing positively to the team, and gaining valuable experience that will support my future career in pediatric nursing.

Hello families! My name is Elizabeth, and I’ve been working with children since Grade 11. Most of my experience has been with children between the ages of 5 to 12, and working with this age group has always held a special place in my heart. I graduated from SFU in 2025 with a degree in Visual Arts, which has also allowed me to bring a lot of creativity into the activities I do with children.

I love getting to know each child and learning about their individual interests, whether that’s art, games, sports, stories, or something completely unique to them. Seeing their personalities grow and getting to be a part of their everyday experiences is one of the things I enjoy most about working with kids.

I hope to create a space where children feel comfortable being themselves, having fun, and trying new things!

Hi, my name is Maniya Firouzi, and I am a mother of three boys. I've always had a passion for working with children.

In Iran, I worked as a high school physics teacher for four years and also spent two years working in a daycare. Those experiences inspired me to continue my career in early childhood education after moving to Canada.

I completed my ECE Assistant certification and have been fortunate to work in the Before and After School Program at Caulfeild Elementary School for the past two years. I'm truly excited to begin another wonderful school year and hope this school year will be filled with joyful moments, meaningful learning, and wonderful memories for all of us.

My name is Aazam Jaberi. I have a master's degree in physical education and 23 years of professional experience working in schools and universities in Iran.

Since coming to Canada in 2011, I have volunteered in school libraries and classrooms. At the same time, I worked professionally as a babysitter.

Since 2013, I have been working as a school employee, first as a Nutrition Worker and Lunch Supervisor. I am currently working as a Lunch Supervisor in West Vancouver schools.

In 2016, I obtained my ECEA certificate and started working in childcare. Since 2019, I have been working with CCSS in an After School Program. I also hold certifications in ECEA, Basic IT and Computer Skills, First Aid, Food Service, and Wellness Coaching.

I am a caring, responsible, and experienced professional who enjoys working with children and supporting their learning, development, and well-being.

Rochelle brings a unique combination of childcare experience and human resources expertise, with a passion for creating positive and nurturing environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Her journey with CCSS began as a volunteer with the Generations Homework Club, supporting school-aged children with learning activities and homework. She later contributed as an HR Volunteer, supporting recruitment, policy development, and administrative processes.

Today, Rochelle is a licensed Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) with hands-on experience in both childcare and school-aged programs. She enjoys engaging children through creative play, storytelling, outdoor activities, and homework support while building meaningful relationships with children and families.

Rochelle also holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Leadership and brings extensive experience in HR and administration.

Hi! My name is Christina. I have a background in education and experience working with school-aged children in different cultural and learning environments. Having lived and worked in different countries, I’ve had many opportunities to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, communicate across cultures, and learn from different perspectives.

My studies in Master of Education at the University of British Columbia have also shaped how I think about children and learning. I believe that every child matters and that each child brings their own personality, interests, and experiences. I value these differences and hope to help create a warm and inclusive environment where children feel comfortable being themselves. I also enjoy learning from the children I work with and finding ways to better understand and support their individual needs.

Hello! My name is Paul, and I am a dedicated member of the CCSS team at the Spul'u'kwuks Elementary location. I bring years of experience working with school-aged children across various settings, including Out of School Care and community-based programs. My goal is to build meaningful connections with your families and create an engaging environment where every child can thrive!

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Joyce studied in Vancouver before beginning her career back home. Joyce has a deep passion for martial arts and was part of a Muay Thai team for 14 years, training kids and managing operations. She enjoys spending time with children and creating fun, positive moments with them.

Hello! My name is Joyce Fung. I am so excited to be a part of the Connections Kids Club team since 2024. I am from Hong Kong, a multicultural and fast-paced city. I have been working with children and youth of various ages from Kindergarten to Grade 12 for years.

I believe that every child is unique, and I strive to build a warm and inclusive atmosphere where children feel valued and supported. For leisure time, I love staying active and spending quality time with my family. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting your child’s growth and discovery!

Lovely to meet you! My name is Jo Jo and I am excited to join the team at Tait Elementary.

I have experience working with children with autism and ADHD as a behavior interventionist. I was a cooking teacher for toddlers. In my free time, I enjoy facilitating STEM workshops for children and youth to explore future career opportunities through fun STEAM projects. Also, I enjoy organizing letter-writing workshops for the community to write to seniors and refugees.

My goal for each day is to create a happy, warm, and inclusive classroom where everyone can build on their confidence, explore, play, and learn at their own pace. I am passionate about working with children down at their eye level, and I am so thankful for this opportunity as it is the most rewarding to see children grow and succeed. Today's children are tomorrow's future changemakers and leaders. I hope to teach everyone to care and be kind to each other.

My name is Maryam Esfandyari Sarmazdeh, and I am a dedicated educator and youth support worker with experience in teaching, counseling, and community programs in both Iran and Canada. I am passionate about supporting children and youth by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments where they can learn, grow, and build confidence.

Over the past several years, I have worked as an elementary teacher, student counselor, and social science teacher, helping students develop academically, socially, and emotionally. I enjoy designing creative and interactive activities that encourage curiosity, participation, and positive relationships among children and youth.

I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Leadership (Education) at Trinity Western University in British Columbia. I also hold a Master’s degree in Sociology and have completed certifications in Standard First Aid & CPR-C and the Responsible Adult Course.

I am known for being patient, caring, organized, and supportive, and I enjoy working with families and children from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially newcomer communities. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, walking, hiking, spending time outdoors, and exploring activities that support a healthy and balanced lifestyle.