2025-2026 AECEO Provincial Board of Directors
The AECEO is a member driven organization with elected voluntary Board of Directors. It is the role of the Provincial Office Staff to implement, support and maintain the services, policies, and directives as dictated by the Board and fundamentally by its members, within the scope of the Association’s mission and mandate.
PRESIDENT
Shailja Jain MEd, RECE, PhD Candidate
Shailja Jain is a registered early childhood educator who has experience working with children ages 0-6 years. Shailja is currently a PhD candidate in Critical Policy, Equity and Leadership Studies in Education at the University of Western Ontario. Her research focuses on gender expansive and trans affirmative pedagogy in the early years. Shailja is also a Professor and Coordinator in the School of Early Childhood at George Brown College. She teaches courses focusing on anti-racism in the early years, infant and child development, field practice seminar as well as a variety of other topics. Shailja delivers professional development workshops for the sector in different contexts.
Shailja is committed to the sector of early childhood education. She is passionate about disrupting systemic barriers that early childhood educators face. She is also very passionate about the importance of gender inclusivity in early childhood education. Shailja believes that advocacy is so important in the ECEC sector, and the AECEO does an amazing job of raising the voices of ECEs and fighting for decent working conditions and equity for educators, children, and their families. Shailja has served as Board President for the past two years and also serves on the Governance committee, Statement and Policy committee as well as the committee that produces the eceLINK.
TREASURER
Jose Barbosa RECE
Jose Barbosa is an experienced Registered Early Childhood Educator with a deep passion for the field of Early Childhood Education. Graduating from George Brown College in 2007, Jose has dedicated the past 16 years to providing quality care for children and advocating for the rights and well-being of childcare workers. Jose's career began on the floor as an ECE, where he honed his skills and expertise for the first 11 years. During this time, he spent 9 years at Ferncliff Daycare and After School Group, a non-profit childcare center in Toronto. His commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for children made him a valued member of the Ferncliff team. Presently and for the past five years, Jose has served as the Assistant Director at Ferncliff Daycare, consistently making a positive impact. In addition to his administrative duties, he has demonstrated unwavering dedication in fostering a welcoming and supportive work environment for his staff daily. In addition to his work at Ferncliff, Jose has actively participated in the Early Childhood Education community. He served on the Executive Board of CUPE 2484 for five years as the Secretary Treasurer, gaining valuable skills in budgeting and financial management within a non-profit organization. Jose has also collaborated with the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) and the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) on various campaigns, advocating for quality, non-profit care for all children and fair working conditions and pay for childcare workers across the province and country.
SECRETARY
Jane Cervi (she/her) RECE, MA
Jane Cervi is a dedicated and experienced Early Childhood Educator (RECE) who strongly believes in advocating for fellow educators, children, and families in Ontario, with a career spanning over 25 years. She graduated from Niagara College with an Early Childhood Education diploma in 1998. Committed to advancing her expertise, Jane pursued further education and earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University. Jane’s extensive background includes hands-on experience in early childhood education as well as leadership roles. Her research interests focus on childhoods in nature and child care development, with a particular emphasis on the expansion of child care services in Ontario within priority neighbourhoods. Her work reflects a commitment to improving and expanding early childhood education, making her a valuable contributor to the field.
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Joy .O. Adeola B.S.C Accounting, A.T,S.(I.C.A.N), RECE
I'm a registered early childhood educator with a diploma from Seneca College, a Bachelor's degree from Ambrose Ali University Nigeria and A.T.S member of Institute of chartered accountants of Nigeria. I've been working with children and families in formal settings for over 15 years. Initially when I joined the field in Canada my philosophy was, “I believe children in their early stages of development need positive guidance. Young children have potential, and they need parents, caregivers and educators that will help bring out those potentials. I believe I can make a positive contribution by being a good role model and by guiding them. My goal is to listen, observe, interact with children, teachers and families. To understand their world and be able to acquire more skills to work with them and bring out the best in them.” Over the years with my experience in working with the field and how much I've come to realize that educators are not valued as they should. I've added advocacy for people that care for children to my philosophy "because only valued and healthy educators can nurture and bring out the best in children.'' I believe ECE is an evolving field and give my support to the board in any positive way in moving AECEO forward as it continues to make a better place for people that care for children and for the children.
Tina Dhiman RECE
Tina received her Early Childhood Education diploma from Seneca Polytechnic College. Currently she is a registered RECE. Tina showed a strong dedication to her area throughout her academic career by actively participating in a number of initiatives meant to improve learning environments and practices. She was able to gain vital leadership and organizing abilities as well as a thorough awareness of student concerns and institutional processes through her position as a board member of the Seneca Student Federation.
Tina is committed to changing the early childhood education landscape for the better. She is especially committed to handling urgent problems including raising wages fairly, addressing the persistent difficulties of personnel shortages, and enhancing working conditions for teachers. Her commitment to these issues stems from her conviction that a nurturing and resource-rich atmosphere is necessary for the success of both teachers and students.
Tina offers a young and vibrant viewpoint. She is excited to bring her knowledge and enthusiasm to the Board of Directors, and to work with other industry professionals to put practical ideas into practice. Tina is dedicated to creating an environment in education that puts the growth and well-being of teachers and young students first, guaranteeing a better future for the early childhood education sector.
Elena Ivachtchenko RECE, B.A.
Elena obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Early Years Pedagogy and Psychology abroad in 1997. She moved to Canada in 2000. In 2012, she earned the Recognition of Equivalency Certificate through the AECEO and became registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Before joining the Toronto District School Board, Elena worked in various childcare settings, including PLASP Child Care Services. Currently, she is employed in the Full Day Kindergarten program. Elena is passionate about advocating for the recognition of Early Childhood Educators as highly qualified professionals across different sectors in the field. Elena believes that the AECEO is more than just an organization; it is a strong and supportive community for every educator who is passionate about their profession. She firmly believes that working conditions and standards should be improved for the benefit of the profession. By becoming a member of the Board of Directors, she hopes to learn from fellow passionate professionals, enhance her leadership skills, and contribute to meaningful changes in the field. Elena's motto is, "The children in Canada deserve more!" She is also an aspiring children's author, writing stories about kindergartens that address diverse needs and celebrate children's interests and talents. Although her manuscripts are not yet published, she believes that anything is possible. Residing in Etobicoke, Ontario, Elena enjoys books, laughter, and an active lifestyle.
Sherry Lickers RECE, AECEO.C Indigenous Seneca Nation
I have been working in the field for 44 years as Teacher on the floor, coordinator Child and Family centre/supervisor, College professor, ECE in School board. I’m Passionate for the field and advocating for RECE and everyone who works in the Field. I’m passionate for all families and Children providing space for quality care. I worked on the wage working group for better wages for ECE. I believe I have lots of knowledge and sharing to give to all who are interested in this fight. I am a mother of 3 adult men and Grandmother of 2 children. In my spare time I enjoy sewing and skating and baseball.
Nicola Maguire RECE, B.A., MA ECS
Nicola is proud to be a Registered Early Childhood Educator and has been part of the sector for over 30 years. In addition to being a RECE, Nicola also completed an Hon. BA in Early Childhood Leadership and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Nicola has held many roles in the sector throughout her career, including more than 13 years as a direct-contact RECE and Centre Supervisor. Currently, she is the Director of Research & Pedagogical Leadership at the Learning Enrichment Foundation and has also held roles at George Brown College in the School of Early Childhood as part time faculty, field liaison, and research assistant. With a focus on outdoor play and deepening relationships with the land, Nicola has appreciated opportunities to share her knowledge, and learn alongside, audiences spanning from local to international levels and a variety of stakeholders. Drawing on her combined experiences enables Nicola to consider multiple perspectives when developing strategies for advocacy, visibility, and leadership within the sector. Her current knowledge and experience with key issues impacting the sector today ensures she is well-equipped to contribute to the AECEO Board of Directors. Nicola is grateful for the two terms she has served with the BOD. Taking inspiration from her own early childhood experiences on the land and with the arts, Nicola weaves these into her daily work.
In her personal life, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family, friends, and animals, hiking and enjoying music.
Nidhi Menon B.Sc. MSc, M.S, OCT, Ph.D.
Dr. Nidhi Menon is an Assistant Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of New Brunswick. She is also a contract faculty in the school of Early Childhood Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. Nidhi received her doctoral degree in Social Justice Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Her academic journey in Early Childhood Education started in India where she received her M.Sc. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Madras, and subsequently went on to complete a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa in the United States. Nidhi has worked in a variety of early childhood education and childcare settings in India, the United States and Canada. As an immigrant and woman of colour, Nidhi is passionate about working with young children, families and educators who identify as marginalized. Her research interests have a social justice focus which she brings into her teaching, and community outreach activities. In her research, she uses marginalized feminist perspectives to understand the lived resettlement experiences of young refugee children and families. She also leads a community of practice with Early Childhood Educators working with newcomer families and children to support and practice advocacy in the early childhood sector. She believes in the power of advocacy to bring about systemic change for and with Early Childhood Educators to receive the compensation they deserve for their professional work.
Sarah Qandah Nazarenko (she/her), RECE
Sarah Qandah Nazarenko graduated from Algonquin College in 2006 with a diploma in Early Childhood Education. She has worked as an educator since, moving between Florence Child Care and home childcare and is now full time in the Preschool Program at Florence Child Care in Ottawa. Florence Child Care has a focus on emergent, play based education and outdoor learning. Sarah is currently pursuing her BA part-time in Childhood and Youth Studies at Carleton University. As a first generation Canadian of biracial heritage, she feels strongly that children should be valued for the entirety of who they are, and advocates for an inclusive lens that holds the intersections of race, gender, class and ability when creating spaces for children. Her current action research is in land-based pedagogy with a focus on sustainable practices that honour Indigenous ways of knowing. She is currently enrolled in a certificate program, communities of practice and active learning alongside the preschoolers she cares for. Advocacy is at the heart of her work, believing that children have the right to quality, safe, and inclusive early education. Fair compensation and decent working environments for educators is pivotal to providing inclusive, accessible, quality childcare in Ontario. Over her 20 years as an educator, she has watched too many colleagues leave the profession due to low wages, lack of access to affordable childcare for their own children and disillusionment with the state of childcare in Ontario. She desires to see educators valued, respected and empowered to provide quality education for our children. “The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.” James Baldwin
Fred Seabrook (they/them), RECE, H. BA, MA
My name is Fred Seabrook (they/them), I’m a white settler and an RECE with an honours bachelor degree in Early Childhood Leadership and a Master's of Art in Education and Curriculum Studies. I’ve been an RECE for the last 8 years and have worked in the childcare sector for over a decade. My experience spans childcare centres, full day kindergarten, professional learning, pre-service training, and advocacy. I co-lead EYALondon, an organization dedicated to respect, fair wages and decent work for all educators - this includes the rights of educators to speak up for themselves and others as part of their everyday pedagogies in the workplace. I often describe myself as an early childhood anarchist, a nod to the perceived chaos of working in the sector and a reflection of my community-building work and aspiration to equity-based liberatory pedagogies, community care and mutual aid. I believe in the positive change this organization strives to make for ECEs, children, families, and communities and I bring a strong background in policy analysis, critical discourse, and project coordination. These are assets when collaborating on decisions related to policy, finance, human resources, and strategic planning.
Jacky Sheppard RECE, AECEO.C, NNEB, RT
I have taken an active role in the sector for close to 45 years! I owned and operated my own school for 31 years having previously set up a parent coop. I am a member of the Ministers Advisory Ontario for CWELCC. Started a support network in Peel 20 years ago which turned into PRIVATE OPERATORS GROUP in the last 3 years. Mentor with the College of Early Childhood and since retiring actively consulting in Ontario. I’m passionate about training and teach virtually and in person. Love working with new operators and supervisors sharing my ideas and passion where I can. I’m a member in good standing with the College of ECE. I have my certification with the AECEO and my NNEB from the UK. I have my RT from Humber College which I put into good use with Special Education training.
Jamie Wagler (she/her) RECE, OCT, BA Psychology
My name is Jamie Wagler and I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) with a BA in Psychology. I am currently the full-time Supervisor at Stratford Cygnets Nursery School and Chair of the School Council at Anne Hathaway Public School. With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, I am deeply committed to creating high-quality, inclusive, and empowering environments for children and educators. I am the founder of Miss Jamie Consulting, where I design and facilitate professional development workshops across Canada—both in person and virtually—focused on supporting educators, especially those in before and after school programs. I have presented in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario, and I am currently leading a four-part series in Chatham from fall 2025 through summer 2026. I also host The Forgotten ECE Podcast, a space dedicated to amplifying the often-overlooked voices of ECEs. I believe deeply in the power of our profession and the importance of advocating for those working in diverse and underrepresented settings. I bring strengths in compliance leadership, systems thinking, and professional mentorship, and I am passionate about building psychologically safe, joyful workplaces where educators feel seen, supported, and valued. As a leader, I listen with empathy, act with integrity, and speak up for change. I care about equity, inclusion, and the sustainability of our sector. I bring my energy, experience, and unwavering commitment to advancing the AECEO’s mission and supporting educators across the province.
Amy Williams, RECE, M.A. (she/her)
Amy is a proud Registered Early Childhood Educator. She earned an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership from Fanshawe College and an M.A. in Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies from Western University. Her research in her undergraduate degree focused on the co-design of an early years policy framework prototype based in London and its surrounding area. Her master's thesis examined how early years professionals in Ontario understand and enact anti-racist practices in licensed child care settings, and how whiteness shapes their capacity to do so. Her research, teaching, and pedagogical interests focus on early years advocacy and policy, building strong family partnerships, promoting anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices in early childhood settings, advancing equity and social justice education, and emphasizing the vital role of community.
Amy works full-time as an EarlyON and Family Centre Supervisor in London's Family Centre Service System and brings extensive experience working in EarlyON, non-profit organizations, child care, and other early years settings. She also works as a part-time professor at Fanshawe College in the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree program and Early Childhood Education diploma program. Amy believes that the AECEO serves as a catalyst for change in Ontario's early years' sector, as it works to amplify early years professionals' voices. As an AECEO board member for the past two years, she has actively advocated alongside her local early years community. She will continue her work with the AECEO’s board by elevating the importance of reconceptualizing the field of early childhood education and care as one that is not only publicly funded, high quality, anti-racist, and inclusive, but also supports professional wages and better working conditions for its workforce.