Educators Bios

Please meet our wonderful Educators. These ladies are the heart of the Centre. They work hard everyday to bring their caring energy and great ideas to make The Growing Trees care and education top notch!

Brandi Smith

Brandi is Owner of The Growing Tree. She has been in the Childcare field for 30yrs and took her ECE right here in Kamloops. Brandi also holds her Montessori Educator diploma and strives to bring new and fun experiences into the classroom. You will see her teaching the running the 3-5 program. Brandi is a mother of 2 and has owned and operated her own centre for over 10yrs.Brandi loves spending time doing crafts with her children and spoiling her puppies.

Angela Geuder

Angela is Owner and a great asset to the Growing Tree as she brings her vast knowledge of Montessori teaching with a blend of creativity. She has been in the field for almost 20 yrs, holding her ECE Certificate, Infant/toddler, Special needs Diploma and Montessori Diploma. You can find Angela running the infant/Toddler program. Angela spends a lot of her free time with her horses, her husband, her 3 beautiful daughters and little Granddaughter , not to mention her numerous pets.

Penny is a lovely addition to our Infant/Toddler program. She has many years experience and is incredibly sweet to all the staff and children, you will always see a smile on her face. She holds her ECE Certificate and is always eager to bring new creative art and activities to the program, she also has a love for the outdoors and will spend time, rain or shine, exploring with the children. Penny is a Mom and a Grandma and her love of the profession is obvious as soon as you meet her.

April Stanoievici

April works in our 3-5room and helps run our busy preschool program. April has tons of experience having run her own day home childcare centre for years before relocating to Kamloops. April holds her ECE and Infant/toddler Diploma and it really shows in her ability to bring exciting learning experiences in to the classroom. April is also a Mom of 2 who easily expresses her love and enjoyment with the children at the centre.

Penny Milos

Carly Hanson

Carly is one of our amazing preschool teachers. She holds an ECE diploma and runs one of the 3-5 Programs. She is a very versatile team member and excels at working easily with all age groups. Carly is always fair and understanding with all the children in her care and creates lasting bonds. Carly is also a wonderful mother and it shows in her patience with the children in her program.

Derrika Harrison

Derrika is a hardworking team member and has grown up around the profession. She is a vital part of our Infant/Toddler team and holds an ECE Diploma. She has a quiet and kind disposition and is a wonderful Mother which is a great help when working with the all the children. Derrika has shown over the past few years that she is a natural in the field and brings so many fun and creative things for the toddlers to experience.

Allison Dawe

Allison is our amazing assistant who keeps everyone laughing throughout the day. She has completed several courses towards her ECE Diploma and plans to continue her education while working for the Growing Tree. Allie has a ton of enthusiasm and helps out in all programs. If you see someone dancing and entertaining the children you can be sure it is probably Allison.

Diane is a part time ECE who works primarily in the infant/toddler program. Diane has many years experience and owned and ran a very successful preschool in the past. Diane has a lovely voice and we can often hear her coming down the halls singing her favorite songs. Diane has been a wonderful addition to our centre.

Diane Platz