Our Team
Diverse and unique, our team pours love and dedication into everything they do. Their lived experiences enrich our culture and strengthen our community.
Operations and Community Cultivators
Rebecca Ashton
After nearly 25 years in the interior design and construction project management industry, Rebecca set herself a new challenge—to create something lasting and meaningful. Drawing on her design expertise, she envisioned spaces that nurture both children and educators, places where beauty, belonging, and purpose come together. With a strong belief in collaboration, she is building a team of passionate, like-minded educators who share her vision that community is essential to raising capable, happy children.
As a leader, Rebecca sees her role as one of service—supporting her team so they are well cared for and have everything they need to do their best work. As a mother of two children with learning differences, she is also a dedicated advocate for inclusion and for families with unique needs. Compassionate and forward-thinking, Rebecca turns challenges into opportunities for growth and connection, ensuring Twig + Owl continues to evolve in ways that truly serve today’s families.
Josephine McCordic
Known affectionately as Twig + Owl’s “Child Whisperer,” Josephine has a way with children that feels almost magical. Growing up on the North Shore as the youngest of five, she was surrounded by little ones from an early age — her family fostered children, planting the seeds of her deep compassion, patience, and nurturing spirit.
Her calling led her to Capilano University, where she completed her Early Childhood Education. As one of the founding visionaries behind Twig + Owl, Josephine continues to infuse our community with her gentle joy, innate wisdom, and unwavering kindness.
Josephine invests deeply in collaborating with families to create individualized care plans for children with diverse needs, ensuring every child feels understood, supported, and celebrated. She also has an exceptional ability to guide and uplift her colleagues, fostering a sense of confidence and calm across the team. Her natural connection with children, families, and staff creates an atmosphere of warmth, belonging, and ease that inspires everyone around her.
Lauren Marshall
Lauren has been surrounded by children for as long as she can remember. As the eldest in a large, lively family, caring for little ones came naturally. Whether she’s chatting with toddlers or teens, Lauren’s warmth and playful spirit draw people in. Children feel safe with her, as she listens, meets them where they are at, and makes everyone feel seen and valued.
Her ability to communicate with families is equally remarkable. Lauren brings empathy, understanding, and genuine care to every conversation., ensuring parents feel supported and informed. Behind her approachable nature lies a strong sense of dedication and organization. She ensures we comply with licensing and safety protocols, and all the details that help our programs run smoothly.
A lifelong friend of Josephine's and a fellow Capilano University graduate in Early Childhood Education, Lauren has been part of Twig + Owl’s story from the very beginning. Her warmth, professionalism, and steady presence continue to nurture the caring, connected community we are so proud to all be a part of.
Infant Toddler Team
Kayla Tabrizi
Kayla brings a fresh perspective and uplifting energy to Twig + Owl. The youngest member of our team, she is also - according to the school age children - the coolest. Children are instantly drawn to her warmth, kindness, and easygoing nature. With the older children especially, she has a rare ability to connect with them where they are at and form bonds that feel like true friendships, while always maintaining the utmost professionalism.
Incredibly hardworking, organized and empathetic, Kayla has earned multiple certifications, including her ECE Infant Toddler and special needs qualification. Her patience and intuition allow her to recognize and celebrate each child’s unique traits, helping them feel seen, understood, and valued.
Originally from Dubai, Kayla moved to North Vancouver during high school. She holds strong family values that she brings to her work each day, creating an atmosphere of care, respect, and belonging.
Marjan Erfanian
Marjan brings a soothing, steady presence that captivates both children and adults. A passionate and dedicated Early Childhood Educator, she has worked across diverse childcare settings and developed an exceptional ability to engage children of all age groups with a calm and grounded approach.
Her commitment to creating inclusive, nurturing environments offers children an inviting space for cognitive, emotional, and social development through play-based experiences. Marjan’s gentle guidance helps the little ones to feel safe, supported, and inspired to discover the world around them.
"Rosie"
Rosemaryam Ghalehgolab "Rosie"
Rosie is a caring and compassionate educator whose calm energy feels magnetic to children and creates an incredibly supportive environment for her team. She earned her Early Childhood Education certification with honours, achieving exceptionally high marks that reflect her dedication and depth of understanding. Rosie loves working with younger children, finding joy in their openness, curiosity, and rapid growth as they soak up the world around them. Her artistic abilities and thoughtful intention shine through in every days programming, inspiring confidence and wonder in every child.
When she graduated, Rosie had many opportunities, yet she chose Twig + Owl—not just for a career, but for a community that feels like family. Her clear sense of work–life balance allows her to bring her very best self to the children each day, while her positive and gracious personality brightens every space she enters.
3-5 Year Team
Marcela Camara
Anyone who meets Marcela quickly discovers the same thing: she’s incredibly positive, always happy and has a laugh that is contagious. Originally from Mexico, she brought her love of learning and nature to Canada, earning her Early Childhood Education degree after raising her daughter and running a biodynamic farming program in Squamish. Those experiences shaped her deep appreciation for holistic, nature-based learning and the magic of curiosity in childhood.
Marcela’s infectious laugh and boundless energy bring joy wherever she goes. Her positive spirit and incredible growth mindset inspire everyone around her — she’s always eager to learn, evolve, and discover new ways to engage children in meaningful experiences. Guided by empathy and creativity, she nurtures each child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual growth, encouraging wonder and confidence in every moment of the day.
Dedicated, joyful, and endlessly curious, Marcela reminds us all of the beauty that comes from learning alongside children and growing together as a community.
Chika Yamada
Chika brings a wealth of experience to Twig + Owl, having earned her ECE IT certification prior to working in childcare for many years before becoming a proud mother of two daughters. She is passionate about play-based, child-led learning and believes deeply in meeting children where they are—creating environments that celebrate each child’s unique personality and interests. Highly organized and efficient, Chika balances structure with a whimsical flow that invites creativity and joy into each day.
A gifted musician and artist, Chika often weaves her love of music, ukulele, drumming, and the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira into her programs, enriching children’s experiences through rhythm and movement. Born in Japan, she may seem reserved at first, but her warm heart and curious spirit quickly make everyone feel at ease. Drawing from both her professional training and her experiences as a mother, Chika creates a nurturing, engaging, and joy-filled space where children feel safe to explore, express, and grow.
Betina Boetger
Betina brings many years of professional experience and personal insight into early childhood. Her charisma and warmth embrace not only the children in her care but everyone around her. She has a special gift for weaving art, music, and nature into early learning experiences, inspiring children to explore, create, and thrive.
With over 20 years of experience in both Canadian and international education, Betina has lived in China and Chile before settling in North Vancouver, where she has worked within our community and raised her two daughters. She holds an education degree and a diploma in actor training from Brazil, as well as Early Childhood Education credentials from Canada.
Betina’s approach blends opportunities for growth with the freedom and joy of play. She guides children through thoughtfully balanced days that nurture curiosity, confidence, and practical social skills, helping them prepare for school and life. Fluent in three languages, she brings a culturally responsive approach to her work, collaborating with creativity and affection. Every child in Betina’s care is truly fortunate to have her as a guide on their learning journey.
School Aged Team
"Azi"
Azadeh Hajiagha “Azi”
Azedah, or as we fondly call her “Azi,” has been the head and heart of our School Age program at Montroyal Elementary since day one. Her loyalty, integrity, and professionalism make her a pillar of strength within our team. Azi takes children’s safety to heart — her calm, steady presence and keen attention to detail ensure every child feels secure, cared for, and truly seen.
Originally from Iran, Azi came to Canada with remarkable perseverance and optimism. While raising two teenage children, she pursued her Early Childhood Education studies and continued to build her career with dedication and positivity. Her strength and determination have guided her family through every new beginning, inspiring everyone around her.
With a background in Geophysics, Azi brings an analytical mind to her work in childcare, blending logic with deep compassion. With a lifelong love of learning, she engages children academically and intellectually, guiding them with warmth, consistency, and affection, and creating a space where they feel safe to explore and grow.
"Jasmine"
Yasaman Lotfi "Jasmine"
There isn’t a child at Twig +Owl who doesn’t see Jasmine as a princess when they meet her. With her long hair, graceful demeanor, and caring way, she brings a sense of calm wherever she goes. Yet beyond her gentle spirit lies an inner strength and determination that makes her truly remarkable.
Jasmine joined Twig + Owl through one of those fortunate encounters — meeting Rebecca during a First Aid and Emergency course and instantly forming a connection. Jasmine has not only earned childcare accreditation, but also completed a Master of Business Administration in Canada. Her ability to balance creativity and professionalism shines through as she moves between supporting children in play and collaborating on Twig + Owl’s growth within the community.
Calm, confident, and adaptable, Jasmine approaches challenges with optimism and grace. Her positivity and excitement for new opportunities inspire children and colleagues alike. With a business mind and a heart rooted in care, she reminds us that great things grow when love and purpose come together.
“Jasmine”
Yasaman Adib “Jasmine”
Jasmine brings a bright, positive energy to Twig + Owl, where her warmth and enthusiasm inspire both children and colleagues. After spending several years in the corporate world, she discovered her true passion in early childhood education—drawn to the joy, curiosity, and authenticity that children bring to each day. She holds her Early Childhood Education Assistant certification and is currently pursuing further studies to deepen her knowledge and practice.
Adventurous by nature, Jasmine loves trying new things and brings that same spirit of exploration into her work. She connects effortlessly with children on their level, encouraging them to discover more about themselves and the world around them with confidence and curiosity. Her boundless energy and genuine love for learning make her a valued member of the Twig + Owl team.
“Lakh”
Lakhvinder Kaur “Lakh”
If you’ve ever wondered what motherhood feels like with triplets at the age of twenty, just ask Lakh. She’ll smile and say softly, “It had its challenges, but it turned out alright.” So alright, in fact, that she later welcomed a fourth child. With a lifetime of nurturing and guiding children, Lakh brings a wealth of experience and calm confidence to our program.
As her own children grew, Lakh felt called to share care beyond her family and into her community. She joined Twig + Owl’s School Age program after gaining certification, and continues to pour her love and attention into every child she meets, while also working with the North Vancouver School District and pursuing her Early Childhood Education Assistant certification.
Known for her incredible patience and ability to form genuine, lasting connections with children, Lakh sets gentle boundaries that help them feel safe, secure, and respected. She collaborates with parents to ensure each child feels understood and supported while being their unique selves. With her big mother’s heart, quiet strength, and unwavering dedication, Lakh helps create the calm, caring environment that defines Twig + Owl.
Cristiana Menichelli
An adventurer at heart, Cristiana was born in Brazil but has always felt that her true home is the world. That is, until she came to Canada. As a young journalist who had never seen snow, she arrived in Nunavut to write a story about the Inuit people and their land — an experience that changed the course of her life and deepened her appreciation for culture, connection, and storytelling.
After years of travelling to distant corners of the world—from Ethiopia to Darjeeling—Cristiana eventually returned to Canada, settling in North Vancouver to raise her two sons. She met Rebecca at Seymour Heights Elementary while their boys attended the Gifted Program, and both mothers and children quickly realized they were kindred spirits.
Cristiana brings a rare ability to combine emotional intelligence, wisdom, and a deep understanding of “the big picture” with a keen eye for the small details. Her curiosity and warmth spark meaningful conversations with people of all ages, embodying the spirit of inquiry-based learning that defines Twig + Owl.
Now certified to work in our School Age program, Cristiana channels her creativity and insight into everything she does—whether embarking on imaginative adventures with children or supporting our team with family engagement and community collaboration. By weaving together experiences and connections, her heart, perspective, and storytelling assist in bringing Twig + Owl’s story to life with warmth and meaning.
Loved by children, trusted by parents
“The Educators are so loved. They make such a difference. They take the time to know and care for the kids. We are grateful for them!”
🧡 - Seymour Heights Parent
“The Educators are approachable, kind, caring and genuinely care and love the children. It would not be the same without them!”
🧡 - Montroyal Parent
“The Educators are so fantastic, warm and friendly.”
🧡 - Seymour Heights Parent