The College is pleased to welcome new and returning members to Council representing the Toronto Region (District 5) and Hamilton / Niagara Region (District 7). Council members will serve for a three-year term starting June 2025.
The 24-person Council governing the College oversees policy development and makes decisions related to entry-to-practice requirements, ethical and professional standards, professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity.
As an employer, if you’d like to learn more about the election process and the role of Council, you can read our article from the Fall 2024 issue of the Employer Newsletter.
Please join us in congratulating our new and returning Council members:
Katherine Begley – District 5
Katherine (Katie) is a professor at the University of Guelph. For the past three years, Katie has served on the Council and on various committees within the College throughout her term. “This experience, combined with my 14 years of post-secondary teaching experience in ECE, provides me with current knowledge of the ECE field as well as insight into challenges that new professionals entering the field may be experiencing, which can have a direct impact on the children and families within our province.”
Laurel Higgins – District 5
Laurel (Laurie) is a professor in Early Childhood Education at Seneca Polytechnic. She brings extensive experience in the areas of curriculum, ethics, family resources and music. “My unique insights and lived experiences will contribute and complement those of the existing Council members, helping shape the future of early childhood education. The bonus will be that I am able to connect with like-minded professionals and gain new leadership skills along the way.”
Rick Nankissoor – District 5
Rick is a manager at Centennial College with the Child Care Lab School. Having worked in lab schools,community-based child care, unionized settings on both sides, teaching future RECEs and mentoring for the College of Early Childhood Educators, Rick has a well-rounded view on the many layers and intricacies of the ECE field. “I’ve been a part of many facets in the child care and early learning field since my first position as an ECA in 1991. I’ve been in this sector for over three decades and have seen the amazing evolution and changes. Living in Toronto all my life and working in a variety of settings and demographics influenced my passion for this field.”
Samia Javed – District 7
Samia is a doctoral student researching how leadership, growth and capacity-building of Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) within Ontario public school boards impact our youngest learners. Samia is an RECE who works for the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board in Early Intervention. “I bring over 15 years of experience as a dedicated educator and advocate, fostering inclusive relationships with children and families, teaching and mentoring post-secondary early years students, and building meaningful connections within diverse communities.”