Originally from New York, Lara had lived in England and several other countries before making Calgary her home eight years ago. Living and travelling in different parts of the world has given her an appreciation for different cultures and helped shape her warm and welcoming approach to working with children and families. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in English Education (TESOL), and has spent nearly a decade working with children in early education, preschool, kindergarten, and out-of-school care settings. From a young age, Lara knew she wanted to work with children. She began babysitting in high school and was always drawn to opportunities to support younger children through tutoring and a variety of mentoring and volunteer activities. Those early experiences sparked a passion that has stayed with her ever since and led her to a career she truly loves. Lara loves creating environments where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn, play, and have fun. She enjoys getting to know each child’s unique personality and believes that building strong relationships with children and their families is one of the most rewarding parts of her work. Watching children grow in confidence, discover new interests, and celebrate their accomplishments is what she loves most about being an educator. Outside of work, Lara enjoys travelling, spending time with her husband and friends, staying active, and exploring new places whenever she has the chance. She is excited to be joining the TOPP KIDS team and looks forward to getting to know the children and families while creating a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Holy Child School.