Teachers

Sherri Birdsell- Director, Teacher (B.Ed, ISTD)
Happy Heart Playschool was created under the direction of Sherri Birdsell. The program grew from her love of children as well as passion for teaching. Sherri has spent 13 years with Edmonton Public schools. In this time she wrote curriculum for Elementary Dance, managed the Elementary Dance Department at Victoria School and developed programming for two other schools in the district. She has taught dance to students of all ages as well as teaching grade 1, grade 2 and grade 5 homeroom classes. Her experiences and observations with children in the school system as well as her personal experiences with her own children have greatly influenced her development of the “Happy Heart Playschool” at DanceCo.

After a very successful first year Sherri is happy to have two new teachers joining the Happy Heart team. Kelti Rees will be teaching the Tuesday Thursday Program. Audri Kowalyk will be working with both teachers to assist the program as well as being the official ‘substitute’ teacher.

Kelti Rees- Teacher (B.Ed, ISTD)
Kelti comes to Happy Heart with a wealth of experience and background in Early Childhood Education. Kelti was with Edmonton Catholic schools for 10 years. In this time she taught both Kindergarten and Grade 1. Her interactive, experiental and fun filled classes made her a favorite amongst all students! Kelti has two young children of her own; her youngest having taken her first prechool year at Happy Heart! Kelti also holds major accreditations with the ISTD syllables of dance.

Audri Kowalyk- Teacher (B.Ed)
Audri is not only a highly qualified, brilliant teacher, she comes to Happy Heart with 10 years of experience with St. Albert Schools. She is a Biology major and was the Science Department head in her school for 8 years. Audri continues to stay connected with her passion for Science writing Forensic Science Resources (curriculum, books and exams) for various school boards as well as Alberta Learning. She also stays busy with her two children.

“ No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure” – Emma Goldmann