Lorie Popovits,  ECEIII, Executive Director

I have been the Executive Director at MMLC since October of 2001.  In 1999 I went back to ACC to complete my Childcare Management Certificate. Over the years I have taken various workshops to ensure that I grow professionally. I have lived in Brandon for 46 years. I have been married to Geoffrey for almost 43 years. We have 2 daughters, 2 sons in law, 4 grandchildren and a dog named Lucy. I graduated from the childcare program in 1989. After graduation, I worked in the infant room at Children's Den for 10 ½ years and I love every minute of my time with the infants. In September of 1999, I went back to college to take my Childcare Administration Certificate. In October of 2000 I became the Executive Director of Brandon Kids Centre. Together with my Board of Directors we turned the Kids Centre into the non-profit Magical Memories Learning Centre. When I am not working, you can find me at my trailer in the summer reading and relaxing. I love to spend time with my family whenever possible.

Tonya Sisson, ECEIII ,Assistant Director

I am the assistant director. I graduated from the ECE program from TRU in Kamloops, BC in 2002. I started working at MMLC in 2006 as a CCA (BC certificate didn’t transfer to Manitoba) then went back to school and graduated from ACC with my Early Childhood Education diploma in 2010. When I was ready to further my education, I started taking courses through distance education and graduated with my Early Childhood Program Management Diploma in 2019. I am married to Mike and we have 4 amazing children between us, 3 boys and 1 girl. We love to do as much camping as possible in the summer and enjoy being around a campfire with family and friends. I hate the cold, so in winter I enjoy being indoors where it is warm reading, playing games, doing puzzles, and recently started teaching myself how to crochet.  

Kerri Clearsky, ECE II, Supervisor

I am the supervisor at Magical Memories. I graduated from ACC with my ECE II in 1997. I grew up in the small towns of Oak River and Cardale. I moved to Waywayseecappo where I worked in the daycare there for 6 years. I moved to Brandon in January of 2006 and started working at Magical Memories in September of 2006. I have 4 daughters with only 1 still living at home with me. I also have 10 grandchildren, 6 boys and 4 girls. When I have spare time, I enjoy being with my family and friends, watching tv, baking and just doing nothing.  


 

Please meet the staff of MMLC

Staff

Marleena    ECE II

I am an ECE II from Ontario where I completed my diploma at Fanshawe College.  Ever since I was 10 years old I've been working along side children.  It started with teaching skating, doing leadership camps and babysitting.  Then running a child room at a fitness gym, then taking my course and working as a nanny, and then working full time in a full french daycare.  I have been an educator at Magical Memories Learning Centre since September 19, 2022.  I have a dog named Maui and a cat named Wally. I have 3 wonderful nephews Mason, Rowan, and Colt. In my free time I enjoy watching some shows and Disney movies. I am very athletic and have been on the Canadian National team for dragon boating.  I chose to work with children because I love making connections with them where they cannot see me for a few days and when they come back, we still have the same connection.

Harpreet    ECE II

I have been working as an ECE II since February 2021.  I joined MMLC in April 2023.  I have completed my ECE two-year diploma from Fanshawe College. I started in this field in 2019 and I am so proud to be a part of it. I want to grow professionally more in this field so I can provide children with the best.

Amanda   EC Assistant in training

I work in the pre-k room .  I have worked at MMLC for 3 years. have one beautiful daughter who has a partial left-hand amputee. I enjoy working with children and seeing their adorable little smiling faces every day.  I have been working in the childcare field going on 15 years. I am currently working on upgrading my skills as an Early Childhood Educator II through distance education courses at Assiniboine Community College. When I am not working, I enjoy scrapbooking, karaoke, bubble baths and being outdoors in the summer with friends and family. I look forward to working with you and your family.

Manpreet  ECE III

I have been working in this field since 2020 December.  I graduated from Herzing College in Montreal with Early Childhood Education.  I’ve been employed at Magical Memories since April 2023. I’m an Early Childhood Educator level three and I am very passionate and dedicated to this field. I enjoy working with the children in blue room and love being able to provide them with new and exciting adventures. I’m very family oriented, I love spending as much time as possible. I enjoy music and animals. I have two beautiful dogs back home that are waiting for my next visit.

Lovepreet  (Love)ECE II

I am from Punjab, India and moved to Canada to further my studies. I went to Northern College for Early Childhood Education Program.  I have been working here since May 2023.  I love this field because I love helping kids to learn and grow and become good people.  I strive to make a difference in the lives of tomorrows decision makers by teaching and taking care of them. 

Kimberly  ECE II

I have been in childcare for over 30 years.  I received my ECE diploma in 2007.   I have been working at Magical Memories for over 10 years.  I love working with the children. 

I have 4 sons, 2 foster sons and 8 grandchildren.

I really enjoy my job and seeing the children learn and grow.

Rajveer  ECE II

I moved to Canada in 2019 for my higher studies.  I graduated from Fanshawe College, London Ontario in 2020 with two years diploma in Early Childhood Education.  In 2021 I moved to Winnipeg and worked as an ECE II for 2 years.  It’s been 4 years since I have been a part of this field. My first day at MMLC was 24th April 2023 and I really appreciate that I got the opportunity to be a part of this team. I love spending time with children. I feel so inspired and encouraged in this profession and it always feels like family to me.

 Stephanie.  ECEII

I am an ECE II. I graduated from ACC in 2008 and have been in the industry for a long time. I love listening to classical music and play classical music every morning for the children. It is very calm and soothing for everyone. I like to play the piano, my ultimate favorite is watching live theatre plays and ballet like The Nutcracker symphony. I am also a mother of two beautiful daughters. I have been with Magical Memories since forever and here is where I feel most at home. The staff are very understanding and care for one another and the children are absolutely wonderful.


Barb , Early Childhood Assistant

 I am a floater at MMLC, so I am able to spend some time with most children at the Centre.

I am the mother of an adult daughter. I have 2 dogs. I lived several years in Germany. Playing musical instruments and gardening are my favorite hobbies.

Haley , ECEII

 I graduated from ACC in 1997 with my ECE II. I then moved to Ontario with my fiancé (got married in 1999) where I worked as a nanny and then as an ECE II in a couple of daycares in Oakville, ONT.

I had my first son Dylan in 1999 in Hamilton, Ont. We then moved back to Brandon, MB in 2001 and in 2002 we had our second son Jacob. I ran a home-based daycare for 2 years then branched out to another career track for the last 16 years. And now I am back doing what I love the most, Childcare!!

Originally, I am from Rossburn, MB and I come from a family of 6 kids. I also have 3 step siblings and a half sister. I come from a very musical background, and I love singing. I also love gardening and canning as a seasonal hobby. Last but not least I have two beautiful dogs at home Odin and Freya who are siblings that we adopted from the Brandon Humane Society.

Courtney , ECE II

 I am a level II Early Childhood Educator who loves her job and her Centre. I’ve been working in the field for 15 years now. I come from a somewhat big family that consists of my mom, 6 sisters, 2 brothers-in-law and a total of 9 nieces and nephews. I enjoy cooking, watching hockey, and love nature and what it has to offer us.

Amanda  ECE II

 I’ve been an Early Childhood Educator for 16 years. I have lots of experience and enjoy working with children. I’ve been employed at MMLC since 2019 and have enjoyed my time here. I’m 36 years old, own two cats, happily married with two children. I love to read, learn, sleep, watch my shows and spend as much time with family as possible.

Rajvir ECEII.

I am originally from Punjab, India.

I graduated from Assiniboine Community College with my diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2021. I have been working in childcare since 2019.  I started at MMLC as a student in 2019 and have been here ever since.