Meet Our Team
Our Team
Ruth Santosham,
BA, B.Ed, ECEA
Sprouts Academy
Founder
As the Sprouts Founder, I love to share the roots of the school, which are inspired by my parents, children, and my grandfather, who said, “Seek first to understand and then be understood.” This idea grew into my building a philosophy towards education that was as unique as every child - a place where individual interests, abilities and learning styles of children are at the forefront of educational programs and teaching intentions. I seek to understand your child.
To make Sprouts the success it is, I believe it is important to surround our students with a dedicated, talented, smart, and diverse team of educators and give them the support and opportunities they need to thrive. From there, we intentionally build a strong and supportive school community. We are a collective group of parents, teachers and extended family who have common goals: to nurture and guide our children and strengthen the community we live in.
I try to ensure I personally take time to experience the students’ joy in play and their moments of discovery. Connection is key. Building friendships, giving a needed hug, taking a quiet moment to talk, listening to questions and ideas with an open mind and being in the presence of our amazing teaching teams, are all part of my fulfilling days at Sprouts. As Sprouts has grown, we have extended the dedication of our community by supporting inspiring organizations like Baby Go Round, Music Heals and Cause We Care.
Now that you have had a peek into who I am, I hope you will take the time to get to know some of our Sprouts educators by reading their fascinating and diverse profiles.
Andrea Azevedo,
ECEA
Sprouts Academy
Operations Director
As the Operations Director at Sprouts Academy, I’m excited to be entering my ninth year with this vibrant and supportive community. My journey at Sprouts began eight years ago when I created a Health and Fitness program for our students—a program that turned out to be such a perfect fit that I quickly transitioned into a full-time role as an educator in our Kinder Sprouts classroom. The joy I found in teaching inspired me to further my education by earning my E.C.E.A. certification and training as an Orton Gillingham Tutor. These qualifications have enabled me to develop a curriculum that is both play-based and sequential, focusing on meeting each child at their own level while fostering a deep love of learning.
Throughout my time at Sprouts, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with children, families, and an incredible team of educators. My approach to education is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a safe, encouraging environment where they can thrive. My motto, "Teach but be teachable," reflects my commitment to remaining flexible and responsive to the unique needs and interests of each child. It’s this thoughtful approach that guides my program planning, allowing me to adapt and switch gears as needed to create the most enriching experiences for our students.
As I transition into the role of Operations Director, I’m excited to continue supporting our academic program and our amazing teaching teams. My goal is to ensure that every child at Sprouts has a rich learning environment and a happy, fulfilling school experience. I believe strongly in the importance of collaboration and community, and I’m committed to building strong relationships within the Sprouts family—whether it’s with students, parents, or my fellow educators.
On a personal note, I’ve called Kitsilano home for the past 22 years, where I live with my husband, our two sons, and our dog, Cooper. When I’m not immersed in the creative minds of Sprouts students, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, creative writing, and walking my dog. I also love exploring the local dining scene, watching movies, and going on sunny vacations.
Fun Fact: I’m well-known for my love of rhyming and can turn anything into a poem or song—just ask the kids! This playful habit brings a lot of joy to the classroom and is one of the many ways I connect with our students.
Now that you’ve had a peek into who I am, I hope you’ll take the time to get to know some of our other Sprouts educators by reading their fascinating and diverse profiles.
Nimi Braich,
ECE, CHRP, GDBA
Sprouts Academy
Managing Partner
Nimi had the opportunity to join Sprouts initially as a class parent in 2021. Through her observations and discussions around Sprout’s opportunities, she made the connection with Ruth who saw value in her business acumen and love of life-long learning.
Nimi holds a CPHR designation, recognizing her expertise and commitment to excellence in Human Resources, and graduated from Simon Fraser University's Segal Graduate School of Business. She also consults while pursuing a career with a national corporation.
Based on her extensive experience in business development, human resources management, strategy innovation, and a Green Belt in Six Sigma Certification - which elevates her lean process management philosophy - she has assisted in a cultural transformation of the school that has helped solidify its success well into the future. “I love solving problems and look at challenges as opportunities. I am here to support Ruth and the warm and personable Sprouts family on admissions and various aspects of business development. I have also had a hand in upgrading marketing and social media strategies to ensure we have healthy and robust communications and can responsibly grow our school community.
I’ve had the opportunity to assist in moving us from a paper-based organization to a more sustainable and technically driven school with formalized Strategic Planning. Nimi’s obvious love of children and her starter career in Early Childhood Education, clearly grounds her in a student-first philosophy.
FUN FACT: Nimi was born in the small town of Campbell River on Vancouver Island.
Susan Reyes,
ECEA
Sprouts Academy
Early Childhood Educator
Susan joins Sprouts Academy as part of the English Language Learners programs, bringing with her a passion for creating safe and nurturing spaces where children can explore, learn, and thrive. Susan now teaches Little Sprouts, Junior Sprouts and ELL.
She holds an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) license and a Bachelor’s degree in Education Sciences. Her career began as a Preschool Teacher Assistant and later as a Second Grade Elementary Teacher. After moving to Canada, Susan expanded her skills with diplomas in Business Communication and Digital Marketing, experiences that enriched her perspective before returning to her true calling in early childhood education.
Susan’s teaching philosophy blends holistic and Montessori approaches. She believes in nurturing the whole child emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually while encouraging independence and curiosity through hands-on exploration.
What she enjoys most about teaching is seeing children gain confidence as they make choices and discover their love of learning. At Sprouts, she feels inspired by the commitment to honoring each child as a unique learner and creating experiences that truly engage them.
Outside the classroom, Susan enjoys camping, exploring the landscapes of BC, and practicing photography.
Fun fact: She has watched the entire Modern Family series at least eight times.
Fernanda Linhares,
ECE
Sprouts Academy
Early Childhood Educator
Fernanda is an Early Childhood Educator at Sprouts Academy, where she teaches Little Sprouts, Junior Sprouts, and English Language Learners. She loves supporting children as they build confidence, independence, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning. For Fernanda, every child is unique, and she believes in guiding them with patience, kindness, and respect so they feel safe to explore, take risks, and discover the joy of learning.
Originally from Brazil, Fernanda completed her Early Childhood Education training at Stenberg College in Vancouver and later studied Marketing Management at BCIT. With over eight years of experience in early childhood education, she has worked in well-established schools where she created nurturing classrooms, built strong connections with families, and collaborated on engaging curriculum. Her earlier career in communications and event management also helped her develop strong organizational and leadership skills that she brings into her teaching.
Fernanda believes children learn best through play, curiosity, and meaningful connections. What she enjoys most about teaching are the “lightbulb” moments when children discover something new, as well as the laughter and creativity they bring into each day. She loves being part of Sprouts’ warm and supportive community, where children, families, and educators grow together.
Outside the classroom, Fernanda enjoys being outdoors, practicing boxing, exploring new places, and spending time with friends and family.
Fun fact: Fernanda speaks both Portuguese and English and enjoys sharing songs and traditions from her culture, often sparking children’s curiosity about the world.
Jordan Ogilvie,
ECE
Sprouts Academy
Nature School
Jordan Will is our primary nature school support teacher , who previously taught our Little Sprouts and Junior Sprouts program. She completed her French immersion program from Kindergarten through Grade 12 and pursued further studies in French and Education at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Jordan later earned her ECE certificate from Vancouver Community College (VCC).
Before joining the early childhood education field, Jordan spent most of her professional career in the dental industry, managing an office and focusing on patient education, with an emphasis on oral health for all ages.
As an ECE professional, Jordan takes a strengths-based approach, valuing each child as a unique individual. She believes in fostering clear communication and strong partnerships with families, while advocating for the child's right to play. Jordan aims to create a respectful, supportive, and inclusive environment where children can thrive. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes an engaging and responsive emergent curriculum, offering children opportunities to learn through play and fostering a connection to the natural world.
Jordan enjoys teaching because she values learning as an interactive process, where children’s curiosity and input often lead to profound discoveries and moments of pure joy. She feels privileged to be part of that developmental journey.
At Sprouts Academy, Jordan appreciates the focus on growth and evolution, both individually and as a community.
In her free time, Jordan enjoys trail running, hiking with her dog, and exploring new coffee shops. A fun fact about Jordan is her love for backcountry hiking and camping. She proudly shared this experience with the next generation by taking a 9-month-old on a multi-day backcountry trip!
Ali Brennan,
ECE
Sprouts Academy
Ali's educational journey is diverse, having studied Event Marketing and Canadian Studies before pursuing Langara's Early Childhood Education program.
In terms of professional experience, Ali has a strong background in working with children. This includes running cooking classes tailored to kids and volunteering with the Girl Guides of Canada. These experiences have given her valuable insights into fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for young learners.
Ali's teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that every child is a capable, strong, and resilient individual. She emphasizes the importance of providing an open and understanding atmosphere where children can explore, make mistakes, and kindle their innate curiosity for learning and personal growth. Ali is passionate about enabling children to discover their unique path and believes in the power of building connections between peers, families, and the community. These connections, she believes, play a pivotal role in helping children develop into their best selves.
One of Ali's most rewarding aspects of being an ECE professional is the opportunity to learn alongside the children. Witnessing those "ah-ha" moments when a skill they've been honing finally clicks into place is a source of immense joy for her.
Ali has a strong affinity for the Sprouts community. She appreciates the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the staff, families, and children. Additionally, she values the diversity of programs offered at Sprouts, which provides a multifaceted learning experience all under one roof.
Outside of her work at Sprouts, Ali enjoys various activities in her free time. She is a creative soul who loves to paint, craft, and bake. Additionally, she's a fan of baseball and can often be found watching games. Music is another integral part of Ali's life, as she frequently sings to herself.
A fun fact about Ali is that her hair has sported every colour of the rainbow, reflecting her vibrant and dynamic personality.
Mariko Hashimoto,
ECE
Sprouts Academy
Early Childhood Educator
Mariko began in the Early Childhood Education field in Japan, where she taught for seven years. Following her move to Canada, she has five years of ECE to her credit – three of those years being here with us at Sprouts.
Her love of learning and teaching is ingrained in creativity, flexibility, patience and great communication skills.
She believes learning outside has a significant impact for children. Especially, hands on experiences with materials from nature. Mariko allows the children the time to collaborate with their her and each other, which generates organic and exciting opportunities to create and play. What she most loves about teaching is watching children grow and change while she learns something every day.
Her passion for teaching at Sprouts is rounded out with great teamwork. “Our team supports each other all the time, which makes me feel everyone is a part of the ‘Sprouts’ family.”
When she isn’t in class she is in nature. She and her husband often walk our wonderful parks or fish and camp in the Summer months. In Winter she brings her snowshoes out. Always creating, Mariko loves to handmake jewelry with real flowers and resin.
Fun fact: Her cat Tofino is an exploration buff who goes everywhere with Mariko. From hiking trails to a great camp spot, a tug boat ride or of course a snowshoe trail... keep an eye out for Tofino.
Jillian Burke,
ECE
Sprouts Academy
Early Childhood Educator
Jillian Burke has supported nearly every program at Sprouts Academy, from Nature School to ELL, and has taught, subbed, or participated in most of our classrooms. Her flexible and creative approach has made her a valued part of our teaching team, and she now steps into a new role as a floater, continuing to bring her warmth and energy wherever she goes.
Originally from Israel, Jillian is a graduate of Haifa University and has a background in special needs education. Her journey in early learning began through training at smaller educational facilities, where she developed a passion for child-led, nature-based teaching. She is now expanding her studies in Early Childhood Education here in BC, and is especially inspired by programs like Educating the Heart through Nature Art.
Jillian brings a rich blend of experience, including roles in camp management, support work, and as an inclusion counselor. She’s worked with programs like Pedalheads, The Eucalyptus Kids, and Kol Hadassa Child Development Program—each one adding to her diverse toolkit as an educator. With a background in theatre production and performance, Jillian’s classrooms are infused with creativity and expression.
As an educator, she believes in taking the time to understand each child individually, adapting her approach to spark curiosity and those special “aha” moments of discovery. She encourages children to explore deeply, ask questions, and form meaningful connections with the world around them.
What Jillian loves most is seeing those moments when a child’s face lights up with understanding. Being part of the Sprouts community, especially through our nature program and small-group settings, has allowed her to form strong connections with both students and staff.
Fun fact: Outside the classroom, Jillian can be found dancing, performing, or collaborating on local theatre projects. She’s even trained in fire dancing and 2D animation, proof that her creativity truly knows no bounds!
Nancy O’Neil
Sprouts Academy
Classroom Teacher, Junior and Senior Kindergarten
At Sprouts Academy, Nancy O’Neil teaches the Junior and Senior Kindergarten classes, bringing with her a robust educational background. She holds honors diplomas in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Human Services Work (HSW) from Okanagan College, along with two diplomas with distinction in Montessori Education from the North American Montessori Center (NAMC). Additionally, Nancy has earned certification in “Educating the Heart through Nature Art,” which reflects her passion for nature-based education.
Nancy’s extensive experience in the childcare industry includes roles as a Montessori educator at a preparatory school in Kelowna and as the director of her own preschool in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Most recently, she has contributed her expertise within a STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Mathematics) center.
As an ECE professional, Nancy believes in giving children the freedom to explore their environment and nurture their innate curiosity. She understands that every child is unique and strives to tailor her teaching approach to each child's learning style, focusing on what helps them excel and thrive.
For Nancy, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is witnessing the wonder and delight on a child’s face as they discover something new. She is continually inspired by the fresh perspectives, resilience, and boundless imagination of children, where even a simple household item can be transformed into something extraordinary.
Nancy loves being part of the Sprouts Academy community, where she finds that the center’s values align perfectly with her own. She appreciates the opportunity to apply her multidisciplinary approach and is particularly drawn to the nature program that resonates with her love for the outdoors.
In her free time, Nancy enjoys hiking the scenic trails of British Columbia, experimenting with new cuisines, and spending quality time with her daughter. A few fun facts about Nancy: she grew up on an orchard where she picked quince every year, loves telling stories through puppetry, has a keen interest in science and botany, and finds cooking with children to be a joyful experience.
Sergii Papirnyi,
B.Ed, ECEA
Sprouts Academy
Early Childhood Educator
Sergii iholds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and has always been passionate about teaching. With 17 years of experience, Sergii has worked with students of various ages and backgrounds. Before joining Sprouts, he spent five years teaching Math and Science to elementary students in Wuhan, China. He also holds a QTS certification from the UK government and an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certification in British Columbia.
From an early stage in his career, Sergii recognized the importance of holistic education—nurturing not just a child's intellectual growth but also their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual development. He believes that every child deserves to feel valued, safe, and encouraged in their learning journey. His goal is to create an engaging classroom where children feel confident, curious, and excited to explore the world around them.
One of Sergii’s favorite things about teaching is seeing his students happy and engaged. He takes pride in being a reliable educator, someone his students can trust, rely on, and look forward to seeing every day.
Sergii loves being part of the Sprouts Academy team, where passionate educators work together to create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. He appreciates the sense of community at Sprouts and the shared commitment to helping children thrive.
Outside of teaching, Sergii enjoys swimming, hiking, and biking. He is currently training for the Vancouver Sun Run Marathon on April 27, 2025.
A fun fact about Sergii is that his biggest source of inspiration is his two-year-old daughter. Whenever he faces a challenge, she cheers him on with “加油，加油，加加油!”—which means, "Come on, you can do it!" Her encouragement never fails to bring a smile to his face.
Cherry Amor Gillo-ano,
BEEd, ECE
Sprouts Academy
Mel Richardson
Sprouts Academy
Join Our Team
We love meeting passionate educators and learning from their unique perspectives. If you’re excited about inspiring young learners and growing with a collaborative team, we’d love to hear from you.
