Success Stories

Our Early Childhood Education graduates have gone on to achieve success in the education sector. Here are just a few of their success stories.

Allison Warren grew up in a military family. Her father served for many years in the Canadian Forces and much of that time was at Garrison Petawawa. It’s where Allison grew up, graduating from the former General Panet High School on the military base.

When the time came to choose a career path, Allison decided she wanted to work with children. After applying to both Algonquin College’s Ottawa and Pembroke campuses for the Early Childhood Education program, she chose to stay local. The small class sizes and personal attention from the faculty provided an excellent learning environment for Allison who excelled, graduating with honours in the spring of 2015, but her college experience was just the beginning.

Allison quickly found work as an early childhood educator at the Wise Owl Day Care centre in Pembroke, but she wanted more. While working part-time she enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts Degree through Athabasca University where she could study online. After completing her degree, she moved to Ottawa where she enrolled and earned a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Ottawa.

Since becoming a qualified teacher in June of 2019, Allison has been working with both the Ottawa Carleton Public and Catholic District School boards, and recently she took on the role of a Kindergarten long-term occasional teacher at a school in Kanata. During the summer months, she continues to work as an Early Childhood Educator in an infant childcare program in Ottawa.

Allison says, “My diploma in Early Childhood Education from Algonquin really allowed me to gain invaluable experience in the field and make connections and network with other educators as I continued my educational journey over the last 3 years.

She offers this advice to anyone thinking about enrolling at Algonquin’s Pembroke Campus in the ECE program. “Never underestimate the opportunities that you can create for yourself. After graduating from Algonquin College, I used my diploma to guide my next steps, which led me to my ultimate goal of being a kindergarten teacher.

Your journey is uniquely yours and no matter where your path leads you – it’s about the process and the growth you experience along the way!”

“I made the best choice in taking this program – I love it so much! In terms of student experience, ECE provides you with hands-on projects and you have lots of fun too!! Looking forward for my journey to continue to learn more about child development and this interesting ongoing field of Early Childhood Education!”

-Brooklyn McIntyre, Early Childhood Education Graduate

Amber Campbell didn’t have any issues finding employment. She actually secured a full-time job at Wise Owl Day Care Centre in Pembroke before she graduated from her program a couple of weeks ago and she attributes this to the program. Amber shares, “this program has shown me the resources I need to be successful in my chosen profession. I have personally grown from my experience with the knowledge and skills provided throughout my two-year journey. The professors are approachable when it comes to questions and comments related to my program. I enjoyed the hands-on experience through my placements because everything we were taught was fresh in our minds making it a smoother transition into the field.” Read more about Amber’s journey.

-Amber Campbell, Early Childhood Education Graduate

“I absolutely loved the Early Childhood Education Program here at the Waterfront Campus. I really enjoyed my professors and all the personal connections that I have created with the other students. I’ve had such positive experiences at my placements and love all the hands-on work! I’ve developed a lot of skills over the course of my four semesters and I can’t wait to graduate and become a certified Registered Early Childhood Educator!”

-Rikki-Lee Godin, Early Childhood Education Graduate

Olivia Slosson is a recent Early Childhood Education graduate who also happens to be from Missouri, USA. We want to congratulate Olivia on receiving the International Student Scholarship having graduated from her program with the highest cumulative grade point average. Olivia now works at the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC) with the Play Troop. She is excited to grow in her field and work at using her skills to enhance the learning environment.

Algonquin College congratulates alumnus Linda Magill on winning a Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education. Linda graduated from the ECE program at the Pembroke Campus and currently works at Carleton Place Childcare Services.

Learn more about the Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence award that Linda has won and why she has been recognized click here.