Meet Our Team
the lovely people who make it happen

Kate
founder and licensed Early Childhood Educator
read more about Kate here:

Lucinde
grandmother, experienced Waldorf educator, dancer, musician and overall awesome creative soul​
read more about Lucinde here:

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My name is Darren Bertuccio and I am a resident of Vic West along with my wife Elizabeth and my 2 children Sofia 9 years and Giuseppina 6 years. As a stay at home papa for the last 9 years I have had the privilege of playing with my children almost every day.
I am joining the Tree of Life Playschool this year and am looking forward to playing outside with all your kids in September. I know that my youngest Giuseppina has benefited immensely from attending this little school since the age of three. Her confidence, athletic ability, her logical thought process and her caring empathetic ways are a direct result of Kate Lawes teaching. I can attest that without Giuseppina attending this school she would not be the strong independent sweet person that she is today. 
As an avid trail runner, mountain biker and outdoor lover I am so excited to be able to spend a few days a week playing outside with your children in the most beautiful place on earth. I have a background in woodworking, design, furniture making, small home building as well as attending the University of Victoria. I am currently working on a BFA in visual arts specializing in sculpture and painting with a strong interest in Early Childhood Education. My parenting style also aligns nicely with the Tree of Life School as it is interlinked with the indisputable learning benefits of playing outside. ​

Vanessa
licensed ECE, co-educator
read more about Vanessa here:
We work and live as uninvited occupiers on the lands of the Lekwungen speaking peoples and our outdoor education and play takes place on the traditional and unceded territories of the Lekwungen and W_SÁNEC peoples. We endeavor in work and life to minimize the harm perpetuated by our presence on this land and stand in solidarity with the sovereignty and resurgence of Indigenous peoples. ​