Meet our Team
ALLISON MACKAY, RECE, EARLY CHILDHOOD MANAGEMENT, DIRECTOR
“Being part of the Pearson community is truly unique. Making strong connections with both children and their families brings me great joy.”
Allison earned her ECE designation from Mohawk College in 2002, and has been working in the classroom at Pearson Community Co-op Nursery School since 2006. After completing her Early Childhood Management certificate course she is thrilled to be taking on the position of Director and looks forward to working closely with the Pearson community. With over twenty years of experience in early childhood education, Allison brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom. She has an energetic, fun approach to teaching, and enjoys getting to know Pearson children and their families.
Allison lives in Burlington with her husband and their three children, and spends much of her time enjoy concerts, camping and taking in sporting events. She also enjoys making handmade home décor items – a skill that shines through in her creative contributions to Pearson!
JESSICA GARCIA, RECE
"I love working with children and being able to make a positive difference in their lives. I am excited and grateful to be part of the Pearson community and team, and I cannot wait for what the future holds.”
Jessica has always had a passion for working with children. Growing up, she volunteered at camps and, throughout her high school years, completed co-op placements in a grade one classroom and a middle school gym class. With this experience, along with her previous role at a children’s escape room, she was inspired to further her education and pursue a career in early childhood education. Jessica received her ECE credentials from Sheridan College in 2025 and is excited to learn and build positive relationships with the children, staff, and families at Pearson.
Jessica lives in Mississauga with her family and is a proud cat mom to a three-year-old named Yuki. She enjoys arts and crafts, singing, and baking. Jessica previously worked as a cake decorator, and her favorite cakes to make were wedding cakes. She looks forward to bringing her creativity, care, and passion for working with children to the Pearson community.
DANIELLE ROSTRON, BA, Child & Youth Councellor
“I love the co-op environment, and enjoy building lasting relationships with the children in my care.”
Danielle graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997, and then from Mohawk’s Child and Youth Worker Program in 2000. She began her career working in Toronto both as an Educational Assistant and an English tutor before moving to Burlington. In 2007, her oldest attended a co-operative preschool and this led her to the next chapter in her career. Danielle worked as an Assistant Teacher at another co-op preschool for four years, where she also enjoyed her roles as duty parent and board member. She joined Pearson Co-op in 2016, and has jumped head first into this role. Danielle has a passion for teaching and for children, and a loving, patient nature. She lives in Burlington with her husband and three children. Her family enjoys spending time outdoors – especially geocaching!
TAYLOR KOUTOUPIS, RECE
"From an early age I always saw myself working with young children"
She is overjoyed to be part of the Pearson staff after having first hand experience in the nursery school while attending Pearson high school as a student. During this high school specialty course for students interested in Early childhood education Taylor fell in love with the co-op experience. After graduating from Mohawk college in 2016 with her ECE she always hoped to be able to work at the nursery school. She is so excited to learn and grow working with her coworkers as well as getting to know the families who attend the school year after year. Everyday is a new adventure for her here at Pearson!
Taylor lives in Burlington with her husband and they enjoy travelling…especially to Universal Studios where they have been 4 times as they love rollercoasters!
ERIN REED, MADS, BA Psychology
Erin graduated from Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology. While doing a placement in an elementary school, she worked with an amazing boy on the autism spectrum and knew she wanted to focus her learning around supporting neurodivergent children. After university she received a Certificate in Autism and Behavioural Sciences from Mohawk College and then went on to complete a Masters of Applied Disability Studies with a focus in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Brock University. While completing her post-grad she also worked at the Hamilton-Niagara Regional Autism Intervention Program. For over 10 years she worked as a therapist with children and their families/support workers in a variety of settings (centre, home, school/daycare).
She has been home the last few years focusing on her 4 kids but now that the youngest is in kindergarten (after graduating from Pearson!), She’s excited to be back working with kids again.
