Meet our Faculty Members
With ToyBox Manitoba being a grassroots team, we have faculty members past and present from the University of Winnipeg continually supporting our ongoing development.
Indigenous Education Advisor
Dr. Yvonne V.
I am a Faculty Member in Education at The University of Winnipeg. I joined ToyBox in 2021 to support the project by reviewing material and advising on Indigenous content. I have been learning more about early childhood development from a program perspective, including the first-hand experiences of early childhood educators and administrators!
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Technology Director
University of Winnipeg
Ken Reimer, Ph.D.
"Reimer became involved as he was developing connections with Ubisoft Winnipeg, and saw an opportunity for connecting the project with these gaming designers"
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TovBox Caregiver Manual (2022)
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Internal Operations Director
Naomi Kruse, B.A.
"Kruse had governance experience, and together with Skwarchuk, they created bylaws, employee and volunteer handbooks, and policies on publications and membership for the ToyBox project."
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ToyBox Caregiver Manual (2022)
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Community Member at Large
Director, Oak Street Nursery
Karlin Mann
I am an Early Childhood Educator who has been on the team since 2017.
"I love ToyBox because it has given me an opportunity to meet an amazing group of people who share the goal of supporting the wellbeing of children and families across Manitoba (and eventually Canada!) ToyBox has also given me the chance to connect with and collaborate with people who have diverse skills sets and expertises which I have drawn from to learn and grow as an Early Childhood Educator. I am honoured to be part of it."
Community Member at Large
Melo Math 4 Kids
Sarah Melo, M.Ed.
Sarah Melo (M.Ed) is a mother of three and a Student Services Teacher in an elementary French immersion school from Winnipeg, Manitoba with over 20 years of experience. After completing her master’s degree, Sarah developed Melo Math to help parents and educators to guide children in math using everyday manipulatives. Sarah is passionate about early numeracy and literacy and joined ToyBox in 2018 to help develop and promote research-based strategies for parents and caregivers. Sarah has developed and edited strategies, presented many times for ToyBox, trained parents and caregivers and continues to collaborate with the ToyBox team. Sarah’s passion is to help children learn the magic of math and to build confidence to prevent numeracy problems later in life and ToyBox allows her to continue her mission.
Community Member at Large
Principal, Pine Creek School Division
Kim Young, M.Ed.
I am a K - gr 8 Principal in rural Manitoba and I joined this team at the very beginning. I love meeting with our team members via zoom or in person. The combination of amazing people, with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences allows for great collaboration across all of the components of the ToyBox project. I love being part of such a dynamic team.
Community Member
Seven Oaks School Division
M Nenka, B.Ed.
I joined the team in 2018, as an education student at the University of Winnipeg, to connect with others committed to the healthy development of Manitoban children.
"I have had the great privilege of supporting ToyBox in a variety of ways, such as creating activities, mentoring high school and university students, managing pilot studies, and authoring the Caregiver Handbook. As a new graduate, I look forward to contributing to the team as an educator and community member!"