Jodi McIntosh Director of Religious Exploration After being a congregant for many years I am so incredibly pleased to find myself in the role of Director of Religious Exploration (DRE). After being home with my kids as a homeschooling momma for many years I started working at First U as a custodian. I enjoyed working out of the house so much that when the position for DRE came up I jumped at it. Having a degree in education and several years’ experience as a supply teacher I felt that it would be the perfect position for me. I hope to bring some of my passion for music, storytelling, and drama into the programming. When not at first U I can be found scooting around the city on my electric moped, walking the trails in the greenbelt with my kids or snuggling with my dog on the couch with a cup of tea and an audiobook.
Susan McEwen Religious Exploration Assistant I'm delighted to join the team at First U as Religious Exploration Assistant. There's so much wonder and beauty in exploring and learning with children and youth. Nurturing welcoming community for young people and their families enhances the vitality of the whole congregation. I hope my past experience as Director of Religious Exploration (2005-2008) and Director of Lifespan Learning (2011-2015) will help me contribute in meaningful ways to a fresh, creative, and flourishing program. Since each season of congregational life is unique, I look forward to discovering all the interesting nuances of this moment. When I'm not assisting Jodi at First U, you might find me teaching a wool felting workshop, tending a garden, enjoying a swim, cuddling cats, or savouring family time with my partner and grown up kid.
Rita Ross, Childcare Coordinator Hello my name is Rita Ross I am the childcare coordinator at the First Unitarian church in Ottawa. I am a single mother of 2 wonderful adults. I am an RECE and have been working on the field for 34 years. I have experience with all ages of children. I am educated in infant mental health, basic sign language, collaborative problem solving, resource teaching for children with exceptionalities, language acquisition and am fully versed in the current child care philosophy 'How Does Learning Happen.' I am also a trained health and safety inspector. I am currently employed at the Youville Centre where I work with infants and toddlers and young mothers. I have enjoyed working at first U for the past 2 years and am excited to continue to deliver a fun age appropriate program to the chalice tots.
Krystal Tucker, Childcare Assistant My name is Krystal Tucker and, since the winter of 2018, I have been the childcare assistant at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. In 2012 I graduated from Carleton University with Honors and received my Bachelor of Arts in English. During my time in university I took several Child Psychology courses and worked part time at Youville Center. Since graduating I have worked as a freelance writer, transcriber, content writer, editor, ghost writer and currently I work as an Educational Assistant at Kanata Academy. I am certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and have taken Fire and Safety Training through Storey Homes. I am a lover of arts, music and literature and take great pride in calling myself a mental health advocate, animal liberation advocate and a LGBTQ+ ally. Communications has always been my specialty and having found a way to bring my spirit and passion into this community has been really rewarding. I look forward to continuing to strengthen this community with you and your families.