Jessica Lajoie:
Taking It Outside
If you’d asked Jessica Lajoie early on where she’d end up, a room full of preschoolers wouldn’t have made the list. Now she’s taking early learning outdoors across the district.
Jessica Lajoie
She grew up in northern Québec with French as her first language. She studied visual arts in Québec City and earned a communications degree in Montréal, finishing school with nowhere in particular to go. Her mother lived in Espanola, so she followed. Years of summer camp jobs led to her launching a new after-school program, which combined her love of organizing with her love of working with young people.
Then the early years sector came calling. It needed French-speaking educators, and word was that the organizer running the after-school program was really good and spoke French. She said yes, with some reservations.
At first, I really wasn't sure if I would like it. Young children? I didn't want children of my own. I preferred the youth. Youth was where I was comfortable.
- Jessica Lajoie
About three years in, she stopped thinking of it as a detour. She’d started putting her own interests into the work and realized this was where she was meant to be. With teenagers, she’d always felt she arrived after much of the shaping had happened. With little ones, even the smallest invitation could change something. It even changed her mind about having children of her own.
Even the smallest thing I would bring up or invite them to do, it would stick. It's such a privilege to mold the children, and their families, and just bring that support to them.
- Jessica Lajoie
She spent twelve years working directly with families. One moment still stays with her: a mother whose son was showing signs that something was different. Getting there took months of patience and trust-building, until the mom saw it herself and sought help. It led to a diagnosis, the services he needed, and a child who’s thriving today.
When you're able to guide a family that's not seeing what you're seeing, to something that can be so positive for them and their children — it's such a gift.
- Jessica Lajoie
Once she was hooked on outdoor play, she went all in. Kindergarten data showed physical activity was a real challenge for the region, so in 2019 she became a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner. She started an outdoor playgroup, and families kept coming back. But one playgroup wasn’t enough. Today, as Manager of Outdoor Play and Physical Literacy, she coaches educators centre by centre and organizes a two-day Early Years Outdoor Play Conference.
When you work with families and children, you're able to have an impact on their world. Once you start working with the educators and all the centres, you get the opportunity to change the whole system.
- Jessica Lajoie
For someone who once wasn’t sure this world was for her, she’s become one of its most convincing recruiters. Her pitch is simple.
I would say to someone who isn't sure about joining the early years: try it. Jump in. If you love building relationships, if you love learning, if you love working with children and their families, this is for you. It's such a rewarding job, and it really is something that will help you grow as a human and just make you a better person.
- Jessica Lajoie
Meet our Early Childhood Educators
Be in-the-know for all new positions that pop up!
