Michelle May, Chairperson
Michelle is currently the Assistant Director and Lead Teacher of the preschool room at the Medicine Hat Community Preschool. She has been working in the childcare field since she graduated from the ECD program at the Medicine Hat College in 2005. Prior to receiving her ECD diploma, she obtained a diploma as a Physical Therapist Assistant which she worked as only for a short time. Michelle has been a member of the MHDCCA for 6 years.

Michelle was born and raised in Swift Current, SK, but moved to Medicine Hat straight out of high school to attend college. She now calls Medicine Hat home. She lives with her husband Mark, dog Charlie, and 2 cats Brody and Foster. So far, she has no children of her own. However, she does have a 12 year old step-daughter named Faith.

Michelle enjoys learning (attending workshops and conferences), reading, camping, and going for walks. She has also recently become a workshop presenter, which surprisingly she quite enjoys! Michelle is passionate about the early education of young children and finds that it is her hobby as well as her job.

Shandra Beaulieu, Vice Chairperson
Shandra Beaulieu is the Alternate Director of the College Child Development Centre. She has been employed there for the past five years. She graduated with a diploma from the Early Child Development program at Medicine Hat College.

She has lived in Medicine Hat for the last 8 years. Originally from Saskatchewan, she now considers Medicine Hat her home with Jon and their dog Molly. She enjoys golf, walks, "Coronation Street" and one too many reality t.v. shows.

Lisa Lutz, Secretary-Treasurer
Lisa Lutz is the office administrator for Lawson Family Day Homes. She joined this family business in 1994. Lawson Family Day Homes was one of the founding members of the MHDCCA in 1989 and Lisa has been an active member for the past 4 years.

Lisa and her husband, Miles, have two children and a ranch near Irvine. They enjoy camping, watching hockey and spending time outdoors.

Khrista McDowall, Chair
Khrista McDowall is the owner and operator of Dragons and Butterflies Creative Preschool. She received her diploma in Early Childhood Development from Medicine Hat College and has worked in the field for 10 years. Khrista has been involved with Dragons and Butterflies
for 10 years firstly as an employee and later as an owner. Khrista has been a member of the MHDCCA for 9 years.

Khrista is married to Scott and together they have 2 boys that keep them very busy. As a family travelling is a big part of their time they enjoy the most.

Jennifer Usher, Coordinator
2072 26th Street S.E. Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2G8
Ph: (403)504-1245
Email: mjusher@telus.net

Jennifer began working with the MHDCCA in January 2009 as a Child Care Program Support Specialist. In September 2010, she transitioned into the Coordinator role.

For a number of years, Jennifer was employed as an educational assistant working with children with hearing loss and other special needs in daycare and in
elementary education.

Presently, in addition to her job with the MHDCCA, Jennifer enjoys teaching sign language to children in a number of preschools in Medicine Hat. She also
teaches sign language at the Medicine Hat College for the Continuing Studies Department.

Academic Credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba, a Diploma in Intervenor for Deafblind Persons from Medicine Hat College, and numerous hours of Continuing Education certified by
Gallaudet University (a liberal arts university for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and hearing located in Washington, D.C.).

Jennifer lives in Medicine Hat with her husband, Mathew and their little boy, Rylan. She enjoys swimming, camping, going for walks, and reading. Rylan enjoys keeping his mommy busy chasing after him!