Cory Moar is stepping into her new role as director at Portage Ukrainian Nursery School, but her roots with the school go back nearly two decades.
After university didn’t quite fit, Moar returned home to Portage la Prairie and began volunteering at the nursery school. It was then-director Lori who encouraged her to pursue early childhood education through Red River College’s program at Southport. She accepted the position at nursery school as an ECE ll in 2008 then became an ECE lll while working full-time.
Moar says she quickly fell in love with the work and the environment.
“I loved going to work and working with Lori and working with Trisha and the parent helpers and being on the floor with the kids.”
Over time, she learned Lori had been preparing her for leadership all along. Moar says the former director was intentional about building a team that shared her philosophy on children, learning, and the importance of community in early education.
“She always had a plan. I think of what she wanted Nursery School to look like, and she tends to hand-pick people to come in and mould and share her philosophy of children with and her beliefs of children with.”
“She even taught me... she was one of my teachers in the program.”
Moar first met Lori at the age of 17, and she says her influence has been steady ever since. Working at the school, once just a curiosity, soon became her calling.
“It became my passion, just like it’s Lori’s.”
More than just playtime
While she began with the fun side of the job, Moar says stepping into the director’s chair has brought a new perspective.
“I still get to do the fun stuff, but now I have to do the 'businessy' part of running a program, which is still very humbling.”
She now oversees everything from programming to family communication, and says it’s rewarding to welcome both new and returning families. Her focus is to continue fostering a sense of community where everyone feels they belong.
“It’s not just what the program looks like. It’s building relationships with parents. It’s building a community.”
A legacy to honour
While excited to take on the new role, Moar is mindful of the legacy left behind.
“It won’t be the same without Lori. Because Lori is Portage Ukrainian Nursery School. She has made Nursery School what it is today.”
Now approaching 18 years with the school, Moar says there’s a good chance she’ll be sticking around for years to come. She’s thankful for the trust placed in her and hopes to carry the vision forward.
“I’m just grateful for everything that Lori has done for Nursery School and for me... she has made me the ECE who I am today.”