Cara Poppitt

Program Designer, CEO
B. Comm, B.A, Zumba, AFLCA, High Five

As an established dance studio owner of 15 years, Cara understands the many demands placed on you and the need for continual growth. She is a growth coach for Dance Studio Owners Association reaching more than 35,000 studios weekly.

As a mother of three young children and previous creative director for a large signature series in a fitness franchise, Cara understands the importance of effective teacher certification and how it improves your retention and quality.

She is delighted to share Principles of Preschool Dance with others to inspire, educate and certify teachers in the art of teaching.

She holds certifications in dance, yoga and fitness and belongs to Alberta Fitness Leaders Association and the Dance Studio Owners Association. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in marketing and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in psychology. Cara received numerous awards including Global Television’s Woman of Vision, DSOA Innovator of the year, DSOA best product/service of the year.

Jen Gores

Early Childhood Expert

Jen graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Adapted and Therapeutic Physical Activity) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Physical Education). Her love of teaching has led her to over a decade-long career.

Jen has been involved in sport and recreation for over 25 years, working and volunteering for not-for-profit, community, and municipal/provincial/national organizations with experience as a front-line leader, coach, counsellor, programmer, program specialist, and supervisor.

For eleven years, she worked on an array of community development opportunities within City of Calgary Community and Neighbourhood Services and City of Calgary. She was also part of the City of Calgary - Recreation Access and Inclusion Team, building e-module and in-person training to strengthen connections with diverse community groups, completing a comprehensive scan of Canadian municipal fee assistance programs and creating multiple inclusive play resources for Calgary families.

Jen is also a HIGH FIVE® Master Trainer and has facilitated over 1200 hours of HIGH FIVE® content across Canada.

Jen Smith

Early Childhood Expert

Jen’s career in recreation began 21 years ago when she became a support worker for adults with disabilities which quickly established a passion for working within the disability community.

While still living in Ontario, she developed and facilitated a Youth Leadership Training program for Rainbow Day Camp, became the Program Coordinator at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Toronto office, and took on a rewarding leadership role at Trails Youth Initiatives, a provider of outdoor experiential education for vulnerable youth.

In addition to being a HIGH FIVE Trainer and NCCP and Sport for Life Learning Facilitator, Jen has also been a Healthy Play Trainer for the last ten years and is excited to now be one of the only Canadian Healthy Play Facilitators and Classroom/Play Consultants providing training and classroom/play consultations to recreation, sport and education groups across Canada - she is excited to continue to advocate for play and healthy child development!