For more than a decade, Chelsea Dueck has poured her heart into caring for Airdrie’s littlest learners as lead educator in the infant room at Magic Mountain Child Development Centre. Her warmth, dedication and resilience shine brightly, despite seemingly insurmountable personal challenges.
“Chelsea’s been through one hell of a fertility journey, and she still shows up so big for the kids,” says nominator Bre Peck. “She’s so loved, and she loves even bigger.”
Dueck’s unsuccessful 11-year fertility journey involved multiple rounds with her own and donated embryos, an ectopic pregnancy, surgeries, and miscarriages; all resulting in devastating grief and pain.
She has spent 13 years nurturing children while navigating heartbreak and is now supporting her husband through his battle with stage-three colon cancer.
“I would like people to know that infertility and cancer are difficult roads and can feel very isolating, but know you are never alone,” Dueck says.
“These seasons in life feel long, dark and hopeless, but they do not last forever. The snow melts, the leaves bloom and the sun will shine again.”
Dueck says her work with the children at the learning centre gives her hope and the strength to go on.
“Those sweet children I care for have helped heal my heart and become my own,” she says. “We need to work together to build strong, capable children that, in turn, build strong, vibrant communities.”
The AAWAs are celebrating their Sweet 16 in 2026. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
I guess the biggest thing I would instil in that 16-year-old Chelsea should be confidence in herself and her passions. You will go through hell and back with numerous hard times — more than you could ever imagine that will break you, but you can make it through with God. You are stronger than you could ever imagine and you will see joy and life again. Those sweet children you care for will help heal your heart and become your own.