SASKATOON - Ashley Vercammen graduated from Oxbow Prairie Horizon School while living in Alida with her mom Tracy Paxman.
She was born in Redvers and lived there a short time, and then moved to Manor. Her dad Dan Vercammen and grandparents Harry and Dini Vercammen still reside in the area, along with her mom's parents Johan and Bea Paxman.
They eventually moved to Alida, where she remained until she graduated from school.
In 2013 Vercammen moved to Saskatoon to attend university to get her bachelor’s degree in international studies and a minor in economics. This would take her four years to complete.
Once her degree was completed, she also received her certificate for teaching English to speakers of other languages and her registered behavioural technician (RBT) certificate.
Vercammen taught English as a second language to children in China. She found herself often telling them about the difference in culture between Canada and America but would specifically talk about Saskatchewan culture.
It was at this time she began to write books about her experiences, to start conversations about diverse topics such as family status, disabilities and applied behavioural analysis.
At present, she only writes children’s books and since January 2022 has published 11 books.
She not only writes her own books but helps other authors to publish theirs, which she has done with four other writers.
Vercammen continues to help others to publish their ideas and bring them to life.
Attending the Red Market Barn on Aug. 13 with all her books, she has her latest book called Where Could my Baby Be, also on display.
Vercammen and her husband Micael Lessmeister are on a waiting list to adopt a baby, and this is where her idea came from for the book.
Her next scheduled event is at the CM Book Fair in Saskatoon, which she co-hosts.
She is very passionate about her job as an RBT at Saskatchewan Behaviour Consulting in Saskatoon, where she works with children with different gaps and deficits in their behaviours and helps them fill the gap.
It helps children with self-care tasks, communication, school readiness and compliance to name a few.
Vercammen started her first novel about her experiences in life. She feels she is still too young to call it her memoirs, as she still has so much more to experience.
She enjoys spending time with her husband while relaxing at home with their pets.
She still feels like a small town girl at heart, who lives in a city.
