Chimi Dema is an Associate Lecturer specialising in early childhood care and development, play-based learning and contemplative education. She joined the college in 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education, with a minor in Special Education, from SEGi University, Malaysia, through a dual award with the University of St Mark and St John, UK. She graduated with First Class Honours, securing 97%, and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. Her further studies include a Master of Arts in Ecopsychology at Naropa University, USA, undertaken during 2024–2026 with a full tuition scholarship.

She has served as Programme Leader for the Diploma in ECCD and Programme Coordinator for the Certificate Programme in ECCD. Her teaching encompasses early childhood development, play, assessment, responsive relationships and effective teaching skills. She has contributed to developing and reviewing ECCD programmes, writing teacher education modules, and national initiatives concerning crèche caregiver training, operational guidelines, early learning and development standards, and curriculum refinement.

Her research connects early childhood education with nature, wellbeing, cultural knowledge and community engagement. Her publications address ECCD in Bhutan, mindful teacher education, cross-cultural learning and education management information systems. She has also contributed to collaborative projects on education data use and arts-based digital storytelling, and launched an Education Lab promoting sustainable play materials for early childhood facilitators.

Her international experience includes contemplative education training at Naropa University, Erasmus+ mobility in Denmark, and research presentations in Bhutan and Norway. Through teaching, research and professional service, she promotes inclusive, culturally responsive and nature-connected learning for young children.