Meet our Staff | Certified Teachers (OCT)
It is my sincere pleasure to be a part of the OVS team. Working alongside experienced teachers and support staff who are all committed to providing a thriving educational environment for our students is a distinct honour.
I started in education as a mathematics teacher after graduating from the Faculty of Education. After years of teaching high school math, I became a Department Head of Mathematics, Vice-Principal and Principal in the York Region DSB.
My passion turned to eLearning when it became clear that there are many students whose needs cannot be met in a day school. After a year of planning, I implemented eLearning in York Region with great success and was appointed Principal of its Virtual Schooling program.
Beyond education, I have spent many years as a volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association at the local, provincial and national levels. In addition, I love to golf, camp, garden and do woodworking.
Let us all remember the quote by Carl W. Buechner
“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
I love discovering more about the world through travel, reading, and science. Mountain biking and white water kayaking are a couple of my favorite activities. I’m also not at all above the use of chemistry puns.
Inspirational Quote:
"To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one life.” – T.S. Eliot
I love to travel, try local and international cuisines, read copious amount of books, learn to crochet intricate patterns, and take my dog out on epic adventures (to parks).
Inspirational Quote:
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
I enjoy music and movies; coaching soccer and basketball; and playing soccer, hockey, volleyball, and tennis.
Inspirational Quote:
"Remember that the turtle makes progress the fastest when she sticks her neck out. "
In my spare time I am an avid reader, reading various genres. I am also an animal lover, and love to horseback ride as well as teach riding lessons.
Inspirational Quote:
“There is no such thing as a kid who hates reading. There are kids who love reading, and kids who are reading the wrong books.” - James Patterson
Hobbies:
Astronomy, Board Games, Painting.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“When first things are put first, second things don't diminish, they increase.” C.S. Lewis
Hobbies:
Swimming, arts, health and fitness
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“You only fail when you stop trying” n first things are put first, second things don't diminish, they increase.” C.S. Lewis
I am a certified community soccer coach and I enjoy playing tennis as well as taking cooking courses to improve my skills in the kitchen.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
Don't be an electron, always stay positive.
My interests include basketball, biking, mountaineering, travel, hiking, camping, reading, music and activities in the outdoors.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” ~Albert Einstein
I am a first degree black belt in karate and also do a considerable amount of writing online for moviepilot.com and my own personal blog for hubpages.com.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
Go all the way – don’t ever hold back!
I enjoy various styles of dance such as hip-hop, jazz, tap and contemporary. I also enjoy watching movies and shopping.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
"Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater."
Albert Einstein
Travelling, baking, reading
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
Thomas A. Edison “When is
I have studied Martial Arts for years and enjoy anything outdoors. One of my favourite things to do is to explore new places.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
"You cannot control everything around you, all you can control is your reaction to them."
I play piano and sing in a choir. I also love to read and home school my kids!
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
Winston Churchill “When is
“When is
Avid baseball fan, aspiring theologian
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“To have another language is to possess a second soul .”
- Charlemagne “When is
“When is
I love to travel, technology and develop educational games for children.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, it’s unlikely you will step up and take responsibility for making it so.” - Noam Chomsky
Hobbies:
Baking, watching television, listening to music, and trying new foods! I am also a true animal lover.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
"when the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace" - Jimi Hendrix
Hobbies:
travelling, cooking, painting, and scrapbooking
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” --Maya Angelou
Hobbies:
I enjoy running, skating, and magic tricks.
Inspirational Quote:
Life is the hardest teacher. It gives you the test first, and the lesson afterward.
I love playing lacrosse, going on walks outdoors and spending time at the cottage.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“You have not failed unless you have stopped trying.”
Hobbies:
I enjoy Golf, Swimming, Basketball, and Reading.
Inspirational Quote:
Do the thing that is hard to do, and the power will come!
Hobbies:
I love hiking in the outdoors, running, and working out. I also like to sit down with a good novel and I am an avid gardener in the warm months.
Inspirational Quote:
Happiness is a journey, not a destination
Hobbies:
reading, writing, Lego and watching sports.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
Theodore Roosevelt
Hobbies:
I enjoy teaching English and reading.
Inspirational Quote:
“Failure is my enemy.” Pundit Hari Prashad- Grandfather and Shankaracharya of SWAHA, Trinidad and Tobago.
Hobbies:
I enjoy playing the sport of curling, I spent my entire winter at the club either playing, coaching, organizing, or watching. Once the weather gets warm I spent all of my time outside either camping, hiking or just sitting in the sun.
Inspirational Quote:
“Just because we can’t find a solution doesn’t mean that there isn’t one” Andrew Wiles
Hobbies:
I love reading, writing and traveling.
Inspirational quotes:
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Wishing is not enough; we must do.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Reading, watching tv, listening to music, camping and hiking.
Inspirational Quotes:
Inspirational Quote:
“I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it.”
Hobbies:
I’m a huge music fan, so I love going to concerts and checking out live music shows around town whenever I can. In my downtime, I enjoy playing cards or board games with friends and family. I’m also an avid reader and animal lover.
Inspirational Quote:
Good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them.
As a certified Trainer and Coach for Baseball Canada, I have come to realize the importance of putting the needs of others first. In my free time, I love hiking, keeping fit and all outdoor activities.
Inspirational Quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
Hobbies:
I enjoy travelling, reading books, watching movies and television as well as taking my dog for walks.
Inspirational Quote:
"Success belongs to those who dare to achieve it."
Hobbies:
I love to travel and spent two years living in China and travelling all over Asia at the start of my teaching career. Thailand has been my favourite place so far.
Inspirational Quote:
“You Are Never Too Old To Set Another Goal Or To Dream A New Dream.” – C.S. Lewis
Hobbies:
In my spare time I love to be active. You can often find me playing volleyball, basketball and soccer with my friends and family. I am also a certified yoga instructor! Spending time swimming in the lake, going for hikes and hanging out with my dog Cash are also some of my favourite things to do.
Inspiration Quote:
“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” – Harold S. Kushner