WALDORF ACADEMY 2021 - 2022
2021-2022 Child Care Faculty
Woodland Garden Preschool
Lisa Gibson
Meadow Room Preschool
Swati Mahajan
Thuy Le
Sky Garden Preschool
Charlotte Koen-Butt
Terri Santos
Fairy Garden Preschool
Corina Liu
Fei Cong
Morning Star Garden Toddler Room
Cathy Chen
Support Teachers: Monica Darie and Hollis Keillor
Ahlam Ali
Thalita Ferrati
2021-2022 Grade School Faculty
Sun Garden Kindergarten
Bozena Ciepielewski
Mai Vy Nguyen
Grade One
Agnes Zsigovics
Assistant T.B.A.
Star Garden Kindergarten
Genevieve Lennox
Grades Two and Three
D’Arcy Colby
Grades Six and Seven D
Tammi Gerrard
Mariela Pasatir
Sydney Grainger
Nicole Hagon
Kindercare
Andressa Oliveira
Grades Four and Five
Vivien Carrady
Grades Seven and Eight
Lesley Moffitt
Katherine Fulford
Sydney Grainger
Nicole Hagon
French
Mathematics
Athletic Director
Golnesa Amani
Jula Bender
Jason Rybak
Education Support
Education Support
Yasmeen Mamdani
Shi-Ching Yu
Aftercare
Music
T.B.A.
Blythe Sheppard
Pedagogy
T.B.A.
2021-2022 ADMINISTRATION Child Care Supervisor
Office Manager
Admissions Manager
Business Operations Manager
Lucia Amaral
Melody Bogin
Jennifer Deathe
Matthew Denton
Director of School and Childcare
Marketing and Advancement Manager
Cheri Grogan
Leslie Ma
Welcome, New Faculty! Math Specialist, Jula Bender “Hello dear Waldorf parents, students and community. My name is Jula Bender and it is my absolute pleasure to be joining the Waldorf Academy teaching team as the Middle School Math Specialist Teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Arts honours, Drama Major, Math minor and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. I have had a variety of teaching experiences and am thrilled to infuse my diverse portfolio into the math program here at Waldorf Academy. As a performing artist in the Toronto community, I have had the opportunity to both teach and perform at The Second City. Thus, I work hard to infuse art into my teaching practice. My passion and dedication to celebrating diversity led me to teach abroad at the Canadian International School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Most recently, I have spent the last 2 years teaching in the Junior School at Branksome Hall here in Toronto. My math classroom is one that fosters creative problem solving, critical thinking and finding the fun in mathematics. It is important to me that my students feel heard and seen in their learning which is why I am looking forward to taking the time to get to know each of your children and of course each of you. Please feel free to contact me directly as I am always here to answer any questions.” - Jula Bender
Athletic Director, Jason Rybak “As Founder and Director of Rybak Sports Academy, I have been providing curriculum-enhanced Physical Education programs to the independent school sector across the Greater Toronto Area since 2003. This includes instruction to children from toddlers through grade 12. Over my career, I have developed my patented Physical Education philosophy: The Rybak Method – Foundational Phys. Ed. through Fiction, which I share and model at a wide variety of independent teachers’ colleges, professional conferences, and workshops across Ontario. I provide leadership development programs, a wide spectrum of afterschool and lunch programs, martial arts training, and women’s self-defence workshops. Serving as Sports & Adventure Camps Program Director at Appleby College Summer Camps since 2013 and directing summer camps across Ontario and Quebec since 2003, I commit my full year and career to Physical Education, active living and mindful movement. Having studied at University of Ottawa, University of Victoria and Brock University, I received Coaching Certification in Rugby, Track and Field, Baseball, Softball, Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Personal Training. I am a black belt in Wado-Ryu karate, Shito-Ryu karate and Asian jujitsu, and have been training in martial arts for over 30 years. I am a proud member of the
Beaches Community, an active player in the Ontario Marshall Premiership Rugby Division, with the Balmy Beach Rugby Club, and a proud father of two amazing teenagers.” - Jason Rybak
Summer Camp Director, Natalie Murree “Hello all, my name is Natalie Murree and I am so excited to be a part of the Waldorf Academy community! I am a graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership, as well as a certificate in American Sign Language, both from George Brown College. I am commencing my studies in the Masters of Early Childhood Studies in the fall at Ryerson University. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator and I have extensive experience working with children, including in camp programming. I have worked for two summers within the Trinity Bellwood's Art in the Park summer camp. I believe curiosity and enthusiasm are the magic ingredients for engaged learning! I love nature and the joy of summer camp, and I am so excited to be this year's camp director at Waldorf Academy. Looking forward to meeting all of the campers this year!” - Natalie Murree
Summer Camp Counsellor, Chanay Calamusa “I am an Early Childhood Assistant who enjoys guiding children as they learn about themselves and the world around them. I strive to create a warm, enriching environment where children can explore, express their imaginations and be themselves. It is important for me to make every effort to develop a relationship built on open communication with the children and their families. It is my belief that strong relationships are essential foundations for optimal learning. I have an advanced diploma in Child and Youth Work, a field that continues to excite and inspire me to this day. ” - Chanay Calamusa
Counsellor in Training, Ali Shojania Ali graduated from Waldorf Academy with his grade eight class in 2017. He continued his Waldorf education through high school at the Toronto Waldorf School. During his time in high school, Ali has served Waldorf Academy as a summer camp assistant, and he is delighted to join us at camp again this year! Find out more about the Waldorf Academy Summer Camp
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416.962.6447