Brooke Arruda - BASc
Brooke Arruda is in her second year at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. She completed her Bachelor of Applied Science and Social Service Workers Diploma at the University of Guelph-Humber with a focus in Family and Community Social Services. Brooke is interested in the use of technology in everyday learning, especially in the area of STEM (or STEAM) Education. |
Joy Benjamin - BASc
Joy is a mom of 3 teenagers, an engineer, and a second-year teacher candidate. She has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and spent 17 years in the equipment manufacturing industry. She has a passion to teach mathematics to students with conceptual understanding and real-world applications. In her spare time, she enjoys playing board games with her family, decorating cupcakes, and playing softball. |
Jennifer Birnie - BA
Jennifer graduated with Honours from Trent University with a double major in English Literature and History and a focus on Indigenous Studies. She is currently a second year Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University Faculty of Education in the Intermediate / Senior teaching division. Her passion is working to help students feel valued, respected and heard within the classroom (both virtual and physical spaces) by teaching through an equity and diversity lens and helping each student discover their strengths and abilities so that they can succeed academically, socially, and psychologically both in school and beyond. To achieve this, she has focused on networking and collaborating with other educators and diversity experts, considering the implications of students’ intersectional identities on her teaching practice, and compiling and sharing teaching resources so that together we can build equitable school communities where diversity is respected and celebrated. |
Amy Bourdon - BA
Amy Bourdon is a second year teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto with specialization in French Language Learning as well as Music and Italian Studies. Her teaching passion lies in Indigenous Education and Inclusive Education |
Christina Campbell - BA, ECE
Christina is a 2nd Year Primary/Junior Teach Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. She completed her Early Childhood Education diploma at Durham College and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at Trent University. Christina is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and has six years of experience working in the Full Day Kindergarten program in Ontario. Her areas of interest include early childhood development, social-emotional learning, and inclusive and equitable classrooms. Currently, Christina is working with the STEAM-3D Maker Lab to develop an online teacher and parent resource to help facilitate social-emotional learning at home and in the school. She looks forward to supporting and helping students build 21st-century competencies. |
Claudia Chiodo - BHSc, G.Cert
Claudia Chiodo is a second-year teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. Claudia graduated from Western University with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences degree with a minor in Women’s Studies. She worked as a research assistant at CAMH London focusing on at-risk youth behaviours and how they intersect with health care and education outcomes during her honours practicum. Claudia has also completed a Graduate Certificate specializing in Infant and Childhood Mental Health at Seneca College. During her time at Seneca, she researched how classroom environments can impact childhood mental health at the KOLTS Childcare Center. Outside of academics, Claudia has worked as a swimming instructor in York Region for the past six years. |
Atessia Crooke - RECE ,BCD (Hons.)
Atessia Crooke is in her final year of the B.Ed program at Ontario Tech University as a P/J teacher candidate. She has an undergraduate degree in Child Development and has worked with children from birth to adolescent. Through all her experiences in field placement, at work, and at school, she has worked towards her goal of becoming the teacher that seeks to build a strong foundation in children from a young age. To do so, she has built her goals around the ethical standards for the teaching profession (care, trust, respect and integrity). |
Natasha-Mahvash Datoo BSc, CELTA
Natasha is a 2nd Year Primary/Junior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. She completed her Bachelor of Science with distinction at the University of Toronto in Biology, Health Studies, and minored in Psychology. Natasha is a certified ESL instructor with over two years of primary and secondary teaching experience in South Korea. Her areas of interest include English language learners, inclusive and equitable classrooms, and special education. Currently, Natasha is working with the STEAM 3D Maker Lab to develop online teacher resources to help facilitate distance education. She looks forward to supporting students and helping them build 21st century competencies |
Samantha De Sousa BSc
Samantha is a second year Intermediate/Senior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education, with teachable subjects in biology and general science. In 2019, she completed her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biology and a minor in Anthropology from McMaster University. Shortly after, she completed an internship teaching students Thailand, where she found her love for the classroom and passion for helping students. She believes that teachers play an important role in helping individuals grow into good human beings both in the classroom, and in the real world. In the future, she hopes to create a safe, engaging and inclusive classroom. |
Danika Dos Santos
Danika Dos Santos is a 2nd year teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. Aside from the program, she work as a Behaviour Therapist with young children autism. When she is not working, or in class, she loves to explore Teaching resources. She recently discovered Bitmoji classrooms and since then has been inspired using Bitmojis as a tool for teaching as the possibilities are never ending. |
Maggie Fairweather
Maggie Fairweather is a second year primary/junior teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. She has an undergraduate degree in Child Health and has worked as an instructor of a day program for adults with disabilities before choosing to pursue her Bachelor of Education. Her education and work experience shape her passion for working with children and specifically for special education. She looks forward to continuing to build her skills and knowledge in order to enter the field well-prepared to support her students in face-to-face, blended, and online learning environments. |
Devin Flynn - BSc
Devin graduated from Ontario Tech in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science, Life Science, minoring in Forensic Psychology. He spent a year working in Horticulture at a local greenhouse that he had worked at as a student since 2015 where he continued to develop his passion for plants, the environment, and educating others. In 2019 he returned to Ontario Tech to pursue his Bachelor of Education degree as an I/S Teacher Candidate with teachables in Biology and General Science. As part of an alternative practicum opportunity, he has been working with the STEAM 3D Maker Lab to develop online resources for teachers adjusting to the new distance learning approach. |
Alessandra Frederico - BASc
Alessandra Federico is a primary/junior teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. She graduated from the University of Guelph Humber with a Bachelor’s in Applied Sciences, and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. She has diverse experiences in the classroom working with special education students, and students in kindergarten and grade two. She credits her time at Ontario Tech with developing a better understanding on becoming an agent of change and advocating for Indigenous students. She is also interested in technology and how it can be used in the classroom to support learning. |
Aidan Gertley - BSc (Hons)
Aidan Gertley is a second year teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University focusing on Biology and Mathematics at the Intermediate/Senior level. She completed her Bachelor of Science Honours in Biology at Carleton University. She completed TRIBES training and looks forward to implementing new ways to create safe and caring environments for her future students to thrive in. Aidan is also a part of the Ontario Tech Equestrian team and will be captain of the team during the 2020/2021 school year. |
Michelle Greydanus - BSc
Michelle grew up in a small town along the edge of Lake Ontario with a love of learning how the world works! With a passion for science from a young age, she decided to get her BSc in Biology from the University of Guelph. After working for a few years, she decided to attend the Faculty of Education from Ontario Tech University to become an I/S biology and science teacher. In her spare time, you can find her reading, beekeeping, hiking or travelling (pre-COVID). An explorer at heart, she loves to visit new places and learn new things! |
Shane Hardy - BFA
Shane is in his final year of the B.Ed program at Ontario Tech University as a P/J Teacher Candidate. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Laurentian University with a major in Theatre and minor in Film. Shane is excited to use his filmmaking background to make online learning dynamic and engaging for every student. |
Anna-Christina Juarez - BA
Anna is a primary and junior teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. She complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Geographic Analysis program at Ryerson University. In the Bachelor of Education program, her passions are Technology, Special Education and Indigenous studies. She recently achieved the Presidents list for the Winter 2020 term. She is excited to apply her learnings to the classroom and with her students. |
David Kasper - BSc
David Kasper is a second year I/S teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. David graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a double Major in biology and chemistry and a minor in physics. David is also experienced with coding and Minecraft, which he looks to implement in his teaching. David is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, working with the cadet program as a CIC Officer. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. |
Rhiannon Latremouille- BA
Rhiannon is a second year P/J Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. Prior to beginning her studies in the Bachelor of Education program, Rhiannon achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at Ryerson University. Studies in child psychology have fuelled her enthusiasm for deeper understanding about an individual’s learning and development. She enjoys engaging in educational opportunities such as tutoring English Language Learners, both locally and internationally, and working as an Educational Assistant for the YRDSB. As a future educator, Rhiannon hopes to foster a supportive learning environment to allow all types of students to thrive, and to better aid children with diverse behavioural and learning exceptionalities. |
Emma Lauchlan - BA
Emma Lauchlan is a second year teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Trent University in psychology with an emphasis in education. Emma has dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was four years old and her passions in education include creating an equitable and inclusive classroom. |
Eugenia Lee - BSc
Eugenia is a Year 2 Intermediate/Senior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. Her teaching passion lies in mathematics and biology. In particular, she is interested in the integration of technology and social justice in teaching. She completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto with a focus in human biology and statistics. |
Yeng-Ching Lee - BSc
Yeng graduated from the University of Guelph in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science, Zoology. She spent a year working on her TESL Certification and in 2019, she started attending the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University to become an I/S Biology and General Science teacher. Her interests lie in technology (especially Maker Technology), coding, ELL, environmental education, and inclusive education. With her enthusiasm and general can-do attitude, she hopes to inspire a love of the sciences and all things nerdy in her students. In her spare time, you can find her reading, snacking, playing Dungeons and Dragons, drawing, or organizing her vast collection of stickers." |
Amy Liou - BSc
Amy Liou is in her second year as a teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment, Resource and Sustainability and a Minor in International Development. She is passionate about environmental issues and writes poetry in her leisure time. |
Bryden MacDonald - BAA
Bryden MacDonald is a primary/junior teacher candidate in her final year at Ontario Tech University. She graduated from Sheridan College with a Bachelor of Applied Arts Animation degree and from Ryerson University with a Certificate in Publishing. Bryden is passionate about environmental education, championing the Arts, and sharing a love of reading. In her future career, she hopes to create a learning environment that encourages imagination, creativity and critical thinking. An avid traveller, she hopes to teach all around the world and have many exciting adventures. |
Marylou Malicdem - BFA
Marylou Malicdem is a teacher-candidate at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in music at York University teaching piano and vocal to students of all ages. She shares her passions of teaching and music with the community by coordinating, conducting, and accompanying the Koro ni Sta. Cecilia at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Toronto. She is a life-long learner exploring different strategies to develop a safe, inclusive, and creative learning environment. |
Shawna McCracken BA
I am excited to be a part of the team here for the Ontario TechU conferences. I am currently a Teacher Candidate for Ontario TechU, in the Primary/Junior program. I completed my undergraduate degree at Ontario TechU as well, in Communications and Digital Media. In my spare time I enjoy doing yoga, reading, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends! |
Emma McWatt - BA
Emma McWatt is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, in an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Religion & Culture/Medieval Studies. After taking a four year break, Emma has entered the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University, in the Intermediate/Senior stream, with teachables in English and History, and is now in her second year. She is passionate about social justice and teaching for inclusion, with the aim to keep compassion, equity, and diversity at the heart of her practice. She is an advocate for the use of Young Adult literature and other forms of popular text in teaching English, and will incorporate books and other texts she loves into her teaching, whenever she gets the chance. Emma is a freelance blogger and aspiring novelist, a Star Wars and fun-fact enthusiast, and spends her free time reading, writing, tweeting, playing with her two cats, and annoying her husband Cameron. |
Hope Medema BSc
Hope grew up on a farm in Aylmer, Ontario where she developed a passion for taking care of animals. For her undergraduate, she attained her BSc in Zoology at the University of Guelph. After graduation, she set off to teach English in South Korea for a year, where she discovered her love for teaching! She is now moving forward with her love of teaching by working towards becoming an I/S biology and general science teacher at Ontario Tech University. By combining her love for science, travelling, and nature, she hopes to inspire her students to explore and enjoy this world we live in! |
Lianna Metauro, BSc
Lianna is a 2nd year Teacher Candidate at OTU's Faculty of Education. She is in the Intermediate-Senior Stream with teachables in Mathematics and Biology. Before coming to the Faculty, Lianna completed her undergraduate degree at York University in Mathematics for Education. Lianna looks forward to developing teaching and learning strategies that promote 21st century competencies. |
Shangavi Raveendran - BHSc
Shangavi is a second-year P/J teacher candidate at OnTechU. She completed her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences with a specialization in Human Health. She worked as a behavioural therapist for children with autism. Shangavi is currently an intern at the STEAM-3D Maker Lab, tutor for Ryerson’s Study Buddy program, and tutor for DDSB’s SMILE-e program. She spends her free time baking and doing DIY projects with her Cricut. She hopes to embrace her passions of special education and STEM in her future practice as a P/J teach |
Olivia Rayner - Hons. BA Early Childhood Studies
Olivia is a 2nd Year Primary/Junior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. In 2018, She completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies at Ryerson University and graduated cum laude. She has experience working in Kindergarten classrooms throughout the Toronto District School Board and is proficient in strengthening students’ literacy skills. Olivia has a strong passion for the natural world, which includes caring and advocating for animals and the environment. Her areas of interest in education include cultivating inclusive learning environments, building digital literacy skills, learning in digital contexts, equity and diversity in education, and environmental education. Olivia has always had a passion for teaching and learning and hopes to instil positive views about learning in her students. She is looking forward to inspiring her future students to be lifelong learners. |
Natasha Recoskie - BSc
Natasha is a lifelong learner and is passionate about education. She completed her BSc in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph in 2010 and paused her education to pursue motherhood. Natasha is a mother of three beautiful children, who keep her constantly on her toes. This led to a career trajectory and pursuing a BEd in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. She has recently been introduced to the marvellous world of coding, specifically Scratch Jr, and has been bitten by the coding bug. The endless possibilities and opportunities to draw from a variety of knowledge backgrounds intrigues her. She loves debugging and problem-solving and thoroughly enjoys helping others, as long as she has had her morning coffee. |
Katie Richmyre - BA
With a lifelong passion for history and reading, Katie attended Carleton University in Ottawa to get her Bachelor of Arts in History. She is currently attending Ontario Tech University to get her Bachelor of Education, specializing in history and English education for the intermediate and senior levels. |
Nicholas Rita
Nick is a graduate of the University of Toronto and current student in the BEd program at Ontario Tech University with teachables in I/S English and History. He sees learning opportunities in every experience and his strengths and interests lie in creating and organizing programs to maximize student experience and success. He aspires to merge his passion for student leadership, life, and experience, with curriculum, learning skills, and 21st century technological integration. |
Leena Saeed - BHSc
Leena is a second-year I/S teacher candidate in the Bachelor of Education program at Ontario Tech University with general science and biology teachables. She completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto in 2017 where she majored in both immunology and health and disease. Leena worked as a research assistant at SickKids and Dalla Lana School of Public Health before pursuing her passion for teaching science. |
Ranim Taboule - MEng
Ranim is a second year teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University. She is French educated and completed her Master's Degree in Civil Engineering at the Lebanese University. She worked as an engineer for two years in Lebanon but she didn’t feel that designing buildings and drawing the different structural elements are truly her passion. She chose teaching as her future career for the reason that it does fulfill her passion of being in touch with realistic and genuine people "her students". She is passionate about coding and always looks for designing Math lessons by integrating coding. In her future career, she will teach Math through coding because she believes that coding and Math go hand in hand. She simply wants her students to benefit from coding to innovate, make information, and let the learning happen. |
Heather Temple - B.Eng.Society
Heather is a teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University in the intermediate/senior teaching division, with teachable subjects in physics and mathematics. She previously completed a Bachelors of Engineering and Society in Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, with a focus is social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Heather is passionate about inquiry-based and collaborative learning in mathematics and sciences, and is always seeking new and engaging strategies to integrate the arts and coding into STEM curriculum. |
Alexsis Theodore -BA (Hons)
Alexsis is a Guyanese-Canadian 2nd Year Primary/Junior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. In 2019, she completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts in English Studies at York University and graduated cum laude. Alexsis is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. She was Miss. West Indian Canadian 2017 and used her platform to be a role model for youth in the GTA and raise funds for various charitable organizations. Alexsis’ areas of interest include Special Education, Equity and Diversity in Education, and Creating Inclusive Classrooms. She is a lifelong learner and looks forward to co-facilitating a session at the Best Practices in Online and Blended Learning 2020 Conference. She can be followed @thetheodoreteachertales on Instagram. |
Adriana Todorovski - BHSc
Adriana is a 2nd Year Primary/Junior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. In 2019, she completed her Bachelor of Health Science degree in Kinesiology from Ontario Tech University, graduating with distinction. Her high regard for both physical and mental health have motivated her to support individuals in cardiac rehabilitation, as well as youth with mental health struggles. She enjoys tutoring, volunteering in her cultural community, and working as an aquatics and recreational programs instructor. As a future educator, Adriana hopes to establish an engaging, positive, and safe learning environment for all students by implementing principles of UDL and 21st century skills. |
Jessica Torrano, Hons. B.ECL
Jessica Torrano is a 2nd Year Primary/Junior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. She completed her Honours Bachelor’s Degree of Early Childhood Leadership at George Brown College. Jessica’s education and diverse work experiences has influenced her passion for working with children from birth to adolescents. She is passionate about social justice issues, incorporating technology in the classroom and special education. She aims to deliver an inclusive, diverse, and technological learning experience in her teaching practices. |
Joseph Vocino - BASc
Joseph is a 2nd Year Primary/Junior Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Education. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology at the State University of New York at Canton Tech and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Joseph’s areas of interest include teaching Kindergarten, Health and Physical Education, and Special Education. Joseph is also a hockey coach in Durham and York Region and is currently completing qualifications with Hockey Canada in Gender Identity and Expression. |
Christian Whelan - BSc
Christian is a second-year Intermediate/Senior teacher candidate at Ontario Tech University with teachables in Health and Physical Education and Science - Biology. He completed his undergraduate degree from York University where he majored in Kinesiology and Health Science. In his spare time he has found a new love for horticulture and enjoys hiking, ultimate frisbee and travelling the world (pre-Covid). He hopes to inspire others to be a continuous, lifelong learner and help his students build and develop the 21st century competencies. |