Welcome New Staff
We welcome three new teachers and our new School Administrator this fall.
COLLEEN ANGELL
Grade 4
Growing up in a small rural community south of Montreal, Colleen studied at McGill University, earning a concurrent degree in the BEd./BSc. Program, with a major in Biology, and a minor in Chemistry. Colleen began her educational career at the high school level teaching science in Quebec.
After a provincial move to Waterloo, she began working in group home settings with at-risk youth before taking the plunge and moving internationally to teach in Hong Kong at the elementary level.
Colleen lived in Hong Kong for four years, working as a special education teacher and a grade 5 classroom teacher in the International Baccalaureate curriculum. She has extensive knowledge on creating an inclusive classroom, while catering to the individual student’s needs. Colleen has worked with children of both verbal and non-verbal ability on the autism spectrum. Her passion in the classroom is to create an inquiry based learning environment in order to build independent lifelong learners.
In another lifetime, Colleen was a varsity member of the McGill women’s rugby team, and played both club rugby and Gaelic football - a popular Irish sport. While working in HK, Colleen was involved in the school’s extracurricular program coaching the flag football, rugby and soccer teams.
Upon her return to Canada in 2016, Colleen has spent the last 5 years building a family and staying connected to the educational community by supply teaching at both St-John’s Kilmarnock school in Breslau, and The Oxford School.
Colleen enjoys gardening, cooking and living on her hobby farm with her husband, three young daughters, two goats, seven chickens and one cat.
KIM BARLOW
Senior Kindergarten (maternity leave for Liz Miller)
Kim has lived in Woodstock since 2007 and grew up in Unionville, ON, where she competed nationally as a synchronized swimmer. An arts graduate of York University, Kim has a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Seneca College, and completed teacher’s college at D’Youville College, earning her masters’ degree in primary education. One of Kim’s challenges was serving as Program Coordinator at Mom’s Time Out ,a mother’s support group in Woodstock. In this engaging role, Kim prepared discussion topics on parenting styles, marriage family relationships, and created a safe environment for mothers to connect and build healthy relationships with one another.
Kim’s reference from Mom’s Time Out told me: “Kim was thrown challenge after challenge, and mothers trusted her with delicate situations knowing she would be compassionate, wise, and discreet”; all of Kim’s references cited her good judgement, kindness, and absolute dedication to the children in her care.
Married to Paul and mother of Ben, in Grade 6, and Ella, in Grade 2. Kim is a reader, cook, and board game aficionado.
I know you will enjoy meeting Kim and getting to know her as I have, and we wish her the warmest of welcomes come September, just as parents of next year’s Grade One and Five will benefit from the same with Mikaela and Sydney.
MELISSA CARTER
School Administrator
Melissa Carter joins us in an expanded role as our School Administrator, with responsibility for Social Media, interface with our IT partners at Hexaport, and the overall smooth functioning of so many day to day details at our school.
Melissa grew up in Chatham and is now raising her own four children, one of whom joins our Senior Kindergarten. Currently Melissa is Trade Secretary for a very busy Century 21 Real Estate Office in London, where she executes cover letters, documents and commission statements to lawyers and brokers, among other duties. Prior to this role Melissa worked for twelve years for London Life Insurance Co. where she was an integral part of the Individual Life Product Development and Pricing team.
Melissa’s references cited her “remarkable warmth, empathy, and ability to pick up on cues” as well as “always putting herself in the other person’s shoes, and trying to see it from their point of view”. One of Melissa’s volunteer positions was as playground supervisor at her children’s school, where the Vice-Principal told me: “Melissa’s kindness, judgement, and discretion meant I never had any concerns.
Not surprisingly, Melissa’s busy life revolves around her family and includes outdoor pursuits in all seasons, photography, and her church of which she is an active member.
Melissa will begin work on August 23, and I know teachers, students, and parents will come to quickly see the wonderful qualities that made her the successful applicant.
LEAH PELLAR
Reggio Emilia and Early Years
In this newly created position, Leah will assume responsibility for our youngest students as well as support for Reggio Emilia from Pre-School through Grade One. Leah comes to us from the University of Guelph’s highly regarded B. App. Sc. in Child, Youth and Family where she graduated on the Dean’s List. Leah completed additional qualifications as an RECE (Registered Early Childhood Educator). Her professional experience includes work at U Guelph’s Childhood and Learning Centre, and the Learning Tree Academy. Leah is also certified through the Canadian Mental Health Association in both Facilitator training (2019) and the Licensing Standards Self-Test (2020). As well as Reggio study at Guelph, Leah has been engaged in professional development along with other Early Years teachers over the summer.
Leah grew up in St. John’s Newfoundland, and was thrilled to be able to visit her family back home for the first time since 2019. She also made her first trip to Western Canada, hiking in Alberta and British Columbia.
Leah is a great lover of animals, especially her Morkie, “Louise”.
Leah’s References cited her professionalism, academic record, collegiality, and the rapport with the children in her care as “exceptional...perceptive” and “imbued with love, always”.