Faculty
Michael Bouchard
Head Of School and Primary Teacher
Michael is a visionary, dynamic educator who has fourteen years of experience in developing independent schools in British Columbia. His teaching experience ranges from kindergarten to the university level and spans both the public and independent school systems. His passion is helping organizations to improve the ways in which they facilitate student learning.
Serving as an independent school board member and educational leader, Michael brings a wealth of experience in creating safe, nurturing, inspiring school environments that are unified with a common vision. His contribution to education is built around his ability to bring people together in ways that encourage risk taking and ingenuity.
Michael has a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Alberta and holds a master's degree in school management and Leadership from the University of Victoria. Michael is part of a collaborative team of professional educators across British Columbia that share knowledge about improving student learning. By keeping current about the best practices currently being employed by educators, Michael is introducing the most effective teaching and learning strategies to Urban Academy.
Nadia Vaseva
Pre-Primary Teacher
Nadia has a certificate in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in puppetry. She received her degree at the National Academy of Theatre & Film Arts “Krastyo Sarafov” in Sofia, Bulgaria, and has performed as a puppet actor in three movies and numerous puppet shows.
Nadia has over 15 years of experience in planning, creating, and implementing educational and entertaining programs for children. Greatly inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, Nadia strives to run a preschool of excellence that motivates children to learn by offering a curriculum that is relevant to them in an environment that is warm, safe and fun.
Nadia believes in the importance of early learning and is excited to be a part of UA team.
Rosa Tatiana Celis
Primary Teacher
Tatiana has more than 10 years experience in education, as both a primary teacher and principal in two of the most prestigious and internationally accredited schools in her native Colombia. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Languages (English, Spanish and French), an Master of Arts in Elementary Education, and is also an Early Childhood Educator. Tatiana is very eager to continue her path as a teacher, her genuine passion.
Tatiana has volunteered and was later hired as a preschool assistant and instructor at Guildford Community Centre in Surrey, B.C. She has also served the community as a translator of English/Spanish at the employment and assistance services provided by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in B.C.
Among her many talents, Tatiana has experience in dance (classic ballet, flamenco, and Latin American rhythms), arts and crafts and cooking (bakery). Committed enthusiastic, creative and organized Tatiana is very excited and proud to be a part of Urban Academy.
Allison Penner
Primary Teacher
Allison is an enthusiastic teacher who is driven to provide a passion for learning in her students. She earned her Bachelor of Arts with a major in music and Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia.
Through her education, she specialized in bringing the fine arts and technology into the classroom. She is well rounded in her teaching as she has taught primary music, middle school classroom and has coached a variety of team sports. She has also been involved with the Sarah MacLachlan Music Outreach Program based out of Vancouver by teaching music classes and music camps to under privileged students. She is a member of the Vancouver based Elektra Women’s Choir, which has taken her all over the world to share her love for singing.
She also enjoys the outdoors through hiking, skiing, surfing and most anything else. She is excited to be a part of Urban Academy that promotes the fine arts and the education of both mind and character.
April Wright
Primary Teacher
April is a caring, nurturing and creative individual who believes the purpose of education is to support children as they develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to be productive members of our global community. Her role as a teacher is to serve as a facilitator, providing children with opportunities and experiences that will support a holistic development of self as conscientious decision makers.
April graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Education specializing in Early Childhood Development from the University of Alberta. She also holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Grant MacEwan College. She has worked with children, ranging from birth to 18 years, in numerous capacities over the past twelve years. Some of those experiences include kindergarten teacher, preschool manager, summer camp director, program coordinator, child and youth worker, and youth group leader.
Actualizing her goals of teaching young children is a very exciting prospect for her, especially at a school like Urban Academy. Her extensive work with children, along with her training in child development, learning needs and teaching strategies has given her a comprehensive understanding of children’s natural developmental progression. This understanding enables her to teach to the child’s level, enhancing each learning opportunity to its highest degree. April looks forward to a year working with enthusiastic students, teachers and parents.
Annie MacDonald
Primary Teacher
Annie has a Bachelor of Education degree with a minor in Language Arts from the University of Alberta. During her time at the U of A, Annie was involved in many educational student groups. She was a member of a student committee dedicated to creating a curriculum for a North American sponsored school in Uganda, Africa. Annie has traveled to South America to volunteer her time implementing a literacy program for primary and secondary students in Georgetown, Guyana.
Annie previous experiences in education have further fueled her desire to teach and will continue to influence her professional development. She is currently in the process of being trained in SmartLearning. Annie is a passionate and dedicated teacher and is overjoyed to be spending her second year of teaching with the students and staff at Urban Academy.
Wes Armstrong
Intermediate Teacher
Wes is a compassionate and hard-working educator who is interested in fostering student success. Wes earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours degree) in History from McMaster University and has pursued a career in education ever since.
While studying at McMaster, Wes worked on the editorial staff at the student-run university newspaper and he arranged and conducted interviews for an array of Canadian icons and celebrities including the late Pierre Berton. From 2004 to 2007 Wes taught English as a second language classes to students of all ages and ability levels in three cities in Japan before returning to Canada to earn a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Western Ontario.
In addition to these accomplishments, Wes has played guitar in a rock band, performed stand-up comedy, and has traveled to several countries in Asia. Wes speaks and understands Japanese at level 3 of the JPLT standard and recently completed a course in French at the Unviersite du Quebec a Trois Rivieres.
Ira Alexandra
Intermediate Teacher
Ira completed her Bachelor of Education and Honours in Arts in the Concurrent Education Program at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. Her areas of concentration were History and English, with Out-of-Classroom learning as her Program Focus. This program introduced experiential learning facilities such as museums, art galleries, and other institutions to enhance classroom learning.
Ira moved out to British Columbia in 1999 as a ski instructor at Grouse and Seymour Mountain with the hopes of finding a teaching position. Within months she began teaching at Glen Eden in Vancouver, a school for students with behavioural and emotional needs. Her second teaching job was at Meadowridge School in Maple Ridge teaching grades 8-12 Social Studies, English, PE, Earth Science and Geography. She also choreographed several musicals productions and coached cross country, track and field, and volleyball. In 2004 she gave birth to Gabe and Cole and stayed at home for a total of four years. Within that time period, she took the opportunity to work on a Native Reserve in Agassiz teaching grades 9-12 students. Ira will soon complete her Masters in Liberal Studies at Simon Fraser University.
She is excited about Urban Academy and its philosophy so much that her own children are attending the school. Ira's teaching method is well suited to that of an art-infused school. She is also thrilled that Mr Bouchard is supportive of Imaginative Education as a teaching philosophy well suited for UA’s environment.
Natasha Virani
Intermediate Teacher
Natasha is a fun, fearless and enthusiastic teacher who loves challenges, different cultures and new adventures. Natasha earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario and upon completion of her degree, moved to Brisbane, Australia where she completed her Masters in Teaching, Secondary Biology and General Science.
After a year of surfing, traveling and learning, she moved back to Vancouver to pursue her career in Education. While she is only in her second year of teaching, Natasha has had the opportunity to teach a multitude of subjects to students in grades six through twelve. Natasha also spends her Saturday mornings voluntarily teaching religious education classes within the Ismaili community in Richmond. Natasha’s teaching philosophy is based on dynamic pedagogies, hands-on activities, teaching life skills and applying the curriculum to real-life.
She is very excited to be teaching at an academic institution that not only educates children but also fosters the building of character. She believes Urban Academy fulfils Martin Luther King Junior’s ideas about education, "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education".
Katherine Adisa
Intermediate Teacher
Katherine has a B.A. in Science and English, a B.Ed. in Science and English methods, and a master’s in Educational Admin. She has taught Science and English in Nigeria and in Colombia. Katherine joins UA from Greybrook Academy where she taught middle school Science for five years.
When she is not teaching, Katherine enjoys portrait drawing and water colour painting. Katherine grew up in Ontario, moved to the Maritimes for university, and arrived in BC five years ago.
Music Specialist
Martin founded the Da Capo School of Music in Burnaby in the mid-80s. He taught Piano, Brass Instruments, Music Composition, and Electronic Music to students from preschool to college level.
Since then he has taught music (and other subjects) privately and at both the Elementary and Secondary levels. Martin has an MA in Music Education and Integration, and have given workshops in Composing and in Music Education for non-music teachers. Martin is thrilled to part of the UA faculty.
Music Specialist
Emmeline is excited and honored to be teaching music to the K/1 students at UA. She grew up in England, UK and since a young age, has been passionate about music and have been privileged to learn many instruments. Emmeline went on to complete a music degree and then continued her education at Cambridge University.
Music has taken her all over the world as a performer and a teacher. Soon after completing her teacher training, she moved to Uganda, East Africa, and became the African Children’s Choir™ Academy Director. She stayed in Uganda for 10
years. Emmeline spent five years working with the choir and the other five years as the music teacher at Lincoln International School in Kampala, Uganda.
Last year she taught music at Vancouver Christian School.
Katherine Newman
Drama Specialist
Kate is a graduate of the UBC BFA in Acting Program, has studied at the Toronto School of Puppetry and at the Vancouver Film School. Kate also has her Masters in Education.
Kate has been practicing the craft of theatre for 18 years. She was involved with numerous productions at Pacific Theatre, starred as Lady Macbeth in a cross-Canada tour sponsored by the Manitoba Theatre Centre, and was the lead in the opening show in John MClaughlin Grey's first musical since Billy Bishop - thetree.thetower.theflood.
But what does Kate really love doing? More than anything, Kate loves working with kids and youth in theatre.
Karle Spencer
Visual Art and French Specialist
Karle earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in visual arts, at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops BC. She completed the Bachelor of Education program at the University of British Columbia in Art Education.
She was awarded the Leon Tuey Scholarship for Academic Achievement. She is excited to find ways to bring bilingualism into the classroom, as well as, provide students with opportunities to create personally meaningful art that explores avenues of their own cultures. She is particularly looking forward to the exciting things this year will bring working with the students, parents, and teachers at Urban Academy.
Judith Hetherington
Para Professional
Judith has gained extensive experience over her 15+ years as a facilitator and para-professional in the field of education. She earned her Special Education certification through Langara College, completed a diploma in counseling psychology, and is a Registered Professional Counsellor.
Judith has been actively involved in the development of Individualized Education Plans and the co-creation of specialized programs for students of all abilities ranging from low-incidence to gifted students. As a consultant, she shares her expertise as well as mentors other professionals in special education and program planning. Judith also specializes in augmentative communication systems, behavioural interventions and family systems. She provides tutoring services for students in all subjects of the elementary program.
Angela Shudo
Assistant Teacher (Leave of Absence)
Angela has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English and a Professional Development Program certificate in teaching from Simon Fraser University. She is working on a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Angela has taught in Canada and abroad, helped coordinate curriculum development in Hong Kong, performed professional development literacy workshops for local English teachers and gained valuable experience working with ESL students in England.
She has worked with students of all ages. She has facilitated essay writing classes for students in grades 7 to 11. In the area of language arts she has worked with students from grade 1 to 12. In mathematics, Angela has tutored students from elementary school to high school. Throughout her teaching career she has been actively involved in extra-curricular activities ranging from ski clubs to science fairs.
- Urban Academy
- Education in the heart of New Westminster, BC, Canada
- Copyright © Urban Academy. All Rights Reserved.