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.

Holly Klassen
Primary Teacher

Holly has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History from the University of Lethbridge and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. In addition to teaching Grade 2 at Urban Academy, Holly teaches summer school in Burnaby. She has experience as an aide in several primary classrooms, a planner for year-long after school programs for primary aged girls, and a tutor for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Holly has experience working with students who have Autism and has been trained in the PICS system. She has worked closely with para-professionals in creating Individualized Education Plans and effective lessons for children with special needs. Holly is currently undergoing training in the SMART learning program.

As a teacher, Holly strives to provide each student with a solid foundation from which they can inquire, while ensuring the social and emotional development of every student. Holly is thrilled to be a part of Urban Academy and is excited to utilize her knowledge of problem-based learning within the school.

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
Intermediate 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.

Katherine Adisa
Secondary 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.

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.

Fran Fellowes
Para-Professional Educator

Fran has a Master of Education degree from the University of Hartford, Connecticut. She completed a Bachelor of Music degree with an English major and a Diploma in the Education of Children with Learning Disabilities at the University of British Columbia.

Fran taught school in the Richmond and North Vancouver Public School Systems for over 30 years. She was a Learning Assistance Teacher, primarily with K-7 students and for 10 years taught in a K-12 alternative school whose program is based on the International Democratic Schools model.

As well, she is a Registered Professional Counsellor with the Canadian Professional Counselling Association and has a part time counselling practice.

Fran has always loved teaching and working with young people and appreciates being able to support students on a one-to-one basis where there is greater opportunity to consider each child’s unique learning needs and strengths.
Fran is passionate about supporting students to become aware of their own unique strengths and abilities, to learn to set their own achievable goals and to become confident advocates for themselves.

Ms. Nevada
Intermediate Teacher

Ms. Nevada recently moved to Vancouver from the Philippines. She taught Mathematics for 10 years at Brent International School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) accredited institution. Additionally, she served as their Mathematics Head for 6 years. She continues to be an IB examiner for the internal assessment component of Mathematics SL (Standard Level) course. Along with a Bachelor of Arts degree (with a major in Mathematics), Angela also has a Master of Arts Degree in Mathematics Education. She has taught Mathematics at all levels including a graduate level course in Modern geometry.

In the Philippines, Angela was very involved in community service activities. She, together with two other faculty members, developed and ran the community service program for their school. This included city-wide fund raising and outreach initiatives. Angela was also involved in co-curricular activities. She began the first mathematics-centered field trip that involved students travelling to a village and investigating mathematics in the culture.

In her free time, Angela enjoys ballroom dancing, finding great reads, and going on leisurely walks with her family. Having come from a school that just turned 100, she is excited to be a part of a school that continues to develop its own traditions.

Ms. Stewart
Music Specialist

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