Meet Urban Academy's Educators & Staff

Mrs. Abrante has worked in education for over 30 years, dedicating herself to ensuring that learners from all backgrounds and skill levels can succeed in their endeavours. Prior to moving to Canada to pursue a Post-Degree Diploma in Business Administration, she operated her own tutoring business in Brazil. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Communication with a specialization in English.

Outside of Urban Academy, you can find Mrs. Abrante volunteering with a not-for-profit organization or attending her dance classes. She is passionate about spending quality time with her twins, husband, and friends. She believes that each person has their own unique set of skills, and that the beauty of a community lies in bringing all these pieces together to form a unique mosaic.

Ms. Gallinger graduated from UBC with a Master’s in Social Work and a concentration in children and families. She is a registered clinical counsellor, and registered social worker and has experience working as a child and family therapist since 2014. Ms. Gallinger has held positions as a family development worker, parent support group facilitator, anger management group facilitator, youth worker, and community mental health worker. She is dedicated to a person-centred approach which tailors support/strategies according to each child’s unique situation. Ms. Gallinger offers an inclusive, compassionate, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed space for reflection, learning, healing, and creating positive growth. Her other interests include travelling, camping, decorating, cooking and spending time with loved ones.

Mrs. Greenhough grew up in the South of England before moving West to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Ocean Science, followed by her PGCE teaching qualification. She has worked as a teacher and Special Needs Coordinator in England, as well as a teacher, Head of Grade, and Head of Learning Support in UK and IB curriculum International Schools across both Shanghai and Singapore. She brings extensive experience working with students of all ages from JK through to Grade 12. Mrs. Greenhough is delighted to be a part of the Urban Academy community, where she continues her passion for supporting children to become the best versions of themselves while celebrating diversity at every opportunity. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Greenhough loves spending time with her family, hiking in the mountains, walking their dog, scuba diving, and travelling.

Ms. McCarron graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley with a BA in Child and Youth Care and a Master’s in Counselling from City University. Ms. McCarron has continued her passion for supporting children for over 20 years. Her experience includes working over 17 years for the New Westminster School district, an internship at Child and Youth Mental Health in Port Moody and as a Child and Family Therapist at Bright Star Counselling in Port Moody. Ms. McCarron’s therapeutic approach is attentive to being child-centred to establish a safe, compassionate, and supportive relationship to better support the social-emotional needs of students.

Ms. McCarron loves spending her spare time with family and friends, walking her dog, cooking, travelling, camping, biking, and generally anything outdoors.

Ms. Pellegrin completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a Diploma in Criminology from Douglas College. Following early career experience in Criminal Justice and Educational Assistance in Toronto, Ontario, Ms. Pellegrin returned home to British Columbia. There, she joined Community Living BC, where she dedicated her career to supporting individuals with diverse abilities in schools and in their communities. Her path eventually led her to the Okanagan, where she served as a behaviour specialist, honing her skills in behaviour consultancy and finding her love of training/teaching about diverse abilities and educating communities on advocacy.

At Urban Academy, Ms. Pellegrin is dedicated to continuing her advocacy and sharing her expertise by building strong, meaningful connections with staff, administration, and students. She is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive learning environment where curiosity and acceptance empower every student to reach their full potential.

Mr. Vo graduated from UBC with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.Ed. with an IB specialization. Since 2014, he has worked in diverse school settings and is committed to creating inclusive, student-centred learning environments. Mr. Vo brings a thoughtful approach to education, with a passion for fostering critical thinking and real-world application. He encourages students not only to pursue their dreams but, more importantly, to find fulfillment while maintaining a balanced lifestyle along the way. Outside the classroom, Mr. Vo enjoys playing both disc golf and golf, watching UFC, and solving challenging logic puzzles.

Ms. Worth graduated from SFU with a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Theatre. She also holds a Master’s in Counselling from City University. Ms. Worth has a rich background in mental health, working in the Downtown Eastside, the New Westminster School District, SHARE Community Services and as a current Youth Counsellor at Bright Star Counselling in Port Moody. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in developing a warm and non-judgemental relationship with students to create opportunities for connection and validation.

Outside of school, Ms. Worth enjoys plant-based cooking, attending live theatre, reading, camping, and spending time with her family. She is currently teaching herself to sketch and draw and would love any lessons that students would like to teach her. Ms. Worth is excited to learn and grow alongside the students at Urban Academy.