INNOVA ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Adele McLaughlin earned her Honours Bachelor of Music and her Bachelor of Education degrees from Western University. Adele has qualifications in the junior and intermediate classroom and music, Special Education, and Religious Education. Before joining Innova, Adele's experience includes serving as Innova's vice principal and curriculum director, teaching Grades 5 and 6 homeroom, Grades 1-8 music, Grades 3 and 6 mathematics, serving as a special education and enrichment resource support teacher, and home educating her three children. In addition to teaching, Adele has served in her church as a children's choir director, which included directing full productions, and toddler program. Adele loves reading, running, birding, cooking, and trying new restaurants. Adele and her husband Neil are among the founding families of Innova Academy and continue to be instrumental in the development and growth of the school.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Angel serves as the administrative assistant at Innova Academy. She completed a double major in the general Arts and Science program at the University of Toronto. After graduation, she began work as a residential counsellor at a shelter for adolescent mothers and their babies and then moved onto a different career path working in the financial district in downtown Toronto. After the birth of her second child, Angel decided to stay home to spend more time with her two daughters. When her youngest daughter reached school age, Angel was blessed with the opportunity to work as the administrative assistant at Innova Academy where her two daughters currently attend. Angel has served as a Sunday school teacher, Community Bible Study children's teacher, in the nursery and as an AWANA leader. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her wonderful husband, Greg and their two daughters.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- Administrative Assistant at the Innova Academy North Campus
Ashley serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Innova Academy North Campus. She completed a certificate at Seneca College for Office Administration and has aspired to work in a school office for many years. She worked at Teen Challenge for 2 years as a community support worker and gained valuable administrative experience during her time there. Ashley is thrilled to have the opportunity to work at Innova Academy and looks forward to how God will use her to serve Him and the school community. Ashley has a heart for service and has volunteered in various capacities in her church youth program as well as with a local youth summer camp. Most recently, she has had the opportunity to serve in her church worship team. Ashley is passionate in seeing God work in her life and in the lives of others and looks expectantly to how God will use her here at Innova and in other areas of ministry. In her spare time, Ashley loves reading, spending time with friends, and playing board games.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Donna holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree within the Faculty of Fine Arts from York University. For the first half of her teaching career, she was the Education Coordinator at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection where she fostered a love of Canadian art in both children and adult visitors. In the summers, she worked as the Studio Director at a residential Christian Camp in the Muskokas. For the second half of her career, she had many part-time jobs which provided her with the time to stay home and raise three children. From her home studio, she offered afterschool and evening art lessons to children in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture including pottery.
Additionally, she has worked as an Artist -in-the-School in the public school board, at a Christian Montessori school, and with a Christian homeschool group. She has also taught art lessons at the local town library and fine art school. Her community service includes being a volunteer guest artist at the Rose of Sharon for young mothers, Girl's clubs and Girl Guides, and the York Region Newmarket Health Centre while she serves her church family with watercolour painting and clay nativity sculpture workshops. In her spare time, she enjoys painting with her artistic friends, reading historical fiction, and going for walks. She loves family time with her adult children and husband who recently retired from teaching as Guidance Head. She loves to share her God given talents for making art and teaching art to children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Bill Friesen has been teaching for over 20 years at the university, college and high school levels, teaching everything from ancient history and literature right through to cutting edge science fiction and fantasy, though he earned his Ph.D. in medieval literatures. He has also taught various writing, university preparation, and public speaking courses. In addition, Bill has served as vice president of an academy, director of a university writing centre, and chair of a university academic standards committee. His wife presently works as administrator at St. John's Light on the Hill Church. He loves spending time with his wife and three daughters, teaching, reading, hiking, camping, traveling, and fishing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Hilary McLaughlin is a classically-trained pianist and teacher. She received her ARCT in Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music and her Masters of Piano Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Toronto. Drawing on her many years of choral experience, Kodaly certification, and knowledge of the Orff method, Miss Mclaughlin has developed Innova's music curriculum, which aims to instil a knowledge of music literacy, history, and skill. Her students have performed for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, seniors' residences, and Crossroads Television. Miss McLaughlin has a passion for teaching and endeavours to inspire her students with an appreciation for music, giving them skills with which to enjoy and explore the many facets of the musical world.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Mr. Namba holds a Master's Degree in Education from Torch Trinity Graduate University, a Bachelor's Degree in History from Biola University, an ACSI teaching certificate, and TESOL certification. He has worked overseas in South Korea as a grammar stage teacher for the Seoul International Christian Academy and has also served as their Lower Grammar Stage Academic Director. His love for classical education is rooted in its deep appreciation for history and its commitment to truth, beauty, and goodness. When Jason is not teaching, he can be found reading, playing board games, cooking, and spending time with his wife and sons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- Senior Pastor at Sovereign Grace Church in Bradford
Josh Tong serves as the Senior Pastor at Sovereign Grace Church in Bradford. He is married to Nina, and together they are the grateful parents of six wonderful children. Josh grew up in St. Catharines, graduated from the Arts and Science program at McMaster University, and completed his law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He worked as a criminal defence lawyer in Toronto before entering full-time ministry. He is excited to be teaching logic and theology at Innova, because he believes that both can lead to a deeper and more vibrant relationship with God.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Kayleigh Shin completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science with specialties in Studio Art and Biology at the University of Guelph, and a Bachelors of Education at Brock University. Kayleigh's classroom experience includes teaching Core French in Saskatchewan to grades 4 to 12. Since returning to Ontario, Kayleigh has tutored students in grades 1-12 in various subjects including science, math, French and early reading skills. She most recently worked as a visual arts teacher for elementary students in a French Immersion school while living in Oakville. Kayleigh's areas of service include teaching Sunday school, helping with welcome team, and organizing hospitality for events at her church in Newmarket. She also leads young adults with her husband. Kayleigh loves reading, making art, photography, and baking. She cherishes most her time spent in the Word and time spent with her husband John and her son Nehemiah.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- Principal
Monica Whatley serves as Principal of Innova Academy. She earned her Private School Principal's qualifications (PSP I and II) from York University, a Bachelor of Education primary/junior from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Arts in English with Concurrent Education from Lakehead University, and a Bible School certification from Capernwray, England. Monica also has her intermediate English qualifications. She homeschooled her children for 9 years while writing teacher and student resources for Popular Books Canada, including MathSmart, ScienceSmart, Robin Readers, and Art Lessons. She wrote Shaping Hearts and Minds with Shawn, her husband, as a short apologetic for classical Christian Education. Monica has taught across the elementary grades and served as board member and vice principal. Her service includes missions to Mexico, Nicaragua, and the Dominican, local VBS teaching and decorating, creating church signage, and teaching Sunday school and Kidz Church. Monica loves to travel, see her children develop creatively, play women's soccer, and savour quality time with Shawn and their four children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Rachel received a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Theology from Tyndale University and earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the University of Toronto. Rachel has a passion for the Word of God and encouraging students to grow in their knowledge and love of Him, through math, science, literature, and all areas of their lives. She has a specific interest in the biblical languages (especially Greek) and enjoys spending time reflecting on the details and truths revealed in the original language. Rachel was first introduced to Innova and the classical model of education by a friend and is very excited to join Innova this year and getting to know the school community! When Rachel is not teaching, she loves to travel, read, play sports, and be out on the water. She also enjoys spending time with family at the cottage and relaxing in her backyard with her husband, Justin.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
[x_columnizeSamantha Jung earned a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology and History from York University and a Bachelor of Education from Tyndale University. She is OCT qualified as a primary/junior teacher and has her intermediate qualifications in history and Special Education Part 1. Samantha's classroom experience includes teacher assistant, Grade 3 Montessori teacher, and JK, SK, and Grade 2 and 3 at Innova. She has been at Innova since it started. Samantha is active in her church on the worship team and has served in the infant and primary programs. Samantha loves to oil paint, enjoys a spy, mystery or historical novel, and generally loves spending quality time with family.[/x_columnize]
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Tiffany holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alberta, a diploma in Early Childhood Education, and TESOL certification. She has worked overseas in South Korea and the UK as a grammar stage teacher. Tiffany has also worked as an educational assistant for children with special needs. Her love for the classical model grew after she was introduced to it by a fellow teacher and friend. When Tiffany is not teaching, she can be found reading, enjoying time at the beach with her dog Zoey, serving in various ministries at church, and spending time with family.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Tim Barnett serves as an adjunct Bible and science teacher at Innova. He has earned a Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics and Astronomy from York University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Tim also has a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Currently, Tim is a professional apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason. Using easy-to-follow and visually engaging presentations, Tim trains Christians to think clearly about what they believe and why they believe it. Tim's passion and energy help motivate students to love God ‘with all your mind.' Tim has worked as a professional high school teacher since 2008, employed in both the private and public sector. Tim is married to Stacey, and they have three, beautiful little girls.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
Vic Beaumont completed his Bachelors and Masters of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and a Bachelors of Education at Ontario Tech University with a focus on math and chemistry. Vic gained a greater appreciation for his disciplines through a decade of experience in the water treatment industry before pursuing teaching as a profession. He has taught in a variety of settings including public and private institutions, both in-person and online with a continued focus on excellence in chemistry and mathematics, and a pursuit of Christlike character and holiness. Vic is currently serving at Sanctus Church as an Elder, Care Minister, and Preschool Kids Ministry Coach. He enjoys board games, tinkering, and spending time with his wife and five children.