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Our Team

Our Director

Kelly Farrell, B.A.H, OCT

Kelly Farrell, B.A.H, OCT

Founder & Executive Director

Kelly Farrell is the Founder and Director of Oak Learners circa 2016. She is dedicated to supporting learners of all ages and abilities reach their goals and love the learning journey. Kelly’s philosophy of education is based in the understanding that every child has the capacity to excel and succeed when they are given the tools and taught the skills to help them on their journey.

Kelly is an OCT Certified teacher and has worked in classrooms and alternative learning environments since 1996 and as a certified teacher since 2004, working with students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Kelly has a passion for empowering students to develop confidence through building on their strengths to support their difficulties, particularly those with learning exceptionalities, including Learning Differences, ASD, social emotional needs, and anxiety.  Kelly subscribes to the tenants of Montessori, Reggio-Emilia and Constructivist methods of teaching and is always looking for ways to bring these strategies into the 21st Century through technology and environmental education. 

Throughout her teaching careers, Kelly has been teaching, leading, and connecting students and staff with a global community of educators leading the way in 21st century personalized learning. In 2014, Kelly was awarded “Project of the Year” at the Water Docs @School Film Festival for her Inquiry-Based Learning project, “Kids Against Road Salt“.  This project has been used to train new teachers on the benefits and processes behind inquiry-based learning. Kelly’s teaching was also featured in Owl Magazine on the “Cool School” page in  2014 for a unique publishing project undertaken by her Grade 7/8 class that year.

Kelly has also founded Teach Me Social in 2012, a social media marketing agency and training organization which continues to empower entrepreneurs to brand themselves online and share their messages through social media. Her experience in business and educational leadership lends Kelly a unique approach to technology training. She offers business owners a different perspective on technology, gaining participation in her sessions by energizing participants and inspiring them to dive into the Social Media world whilst also providing valuable skills, tips and strategies they can use to construct their online presence at their own pace.

Our Administrative Team

Arlen Palfreyman, B.A. Hons

Arlen Palfreyman, B.A. Hons

Day School Administrative Assistant & Program Support

Arlen has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2017. With a B.A. in Honours Psychology and Sociology, she has been working with a range of students since her graduation in 2016. She understands and supports all kinds of behaviour and unique needs, and tailors her students’ learning experiences around those needs.

When she’s not at work, Arlen enjoys outdoor activities, reading, animals, and spending time with friends and family.

Nicholas Smith, B. Com

Nicholas Smith, B. Com

Office Administration & Marketing

Nick has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022.  Currently, he is in his fourth year attending Humber College Lakeshore studying digital business management. He also has a diploma in Marketing from Conestoga College and is passionate about technology and sports.

In the summer you can find Nick canoeing and in the Winter find him on the ski slopes.

 

Jenn St. Denis

Jenn St. Denis

Admissions & Communications

Jenn has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2020. With over 30 years of experience working with children, our office manager Jenn is the one to call! Her passion for communication influences her hardworking attitude, and her behind the scenes work is what allows Oak Learners to communicate with its families in a productive manner. We encourage any and all questions to be sent to Jenn, as she is always the one with the answers!

When she is not at work, Jenn enjoys spending time with her family and pets, planning exciting adventures!

 

Sara Dormody, OCT

Sara Dormody, OCT

Tutoring, Camps & Extra Curricular Coordinator

Sara has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022. Sara is an OCT certified teacher with qualifications in the Primary/Junior/Intermediate divisions, and more than twenty years of experience working with children in a variety of settings. Prior to joining the team at Oak Learners, Sara was a classroom teacher for 12 years, teaching grades 3, 5, 7, and 8. She has extensive experience tutoring both in person and online, as well as teaching art classes and coordinating a summer camp. She also spent a year in Japan teaching English to adults and children.

Teaching and art are Sara’s passions. When she’s not teaching, Sara enjoys spending time with her family, arts & crafts, baking, and cake decorating.

Rhoger Marinho, M.Sc

Rhoger Marinho, M.Sc

Financial Administrator

Rhoger has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022. Rhoger has an M.Sc. in Accounting and over 10 years of experience in the financial industry. He believes education promotes a collaborative space for the citizenship development, so he Co-founded an NGO which acts to help vulnerable people, improving their financial and entrepreneurial skills. Adept at working with students and passionate about helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals, he likes numbers, challenges, and new learning opportunities.

When he’s not at work, Rhoger enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

 

Our Day School Staff

Doran Reed, RECE

Doran Reed, RECE

Early Education Teacher

Doran has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2018. Doran is a certified Early Childhood Educator. Born and raised in The Bahamas, Doran discovered her passion working with children at a young age- starting and running Early Childhood programs at her high school that are still in place today. She has been working as an ECE for the last 3 years after graduating from George Brown College. 

She loves incorporating music and the arts into her classes, always trying to bring a smile to her student’s faces! Doran is passionate and constantly tries to create an inclusive and supportive environment for the children to learn and discover in.

Jasmine Chan, RECE

Jasmine Chan, RECE

Kindergarten Teacher

Jasmine has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2021. Jasmine is an energetic Kindergarten teacher at Oak Learners! She has over 10 years teaching experience and previously taught toddlers and preschoolers in a Montessori school. She loves teaching because she loves making learning fun for others!

During her time away from work, she enjoys creating art, cooking, and her and her family are apiarists!

Julia Taylor, OCT

Julia Taylor, OCT

Teacher & Tutor

Julia has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2020. Julia is an OCT certified teacher with qualifications in English, History and Special Education. Before coming to Oak Learners, Julia worked as a camp staff at Autism Ontario Niagara, a one-to-one clinician at a private reading clinic and as an assistant language teacher in an international high school in Japan.

When she is not working, Julia enjoys reading, painting, biking, swimming and cooking.

Maggie Robertson, OCT

Maggie Robertson, OCT

Teacher

Maggie has been a member of the Oak Learners Staff since 2021. Maggie is an OCT graduate from the Bachelor of Education program at Western University. Prior to this, Maggie completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology with the University of Toronto and has spent almost 10 years teaching dance lessons as well as a variety of sport skill/recreation classes.

When she is not working, Maggie enjoys a variety of sports and reading.

Read the Staff Showcase on Maggie HERE! 

Priscila Ferreira de Lima Fonseca, MA

Priscila Ferreira de Lima Fonseca, MA

Classroom Teacher

Prila has been part of the team since 2023. She has a Master Degree in Education (2017) and has more than 10 years of teaching, including international schools! For her, it’s a pleasure to accompany the personal educational development with her students. Her educational experience started from Brazil to the UK and now is here in Canada. She believes that the variety in her backgrounds helped her build who she is. Leading to a more comprehensive, flexible and adaptable way of being!

Creativity is her surname, always loves to work in a team and build with the kids a beautiful story full of discoveries and growth. When not working, she spends time on social media, calling family and friends and doing arts and crafts.

Raeanne Hinds, ECE

Raeanne Hinds, ECE

Classroom Teacher

Raeanne Hinds has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2023. Raeanne is an energetic Early Childhood Educator who enjoys including learning French and sign language in her lessons. She has over 10 years of experience in working with children from Toddlers to school ages. She enjoys teaching and bringing joy to children through creating a warm and welcoming learning experience .

Some of her hobbies include photography, knitting and trying new recipes to cook.

Our Child Specialists

Athena Oliver, B.A.

Athena Oliver, B.A.

Child Specialist

Athena has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022. Athena graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Honours Psychology and has since been working and volunteering with children in different settings.  Athena enjoys building relationships with and seeing improvements in the lives of the children she works with, as well as working with a team to achieve the best outcome for each child.

In her free time she enjoys trying out new recipes, practicing yoga, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Elaina Amoranto, OCT

Elaina Amoranto, OCT

Child Specialist

Elaina is an Ontario Certified Teacher (Primary and Junior Divisions). She was born and raised in the Philippines and has worked mostly with primary grades for more than 6 years.
She is currently a Tutor and Educational Assistant at Oak Learners. She has worked in various settings as an elementary co-teacher, summer camp teacher, and reading program assistant.
Before obtaining her teaching diploma, she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She plans to pursue a specialization to help students with exceptionalities reach their goals and to create visuals and experiences for them to enjoy learning. She completed the Special Education Part 1 course at York University and will be starting the Autism and
Behavioural Science Program at George Brown College in January 2022.

During her leisure time, she enjoys watercolor painting, digital art drawing, learning new recipes, and
nature walks.

Marziyeh Rafieian, RECE

Marziyeh Rafieian, RECE

Child Specialist

Marziyeh has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022.  She holds a Diploma of ECE from Seneca College and was a psychologist in Iran, working primarily with children with ADHD, Autism. Marziyeh has a passion for Math and Science and loves designing STEM activities to meet students’ interests and engagement.

When she is not working with children, she is enjoying time with her own family and has a passion for cooking.

Our Extra-Curricular Team

Adam Houle

Adam Houle

Music Teacher

Adam has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2021. Adam is a professional drummer/percussionist with a strong passion for music and teaching, He has over 10 years of playing experience in multiple styles (Rock, Funk, Jazz, Latin etc.) and have been teaching music for 7 years. Adam believes a great teacher is one who can assess not only a student’s current musical ability, but determine what style of learning the student thrives in. He is passionate about helping his students develop their individuality as artists.

In his free time, Adam continues to practice his own musical skills and has impressed many other Oak Staff with his amazing covers!

Adrianna Armstrong

Adrianna Armstrong

Teacher

Adrianna has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2021. Adrianna is currently in the Concurrent Education program at Queen’s University. She is working towards a major in psychology and a minor in English, and she is also taking a concentration of courses in Indigenous Studies. She enjoys working with kids and has done so as a soccer coach, swimming instructor, and respite care worker. Adrianna is also passionate about mental health work and advocacy and she pursues volunteer work in this field.

In the future she hopes to combine her love for working with youth with mental health work so that she can support youth and foster their overall development and well-being.

Anna Brooks, OCT

Anna Brooks, OCT

Teacher/Tutor

Anna has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2021. Anna is an OCT certified teacher who has worked for the publicly funded system for more than 18 years, teaching Kindergarten to Grade 2.

Her qualifications include special education and teaching English as a second language.

In her free time, she loves quilting, reading and being outdoors!

Daniela Urbina

Daniela Urbina

Program Instructor

Daniela has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022. She grew up in Colombia; she is a Psychologist from La Sabana University. She also took Homeschooling and Child Neurodevelopment, Neuroeducation and Neuropsychology courses at Ceenford and a study at the Queensland University of Technology about Inclusive Education: Essential knowledge for success. She co-founded a non-profit foundation, where she developed and implemented some social impact projects, gave speeches, and created dynamic activities. She has experience working with kids between 15 months to 15 years old.

She loves cycling, being active, learning daily, reading books and accepting new challenges. She believes the learning process should be fun and dynamic and that the student needs to know how to apply the knowledge to their lives. Teaching is her passion, and she tries to transmit this love to her students.

Jennelle Rock, BA

Jennelle Rock, BA

Program Instructor

Jennelle began at Oak Learners as a Program Instructor & Workshop Coordinator in October 2022. Jennelle graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a BA degree in Community Health & Sociology with minors in Business and Gender Studies. She has experience working and volunteering in a variety of community health settings and enjoys planning & organizing health promotion-based activities.

In her free time, Jennelle enjoys arts/crafts, digital design, home organization, game board creation, spending warm days outside, healthy cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Joseph Wentworth, B.A. Hons, PGCE

Joseph Wentworth, B.A. Hons, PGCE

Teacher/Tutor

Joseph has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022 when he moved from London, UK to Toronto. He joined as an Elementary Teacher and was the 2022 Summer Camp Director. Joseph brings almost a decade of experience of teaching and developing program curriciulum in the UK and is passionate about teaching Physical Education and inspiring his students to excel.

In his free time he enjoys watching and playing football (soccer), along with exploring new places!

 

Kaiden Field

Kaiden Field

Kaiden has been a member of the Oak learners staff since 2022. They are currently a Child and Youth care Advanced diploma student at Humber College with goals of entering a Bachelor of Social Work after graduating. They have extensive experience working with children and youth from ages 4-14 with many different behaviour challenges and needs.

When they are not working they are exploring the city, playing guitar, doing photography, cooking and spending time outside.

Katie Hartford, B.Sc.H., MBA

Katie Hartford, B.Sc.H., MBA

High School Tutor, Math & Science

Katie has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2020. Katie has an Honours Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics from McMaster University and an MBA at the DeGroote School of Business. She has always had a passion for Math and the Sciences and loves having the opportunity to pass that passion on to others while helping them to find success. She has always loved teaching and has been a strong member of the Oak Learners team since our inception in 2017.
 
When she isn’t working, Katie loves being active, rock climbing and running regularly, and playing tennis and hockey when the weather allows. She also loves curling up with a good book and spending time with her family and friends.
Kayla De Oliveria, B.A., OCT

Kayla De Oliveria, B.A., OCT

Tutor

Kayla has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022. Kayla has a B.A. with Honours in Sociology and has recently completed her OCT Certification. Throughout her time at Oak learners, she has continued her passion for working with students of different age ranges. She understands the Ontario curriculum and has a passion for studying values in education, human behaviour, and social relationships with institutions.

When she is not at work or school, Kayla is exercising/playing sports, cooking, spending time with family/friends/animals, and shopping.

Natalie Julien

Natalie Julien

Music Teacher

Natalie has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2021. She has been teaching music lessons and hosting classes for Little Rebels and holds two post-secondary diplomas in Musical Theatre and grew up studying classical music (RCM). She has been teaching for the last 10+ years in many different capacities and is an active stage and screen performer. She has spent a lot of her life caring for children as a nanny, and brings an empathetic, patient and holistic approach to teaching. Nothing makes her happier than seeing a child’s confidence and instrument flourish!

She is offering drama, voice & piano studies.

Richard Crooks, MSc, PhD

Richard Crooks, MSc, PhD

Upper Level Math & Science Tutor

Richard has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022. Richard is a biological scientist with a PhD in protein chemistry and an MSc in clinical bioinformatics. Before moving to Canada, he worked in universities and hospitals in England, where he is originally from, and also volunteered at an orphanage for disabled children in Armenia. He is extremely knowledgeable about biology and chemistry. He has an enthusiasm for science that he loves to share, and tries to find exciting ways to explain complicated topics.

In his spare time, Richard enjoys learning languages, playing guitar and canoeing.

Samantha Pritchard, OCT

Samantha Pritchard, OCT

Teacher

Samantha has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2021. Samantha holds a BA in History & English from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University. She spent 6 years teaching in London, UK. Whilst there she developed her passion for teaching and always wants to ensure that every child she works with has the skills to succeed in everything they do. Her teaching motto is, “Always try your best,” which is something she encourages students to do every day.

In her spare time, she likes to spend time with friends and family. She also enjoys trying out new recipes.

Summer Murphy, CYC

Summer Murphy, CYC

Program Facilitator

Summer has been a member of the Oak Learners staff since 2022, and as a placement student in 2020. Summer graduated with an Advance Diploma in Child and Youth Practitioner from George Brown College. She has spent several years working with young children and youth. She enjoys being with children and youth, playing games, reading, and overall getting to know the kids and their needs.

In her free time, she loves to paint, read, reading tarot, doing yoga, spend time with loved ones, walking her dog, and spending time with her cats and dog.

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