SPEAKERS

Hi there! My name is Simmy Goraya and I am a permanent teacher with the York Region District School Board.

At YorkU, I studied BSc. Biology and graduated with my consecutive Bachelor of Education (J/I Science) degree in June 2020. I went on to graduate with my Masters of Education degree, also from YorkU, in November 2021. During my BEd, I was the FESA J/I Representative as well as the Mentorship Director the following year. During my MEd, I was the YGSE Secretary and completed the diploma for Mathematics Education alongside my degree.

Two years ago, I completed a grade 6/7 LTO. Last year, I completed a grade 4/5 LTO. They were both great learning opportunities! Feel free to reach out and ask questions about the application and interview process, MEd studies and diplomas, QECO ratings, supplying, LTO, permanent NTIP experience and more!

Matthew McDonald is a Master of Education candidate at York University and a secondary school teacher. After working with 3 different boards, he was hired as a contract teacher with the Peel District School Board.

His teachables are Environmental Science, Geography and Mathematics. He was the former co-chair of the York Graduate Students in Education (YGSE) and a student member of the Anti-Black Racism Committee (ARBC) in the Faculty of Education.

He was also on the executive team for the Faculty of Education Students’ Association. McDonald does equity and advocacy work with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) as a former advisory member for the Black Persons and Persons of Colour Advisory Work Group (BPPCAWG) and current member of the New Member Engagement Advisor Work Group (NMEAWG). His academic interests lie primarily in policy analysis and creating a more equitable future for disadvantaged groups. 

Shaundell Parris is a seasoned educator with 25+ years in teaching and school administration at the Durham District School Board. She has experience as a choir director and high school Social Sciences and Vocal Music teacher.

Shaundell is also the founder of Circles of Diamonds (COD); an organization that connects and supports educators in enhancing their skills and effectiveness in working with students. COD hosts events throughout the year and offers consulting services to improve event success.

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Shaundell is driven by her passion for helping individuals discover and utilize their talents and skills. As an educational and innovative leader, teacher, workshop facilitator, vocal coach, and mentor she is committed to student success, personal and professional growth, and work-life balance.

Ruth is a guidance counsellor with the York Region District School Board. Ruth has a wealth of experience in both business and education. She has degrees in education from Ryerson University and the University of Toronto along with Master’s degrees: Education Counselling Psychology from OISE, U of T and Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University.

As a former chair of the Ontario-wide White Pine Reading Program, Ruth recognizes the value of literature reading up to 60 books a year for the program. Making good use of her sense of humour, Ruth takes an active interest in mental health issues and the promotion of wellness.

Tigist is an educator with over twenty years of experience. She has held various roles in the Toronto District School Board - secondary science teacher, curriculum leader of science in various high schools, secondary science instructional leader, program team leader of science, math and business at Canada’s largest adult day school, K-12 learning coach for Leadership, Learning and School Improvement as well as the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.

She is also a science, equity, and curriculum consultant working with publishing companies, national educational charitable organizations, the Ontario Ministry of Education and various universities.

Peter Flaherty is a course director in the York Faculty of Education. He teaches courses that explore controversial topics that may arise in the classroom on a local, national, or global level. 

Charmain Brown is a dedicated educator with twenty-eight years of teaching and leadership experience with the York Region District School Board with an extensive background in curriculum, instruction, equity and inclusion.

Charmain has written numerous publications, resources, AQ courses and anti-racism policies for OCT.  She has experience as a Curriculum Consultant, Regional Instructional Leader, Coordinator and Instructor with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (OISE/UT), York University in their Elementary Pre-service programs, and is an Adjunct Professor at Tyndale University.

Currently she is teaching Grade 2/3 in Markham. 

I am a second year teacher with SCDSB. I graduated in 2022 from the Education program specializing in I/s for environmental science and history. I quickly got contracted with my board and I am now happily placed at my dream school. I have had the opportunity to expand my teaching Into social science which  is my main department.

Currently I am going through the NTIP process so that is my main focus this year.

Darryl Huevos is a York BEd graduate from 2021. He currently doing full-time studies in the MEd program at York.

Darryl is passionate about teaching French in more engaging and active ways and incorporating language learning in any capacity in his teaching practices.

Rema Saati, with over 15 years in education, including 7 years in administration. She began her career as a French Immersion classroom teacher in the Durham region, consistently prioritizing student success and creating inclusive learning environments.

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As an elementary administrator, Rema is a visionary leader who values collaboration and innovation.  Her mission is to establish safe, inspiring schools where every student can reach their full potential, fostering a love for learning, critical thinking skills, and positive character development.

Rema is known for her strong work ethic, dedication, and her ability to connect with students, parents, and staff.  She excels in communication, problem-solving, and addressing the diverse needs of the school community.

Mathoora Uthayakumar is a YorkU Faculty of Education graduate (B.Ed & M.Ed). During her last year at York, she had the pleasure and honour of being VP of Administration for FESA.

Mathoora graduated from the Primary/ Junior Division at Keele Campus, and continued her passion for Special Education and French post graduation. Currently, she has returned to her permanent teaching position with YRDSB.

There was a moment where Mathoora took a break from her position with YRDSB, and had the privilege of working as an educator in an Inuit community, in Northern Québec. Later, she was an Education Consultant for Compassionate Schools, in Nunavik, Québec, Canada.

During her consulting role, she travelled to different remote Inuit communities, working with administrators, and school educators to present on classroom management techniques, trauma informed practices and more. Mathoora is excited to be a panelist this year to share some of her experiences, and shine some light in a time of uncertainty in education.

My name is Nia Ghomashchi and I graduated from York University's consecutive B.Ed program in 2021.

Prior to entering the Bachelor of Education program, 
I completed my Juris Doctor and was a practicing lawyer. During that time, I also taught law at several post-secondary institutions and even consulted for one such institution to develop their program and content.

Seeing the difference I made in these roles made me want to take my love of teaching and learning further, which is how I found my way to York.

During my time at York, I had the pleasure of working with FESA as a council member and representative for the I/S cohort. After graduating I began supply teaching and back to back LTO's with the York Region District School Board. This past June I was offered a permanent position in the Richmond Hill High School business department.

My name is Melissa Somer and I am an Urban Indigenous educational worker.

I have been a RECE working for various Indigenous childcare organizations in the GTA and spent 12 years working in the FDK program at TDSB. I am OCT certified and now teach in the HDSB.

I have facilitated early learning workshops in the areas of literacy, outdoor inquiry, and was the keynote speaker for George Brown College's Early Learning Years Conference. I have spent 6 years working with staff to build Indigenous solidarity in the Union as the chair of the Education Committee for Toronto Education Workers 4400.

I am a graduate of the Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education program and a Master's student for the Urban Indigenous Education here at York University.  As a business owner, childcare advocate, Indigenous educator, and new mother, I strive to provide high quality learning opportunities that support inclusiveness and diversity of abilities.

Teaching is his passion and this is realized in his broad range of experience working with learners from kindergarten to university for over 20 years. He has a passion for teaching and for working with teens and both are focuses of his academic research. Along with his ongoing work running a mentorship support program, Kingsley has also authored several textbooks and constructed educational programs used by schools across Canada.
 
With a broad academic background, Kingsley completed a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Geography. This led to work in the area of computerized mapping and analysis using geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing resulting in two additional degrees in the area (including a MES from the University of Waterloo). This work in geotechnology has afforded many opportunities to collaborate widely with teachers.  His doctoral degree is in Canadian Studies.
 
Kingsley is a teacher in every sense of the word. Currently, he works as an administrator with Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board putting into practice his knowledge of education, mentoring and resilience.  Through his academic work, he hopes to better understand the resilience and mental health of Canadian teens (with a focus on rural teens). He resides in Peterborough, Ontario but dreams of traveling to every nook and cranny of Canada.

Anna Jupp has been an educator for more than 25 years and has been working in professional learning for most of her career.  She is currently the Director of Professional Learning programs here at the Faculty of Education overseeing the over 90 AQ courses the Faculty has to offer.

I am an alumni of York University, obtaining both my B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees from York.  I have over 25 years of experience in the field of education, both as a teacher and as an administrator. I am currently a principal in YRDSB. My passions include Equity and Special Education.

My name is Alice Kong and I have been a high school math teacher for the past 21 years (with the Peel District School Board).

Currently, I've just started a new role with PDSB as a Math Facilitator, where I directly work with/support teachers and students in a grade 9 de-streamed class.

I am a permanent teacher with YRDSB in my fourth year of teaching. I am currently working at Maple High School as an English teacher and the Assistant Subject Head of English. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with teacher candidates that are interested in an honest overview of the teaching profession.

Yasmine Raymond-Wilson) is a York Faculty of Education graduate (BEd. 2020). At York she had the honour of being FESA’s 2020-2021 President and a member of FESA for three years. She was a part of the Intermediate/Senior cohort and her teachables are in Global & Family Studies.

After graduating, she has working as an Occasional teacher for the Peel District School Board, where she won the OSSTF LTO recognition award this year. Whilst teaching, she obtained her Master’s of Educational Leadership & Policy at OISE, with two additional specializations.

With all she has learned at York, she has been able to apply the skills and values to multiple non-profit organizations that focus on experiential education, accessible education, and education justice.

She is excited to be a panelist this year and to help ease the transition from BEd. student to Educator for the next generation of teachers.

My name is Anthony Kosick. I am currently working in the Thames Valley District School Board as a mathematics / special education teacher at London Central Secondary School and Medway High School, and I also coach senior football at London Central Secondary School. I have most recently worked as an Occasional Teacher within the TVDSB, PDSB, and HDSB in various Intermediate and Senior settings.

My initial undergraduate degree came from the University of Guelph, where I majored in Criminal Justice and Public Policy and minored in Psychology. I entered this program thinking I wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer. However, my time working in Outdoor Education and tutoring made me realize my true passion towards pursuing a career in education. I then earned my Bachelor of Education from York University's Faculty of Education in the intermediate/senior division, with teachable subjects in social sciences and mathematics. At York University, I served as one of the Professional Development Directors in the Faculty of Education Students Association (FESA) and as a member of the Teacher Education Liaison Committee.

As a first year teacher, I have found a good balance between finding success in the profession while also maintaining a proper work-life balance. My approach prioritizes creating positive and safe learning environments, building rapport and strong relationships with students, prioritizing their learning and understanding over grades and memorization, and managing the many needs of the teaching profession, all while ensuring my own mental health and well-being.

In the post-grad FAQ sessions, I can provide insight on the transition process from graduating your bachelor of education program and interviewing / getting into occasional teaching positions (supply work), as well as some insights into the transition from occasional teaching into getting LTO or contract work, and how to find success in these roles.

Kim Tran is a secondary teacher with Peel District School Board. She recently completed her Master's in Education at York University and has been a workshop presenter for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) for topics on Allyship and Advocacy to Activism.

She is also involved with two research projects as a Research Assistant and a Project Coordinator, focusing on Indigenous-led conservation and critical pathways in Ontario education. Her work is grounded in anti-oppression and anti-colonialism, strongly advocating for collective and individual care and well-being within communities with an intersectional feminist lens.

She hopes to continue being in anti-oppressive spaces to transform how we can live and elevate experiences for all. As a lifelong learner, she looks forward to sharing and co-learning with everyone.