Mr. Brain began teaching in 2009 and has been with Westboro Academy since 2017. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a Masters of Science degree in Educational Technology. Additionally, Mr. Brain has worked with elementary and high school students as a football and basketball coach. He has established a reputation as a leader ‍‍‍and mentor who connects with students, staff, and families. His classroom is built on the foundations of empathy, communication, and creativity and he has consistently built and maintained relationships with students of diverse backgrounds. Mr. Brain loves to hike, golf, read, run, draw, laugh with family and friends, travel, and cheer for his favourite football team.

Caitlin Cadeau started working at Westboro Academy in 2009 and is now the Athletic Director and Health and Physical Education teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from Carleton University, followed by a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Ottawa. She also obtained her Primary and Junior Physical Education certification. Ms. Caitlin’s has enjoyed playing competitive sports such as hockey, soccer, and softball, while indulging in various recreational sports such as snowboarding, kayaking, and water skiing.  Ms. Caitlin is passionate about health and fitness and she wants to instil the importance of physical activity in her students, while inspiring them to discover their own sport passions. When not in a gym, hockey rink, or on a field, Ms. Caitlin enjoys travelling and learning about different parts of the world, as well as hiking with her dog.

Ms. Brenda has been teaching at Westboro Academy since 2003. She graduated from the Concurrent Education Program at Queen’s University, where she also earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and a Bachelor of Education with certification at the primary/junior levels. Prior to coming to Westboro Academy, she gained experience teaching for nine years at international schools in Cartagena, Colombia and Kuwait. Brenda has been head of the science committee responsible for reviewing related curriculum, faculty representative of the elementary student council, headed the Leadership League. She takes great pride in running the annual Halloween extravaganza and coordinating the events for Reading Week. When not working, Mrs. Brenda continues to enjoy travelling and cultural outings.

Mme Isabelle started her career in education in 2010 and has joined the team at the Westboro Academy in 2020.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Arts, specializing in both Music and French literature at the University of Ottawa, and pursued her Masters in Musicology at the University of Toronto. She then studied again at the University of Ottawa to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Education. A musician, she loves to share her passion with her students and she also developed a keen interest in using technology as a learning tool in the classroom. Mme Isabelle loves to ski, to go on camping trips and to play music.

Ms. Selina has been the Music Specialist at Westboro Academy since 2012.  In this role, she teaches music to all students, is Choir Director and Band Director. She completed her studies at The University of Ottawa, where she received a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Music. Selina also holds a Diploma in Musical Theatre from Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto. She has enjoyed performing in operas, choirs and solo recitals, has directed several performing arts camps, and has performed professionally in musicals. Selina is the Artistic Director of Selina’s Studio for Performing Arts (Dance, Sing, Act) in Barrhaven. Some of her hobbies include singing, playing ukulele, dancing and yoga. Music is the passion which Ms. Selina loves to share with aspiring children in a fun and encouraging way!

Janick Lauzon is the Junior Kindergarten teacher at Westboro Academy, where she has been teaching since 2002. She is a certified Early Childhood Educator and she also holds a Bachelor of Education degree for the primary division obtained from the Université du Québec en Outaouais. She has over 25 years of experience working with young children as a kindergarten teacher, daycare coordinator, and home daycare provider. In her role at the school, Mme Janick worked with Me to We and organized the middle school service projects to international destinations such as Ecuador and Nicaragua. She has participated in numerous humanitarian projects including in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Kenya. She is passionate about diversity and travel. She enjoys spending time at her family cottage and taking care of her dog and cats.

Mr. Lebeau has been with the school since 2011. He holds a degree in Psychology from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Ottawa. Prior to joining our team, he taught for 5 years in international private schools. Mr. Lebeau loves travel, photography, browsing antiques, has a twin brother and previously competed in lifeguard competitions across Canada. He is also the proud father of two beautiful little girls.

Shanyne McLaughlin joined Westboro Academy in 2014 and is the science specialist for all grades. She earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology from Laurentian University and a Bachelor of Education from Trent University. Before teaching with Westboro Academy, Ms. McLaughlin worked at two different private schools in Ottawa in grades four to grade eight. She is passionate about mathematics and science, especially nature, and is currently a volunteer with the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists’ Young Naturalist program. In her time away from work, Ms. ‍‍‍Shanyne enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and hiking.

Ms. Shona is teaching art at Westboro Academy this year filling in for Nathalie Morin. Ms. Shona has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University and a Masters of Education from the University of California, Berkeley. She spent two years teaching in a bilingual elementary school in California before heading overseas to teach in international schools for the next 15 years. She has lived and worked in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Germany, Tanzania, and Romania. She has a 14-year-old son and spends her free time reading, walking, cooking, and driving him around to soccer practice. She will be returning to life overseas and her passion for travelling this summer.

Nathalie Poirier has been teaching at Westboro Academy in 2001. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a B.A in Linguistics, a B.Ed for the primary and junior divisions, and with a specialist in second languages. She is fascinated by second language learning in children. When Mme Nathalie is not at school, she enj‍‍‍oys spending time with her family.

Karin Stenman joined our team in 2000 having already taught in the Eastern Arctic for 11 years and then in Quebec for another 4 years. She graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a certificate in E.S.L. training. She brings a passion for children and is a lifelong learner. She helps lead many committees around the school including the Student Council, International Week, School Houses and charitable fundraising for CHEO. Ms. Stenman enjoys travel and time with her family.

Laurence Polly joined the Westboro Academy in 2020. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in geography from La Sorbonne University in Paris and a school teacher diploma from the University of Teaching Institute in France. Laurence taught for five years as a teacher and principal of a small school. Then, she taught in a bilingual school in the United States for 13 years where she enriched her experience with young French-speaking and non-French speaking children as an elementary, kindergarten teacher and kindergarten coordinator. She is passionate about the arts and children’s literature. Laurence enjoys learning, painting, meditating, swimming, and travelling. She is also the proud mother of a daughter.

Kathryn Udesen has recently joined Westboro Academy. She has 25 years of education experience in various settings at the elementary and high school levels in both public and private school boards. She has completed her Master of Education degree in second language instruction at the University of Ottawa, and earned her Bachelor of Education degree from Université Laval, Québec. Kathryn is the proud mother of two children. She enjoys reading, calligraphy and yoga in her spare time.

Ms. Stephanie recently joined Westboro Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa and is interested in psycho-education, which she researched as part of her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. Stéphanie believes that each child is a unique learner and her teaching approach is strongly influenced by this. She is an avid singer and has led several choirs. She also enjoys reading and running in her spare time.

Mme. Sophie brings a wealth of experience as a professional in the higher education sector and as a teacher. Born and raised in France, she moved to the United States to complete her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at Mount Holyoke College and her Master of Business Administration at the City University of New York. After returning to Europe for a few years, she moved to Toronto and ultimately settled in Ottawa where she completed her teacher’s education at the University of Ottawa. Mme Sophie is not only passionate about teaching but also has an avid interest in arts, music, dance, and culinary arts. Speaking fluently English, French and German she is comfortable as a global citizen but wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but Canada. She currently resides in beautiful Cumberland with her toddler son and husband.