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.

Catherine Ettedgui received a bachelor’s degree in Kindergarten and Elementary Education from McGill University. She further completed a Master of Education (concentration in societies, cultures and languages) at the University of Ottawa. Catherine taught at several schools on the South Shore of Montreal and at Westboro Academy this past school year. While currently living in Montreal, Catherine maintains a position at Westboro Academy as a virtual French resource teacher. Catherine enjoys dancing, reading and baking. She also loves to travel and broaden her knowledge of different cultures across the world.

Mme Isabelle started her career in education in 2010 and has recently joined the team at the Westboro Academy.  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.

Mme. Esma recently joined us at Westboro Academy and is a trained translator and teacher of French to non French speakers. Esma brings to Westboro Academy her 5 years experience as an elementary French second language teacher. She is passionate about teaching children as well as different educational approaches. In her spare time, Esma enjoys reading about educational psychology and children’s literature. Esma enjoys traveling, discovering new cultures, doing meditation and spending time with her little family. She is the happy mother of two little girls.

Selina Holvey has been the Music Specialist at Westboro since 2015. 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 (singing, dancing, acting) 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. Some of her hobbies include singing, playing flute, dancing and yoga. Music is the passion which Mrs. 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 2001. She is a certified Early Childhood Educator and she also holds a Bachelor of Education degree for the primary division obtained from the University of Quebec. She has over 20 years of experience working with young children as a kindergarten teacher, daycare coordinator, and home daycare provider. Mme Janick liaises with Me to We and Free the Children in her role at the school and she helps organize the middle school service projects to international destinations such as Ecuador. She has participated in numerous humanitarian projects including in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Kenya and Ecuador. She is passionate about food and travel, as well as gardening. She enjoys being at her family cottage and spending time with her daughter.

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.

Mme Nathalie started teaching Visual Arts at‍‍‍ Westboro Academy in 2017. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from the Université du Québec en Outaouais and has completed two years at the University of Ottawa studying Art History, Psychology, and Ancient Studies. She has worked for several years doing exhibit preparation at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now Museum of History) where she studied and developed a greater appreciation for history, anthropology, aboriginal and contemporary art. Mme Nathalie has over 15 years of teaching experience in different elementary schools and pre-schools, community centres, and art galleries in the Outaouais region. With her husband and two middle school aged children, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends in town or at the cottage. As a nature lover, she also enjoys photography, hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.

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.

Alison Strang began teaching in 2003, and earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Education, as well as her Bachelor of Education from Bishop’s University. Alison has had the joy of teaching in different school boards in Quebec, Ontario and London England. She has enjoyed teaching a dance/drama program at several schools, and is happy to have joined the Westboro Academy team in 2020 as the Drama Specialist. In addition to a passion for teaching The Arts, Alison has extensive teaching experience in the primary and junior grades. She also has specialized training in elementary math curriculum, and outdoor education. Alison is thrilled to be able to combine her loves of Drama and Outdoor Education, and create a unique curriculum for the students at Westboro Academy. Alison thrives on interacting and collaborating with her colleagues, students, and parents, and creating diverse and specific learning opportunities for all students in her classes, regardless of their abilities. She enjoys and celebrates individuality in her classes, and feels that this also gives students the chance to widen their views on acceptance and empathy within their own communities. When Alison isn’t teaching, she can be found outside! She loves hiking, skiing, canoeing, and camping with her husband and three sons. She also loves walking her dogs, mountain biking, reading books and spending time with her family.