Our Staff
Westboro Academy teachers are all fully certified, and are dedicated and committed to the education and wellbeing of all of the students. They bring a wealth of experience to Westboro Academy and contribute widely to the school community. Our remarkable teachers are selected for their commitment to the children and families at the school, as well as their passion, innovative approaches and high standards. Our teachers (listed alphabetically) are:
- Brenda Dunlop
- Valérie Gagné
- Louise Laramée
- Cindy Larivière
- Janick Lauzon
- Kimberly McCready
- Jérémie Merrick
- Géraldine Petit-Gras
- Nathalie Poirier
- Karin Stenman
- Karima Tagnit-Hammou
- Maria Thompson-Slaven
- Joss Walsworth
- Cheryl Youldon
Westboro Academy is also supported by a team of professionals who maintain the safety and security, communications and administration of the school. These include:
- Meg Garrard, Principal
- Jenny Paroli, Vice Principal
- Michelle Beaupré, Office Administrator
- Kim Bourgeois, Director of Admissions
- Pina Iacovelli, School Program Coordinator
- Victor Alvarado, Custodian
Meg Garrard, Principal
Meg Garrard graduated from Queen’s University with a B.A and a B.Ed, as well as a diploma in Outdoor and Experiential Education. Before coming to Westboro Academy in 2009, she worked in various educational environments. She is the former Assistant Head of Sedbergh School in Montebello, Quebec, where she had also held the role of Academic Dean. She was a classroom teacher in independent schools for nine years, in the intermediate and junior divisions. Her earlier years as an educator were spent teaching and guiding for Outward Bound Canada. She has also worked as an Educational Consultant and Curriculum Developer. In her spare time, Mme Garrard is an avid outdoors person, a passionate cross-country skier and a dedicated mother of two.
Jenny Paroli, Vice Principal
Jenny Paroli is the Vice-Principal and the French homeroom teacher for grade 4. She is also the French Department Head. Furthermore, she is the Science Specialist for grades 1-6. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Jenny is a graduate of McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education. She began her career teaching kindergarten for three years and then was a science specialist for another three years. In 1996, Jenny moved to Ottawa and joined Westboro Academy where she continues to engage students and is constantly looking out for the best interests of every child. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys cooking and baking.
Michelle Beaupré, Office Administrator
Michelle Beaupre has a Bachelor of Social Sciences, Concentration Sociology and Concentration Music from the University of Ottawa. She has over 25 years of administrative and project management experience in the private and public sectors and has been with Westboro Academy since August 2007. Her main hobbies are acoustic guitar, piano and singing and a charity focused website that Michelle created and maintains. Michelle was guitarist for many years for two catholic children’s choirs, one in Aylmer Québec, and one in Ottawa.
Kim Bourgeois, Director of Admissions
Kim Bourgeois began working at Westboro Academy in 2008. She brings to Westboro many years of experience in schools and working with children. Prior to coming to Westboro, she spent 8 years as an Educational Assistant for the Conseil des Écoles Catholiques de la Langue Français Centre-Est. She is fluently bilingual. When Kim is not problem solving and organizing at school, she spends much of her time with her own three children and is a devoted hockey mom.
Pina Iacovelli, Before and After School Program Coordinator
Giuseppina (Pina) Iacovelli has been at Westboro Academy since 2006. She is the Before and After care School Coordinator. Pina graduated in 2010 from Carleton University with a bachelor of arts in law criminology. Prior coming to Westboro, she attended Private College at O’Sullivan in Paralegal studies and Concordia University in Political Science in Montreal. Pina is trilingual; she can communicate in French, English and Italian. Outside of school, she volunteers for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Kidney Foundation and loves helping others in need. She also enjoys spending her time with family and friends.
Brenda Dunlop, Teacher
Brenda Dunlop graduated in 1992 from the Concurrent Education Program, at Queen’s University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and a Bachelor of Education with certification at the primary/junior levels. Prior to coming to Westboro, she used her E.S.L. experience teaching grades one and four for nine years at international schools in Cartagena, Colombia and Kuwait. While at Colegio Jorge Washington, Brenda was head of the science committee responsible for reviewing the related curriculum and faculty representative of the elementary student council. She also implemented a Leadership League and annual science fair during her time at The Universal American School in Kuwait. Since 2002, Brenda has used her overseas experiences to enrich the curriculum she teaches in grades one and four at Westboro. She takes great pride in running the annual Halloween extravaganza and coordinating the events for Reading Week. When not working, Brenda continues to enjoy travelling and cultural outings.
Valérie Gagné, Teacher
Valerie Gagné began teaching at Westboro Academy in 2005. She teaches Social Studies and French to the grade 5 and 6 students. She completed her studies at L’Université Laval in Quebec City where she received her B.Ed for the primary and junior divisions. Before coming to Westboro, she taught in several different schools in the Outaouais region and in Rive-Sud de Quebec. Outside of school, Valérie has been a volunteer for over a dozen years with the Canadian Cadets where she works as an instructor and supervisor. She is also the Regional Representative for the Outaouais for the Duke of Edinburg Program. In her spare time she enjoys her passions for scrapbooking and for reading.
Louise Larameé, Teacher
Louise Laramée began teaching at Westboro Academy in 1993. She has gained many years of experience and has accompanied hundreds of children through their personal, social and academic development. With a Diploma in Education focusing on the preschool years and a teaching certificate from CEGEP in Early Childhood Education, for decades now, she has taught in early childhood education with heart and determination. Following her passion for literature she has completed training at Laval University on this topic and is the representative and organizer of French literary events for the school. In her spare time, she loves gardening and decorating and is devoted to her two children and their artistic projects. For energy and vitality she enjoys cycling and swimming.
Cindy Larivière, Teacher
Originally from Quebec City, Cindy is the grade 1 French teacher and French Resource teacher. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Recreation from Moncton University. Following this she worked as the Director of the Kin-Ball Association for 5 years. She returned to her studies in 2005 and earned a second degree, this time her Bachelor of Education, specializing in the primary division. Before arriving at Westboro Academy in February of 2007, she worked as a supply teacher in various schools in the French Catholic School Board in Ottawa. She has been a member of the Ontario College of Teachers since 2007. In her spare time, Cindy loves travelling, camping, playing soccer and spending time with her family and young son.
Janick Lauzon, Teacher
Janick Lauzon has been a teacher with Westboro Academy since 2001, but has worked in early childhood education for over 15 years. She completed post secondary studies in technical education for daycares and operated a home daycare, was the Coordinator for a playgroup, worked with street children in Mexico and the Domincan Republic and in Haiti. She completed a B.Ed, specializing in preschool and primary years. She is a proud mother of a 4 year old daughter and has a passion for cultures around the world. She is fascinated by early childhood. She adores their sense of wonder, their authenticity and their unconditional love.
Kimberly McCready, Teacher
Kimberly McCready earned both her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees from Acadia University. Prior to Westboro, Kim taught for the Upper Canada District School Board, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Carleton Catholic School Board. She also taught for a year in Mexico. Kim joined the Westboro staff in 2001 and brings post graduate training in special education and reading to her resource students as well as the Grade 5 English class. In her personal time, Kim enjoys reading, travelling, genealogy and spending time with her family.
Jérémie Merrick, Teacher
Jérémie Merrick has been running the music program at Westboro Academy since 2009, including both the music classes and the choirs. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Carleton University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa. Having taught music for over 10 years, Jérémie’s priority has always been to help students develop a passion for the arts. In addition to teaching, Jérémie is very active is the artistic community as a singer, dancer, songwriter and music producer.
Géraldine Petit-Gras, Teacher
Géraldine Petit-Gras was born in Aix-en-Provence (France) in 1977. She holds a Fine Arts diploma from the Ottawa School of Art since 2009. Her ceramic sculptures draw from a sea-like imagery as well as from myths and symbols of Mediterranean inspiration. Contemporary in her approach, she relishes the use of mixed mediums to add to the meaning of a piece. Her work evokes the duality of the outer gesture and inner emotions. She has been teaching Art at the Ottawa School of Art (downtown and at the Shenkman Art Centre), the Nepean Creative Art Centre and the Roch Carrier Kindergarten.
Nathalie Poirier, Teacher
Nathalie Poirier has been teaching at Westboro Academy since 2001. She has the privilege of teaching French and Social Studies to grades 2 and 3. 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 Nathalie is not at Westboro, she enjoys spending time with her family and being at the stables where she takes care of her horse Apollo.
Karin Stenman, Teacher
Karin Stenman has 21 years of teaching experience both in the private and public sector. She graduated from McGill University in 1988 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a certificate in E.S.L. training. Karin obtained her teaching license for Ontario in 1999. She is a member of the Ontario Teacher’s College and worked for eleven years in the Eastern Arctic with Inuit children as an E.S.L. and generalist teacher. Karin taught grades five, six and seven before moving with her family to Ottawa in 1999. She worked for one year as a replacement grade two teacher at Alymer Elementary in Quebec, before accepting a position at Westboro Academy as the grade two English and Math teacher. Karin has been teaching grade two and three at Westboro Academy since 2000. She has two children and is a dedicated soccer and hockey mother.
Karima Tagnit-Hammou, Teacher
Karima Tagnit-Hammou received her Bachelor’s of Education from the University of Ottawa, and also holds a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Biology. After first pursuing a career in Sciences, she started at Westboro Academy in 2009. She teaches grades 7 and 8 French and Social Studies. She has a passion for nurturing children who will become our leaders in the world of tomorrow. She believes that every learner has a unique potential that can be reached. She gives special attention to personal development and helps foster the development of autonomy and maturity, and a balance. She loves teaching and learning and has a passion for reading. Has two sons and lives with her family in Gatineau.
Maria Thompson-Slaven, Teacher
Maria joined Westboro Academy, as the Grade 6 English teacher in 2006, when she came to live in Canada. She trained in England, receiving a Bachelor of Education from Newcastle Polytechnic in 1982 and has been teaching ever since, everything from mathematics and science to history and art. In her last position, Maria was the English Coordinator for Kg. to Grade 6 at The Grange Prep School for 12 years. In her spare time Maria enjoys photography, travelling and a love for reading and history. Recently she added scrap-booking and golf to her interests.
Joss Walsworth, Teacher
Joss Walsworth immigrated to Canada as a child from Portsmouth, England. He has eight years of post-secondary education including a BA with First-Class Honours in Geography from Carleton University, an Honours’ Specialist in Geography from Queen’s University and a Special-Education Specialist from the University of Western Ontario. His teaching experience encompasses all grades from two to eleven. During his twelve years in special education, he focused on students with learning disabilities, students with behavioural concerns and students identified with a gifted profile. Additionally, he teaches Special Education part 1 online for Queen’s Continuing Teacher Education Program. Joss is married with three daughters, a stepson and a stepdaughter and five grandchildren. Joss has a keen interest in travel, photography, sports and lifelong learning.
Cheryl Youldon, Teacher
Cheryl Youldon is the Physical Education teacher at Westboro Academy. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from York University in Toronto. Cheryl has been working at Westboro Academy since 1999. In her role, she teaches Physical Education and Health, organizes many special events like the CHEO Skate-a-thon, Interschool Skating Meet, the Lunch-Time Sport Program and the annual Play Day Sport festivals. Cheryl is also responsible for coordinating a variety of sport competitions such as the Pumpkin Run, Relay Meet and Soccer Events that are hosted by other private schools in Ottawa. In Cheryl’s spare time, she does fitness and conditioning for some local elite female ringette players and has spent the last 13 years volunteering on the Nepean Ringette Executive. Before coming to Westboro, Cheryl ran competitively for 20 years and now enjoys running for health and fitness.
