Our Faculty

Karol Rivera

Bio: I realized I wanted to be a teacher while I was getting my graduate degree in Science at the University of Ottawa. For me, the best part about the program was being a teaching assistant. Once I finished, I decided to pursue a teaching degree at York University, where experiential learning, critical thinking and using technology are heavily emphasized – all things which I try to implement in my classroom. I have now been a teacher for approximately 11 years, and been a teacher at Braemar College for about 7 years. At Braemar, I have the privilege to teach students from all around the world. I look forward to teaching and learning from them every day!

Qualifications: B.Sci. (Hons.), University of Toronto; M.Sci., University of Ottawa; B.Ed., York University; OCT member; Advanced Qualification in Teaching English Language Learners.

Teachable Subjects: Science, Math, ESL/ELD, English

Shawn Dunsmore 

Bio: A love of history, philosophy, and their avenues for discussion led me to my career today. The opportunity to engage with people and to learn from each other is something I really enjoy. This has formed the foundation for my pedagogy as I believe that students need to feel connected with both the class and the material to truly reach their full potential within any subject. In the classroom, we are a team working together to acquire knowledge and the skills necessary to be successful in the future.

Qualifications: B.A. (Hons.), University of Guelph; B.Ed., Lakehead University; Additional Qualifications in Special Education (Pt 1) and Teaching English Language Learners (Pt 1)

Teachable Subjects: History, Social Sciences, English, Mathematics

Jessica Koza 

Bio: Before I started working at Braemar College, I worked as a teaching assistant for the English department of Queen’s University and participated in many teaching workshops while there. My specific approach to teaching focuses on maximizing student participation, for I believe that student engagement and interest is of the utmost importance in the classroom. I always aim to create a positive environment where students can share ideas confidently and open their minds to new perspectives. I am known for my optimistic attitude and truly enjoy making English literature approachable and fun for high school students.

Qualifications: B.A. (Hons.) with Distinction, M.A. English Literature from Queen’s University. Achieved status as top 3% GPA in the University for the 2012 year.

Teachable Subjects: English Literature and History.

James Olsen 

Bio: My name is James Olsen and I teach courses in the Social Sciences and STEM departments of Braemar College. I use an interactive style and incorporate a variety of teaching methodologies in my classroom, including inquiry, direct instruction, experiential learning,  modelling and  simulation. I am a practitioner of systems thinking, mindfulness and social-emotional-learning based approaches. I draw upon a wide variety of experiences and resources to help my students succeed, including management publications, first-hand observations, and MBA case competition at Harvard Business School. My goal is to help students develop the skills, knowledge and abilities to succeed at the highest level in the Canadian post-secondary education system and to help them achieve their highest possible, potential future vision.

Qualifications: M.BA., B.A., History, Queen’s University.

Teachable Subjects: Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Canadian History, and International Business.

Matthew Chow 

Bio: I am thrilled to say this is my 23rd year teaching high school Math in Braemar College. I grew up in Hong Kong, and since graduating, I have been teaching high school math for more than three decades. I have a passion for Math and want to share this with my students, helping them to appreciate the beauty and the power of math. It is also my mission to engage in the teaching and learning of math that will challenge students to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills necessary for the success of their higher and further education. I enjoy sports, reading, gardening and travel. I was a member of my university soccer, swimming and rowing team. I have travelled to nearly hundred cities over the world. Travel provides me with a real-life education, widens my perspective of the world by exploring other cultures. All these habits keep me happy and healthy both for body and mind. I look forward to meeting all of my students in Braemar College.

Qualifications: B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics; Postgraduate Diploma in Education Programme (Math).

Teachable Subjects: Advanced Functions, Calculus, Physics and Mathematics

Mike Helsby 

Bio: Growing up I always felt torn between two worlds that seemed in opposition: those of Sport and Scholarship. On the court or the field, I was a body. But when reading my favourite books, or writing in class, I was a brain. There was no conversation between these two worlds, and I was terrified by this. But negotiating between the two gave me an appreciation for the connection between physical and mental health – between how we see our lives, and how we feel them. With time and the help of a great many fine people, I have found myself in a profession that allows me to continually explore this connection, while sharing in this learning process with the young people who surround and inspire me each day. As Director of Student Experience at Braemar, my constant goal is that no student I have contact with leaves high school believing that they must be only one thing. Rather, each day we encourage one another to discover what makes us different, and what makes us connected. Finding the meeting points between worlds has become the great challenge and the great joy of my life, and the focus of all my efforts here at Braemar.

Qualifications: B.A. (Hons.), Memorial University of Newfoundland; M.A., English Literature, University of Waterloo; B.Ed., University of Western Ontario; Additional Qualifications in Special Education (Pt 1) and Teaching English Language Learners (Pt 1); OCT member.

Dr. Vrajeshkumar Khambholja

Bio: Dr. Vrajeshkumar Khambholja was born in Gujarat, India. He earned his M.Sc and M.Phil Mathematics degrees from Sardar Patel University. In 2015, he completed his Ph.D. Mathematics with a thesis on Higher Dimensional Theories of Gravitation from the same university. He has presented his research work in International Congress of Mathematicians ICM-2010, Hyderabad, India, and worked as an instructor for a certificate course on Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in Canada. He has been teaching various Math and other courses at high school, college, and university levels since 2005. He creates for students an active teaching-learning environment by implementing various teaching strategies like cooperative learning, problem-based learning, inquiry-based instruction, seminars, presentations, etc. At Braemar College, he teaches courses in Mathematics, Computer Science & Business, and runs Math Club & Scie-Tech Club to ignite curiosity, nurture imaginations & shape creativity in young minds.

Qualifications: M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. Mathematics, Sardar Patel University.

Teachable subjects: Mathematics, Computer Science, Business, Physics, Arts, Philosophy.

Connie Chong

Bio: Ms. Chong brings over 7 years of teaching experience as well as a Master of Education to her position at Braemar. She especially enjoys helping students make real world connections and develop transferable skills, not only as the facilitator of Braemar’s Model UN Club but in all her classes. Ms. Chong is a firm believer in lifelong learning and when not in the classroom, can be found attempting a new recipe, trying to get to the next level on Duolingo, or exploring one of Toronto’s many green spaces.

Qualifications: M.Ed., Social and Cultural Contexts of Education, Brock University; B.Ed. (Hons.), Social Studies and English, University of Alberta; B.A., International Relations, University of British Columbia; Additional Qualifications in English, Social Sciences (General), History, Law, Teaching English Language Learners (Pt. 1), Special Education (Pt. 1); OCT member.

Teachable Subjects: English, History, Social Sciences, Law, ESL

Julia Lovgren

Bio: I was born and raised in Toronto. I then moved to London to attend the University of Western Ontario where I pursued my interest in English literature and film studies. Upon graduating with a bachelor of arts, I decided to travel the world while teaching English as a second language in China, Vietnam, and Turkey. Due to these experiences, I was inspired to further my understanding of teaching at the University of Victoria where I obtained my bachelor of education. Following graduation, I moved to England to teach English at secondary schools in Kent and Oxfordshire. After two years, I returned to Toronto and began working at Braemar College where I teach E.S.L. and English courses. I hope that my classroom can provide my students with equal access to a welcoming learning environment by integrating the voices and experiences of learners from a diverse array of countries, religions, cultures, and backgrounds.

Qualifications: B.A., English Literature and Film Studies, University of Western Ontario; B.Ed., University of Victoria; OCT Member.

Teachable Subjects: English, ESL

Barakat Rastgar

Bio: Barakat has taught over seven years at different international schools overseas and in Ontario. He has taught in a Canadian International School in Dhaka, Bangladesh and also an International School in Dalian, China. He loves to travel and read books in his spare time. He is happy to be part of the Braemar Staff.

Qualifications: B.A., York University; M.A., University of Toronto; B.Ed., Lakehead University.

Teachable Subjects: English, ESL

Jessica Paul

Bio: Jessica is a passionate and energetic teacher, specializing the Arts and Humanities. She is an experienced international educator, having taught in Russia from 2011-2013, and in the UK from 2016-2017. Upon returning to Canada, Jessica started teaching at Braemar College. She is deeply invested in the wellbeing and engagement of the young people she teaches. Outside the classroom, her contributions to Student Experience Programming as a Show Director, Club Supervisor and Event Planner make her one of the most recognizable faces of the Braemar Community.

Qualifications: B.A. (Hons.) Socio-Cultural Anthropology and History, Trent University; B.Ed., University Institute of Technology; Additional Qualification in Teaching English Language Learners (Pt. 1); OCT member.

Teachable Subjects:  ESL/ ELD, OLC, Dramatic Arts and Fashion

Eva Strazimiri

Eva Strazimiri has been teaching Braemar students since 2001 and has more than 25 years of dedicated teaching expertise in the sciences of Biology, Physics and Chemistry. She uses creative and stimulating teaching methodologies. Many of her students have gone into the field of medicine and sciences at universities. She mentored and trained teachers in Albania and university in Italy. She speaks English, Albanian and Italian. She holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Tirana, Albania in Physics, Biology and Chemistry for secondary education. She looks forward to engaging new science students.

Laura Lawson

Laura has been teaching at Braemar since 2016. She studied at Brock University and taught at many levels of education before starting at Braemar. She teaches mostly math course but also some business and computer classes. Her lessons incorporate technology, interactive lessons and direct teaching to help prepare students for future academic success as well as everyday life. She also organizes students for the many STEM contests available to students and is always happy to help students solve a math problem.

Dr. Navdeep Sharma

I am a lifelong learner born and brought up in a family of educationists in India. I have 25+ years of teaching experience in Physics. Because of my inquisitive nature, I did research on the topic, “Space Settlement Design for Mining the asteroids” for my Ph.D from Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, India. During my professional experience, I developed some soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, and effective communication and writing, etc., and I incorporate these elements into my curriculum design by scheduling brainstorming sessions and group tasks as assignments. I have worked on numerous student projects, especially space-related competitions organized by NASA and the University of Toronto for the last 12 years. Another feather in my cap is having 40 titles at my name from grade 6th up to graduation level, published by one of the prestigious publishers of India.

I believe that science is all around us and I always try to connect the subject content with daily life and encourage my students to ask questions: why should I care? As an educationist, I think, the biggest facilitation I can give to my students is the ability to think independently and critically.

Qualifications and Advanced Qualifications: Ph. D (Physics), M.Sc. (Applied Physics), B.Ed., M.Ed., Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications