Staff & Faculty Directory
Our Amazing Staff & Faculty
Newstead Academy prioritizes vocation over mere employment. Our educators go beyond teaching, fostering courage and exploration in students. Co-curricular participation is integral, with faculty coaching teams and leading community service. This holistic approach cultivates well-rounded, confident individuals and fosters strong bonds of trust and respect throughout our community. Discover more about our faculty and staff below. Interested in joining our community? Explore career opportunities at Newstead Academy.
Meet Our People
Keyi Zhang
Director
University of Toronto / OISE – MEd Developmental Psychology and Education
keyizhang@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Admin and Operations
April Jia
Centre Manager
York University - Honors B.A. in Children’s Studies, University of Toronto/OISE - MEd in Developmental Psychology and Education
ruonanjia@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Admin and Operations
Adelia Drak
Office Manager
Toronto Metropolitan University - B.A. in Child & Youth Care, Humber College - Advanced Diploma in Child & Youth Care
adeliadrak@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Admin and Operations
Feifei Tian
Director Approve RECE, Preschool Room Teacher
Early Childhood Education-Chinese Academy of Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
preschool3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Crystal Amponsah
RECE, Toddler Room Teacher
University of Guelph-Humber - B.A. in Early Childhood Studies
toddler2@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Stella Fossella
RECE, Toddler Room Teacher
Canadian Mothercraft Society - 1998
toddler1@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Sheryl Jesso
RECE, Toddler Room Teacher
Seneca College-Diploma in Early Childhood Education
toddler3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Jacqueline Clark
RECE, Preschool Teacher
College of Early Childhood Educators
preschool2@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Elena Wang
RECE, Preschool Room Teacher
Centennial College – Early Childhood Education
preschool4@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Nooshin Ganjeh
RECE, Preschool Room Teacher
Seneca College - Diploma in Early Childhood Education
preschool4@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Cristina Lenarduzzi
RECE, Preschool Room Teacher
George Brown College-Diploma in Early Childhood Education
preschool3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Whitney Wong
RECE, Preschool Room Teacher
Seneca College-Early Childhood Education
Faculty: Preschool
Yue Zhu
RECE, Kindergarten Room Teacher
University of Toronto / OISE – Master in Teaching, OCT - Member of Ontario Certified Teacher
kindergarten@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Kindergarten
Hana He
RECE, Kindergarten Room Teacher
Seneca College - Diploma in Early Childhood Education
kindergarten@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Kindergarten
Maricel Minguito
RECE, Kindergarten Room Teacher
Centennial College - Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Faculty: Kindergarten
Sabrina Li
RECE
Chengdu University of Technology-Bachelor in Social Media, Fanshawe College- Public Relations
preschool3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Samantha Garcia Sandoval
RECE
Seneca College - Early Childhood Education
preschool2@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Paola Garcia Solano
ECE, Preschool Room Teacher
George Brown College - Diploma in Early Childhood Education
preschool1@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Maryam Khaleghi
ECE, Toddler Room Teacher
Faculty: Toddler
Tatyana Pak
Administrator
York University - B.A in Political Science
tatyanapak@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Admin and Operations
Lei Zhang
CPA, CA, ACA Finance
Executiveleizhang@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Admin and Operations
Wahida Atta
ECA, Toddler Room Teacher
toddler2@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Cassandra Ferraro-Fossella
ECA, Toddler Room Teacher
toddler1@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Azam Ghasemi
ECA, Float Teacher
Childcare
Faculty: Toddler
Mary Ma
ECA, Toddler Room Teacher
toddler1@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Maryam Okhowat-Araghi
ECA, Toddler Room Teacher
toddler3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Elham Pacha
French Teacher
Bachelor Degree in French
preschool3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Mavis Wong
ECA, Toddler Room Teacher
Bachelors of Social Work
toddler3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Andrea Coltea
ECA, Preschool Room Teacher
Bachelors of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care, Toronto Metropolitan University
preschool2@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Marjan Mahmoudi
ECA, Preschool Room Teacher
Psychology & Law
preschool3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Sana Esfiandiari
ECA Teacher
Diploma in Early Childhood Education
preschool2@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Laleh Farahani
ECA Teacher
Diploma - Early Childhood Education
preschool1@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Nahid Mehraji
ECA, Preschool Room Teacher
Bachelor's degree in Accounting
preschool4@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Preschool
Parimah Abdoli
ECA, Early Childhood Assistant
University of Tehran – Bachelor of Music
preschool3@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Toddler
Maryam Razaghi
ECA, Float Teacher
Seneca College - Degree in Early Childhood Education
Faculty: Toddler
Katy Turnbull
Head Chef
Liaison College
kitchen@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Kitchen and Cafeteria
Diane Zanardo
Sous Chef
Humber College-Cook and Apprentice
kitchen@newsteadacademy.ca
Faculty: Kitchen and Cafeteria
Gabriel Cebellos
Kitchen Assistant
Faculty: Kitchen and Cafeteria
Bing He
Maintenance Operator
Faculty: Maintenance Staff
Tetiana Lamokhina
Cleaner
Academy of Physical Education - Pedagogue Trainer
Faculty: Maintenance Staff
Our Team in Action
Take a look behind the scenes at our amazing staff working together, celebrating achievements, and creating memorable moments that showcase the heart of our Newstead Academy community.
Land Acknowledgement
Newstead Academy is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.
Equity Statement
Newstead Academy is committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive learning and working environment. We encourage and actively seek applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized people, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, all genders, and persons with disabilities.
Unit 22 13085 Yonge St,
Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3S8
(289) 234-8886
Newstead Academy welcomes students of all backgrounds, granting them equal rights and access to all privileges, programs, and activities offered at the school. Newstead Academy does not discriminate in its educational policies or any other school-administered programs.