Faculty & Staff
Stepping into Richland Academy, you enter an extraordinary place for children. It is a place where all of our energies are dedicated to helping children become their best selves. We purposefully create an environment to meet their needs from early childhood to emerging adolescence.
ADMINISTRATION TEAM
SANDI FISCHER
Head of School
Sandi Fischer is a passionate educational leader dedicated to creating learning environments where students feel known, valued, and inspired to reach their potential. As Head of School at Richland Academy, she brings over two decades of experience in education, including roles as a teacher, special education leader, Principal, and Head of School. Sandi is committed to fostering curiosity, creativity, compassion, and confidence in every student.
BESSY BIANCO
Office & Administrations Manager
With over 12 years at Richland Academy, Bessy is a dedicated member of the school's team, specializing in admissions and administration. She is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive experience for every family while fostering a strong sense of community and well-being throughout the school. Bessy especially enjoys planning events that bring students, families, and staff together and create meaningful connections.
ADRIAN CHEUNG
Director of Communications,
Technology and Design
Adrian holds a Bachelor of Technology and a Master's degree in Education. He plays a vital role in communications to keep parents informed and connected. He manages Richland's online presence, and facilitates technology use at school.
JOANNE PACE
IB-PYP Coordinator and Learning Strategist
Joanne holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Education. She is the learning strategies teacher at Richland, and she constantly challenges her students to think critically in a world that requires creativity and innovative thinking.
NALINI SUBRAMANYAM
Reggio & Math Lead and Office Administrator
Nalini is a trained IBEN workshop leader and facilitates workshops where participants are motivated to develop strategies that enable them to meaningfully promote IB pedagogical principles in their own unique contexts. She also visits other schools to help implement student agency and conceptual understanding based on each school’s own context.
NATASHA GAROFALI
Administrative Assistant
TAMMY LEVITT
School Marketing &
Community Engagement Manager
Tammy brings extensive experience in marketing, communications, and graphic design, along with a genuine passion for working with students. As School Marketing and Community Engagement Manager, she leads the school’s branding, digital presence, and storytelling, helping families discover what makes Richland unique.
K-8 FACULTY TEAM
LINDSAY PENTHER
Kindergarten Teacher
Lindsay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s of Education degree. She is thoroughly looking forward to work with the amazing children.
CHANTAL SBRISSA
Kindergarten Teacher
Chantal is a Registered Early Child Educator and teaches in Kindergarten. She enjoys every aspect of teaching, and hopes to make your child’s learning experience an adventure that your child will never forget.
SARAH SHERMAN
Kindergarten Teacher
Sarah Sherman holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto where she majored in History and double-minored in French and Renaissance Studies.
ALEXANDRA VANEGAS
Kindergarten Teacher
Alexandra has a teacher's degree and a Registered Early Childhood Educator. She is always contributing in the Kindergarten room, and is very passionate when working with children.
LAURA MCCUTCHEON
Grade 1 Teacher
Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education and double-minored in English and Athletic Coaching. She also holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy with qualifications in Special Education. With 15 + years of experience in education, she is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment and employs innovative teaching methods to foster student success.
MELISSA BRACCIALE
Grade 1 Teacher
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Education degree. She has been teaching in private schools for 17 years, in grades ranging from Senior Kindergarten to Grade Two. Melissa is passionate about forming meaningful connections with her students, and fostering a culture of trust.
CHRISTINE WENTZELL
Grade 2 Teacher
Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master's degree in Education. She has taught in IB World Schools in Italy, South Korea, Bangladesh, China and Senegal.
MICHELLE NGO
Grade 2 Teacher
Michelle holds a Concurrent Bachelor of Education degree and a degree in Children, Childhood, and Youth Studies, with a focus on children's psychology and behaviour. She has worked in the private school sector for 5 years, where she always encourages student voice, creativity, and independence in a safe, inclusive classroom.
SUSAN KENNEDY
Grade 3 Teacher
Susan holds a Bachelor of Education degree, and she has been teaching at the International School of Geneva (IB school) for the past 14 years before joining Richland. She strives to create an environment where children feel respected, cared for, and valued.
SELINA WONG
Student Support
Selina holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master's degree in Management. Her passion for education has led her to obtain a teacher certificate in Early Childhood Education and a certificate in special education.
DENIECE JAMES
Grade 4 Teacher
Deniece received her Bachelor of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and she is passionate about art, her students and exploring new ways of teaching and learning.
TINA CARR
Grade 4 Teacher
Tina holds a BEd from Nipissing University and a BAA in Early Childhood Education from Ryerson University. With 20+ years of teaching experience in Canada and abroad, including 15 years of teaching in various IB PYP schools, she brings a combination of innovative and classical approaches to the classroom.
GIANCARLO DE LUCA
Grade 5 Teacher
Giancarlo has a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Sociology, a Bachelor of Education degree, as well as a Minor in Geography. He is a supportive individual who loves to learn.
RIDDHI ADHYARU
Grade 6 Teacher
Riddhi Adhyaru holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Management. She brings over 13 years of extensive teaching experience, including roles as a math and science educator and an IB-PYP homeroom teacher. Her expertise in the PYP framework includes mentoring and leading multiple PYP Exhibitions.
JOHN PINHO
Grade 6 Teacher
John holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education as well as a Bachelors degree in family and social services. John has worked within the education field for the better part of a decade. He sees himself as a life long learner and strives to create a classroom environment where everyone feels safe, included and curious about what the world has to offer.
MILLIE SORIANO
Grade 7 & 8 Teacher and MYP Coordinator
Mrs. Soriano holds a Bachelor Degree in Communication and Design and a Bachelor of Education. She has over fifteen years of teaching experience in a private school setting. Her love for IB has led her to take on the role of MYP Coordinator where she feels she can help Richland Academy's staff and students reach their goals.
JOHN ALTON
Grade 7 & 8 Teacher
John studied at Queen’s University on two separate occasions, achieving both his Bachelors of Education as well as his Bachelors of Science, majoring in biology. He loves to explore the interconnection between maths and sciences with his amazing students.
DANIELA QUIQUERO
Grade 2 Teacher (on mat leave)
Daniela holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Children’s Studies, and a Bachelor of Education degree. Her passion for teaching is driven by her dedication to creating inclusive and engaging learning environments.
ASHA MISTRY
Grade 6 Teacher
Asha holds a Bachelors of Arts degree, a Bachelors of Education degree, and a Master's of Education degree. She has experience teaching in a private school setting, both in Ontario and in the United Kingdom.
SPECIALTIES FACULTY TEAM
JACOB DEMERS
Athletic Director
Mr. Demers graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Physical Education Honours degree and a Bachelor of Education degree. He enjoys teaching in the IB PYP program because he gets a chance to show how Health and P.E. connect with other subjects and he enjoys seeing the students make amazing connections through their learning.
WHITNEY HENDERSON
Performing Arts Teacher (Primary)
Whitney holds a Bachelor of Music and Education from the University of Toronto and has completed her Level 2 Orff certification, earning the Primary/Junior Music Specialist of Ontario qualification. She believes in the power of the arts to foster collaboration and creativity, and she is dedicated to helping students explore their voices and passions.
LORENZO CORTI
Performing Art Teacher (MYP)
Lorenzo Corti is an experienced international music educator with a Master’s in Jazz from the Conservatory of Florence. He has taught in IB World Schools across Asia and Africa, specializing in MYP Music and interdisciplinary learning. Passionate about creativity and cultural expression, Lorenzo inspires students to explore their musical identity through diverse styles and experiences.
MAHA REFAAT
French Teacher
With over 20 years of experience teaching French, Maha is passionate about creating welcoming and supportive learning environments where all students feel encouraged to grow and succeed. Maha holds a Bachelor of Education in Sociology with Additional Qualifications in French as a Second Language as well as Special Education.
AMELIE THOMPSON
French Teacher
Amélie has over 20 years of teaching French and Spanish in the UK in a variety of settings before relocating to Canada. Her aim is to help her students develop into open-minded, caring and confident linguists ready to take their place in the world.
JOSEPHINE SHERMAN
Visual Arts Teacher
Josephine holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in Visual Arts, a Bachelor of Education degree (U of T) and the Ontario College of Art. (OCAD). She has been teaching Visual Arts at Richland Academy since 2005. She especially enjoys teaching in the collaborative Reggio inspired and IB inquiry program that Richland provides to its students.
MELIKA OSTADHASHEM
Visual Arts and Student Support
Melika holds a Master's degree in TEFL and over four years of experience in International Baccalaureate (IB) education. She always creates an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
ADRIANNE KRAFT
Technology and Design Teacher
Adrianne spearheads Richland’s ICT and Design program and is passionate about expanding it to reflect the evolving world of technology. She has over a decade of experience working with children as a coach, tutor, and teacher.
JESSICA SPRITZER
Visual Arts Teacher
Jessica holds certifications as a support worker and yoga instructor, Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Art and Philosophy, as well as a Post Graduate Certification in Museum Studies and Curatorship.
MIKE SIGNAM
Physical Education Teacher and Learning Support
Mike holds a Bachelor of Education degree, and with over 15 years in education spanning Japan, New Zealand, and Canada, he is a seasoned educator dedicated to instilling a passion for lifelong learning.
KATE DANIEL
Learning Support
Kate Daniel has been teaching at Richland Academy for 19 years as the Senior Kindergarten Teacher. She enjoys teaching the PYP program, and a believer in creating challenging, Reggio inspired inquiry environments.
KIRTI PANKAJ
Librarian and Wellness Coordinator
Kirti is an experienced educator with over 30 years of international experience in inclusive, multicultural learning environments across India, Canada, and Malaysia. She is an Ontario Certified Teacher with a Master’s degree in Economics, a Bachelor of Education degree, and certifications in Digital Literacy and Computer Programming.
FACILITIES STAFF
HEIDI RYBAK
Meal Coordinator Manager
Heidi has an extensive background working in both hospitality and with children.
AMY TSUI
Meal Coordinator
Amy is thrilled to be working with kids and looks forward to creating delicious, healthy meals for them.
RAFAEL NIEVES
Campus Manager
Rafael ensures Richland operates smoothly on many levels, both internally and around the campus.
HAZELLE JEAN DE LARA
Custodian
Hazelle has over 10 years of experience as a custodian with a passion for creating a safe and clean learning environment.
CARLOS HERNANDEZ
Custodian
Carlos joined Richland Academy in 2020 as casual part time custodian. He has over 12 years of experience as a custodian.
