Naghmeh Razmpoosh P. Eng

Principal

Principal’s Message

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year at Oxford Learning Academy. 

I am proud to be the principal of this special school, one that puts students first and keeps their best interests in mind in every choice and decision we make. Our staff at OLA are committed to student success and strive to help all of our students achieve excellence and reach their full potential in a learning environment founded on inclusivity, equity, and growth mindset. It is our goal to prepare our students to go out into the world as strong leaders and successful citizens.

Respect is a priority at OLA: respect for teachers, for parents, for students and, most importantly, respect for yourself. Treating people with respect makes your world a nicer place to live in, whether it’s at home, at school, or out in our community. 

Furthermore, I would like our students to learn how to solve problems and overcome challenges independently using their creativity and critical thinking skills. Fostering independence allows students to learn actively rather than passively and to take ownership of their learning. 

It is our belief at OLA that best academic and social education for children occurs through the cooperative efforts of the home and school. Our school has a dedicated group of parent volunteers whose efforts help to provide additional resources to the school. I would like to extend a big thank you to all parent council members for their tireless efforts every year. We urge other parents to join our parent council this year and work with us to create the best possible school experience for our students. We welcome parental participation and feedback as we work together to promote the values of honesty, responsibility, caring, equity, and respect for self and for others.  

I wish you a happy and healthy school year full of fun and learning opportunities at Oxford Learning Academy!

Sincerely,

Naghmeh Razmpoosh P. Eng.

Mrs. Tania Nicoletti

Education Director

Mrs. Tania’s passion for Oxford began in August 2011, when her son was enrolled in the Little Readers program. With his continued development and improvement, Mrs. Tania felt the need to get involved and help parents achieve their children’s academic goals. She continues to inspire, support, and nurture the students at OLA each and every day.

Favourite Quote:

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.

-Aristotle

Ms. Quan Ly

Education Coordinator

Ms. Quan has worked for Oxford for ten years as a math and science teacher. Since beginning at our school, she has trained as an education coordinator and become much more involved in the assessment and programming side of the Oxford program. Ms. Quan is passionate about finding out how students learn so that we can learn how to best support their continued educational growth. She is also actively involved in developing OLA‘s math curriculum and finding and creating resources to support learning in math. 

Favourite Quote:

Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted, counts. 

- Albert Einstein

Ms. Replinder Dillon

OCT Grade 1-2 Homeroom Teacher, Grade 1-4 Physical Education Teacher

Ms. Ripple is a highly educated, experienced, caring, enthusiastic and hard-working teacher who believes that students of all ages are problem solvers and come with a wealth of knowledge that enriches our school community and learning environment. Ms. Ripple earned her Master of Business Administration in 2006 and continued her education by earning her Bachelor of Education and has been helping young minds to achieve their full potential since then. She is looking forward to helping her students reach their full potential.

Favourite Quote:

Inside every child is a rainbow waiting to shine.

- Unknown

Ms. Emily Schepens

OCT Grade 5-6 Homeroom Teacher

Ms. Emily is an enthusiastic lifelong learner with a passion for helping students reach their full potential. She attended Queen’s University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology. She returned to Queen’s to obtain her Bachelor of Education, specializing in working with at-risk children. Ms. Emily has worked with students from diverse backgrounds and has obtained her Additional Qualification in teaching English Language Learners. Outside of the classroom, she loves to travel, listen to music, and spend time with family and friends. 

Favourite Quote:

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. 

Mr. Karim Rostom

OCT Grade 5-6 Homeroom Teacher, Grade 1-8 Computer Programming Teacher

Mr. Karim was inspired to pursue education by the excellent teachers in his life who were his mentors. He graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honorary Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and History and subsequently a Bachelor of Education from UOIT. Along with experience in finance and consumer electronics, he has volunteered in financial literacy and community initiatives, and he has taught high school history and law as well as elementary homeroom classes. Mr. Karim strives to bring a sense of compassion, inclusion, and public service to every work environment. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Karim is currently a serving member of the Canadian Army Reserves and has a great passion for technology, history, and cinema. 

Favourite Quote:

"All big things have small beginnings.” 

Ms. Samantha Creamer

OCT Head Teacher, Grade 7-8 Homeroom Teacher, Grade 5-8 Physical Education Teacher

Ms. Samantha fell in love with learning at a young age and decided early on that she wanted to spend her life being part of the education system. Ms. Samantha is passionate about language and communication, and she loves to share this with her students. She also became certified as a health and physical education teacher during her time at Oxford after discovering a passion for health, wellness, and fitness. Ms. Samantha has been a member of the Oxford team since 2010, and this will be her seventh year as a homeroom and physical education teacher at OLA. Ms. Samantha is also actively involved in developing OLA‘s comprehensive literacy curriculum as well as continuing to develop and compile resources and programs to improve student wellness and mental health. 

Favourite Quote:

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. 

If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.

 – Zig Ziglar

Mme Nermine Bachta

OCT Grade 1-8 French Teacher

Mme Nermine is certified to teach French as a first and second language in Ontario. She completed the Additional Basic Qualifications course of Intermediate French as a Second Language at Queen's University with an A+ rating. She taught intermediate students French as a Second Language for four years and taught preschool French as a First Language for two years. She knows that students have different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses and that they learn in different ways, so she diversifies her methods of teaching and learning to meet the different needs of her students.

Favourite Quote:

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. 

Mr. Tony Babcock

Grade 1-8 Drama Teacher

Mr. Tony is a facilitator, entrepreneur, drama teacher, and performer living in Milton. He has been teaching drama classes at OLA for the past eight years. Mr. Tony is a workshop facilitator for PSN Halton at ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids), and he has a passion for supporting student mental health and wellness. He trained in Drama & Performance at The Juilliard School and The Stella Adler Studio in New York City. Mr. Tony is passionate about helping students succeed and find their most authentic selves through the magic of the performing arts. Mr. Tony has a talent for bringing out the true artist and performer in each of his students, and this has been reflected in the eight incredible drama performances he has produced and directed at OLA. 

Favourite Quote:

Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art.

- Don Miguel Ruiz

Mr. Victor Markos

Grade 1-8 Music Teacher

Mr. Victor graduated from the Applied Music program at Mohawk College as a Classical guitar major. He has studied with Canadian guitarists Tim Phelan and Emma Rush. He has taught privately in multiple music schools and programs in the G.T.A. Prior to Oxford, he taught high school music at Chisholm Academy. Mr. Victor is a multi-instrumentalist, also playing the ukulele, piano, and drums. 

Favourite Quote:

Imagination creates reality.

 - Richard Wagner

Mr. Steven Botelho

Grade 1-8 Visual Arts Teacher

Steven Botelho has dedicated his life to teaching art and helping children to tell their own story while doing so. He is a graduate from Sheridan College, completing the Illustration program, and has gone on to become a published Illustrator, author, storyteller, children’s entertainer and self-employed artist. As a mental health advocate, Steven created a children’s puppet show called Our Space to help open up this important discussion to children and families everywhere. Steven also works for many organizations that help bring the arts to children and families in need. Steven hopes that every child he works with can grow up and become the best version of themselves. 

Favourite Quote:

Life’s like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending. 

Ms. Naglaa Mousa

After Care Teacher, Tutor

Ms. Naglaa graduated from Cairo University in Egypt with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with honours, a Diploma in Environmental Control from Sheridan College, as well as Certificates in Pharmaceutical Instrumentation from AAPS, Canada. Ms. Naglaa has always enjoyed learning and teaching, as she has extensive experience teaching math and science to all grades. She is passionate in the roles of “After Care Teacher” and “Tutor”, as she loves to communicate her knowledge and experience with students. Ms. Naglaa’s favourite things to do are gardening, reading, listening to music, and watching cartoon movies. Ms. Naglaa is very excited about spending another year with the Oxford community.

Favourite Quote:

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

- Gandhi