Staff

 

The teachers and support staff at The Dunblaine School are a dedicated and multi-faceted team that empower each and every child to succeed. All teachers are highly trained with a background in special education. Our current teaching team has worked cohesively at Dunblaine for a number of years and is skilled at placing students in the appropriate classes to realize the full potential of both the child and the class. In addition, the team is knowledgeable in choosing outside activities and programs to complement the academic curriculum. Professional resource references for children with learning disabilities are also made available to families of Dunblaine students through the expertise of our staff.

Charleen Pryke, Hons. B.A., B.Ed., Special Ed. Part 1 & 2, Primary Specialist, Special Educator and Principal of The Dunblaine School, is a dedicated and caring leader of the multitalented team of expert and experienced staff members. Charleen has always been interested in discovering new teaching techniques and methodologies to complement each student’s learning potential. She is also involved in professional organizations, such as Ontario Federation of Independent Schools(OFIS), Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario(LDAO), and Spectra(Partners in Specialized Education). Charleen is pleased by the integral involvement of students, parents and staff who make a difference to education, and proud to be a part of the many successes experienced at Dunblaine.

Barbara Citron has been teaching French and Drama programs at Dunblaine for over 20 years. In the French program, children become comfortable speaking and listening to a second language. We use games, songs and different activities all designed to create an atmosphere of learning while having fun. The drama program encourages communication and creativity through improvisation, role playing and different physical activities. Students learn that learning can be fun, that they CAN be successful, that each of them is important, valued and loved. Barbara incorporates life skills along with the curriculum and encourages students to be kind, considerate and respectful of each other. She feels blessed to work with such a dedicated staff who care so much for each other and the students, and who work together every day to make learning fun and successful.

Cathy Taylor has a degree in English from U. of T. Early working years included a position as a senior medical underwriter at Crown Life Insurance Co. and (after spending several years at home with children) a period of time working at a neighborhood private school.
Cathy has been very much enjoying life at The Dunblaine School for the past 8 years, in capacity as the school’s Administrative Assistant.
Amongst the job’s many and varied pleasures, is the privilege of observing the development of our wonderful students!

Nancy King, B.A., B.Ed. Library, Part 1 & 2, joined The Dunblaine School in 2004 after a long career in the public school system. She has worked at all levels from Kindergarten to Grade 8 (many being multi-age groupings), teaching library resource programs, art, language-based special needs and activity-based learning programs. She has brought this experience to Dunblaine to deliver an enriched program, using fiction and non-fiction literature to develop good literacy skills, and apply them to other subjects of the curriculum.

Deborah Estany incorporates all the different aspects of music in order to interest students, encourage them to joyfully express themselves and create beauty. During organized exposure to the many styles of music - classical, popular, folk, jazz and world music - all aspects of learning become involved. Music requires attention, perception, emotion, cognition, memory and motor control. Deborah’s goal is to foster musical appreciation that can grow and last for a lifetime.

Renee Nerima, B.A., B.Ed. Special Ed, Part 1. The satisfaction gained from working collaboratively with colleagues, professionals and parents to foster a nurturing and constructive learning environment for students has drawn Renee Nerima to Dunblaine for over 18 years. Helping students develop problem solving skills, social and emotional maturity and self-esteem are tackled as earnestly as promoting academic skills. She takes pleasure in seeing that her students are good citizens who take pride in being responsible, caring, ambitious and tolerant. Implementing meaningful learning activities, such as the Tuck Shop, have grown into school wide activities that teach students a variety of life long lessons, such as math, social skills, organization, money management, etc. Renee enjoys being the costume designer and dressmaker for Dunblaine's yearly musical production.

Robyn Ezer, B.A., B.Ed. Special Ed, Part 1, has been teaching since 1989. She has spent the last 15 years teaching at Dunblaine, loving the fact that teachers can use any techniques necessary to ensure a student achieves his/her true potential. Focusing on the transition for grade 8 students to the grade 9 level has evolved into an interesting niche in the world of teaching. Being able to participate in the creative process of directing plays and putting on school performances is an added benefit to teaching in such a beautiful school.

Judith Weatherhead, B.A., B.Ed. Special Ed, Part 1 & 2, came to the Dunblaine School from the public school system 20 years ago. She sought an environment where the needs of the individual child would be put first. At Dunblaine she values the close relationship between parent, staff, student and helping professionals. Judith is particularly interested in enabling the development of emotional intelligence and nurturing different intelligences. Her particular interests and strengths are in the area of response writing and poetry.

Brynie Lacob has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s in Psychology. She has worked with children for over 20 years, the last 7 at Dunblaine. Brynie teaches Social Skills to each class on a weekly basis and offers individual counseling to those that may further benefit from the one-one interaction. Being a part of The Dunblaine team is a constant source of inspiration.