The Dunblaine School
Quality Education for Children with Learning Disabilities
Meet the 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 and work cohesively to place each student in the appropriate classroom 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.
Administration
Michele Braida ✉️
Principal
B.A, B.Ed., M.A. (Special Education);
Principal's Qualifications I, II;
Special Education I, II, Specialist; OCT
Welcome to Dunblaine School!
I am Michele Braida, the newly appointed Principal of Dunblaine School, and I am excited to be part of this incredible community. With 38 years of experience in education, including 27 years as a school administrator, I am committed to ensuring that every student reaches their full potential in a supportive and dynamic learning environment.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Special Education and have earned my Principal’s Qualifications Parts I and II. In recognition of my ongoing community involvement, I am also proud to be the recipient of the YMCA’s Peace Medal awarded for my commitment and contributions to my school community.
At Dunblaine, we are continually seeking ways to enhance our students' learning experience. This year, I’ve introduced AimswebPlus Benchmark and Progress Monitoring for Math and Language Arts to help us better support student achievement and growth. I believe in the power of professional learning and maintaining a growth mindset, both of which are essential to fostering innovation and creativity within our school.
I look forward to working closely with staff, students, and families as we continue to make Dunblaine School a place where every student can thrive.
Classroom Teachers
Kathleen Benbow ✉️
Classroom Teacher
B.A, M.A., B.Ed.,
Teaching Students with Behavioural Needs,
Special Ed. I, OCT
Kathleen believes education is foremost about fostering students’ opinions and developing their empathy in a safe environment. Before joining Dunblaine in 2020, she taught in the First Nation community of Sandy Lake for three years, where she worked with many students with special needs. It was through her experiences here that Kathleen realized how essential it is to ensure students have a voice and choice in their education, as well as to ensure there be a community focus and relevance to what they learn in the classroom. She also taught ESL in South Korea for two years. Prior to becoming a teacher, Kathleen earned her Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Feminist research, informing a focus on equity and diversity in her teaching.
Callum Reid ✉️
Classroom Teacher
B.A, M.A.
Callum holds a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto, OISE, where he graduated with distinction. He also earned a Primary/Junior teaching certificate and was awarded "The Robert Seth Kingsley Graduate Fellowship" for excellence and leadership in special education. His academic journey includes a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from Toronto Metropolitan University, where he graduated with distinction, minored in Sociology, and received the Francis G. Hare award in Research and Evaluation. Additionally, he completed the Child and Youth Care Advanced Diploma Program at George Brown College, graduating with honors.
Callum's professional experience is equally impressive. Callum has been a Child and Youth Care Practitioner at Turning Point Youth Services, as part of the Educational and Community Partnership Program (ECPP) and the Toronto District School Board. Here, in his classroom setting he provided life skills, therapeutic intervention, and academic support to foster academic and social success. His responsibilities included daily care and emotional support for youth with complex mental health needs and guiding youth in achieving personalized goals to promote independence and well-being. Callum is dedicated to creating a safe, secure, and inclusive classroom environment, ensuring a thriving therapeutic and academic atmosphere.
Callum has also served as a Child and Youth Care Practitioner at SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health. In this role, he worked within an ECPP classroom, providing facilitation, academic support, and socio-emotional strategies to promote academic and social success. He evaluated student performance using both objective and subjective measures, ensuring comprehensive support for each student's development.
Callum Reid brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. We're delighted to welcome him to the team in 2024!
Danielle Feenan ✉️
Classroom Teacher
B.Sc., B.Ed., OCT, Special Ed. I
Before embarking on her teaching journey in 2018, Danielle had accumulated over 5 years of experience working with children in a variety of engaging and rewarding roles. She volunteered at schools in Namibia and South Africa, assuming the role of an ESL teacher in Thailand, and subsequently excelling as a Learning Support Assistant for 3 years in primary schools. During this period, she specialized in implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and collaborating with children with diverse learning abilities including LD, ASD and ADHD. These experiences not only deepened her affection for working with children but also fueled her unwavering passion for ensuring universal access to education.
Danielle's expertise encompasses early years reading, particularly in reading recovery and phonics. Since relocating to Toronto in 2019, she has dedicated her efforts to working as a private tutor, delivering tailored lessons to students ranging from grade 1 to 7. This opportunity led her to become a private teacher in St Lucia, and she also partnered with the TCDSB for group tutoring.
Outside of her professional commitments, Danielle immerses herself in various cultures through her travels. Her profound commitment to wildlife conservation has driven her to volunteer at wildlife sanctuaries in Namibia, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, and St Lucia. This passion seamlessly integrates into her teaching, enabling her to craft dynamic, inquiry-based lessons that explore a wide spectrum of environmental subjects, fostering an engaging and active learning experience.
Resource and Program Specialists
Renee Nerima ✉️
Resource
B.A., B.Ed., Special Ed. I, II, & Specialist, OCT
The satisfaction gained from working collaboratively with colleagues, professionals, and parents to foster a nurturing and constructive learning environment for students has drawn Renee 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 traditions that teach students a variety of life long lessons, such as math, social skills, organization, money management, and problem solving. Renee enjoys being the costume designer and dressmaker for Dunblaine's yearly musical production.
Danny Fekete ✉️
Resource, Technology
Hons. B.A, B.Ed., M.A., Special Ed. I, OCT
Danny has been with Dunblaine since 2012, specializing in technology-integration, media literacy and safety, and computer skills. His focus in the classroom is on creating a safe and trusting environment to explore critical thinking and inquiry, to develop self-awareness around technology use, and to foster online safety. Individually, he provides extra help for students with specific needs and develops enrichment programs for students to explore their strengths at greater depth. His goal is for students to leave Dunblaine with empowerment – both in terms of a sense of their own abilities, and with genuine, reliable skills to allow them to continue growing and learning on their own.
Laura Wilson
Music
Laura is a Toronto-based musician and instructor. She graduated with a diploma in Vocal Jazz Performance from Humber College, as well as completing Grade 9 Piano, and Grade 8 Voice, through The Royal Conservatory of Music.
As an instructor, Laura has a wholistic approach to teaching. She mentors students in technique, artistry, theory, composition, and improvisation. Her students have been admitted to post-secondary programs at Berklee College of Music,
Humber College, Wilfred Laurier University, Metalworks Institute, and University of Ottawa. One of her students received a gold medal for achieving excellence from The Royal Conservatory of Music.
In addition to performing in clubs and festivals around Toronto and the GTA, Laura has performed as a top-rated Piano Bar Entertainer with Carnival Cruise Line. She was named "Favourite Discovery Artist" in a poll by SkyJazz radio in 2015.