Mahfuza Rahman is the acting Coordinator for Mathematics, Science, STEM and Robotics for the Toronto District School Board. In the past 20 years, she has been a teacher of math, various sciences, a guidance counsellor, a teacher-librarian, and hybrid-teacher digital lead learner; Mahfuza brings all these experiences to her current position to support educators in building global competence, a community of critical, innovative learners and scientifically literate citizenry. Mahfuza has been a member of STAO since 2000 and held various roles within the organization such as Regional Counsellor, Conference Program Co-Chair and Secretary. She has also supported various STAO committees and events during her time with the organization.

Graziella (Grace) Sadler is an elementary teacher with the Toronto Catholic District School Board and is honoured to work with STAO to bring science resources and PD opportunities to Ontario educators.

Her 15+ years teaching experience began in Windsor, Ont. and spans Grades 1 to 10 including a 7-year Primary/Junior Science and Technology position. It was in this unique role where Graziella provided hands-on programming and enrichment opportunities for our youngest scientists. Graziella is the Judging Coordinator for the York Region Science and Technology Fair and has been a STAO member since 2013.

Louise Vaillancourt has been a teacher at the Ottawa-Carleton School Board for over 17 years teaching in both French and English. She is currently a K-12 Science and Numeracy Instructional coach for the OCDSB. Recently she worked as a Technology coach and consultant, promoting STEAM in the classroom, makerspaces and making coding accessible to all students. Beyond science technology, she is also passionate about Forest school and land-based learning.

Louise has been a proud member of STAO and is looking forward to giving back to the community. She would like to apply her experience in cross-panel, cross-curricular and cross-lingual experience to promote Science in all spheres of Ontario Education.

Lillian Dong is a Tax Senior Manager at KPMG LLP in Toronto where her work is centered on compliance, risks control, process improvement, and cash flow management from both tax and business perspectives. She has extensive experience in financial reporting, auditing, tax compliance and budgeting for both private and public companies incorporated in Canada, the USA and China.

Lillian has her Master of Science in Accounting from Suffolk University in Boston. She is registered as both a Chartered Accountant with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Certified Public Accountant with the State of Massachusetts. Lillian is a member of CPA Ontario and CPA (Massachusetts).

Joseph Bishay has been teaching science one way or another for over 16 years, across the elementary, secondary, and post- secondary panels, in both the public and private school systems. After conducting research at The Hospital for Sick Children in the programs of Cancer & Blood Research and Developmental Biology, he began his teaching career as an instructor in the Health Sciences department at George Brown College.

Concurrently, he was the head instructor for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) at Kaplan International. He currently serves as a professor in the department of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry at Seneca College where he teaches microbiology, and also as faculty at Tyndale University, where he teaches first and second year biology courses.

As well, Joseph has had the opportunity to lecture at the Royal Ontario Museum on the topics of natural science and natural history. Alongside science, Joseph has extensive experience in information technology, including running his own I.T. consulting company, working as director of I.T. at a private elementary school, and serving as Information Officer in an education technology firm supporting over 1500 students. Joseph has been on the STAO/APSO Board of Directors since 2016 where he serves as Secretary as well as sitting on a number of committees and taskforces.

Perry Tsergas is the founding President & CEO of spark*advocacy, a public affairs marketing and communications firm based in Ottawa, Ontario.

He has over a decade of experience in communications, public opinion research, public affairs, as well as another 7 years  experience working in Canadian politics.

Perry has a strong interest in science and passion for science literacy, being an unabashed space geek and fan of modern science communicators like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye, David Attenborough, Katie Mack and Chris Hadfield. Perry holds a B.A. in Legal Studies and Politics from Carleton University.

An elementary teacher with the York Region District School Board, Brian Tsui teaches mathematics, French, and music, and is presently a Lead Teacher (Technology) at his school.

He is chair of the Political Action Committee of ETFO at the provincial level and for the past two years has been a member of the STAO Elementary Curriculum Committee.

His students have won awards in robotics, paper glider and Lego mechanical engineering competitions with Skills Ontario. Brian obtained his BSc in Mathematics from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and his Master of Teaching degree from OISE. He is an OCT member, qualified to teach from Grades 4 to 12.

Bob Weese joined the STAO Board in 2017 as a Member at Large. He retired from GE Canada in 2011 where he had been VP of Government Relations for 22 years. Previous careers had included senior management positions in the Federal and Saskatchewan governments following 3 years in Ottawa as a parliamentary intern and caucus researcher.

Bob has an Hon. BA in Political Science from Western University and an MSc.Econ from the University of Wales, supplemented by additional postgraduate work at the University of London. Widowed, he has two grown sons and 8-year old twin grandsons. He brings to STAO his long experience in senior management, his knowledge of government, and his appreciation of the vital importance of quality science education in Ontario schools.

Michelle Tsui-Woods is the Associate Director of Operations and Development for k2i academy at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering. She is highly skilled in strategic planning, operations and development with experience working in the higher education, not-for-profit and financial services sectors.

She has a successful track record of developing and growing strategic relationship programs within large and complex organizations at a local, national and global scale, working closely with senior leaders and stakeholders. Michelle is passionate about inclusive and equitable STEM education.

Though new to STAO, Terry is not new to advancing scientific curriculum, member advocacy, or enhancing practice standards in Ontario.  In addition to serving as a governance consultant, he has over 11 years’ experience as Executive Director and Registrar of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists.  Prior to this, for 14 years with the Region of Peel, he led and implemented municipal human services policy, and served on the Board of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.   Among Terry’s accomplishments was creating provincial legislative reform for the Ontario Agrology sector, implementing federal labour mobility statute, and helping to shape new provincial environmental stewardship regulations.

Terry has an Honours BA from Trent University in Environmental and Political Studies, and a Masters in Public Administration and Political Studies from the University of Guelph.  In his spare time you can find Terry focusing on his photography or in his gardens.

You can reach Terry at: 1-855-476-STAO (7826)

Zakia Remmach is a qualified Junior, Intermediate and Senior Teacher of Mathematics, Physics and Science, PMP Certified and PMI Member, OEEO Member, Writer Computational Thinking and Coding in STEM Resource for OCTE and University of Colorado’s content translator, with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Computing and over twelve years of experience in teaching science using effective strategies for special needs students and integrating differentiated pedagogy.

Zakia brings to STAO her passion and extensive experience in leading projects and functional teams. Strong skills in developing and writing educational resources, very good communication skills and use of technology tools.

Zakia is well regarded for interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to exercise sound judgement, tact and diplomacy under stressful circumstances and effectively build productive relationships at all levels. A results-oriented and success driven individual, committed to the highest level of performance, who possesses strong analytical and planning skills and knows the value of quality of work and great customer service.

You can reach Zakia at: 1-855-476-STAO (7826)

Malisa Mezenberg enjoyed teaching high school sciences, math and cooperative education with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board for over 20 years. She took an active role in the Ministry of Education’s Science curriculum review and developed resources to support science teachers.

Developing a keen interest in the professional learning of teachers, Malisa created and coordinated a variety of professional learning programs for teachers in her position in the Professional Development Department at the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) and as Project Manager of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation Professional Learning Project. She has had the opportunity to work with international teacher education programs in the Caribbean and Africa. Malisa is currently working at the OECTA Provincial Office in the Counselling and Member Services Department. In addition to general counselling and advice to members on employment-related matters, she is coordinates OECTA’s Leadership Training Program.

Malisa cannot remember when she was not a member of STAO. She has served in a number of roles within the organization, including President in 1994–1995 and Chair of the joint STAO-NSTA Conference in 1996. In her current role of Director of Professional Learning she coordinates the professional learning activities of the association. Malisa was the proud recipient of the STAO/APSO Life Member Award in 2014.

Sheila is the Director of Elementary Resource Development for STAO. She was Co-Chair of STAO 2015, which celebrated 125 years since the founding of STAO and was the Partnership Coordinator on STAO’s Executive Committee. Sheila has a passion in the delivery of quality professional learning to meet the needs of Science and Technology Instructors.

Another interest of Sheila’s is Environmental issues, and she organizes the Enviro Ed Conference at UOIT Faculty of Ed. Sheila was instrumental in acquiring the NSERC grant to support Promo Science for 3 years for Science Encounters for STAO. Sheila is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Education, Ontario Tech University. She teaches STEM, Environmental Education, Coding and Communication.

Kathryn has been volunteering with STAO since 2012 when she joined the Secondary Curriculum Committee (SCC). She served on the SCC both as a member and as the Chair of the committee before moving into the Communications Coordinator role on the Executive Committee. Kathryn graduated from Trent University with a degree in Environment and Resource Studies, then went on to Queen’s University where she completed her teaching degree. In the past 14 years, Kathryn has taught high school courses in science, biology, geography, physical education, special education, with her favourite, by far, being environmental science.

She is a self-described “Professional Earth Geek” and loves to share her love of the natural world with her students, friends and family. Kathryn has taught for the last 14 years in the Halton District School Board. She currently works at Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School in Burlington, where she also lives with her husband and two young sons. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time outside, swimming, camping, hiking, catching frogs, coaching rugby, reading and working on various crafts. Kathryn’s favourite part about volunteering with STAO is working with other teachers to provide the best possible learning experience for young people both in and out of the classroom.   

Laura Wodlinger has been a STAO member since 2008 and has previously been the Secondary Curriculum Committee Chair (2016-2019) and the Professional Learning Team Chair for STAO2020 (2019-2020).   Laura is passionate about helping teachers deliver curriculum through relevant and innovative resources.   She has presented multiple times at STAO, OTF, BIT, and YRDSB conferences and is a strong believer in Professional Development.   Laura has created multiple resources for STAO/APSO (including the Tech Tools Collection) and written several articles for OSCA Magazine.   Laura is currently Assistant Head of Science in the YRDSB and describes herself as a citizen scientist, amateur tap dancer, karaoke enthusiast, and full time nerd.