OUR STAFF

Matthew had the privilege of studying at Redeemer University College under an amazing faculty. During this time He developed a passion for learning about God's creation and sharing his understanding with others. Seven years of teaching in the classroom has taught him that the "Eureka" moment is a prized treasure. It is his hope to make new concepts more appetizing and easier to digest, leaving a better understanding and desire to know more.

Sharon has been teaching since 2002 and currently teaches grade 8 at John Knox Christian School in Brampton. She is also their Curriculum Coordinator. She loves the challenge of creating units of study that engage and challenge her students. Science has always been an area of passion and the true reward is seeing students discover the wonders of creation through hands-on exploration. She has a BA from Wilfrid Laurier and BEd from Redeemer. Her love of online learning also led her to obtain her Master of Distance Education from Athabasca University, which was, appropriately, delivered online. A Google Certified Teacher, she is no stranger to using a variety of technology tools as well as preparing students to be responsible Digital Citizens.

Sharon and her husband are “empty-nesters” in Caledon. An avid gardener, Sharon thrives on outdoor activity surrounded by nature. She enjoys playing bass and both she and her husband, a bassoonist, perform regularly with the Rose Orchestra in Brampton.

Tiffany Muresan received her Bachelor of Science (majors in math and French) and Bachelor of Education from Redeemer University College in 2015. God has granted her opportunities to teach core French in Ontario and high school mathematics in Wuhan, China. She is currently teaching part-time with Upper Grand District School Board, where she herself began learning French.

She currently lives in Waterloo with her husband and two children. She enjoys learning new games and knitting. Tiffany is passionate about helping students use the gifts God has given them to further His kingdom and to glorify Christ.

Bianca Gagliostro is a graduate of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science, majoring in both Mathematics and Statistics. From there Bianca followed her passion for teaching and was blessed to receive her OCT designation from Redeemer University College. Bianca continued to grow her knowledge and received advanced qualification in Senior Level Mathematics and Special Education from the University of Toronto. Bianca’s special education background has found success accommodating diverse student needs and facilitating different type of learning approaches.

When she’s not a devoted teacher. Bianca enjoys spending time with her 2 kids and husband. She enjoys grain-free baking and travelling with her husband and children.

Catharine Kruitbosch received her Bachelor of Education along with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies minoring in French and English Language and Literature from Brock University in 2012. She has held various teaching positions in both public and private schools, and currently works as an Occasional Teacher with the District School Board of Niagara as well as Jordan Christian School. She currently lives in St. Catharines with her husband and 3 young children. She loves to read almost anything, but especially enjoys biographies and memoirs. She also loves being outside and camping, running, hiking, or biking with her family.

Rebecca Eggert has been teaching in Christian school, homeschool, Sunday school, summer camp, and tutoring for over 20 years. She graduated from Brock University with her concurrent Bachelor of Science (Math) and Bachelor of Education in 1997. She has taught and tutored all subjects but her favourite has always been math. She is currently working as a high school teacher at Vianney Academy as well as Nimbus Christian Education. Rebecca lives in Mississauga with her husband, her three teenaged children, and her B.F.F. (best furry friend) January. Rebecca loves dogs, hiking, spending time with friends, but most of all...Jesus.

Karen Timson worked for York Region District School Board throughout her teaching career in a variety of roles, e.g. secondary mathematics teacher, department head of mathematics, intermediate/senior mathematics consultant. She has her Masters of Education in Curriculum and has taught Additional Qualifications Courses for teachers at OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) both face-to-face and online.

Karen retired from YRDSB in 2011 to pursue other interests in mathematics education including short-term teaching contracts in Christian schools in Portugal and New Zealand, starting a tutoring business and volunteering at a local Christian school in their mathematics program.

She lives in Stouffville.

Scott Newbury has been teaching since 2003 and is currently employed at Brampton Christian School (since 2007). He attended Memorial University of Newfoundland where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Joint-Major in Physics and Applied Mathematics) and a Bachelor of Education. He enjoys teaching Math and has taught many of the courses offered at the high school level.

He currently lives in Orangeville with his wife, Heather, and two daughters. They are a musical family and play multiple instruments and lead worship in church. He enjoys sports (such as Badminton and Ultimate Frisbee) and is also very interested in technology.

Heather Smid earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from Queen's University in 2004 and a Master's degree in English Literature from Queen's the following year. She currently works at Heritage Community Christian School.

Heather lives in Frankville, Ontario with her husband, four children, and assortment of pets and farm animals. She loves vegetable gardening and tending to her small hobby farm, and in her spare time she makes and sells goat's milk products.

Marsha Vandergaast was born in Sioux Center, Iowa and grew up in Jenison, Michigan. She moved to Canada where she met her husband, Gary, and had two children. She has taught in Bowmanville, Ontario and Ottawa, Ontario for over 35 wonderful years. Although teaching was not her original intention, she soon saw that it was God's plan for her life and that is was the most wonderful work in the world. She is now retired from full-time teaching but is still active in supply teaching, volunteer work, and church activities. She has two wonderful grandchildren and loves to hike and ride a motorcycle.

Ginny Mejia is originally from Colombia with more than 12 years of teaching experience both Online and face to face. She received her master’s degree in TESOL and Intercultural Studies in 2021 from Wheaton College, IL. For the past 10 years she has been serving as a Missionary with Operation Mobilisation (OM) where she has worked as an ESL teacher (in the UK) and a Youth worker (in the Netherlands). Right now, she is serving part time with OM International teaching about Cultural Intelligence to the cross-cultural workers in the organisation. She moved to Canada three years ago with her husband and now they enjoy the company and cuteness of their baby girl who is 2 and a half. Ginny loves to learn about different cultures and to see how God manifests aspects of Himself through them.

Debika has a degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Guelph (2014) and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Windsor (2015) specializing in the intermediate/senior division. She has taught ESL classes to adult learners, high school math and science courses (grades 9 - 11), and homeroom for grades 7 and 8. Debika has experience teaching and designing asynchronous online courses, which is what inspired her to obtain her Master of Education degree with a focus on distance education from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (2019). She is currently teaching grade 8 at John Knox Christian School in Brampton. Debika lives in Brampton and enjoys reading (particularly about theology, science and books at the intersection of both), hiking and coffee.

Bill Friesen has been teaching for over 20 years at the university, college and high school levels, teaching everything from ancient history and literature right through to cutting edge science fiction and fantasy, though he earned his Ph.D. in medieval literatures. He has also taught various writing, university preparation, Latin, and public speaking courses. In addition, Bill has served as vice president of an academy, director of a university writing centre, and chair of a university academic standards committee. His wife presently works as an administrator the Henry Nouwen Society. He attends Grace Church in Newmarket, ON. He loves spending time with his wife and three daughters, teaching, reading, hiking, camping, traveling, and fishing.

Stephanie Schilstra received her Bachelor of Education from Brock University in 2014. She currently teaches Computer Studies at Niagara Christian Collegiate, and has also taught Technology, Science, Geography and Math. Stephanie lives in Stevensville with her husband and 2 young boys. She loves to play sports, especially golf, volleyball and baseball She also loves being outside and camping with her family every summer.

Daniel has been teaching full-time in Ontario since 2011. His first few years were with private schools and in addition to teaching for NCE he is currently an LTO teacher with TVDSB in London. He graduated from McMaster in 2009 with an Honours BA in English and a Minor in Chemistry, and then completed his B.Ed. with Brock University. Daniel and his wife Natalie currently live in London with their three cats.

Ashley Swartzentruber received her Bachelor of Arts (majors in English and History) and Bachelor of Education from Western University in 2009. From there, Ashley followed her passion of teaching and was blessed to obtain a secondary teacher position in eastern Canada. She has held various teaching positions in both the private and public sector, and currently works as an occasional teacher with the Avon Maitland District School Board in addition to her role with NCE. She currently lives in Dashwood, Ontario with her husband and 2 young children. She loves being outside, camping, hiking, and exploring with her family.