Our Team
Our Enrichment Program Team
Get to know our Enrichment Program Team. We are all passionate about making a difference in the lives of the youth who step through our doors by providing a well-rounded education.
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Kate Dinis
SPARK, Wondercamps, & Enrichment Programs ManagerKate is our SPARK, Wondercamps, and enrichment programs manager. She has
worked at Renaissance Academy of Learning for almost 10 years and she’s grown so
much (with us) over the years. Her educational background is in psychology and
counselling, which means she’ll be happy to talk to anyone about the importance of
fostering good mental health in childhood.
In her free time, Kate enjoys being part of both a book club and a supper club as the
great bookworm that she is (talk to her about any book, she’s probably read it already).
Kate looks forward to the many laughs and memories she will make with our students
this year.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” —Plato -
Peace Adebayo
SPARK, Wondercamps & Enrichment Programs Assistant ManagerPeace is one of the Renaissance Academy of Learning Before and After School
Program coordinators. Before she joined Renaissance Academy at The Arts
Connection, she worked as an academic counsellor and client support officer at
Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan. She was also a freelance proofreader
of edited course materials at Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan. Peace
has also worked as an administrative/support officer with the Association of West
African Book Editors. During her time with the Nigerian Youth Service Corps, she served
at Irewole Local Government Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria as a social development officer.
Peace thrives on building relationships with the students and families in the SPARK
program. She has served not only as a role model but has also mentored students to
become more helpful, responsible, creative, and resourceful. -
Shakila Fakhri
Enrichment TeacherMs. Shakila has worked as a cooking and cultural studies teacher since joining the SPARK team in 2020. Shakila has worked in child care since 2014 and spends much of her time volunteering with children in the community and at schools. She loves children and strives to create a fun learning environment for her students.
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Fara Farhanian
Enrichment TeacherFara completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in English Literature in Iran. Upon graduation, she immediately started her career as an English teacher teaching adults and kids as well. Having worked as a full-time instructor and a tutor in some of the most reputable English institutes, Fara achieved enough experience in applying the most efficient teaching methodologies to improve the language skills of the students. It was only then that Fara realized she had a deep passion for teaching kids and a desire to help them thrive. In 2023, Fara was honored to be a part of the Spark team, where she hopes to create engaging, enriching, and educational experiences for the Spark young learners.
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Manmeet Param
Enrichment TeacherMiss Manmeet is an experienced educator with over 14 years of teaching and student engagement across diverse learning environments. She holds a Master of Arts in Education from Mumbai University, India, and a Master’s in Leadership with Business from Trinity Western University, Canada. Her expertise lies in creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms that foster both academic and personal growth. She is certified in TESOL/TEFL, First Aid, and Responsible Adult training, and actively contributes to community-based learning initiatives. She is committed to continuous professional development and empowering learners through innovative and compassionate teaching practices, guided by the belief that :
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
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Cindy Zhou
Enrichment TeacherMiss Cindy is a dedicated and caring educator who is passionate about supporting children’s growth in both academic and social development. She holds a Bachelor of Education from McGill University and has experience teaching across elementary grade levels. Cindy enjoys teaching social studies and helping students explore ideas of community, citizenship, and understanding the world around them in meaningful and relatable ways. She brings a warm, approachable presence to the classroom, building strong relationships and creating a space where students feel safe, valued, and encouraged to take risks in their learning. Cindy designs hands-on, interactive lessons that incorporate storytelling, art, and play to make learning engaging and memorable. With experience in both classroom teaching and community-based programs, she is committed to creating inclusive environments that respond to diverse learners. She strives to inspire curiosity, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning in every student she works with.