Get to Know RSGC's New Staff!
At RSGC, we believe that boys learn best through close relationships with their educators. One of the things that makes our community so special is the close-knit feel; our boys are known and loved as individuals. The faculty members at RSGC are dedicated and qualified professionals who are passionate about education, but they are also painters, dancers, athletes, scholars, outdoor adventurers, parents, friends and much more.
Many RSGC faculty members are active in performing and visual arts. Math teacher Sarah Jessani loves to paint and has danced professionally (even getting to perform at a Raptors half-time game!). English teacher Alicia Hawryluk is putting her experience as an internationally competitive ballroom and Latin dancer to use helping with this year’s Senior play, Blood Brothers. Communications Manager Andrea McGavin has danced in several troupes in both Toronto and her hometown of Victoria. French and Spanish teacher Emily Rodriguez, who joins us from Mexico where her son Luc was born, has studied classical violin and choral music for many years. Humanities and French teacher Justin Briginshaw is an avid photographer and Math teacher Andrew Lorrison enjoys juggling in his spare time – one of our staff members’ quirkier pastimes!
We also have some avid athletes with outstanding competitive accomplishments on staff. Kaitlyn Saunders, RSGC’s Aftercare coordinator, is a long-distance runner, having completed two half marathons and the Around the Bay 30 km race. She also loves to ski and formerly raced competitively up to FIS level. She plans to compete in the Adult Racing Program at Craigleith Ski Club this winter. Other winter athletes include Justin, who played semi-pro hockey for les Castors d’Avignon while living in France and Grade 3 teacher Savannah Barker, who plays hockey in a women’s league here in Toronto. When he’s not gardening, Andrew loves to hike, bike and run.
It’s not just physical pursuits, though. Not surprisingly, many teachers excel in scholarly pursuits. Physics teacher Nathan Chow co-authored a widely cited paper, “Galilean Cosmology,” which models a new theory of gravity beyond general relativity. Nathan also loves strategic board games that make him think - when he’s not rock-climbing or traveling, that is!
Our new staff are passionate about a wide array of topics, from Andrew’s interest in the history of mathematics to Justin’s passion for social justice to Grade 4 teacher Alessandra Matera’s interest in character education. Many have travelled and lived in other countries: Emily Rodriguez lived and taught in Mexico for three years, Alessandra has travelled to five continents (her favourite destination was Africa), Savannah lived in Australia for six months, and Justin lived in Haiti and France. With such a wide array of interests and experiences, teachers at RSGC bring diverse perspectives to the way they educate.
Above all, they love being at RSGC! “Everyone is so welcoming and supportive,” says Savannah. According to Nathan, “The boys are wonderful! They have excellent manners and are curious learners.” For Kaitlyn, seeing how the boys interact is the best part of working here: “It’s so nice to see how the boys come together, whether helping another boy with his homework, showing them where the washroom is in See House or making sure they are okay during Capture the Flag.”
Welcome to RSGC and here’s to a great year!
Royal St. George's College
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Royal St. George's College is an independent school for boys located in The Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school admits boys from Grades 3 through 12. Our mission is to challenge and inspire each of our students to become the best version of himself.