Academics

Nathalie Bendavid, BA (Hons.), B.Ed – Teacher at PEAC & Athletic Director at PEAC

Nathalie has been at PEAC since its inception in 2005. As PEAC’s French teacher and resident national athlete for the Women’s national rugby team, students are delivered French by one of our countries best teacher-athletes. Nathalie spends time training our athletes in the fitness centre with cutting edge athletic training techniques delivered by our national rugby programs athletic trainers. Students benefit from Nathalie’s organization, dedication and generous extra-help sessions to ensure that every one of our students is successful in their academic programming. Nathalie also takes on the organization of the school library and utilizes student volunteers for their community service requirements.

Sasha Nedelkovski: BSc (Hons), Masters in Teaching, B. Ed. Secondary and Intermediate Sciences. Teacher at PEAC/PEAC FLEX TRAINER.

This will be Sash’s first year teaching at PEAC. He will be teaching Science/Math, as well as overseeing our early morning fitness and the PEAC FLEX program. Sash will bring a variety of teaching strategies into the classroom, and realises the importance of a strong balance between sport and education.

Sash has a very strong nutrition and weight lifting background, having created the University of Toronto Body Building Club, as well as competing in body building competitions, while studying in Sydney, Australia. He also has a wide breadth of teaching experience, having taught in both the secondary and post-secondary education systems, (Sheridan College). Undoubtedly, this experience will assist our student-athletes in preparing for post-secondary school.

Nicole Freeman, B.A. (Honors), B.Ed. Teacher at PEAC

Nicole has been with PEAC since 2007 and in the past 5 years Nicole has been working in different classrooms in Ontario and Melbourne developing professional experience related to the field of education. Furthermore, she has played a productive role in developing community recreational facilities and programs promoting youth participation, physical activity and healthy lifestyles. PEAC elementary students benefit from Nicole’s highly organized and well structured lessons with the use of internet and multimedia in many of her lessons. Parents find Nicole is an extremely good communicator and ensures that her pupils are well informed and confident after each lesson. Nicole spearheads the student council and special events at PEAC as part of her extra-curricular initiatives.

Nicole has been playing competitive sports since a very young age. She has mainly been involved in the following sports at the provincial and club levels: lacrosse, baseball, soccer and Ringette. Currently she is playing in the NRL (National Ringette League) and has been competing at the provincial level for 15 years and the national level for 3 years. Sport-specific training has been a favoured past time and hobby for Nicole, and she has been fortunate enough to train alongside former and current NHL players.

Dr. Colin Walsh, Masters Aerospace Engineering, PhD Aerospace Engineering, B.Ed Physics and Math. Teacher at PEAC

Dr. Colin Walsh recently joined PEAC as the senior Mathematics and Science Teacher, and is excited at the opportunity to share his enthusiasm for math and science with the students. Dr. Colin’s experience includes teaching in a rural high school in Ghana, teaching and research at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, research at Defence Research and Development Canada, running a small consulting business, and teaching at a variety of schools in Simcoe County. Dr. Colin’s recreational interest include cross country skiing and canoe camping.

Heidi Bender, B.A. Kinesiology, B.Ed. Intermediate/Senior Physical and Health Education, History, Special Education University of Western Ontario.

Heidi Bender has been with PEAC since 2008 and is an integral part of the PEAC elementary and secondary math, science and art departments. Heidi’s patience, hard work and dedication to providing students with experiential education allows for students of all learning styles to reach their potential in her classes.

Heidi has been involved with athletics her whole life and competed for four years with the varsity field hockey team at the University of Western Ontario. She now passes on her love for field hockey and athletics as a field hockey coach in the community. Heidi has taught in the Waterloo Region District School Board, as well as internationally as an elementary school English teacher in South Korea and as an Outdoor Education Leader at the John F Kennedy International School in Switzerland.

Deirdre Quinn, Honors Specialization Kinesiology B.A., B.Ed Intermediate Senior Physical Education, English, Special Education

This is Deirdre’s first year teaching with PEAC, and she brings with her a wide variety of experiences. She is teaching Language Arts, Social Studies and will be leading our Guidance department. In addition to this, Deirdre has taken on the role as the Hockey Program Manager. Deirdre completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, where she also worked as a Certified Personal Trainer. Following up her graduation, she finished her Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto/OISE. She has had the opportunity to work in some of the most challenging schools in Toronto and comes with a wealth of experiences working with students with varying exceptionalities.

Sarah Hewson, Bachelor of Education in the Junior/Intermediate program from Nipissing University, Honors Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto(Biology, Anthropology and Psychology) – Sarah is pleased to join the PEAC team this year as a new teacher. A once successful competitive gymnast for over 10 years, Sarah has found new interests in triathlon, modern dance, cross-country running and mountain biking. Her love for travel and culture led her to a teaching position in 2004 as English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Taiwan, and recently as a summer camp teacher for students from Brazil, Korea and Mexico learning English in Toronto. Community involvement has also been a important aspect of Sarah’s experience. She contributed to the Frontier College Summer Reading Tents as well as the Early Reading Initiative with the University of Toronto.

Steve Shortly, B.Ed Queens University. Elementary/ Geography/Phys-ed. Teacher at PEAC Burlington

Steve was the first teacher at PEAC Burlington, September 2008. Our grade 7/8 students in PEAC Burlington have the privilege of working with Steve as their core subject teacher. Steve attended Queens University in 2007/08 where he completed his Bachelor of Education. Prior to Queens, Steve attended McMaster University graduating with an Honours B.A. in Kinesiology and Geography in 2006. During the 2007/08 academic year, Steve worked with PEAC’s Toronto campus where he instructed various academic subjects including geography, history, drama, PE, math, science, and English. Steve is currently located at PEAC’s Burlington campus, where he is teaching Grades 7 and 8. Students benefit from Steve’s athleticism as a former national athlete and academic as a graduate from Queens prestigious teacher’s college.

Steve was employed as a senior hockey instructor for 2 years in Richmond Hill. He also has experience coaching boys and girls’ high-school rugby as well as the Aurora Barbarians RFC. Steve has been involved with athletics for most of his life. He has excelled in many sports, including football, hockey, squash, and rugby. Steve has played rugby at the club, university, provincial, and national level.

Rachel Del Duca. Education: Bachelor of Human Kinetics, Movement Science, University of Windsor. Bachelor of Education, Junior Intermediate with an ABQ in Senior Health and Physical Education as well as an Honours Specialist in Senior Health and Physical Education. Registered Massage Therapist, Sports Injury Therapist.

Rachel joined the PEAC Teaching Team this past January teaching grades 7 and 8 French at the Burlington Campus. In the 2009–2010 school year Miss Del Duca will be teaching Grade 9 Math, English, and Science, as well as Grade 6 Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. She will continue to teach French to the grade 6, 7 and 8 classes.

Miss Del Duca’s athletic background is focused in soccer and volleyball, having played and coached both sports at elite levels.
Rachel played five years of Varsity Soccer for the University of Windsor Lancers while completing her Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Bachelor of Education. During her Kinesiology courses, she obtained her Level 2 Coaching Certification for Volleyball and volunteered coaching at Assumption High School. She also coached the Sandwich Sabres Senior Girls soccer team to three OFSAA berths while playing with the Lancers. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Education, Miss Del Duca was hired by the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board for three years before returning to school to obtain her Massage Therapy and Sports Injury Therapy certifications, which brought her here to Burlington. She also practices as a Registered Massage Therapist at two clinics in Burlington.