Meet Our Staff
Our team of dedicated, passionate teachers focus on individualized learning to help each student achieve their best work, and be excited about the results.
Our educators and staff are the face of Claren Academy, and as such, they exhibit passion for the vision of the school, and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with students and families.
Tracy Gates
Principal
Tracy Gates has over 25 years of experience teaching learners in K-7, as well as student teachers from UBC and SFU. Tracy holds a B. Ed from the University of Saskatchewan and an M. A. from UBC in Curriculum and Instruction. She has experience writing curriculum, piloting social entrepreneurship programs for children, and working with diverse learners in Canada and abroad. Her previous administration experience involved being a District Mentor in the Vancouver School Board and Vice-Principal in the New Westminster School District. Her passions are literacy, social justice and supporting teachers’ growth. Tracy is also one of the founders of Project Maltioxinem, a registered charity that provides free English classes to elementary school-age girls and mothers in the rural Mayan community of San Pedro La Laguna. When not consuming educational books, she likes to play beach volleyball, listen to podcasts, and spend time with her family.
Sally Carr
Vice Principal and Language Coordinator
Sally acquired her Bachelor of Education in Primary Education from the University of Bedfordshire in England. She has over 10 years of teaching experience both in England and Vancouver’s independent schools since moving to Canada in 2012. Throughout her career, Sally has strived to provide exciting learning experiences which spark curiosity, and develop creative and critical thinking skills. She is a lifelong learner, who is continually in awe of the world around her and the students she teaches! In her spare time, Sally loves to be out in nature hiking with her puppy and skiing in winter. She also enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching Netflix, or trying new recipes. Sally is delighted to join Claren Academy’s dynamic teaching team and is looking forward to supporting the school’s continued growth through sharing her knowledge and expertise.
Christina Donnelly
Primary Teacher
Christina graduated from Maynooth University, Ireland with a Bachelor of Education, Honours in 2016. She spent two years teaching in Ireland in the upper primary grades and in Learning Support, and a summer teaching English abroad, before taking the plunge and moving to Vancouver. She joined Claren Academy as a Kindergarten teacher in 2022. Christina is passionate about sustainability and literacy and is looking forward to exploring those areas further. When she isn’t teaching or thinking about teaching, Christina likes to read on the beach, bake up a storm in her apartment’s teeny kitchen or see what new craft she can attempt to master. She is excited to be part of a passionate and supportive team of educators, focused on the youngest learners at Claren Academy.
Rose Jannati
Primary Teacher
Rose Jannati received her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Capilano University where she gained a lot of experience working with children through attending engaging practicums. After working with younger children for a few years, Rose decided to continue her education at UBC and become an elementary school teacher. Rose’s philosophy is Reggio Emilia and she sees children as active learners and capable individuals. Teaching students through hands-on activities such as visual art, music, and drama are her goals. In her free time, Rose teaches children to reach their social and academic goals. She also enjoys cooking, hiking, swimming and exercising. Rose is excited to be a member of the Claren Academy team and teach new skills to her students.
Noah Waspe
Primary and Intermediate Teacher
Noah Waspe has been teaching for over 15 years. He received his teaching degree back in 2006 (University of Cincinnati, USA) and completed his Masters in 2018 (Miami University, USA). His Masters research focused on the impact of makerspaces and inquiry-based activities, such as Genius Hour. When he’s not teaching, he’s probably either writing about teaching or podcasting about teaching. Noah is a contributing writer for popular teaching blog, MovingWriters.org and he produces the Write Answers podcast for the Ohio Writing Project. All that said, he is also an avid tinkerer and musician. He is obsessed with creativity and learning. In their spare time, Noah and his wife enjoy hiking with their two goofy dogs and exploring the city. Noah is thrilled to be part of the Claren Academy community.
Wendy Lo
Intermediate Teacher and Language Specialist
Wendy Lo has been teaching for over 15 years. She holds a Master of Education degree in Educational Studies (HKU), a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology (UBC), a Bachelor of Education degree with an elementary concentration (UBC), and a Teach English and a Foreign Language Certificate. As a BC Certified teacher, she has taught in Vancouver and aboard. Wendy is excited about using her experience in different countries to ignite the potential in all children to become successful and independent learners. She aims to foster experiences that encourage lifelong learning and fond school memories at Claren Academy. In her spare time, Wendy enjoys baking, exploring new recipes, experiencing new cultures and foods, cycling and spending time with her family and friends.
Katherine Yurkovich
Middle Years Science and Math Teacher and Visual Arts Specialist
Katherine obtained a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and Bachelor of Science specialized in Environmental Earth Science from the University of Alberta. Prior to teaching she worked as an Environmental Scientist specializing in hydrogeology and wildlife biology. Often working in remote wetlands and forests, she always found the time to do community outreach with local conservation areas and teaching children outdoor education. One day in a swamp, she realized her true love for elementary science education and never looked back. She has acquired over 5 years of classroom teaching experience, and countless more as an outdoor educator. In her spare time she still feels at home walking in a forest, but equally loves oil painting, pottery, and creating mixed media. She also enjoys visiting museums, swimming and travelling.
Anne Bonnycastle
Middle Years Humanities Teacher and Music Specialist
Anne Bonnycastle has been teaching in K-12 public and independent schools for over 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music, an M.A. in Educational Psychology from SFU and a Doctorate in Music Education from Boston University. Her experience ranges from directing large music ensembles, to teaching humanities, to instructional coaching. Her doctoral thesis focused on school culture and she has a passion for educational research. Anne serves on a number of non-profit boards, including the Board of the Vancouver Chamber Choir. In her spare time, she loves to go hiking in the amazing country surrounding Vancouver. She is thrilled to join the staff at Claren Academy, and to be part of the students’ learning journey.
Áine Geoghegan
Technology Teacher
After completing her MA in Arts and Education in rainy Dublin, Ireland, Áine’s teaching journey has spanned eight diverse countries over the past 15 years. From Australia and New Zealand to classrooms in the UAE, the Republic of Georgia, Spain, and Canada, each destination has uniquely enriched her understanding of global education. Along this path, she’s been privileged to design curriculum and collaborate with exceptional educators, experiences that have shaped her into the dedicated and culturally sensitive educator she is today. Since she now has a toddler, her hobbies no longer include long hikes, travel, or creating art, but she hopes to get back to them someday soon.
Shauna Kearney
Resource and Specialist Teacher
Shauna graduated from Dublin City University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education & Biology in 2019, obtaining first class honours. She has three years teaching experience in secondary schools in Ireland covering PE, Junior Cycle Science, Leaving Certificate Biology and learning support. In her spare time, Shauna enjoys playing basketball, going to the gym, running, yoga & paddle boarding. She has a passion for performing arts and choreographed school musicals in her previous work in Ireland. She is excited to be a part of the Claren Academy community.
Aisling O’Riordan
Supervision Aide
Bio Coming Soon!
Anne Luyten
School Secretary
Anne graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Anthropology. A passion for storytelling drove her to concentrate her studies on the areas of Folklore and Mythology and to begin a slowly growing career as a writer herself. Over the past five years, Anne has had the great joy of sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the arts with her students, working as a tutor for children at both the elementary and high school level. Anne has made learning a hobby, continuously pursuing knowledge in fields yet unknown to her. In her spare time, she enjoys cross stitching, finding odd and obscure books in the backs of bookstores, and watching documentaries on nature and art history. She is so excited to join the community of Claren Academy.
Andrea Freytag
School Assistant
Andrea Freytag earned her Master’s degree in Education in Vienna and worked as a primary school teacher and tutor in Austria until her family moved to Vancouver in 2008. She worked as an educational assistant and special education assistant at a private school in Burnaby for several years prior to having her son, who also attends Claren Academy. In addition, she gained teaching and supervision aid experience at the Vancouver Westside German School and the Vancouver School Board. Most recently, Andrea was the receptionist at a private school responsible for various administrative duties. She is thrilled to be part of the Claren Academy team and hopes to bring her experience and passion for children to our amazing school community.
The Administrative Team
Kathryn Sykes
Co-founder and Executive Director
Kathryn Sykes is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in non profit organizations. Kathryn is one of the founders of Claren Academy, and is an active presence in all areas of the school - except the actual teaching. Kathryn is a director on both boards, as well as part of the administrative team, working closely with the Principal and the Director of Admissions. She is a parent to two boys, and feels very lucky to watch them grow and thrive as Claren learners. She’s also a big fan of music, cats, and asking “why not?”
Joe Santos
Director of Admissions
Joe Santos is a communications and marketing professional with over 10 years of experience working at private schools and non-profit organizations in Vancouver. Most recently, Joe worked at the Vancouver Civic Theatres, growing the branding and marketing reach for the organization and serving as the communications expert for a number of special projects and change management initiatives. The mission and vision of Claren Academy resonates with Joe and he is committed to the future-focused education and to growing the school in the years to come.
Brandi Mastromonaco
Administrative Assistant
Brandi Mastromonaco is our newest member joining Claren Academy as our Administrative Assistant. Brandi comes to us with over 15 years of administrative experience, having worked in the Public and Private Sectors across various Industries. In her spare time, Brandi enjoys cooking and has a passion for interior design and upcycling furniture.