Lisa Belanger
It is an honour and a pleasure to be joining the Crestwood team. I found my passion a little later in life and in 2010 I decided to make a career change. I returned to school where I completed my Bachelor of Education at UOIT in Oshawa, adding it to my accompaniment of a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Upon graduating I applied across Canada and found a position in Saskatchewan, where I have lived for the past 4 years. I was fortunate to be teaching Art among a variety of other subjects, but this is where my passion lies, as I also work as a professional artist during my down time from teaching.
My other passion is student development and learning! I committed to the success of each and every one of my students, and helping them to achieve their individual goals and dreams! I am very excited to begin building relationships with both the students and their parents. Together with the CPC team we will make this a great year!
Vanessa Wappel
I can remember helping my friend study for her Grade 8 math test, and feeling so pleased when she would understand the concepts. This was when I decided I wanted to be a teacher! I completed the Concurrent Education Program at Brock University in 2011, leaving with a BSc and BEd. I then moved to London, England, where I taught mathematics and science for two years. This was an amazing time in my life. Not only did living in a new country teach me many new things about myself, I also became a more accepting, well-rounded, and passionate teacher.
Upon my return to Canada, I partook in occasional teaching, but began a full-time HR position at an amazing Youth Resort—Muskoka Woods. Although this job equipped me with many new skills, it reemphasised my passion for teaching students within the school setting. I am so excited to be joining the Crestwood Team, teaching Grade 7 Study Skills and Grade 8 and 9 mathematics!
Elena Young
I am very excited to be joining the Crestwood team. Being an English teacher is an extension of my love of teaching and my love of literacy, literature, and language. This year I will be teaching grade 7, 8, and 9 English, as well the Literacy Support course.
I received a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a Master of Arts in Religious Anthropology from McGill University, before going on to complete a Bachelor of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). During my time as a graduate student, I got to do something else I love: travelling. Travelling opened my eyes to multifaceted ways of life, taught me how to adapt to new spaces and situations, and the importance of being a lifelong learner. I hope to help you, too, to become lifelong learners– both inside and outside the classroom!
