Meet our classroom teachers and assistants at Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Laboratory School. Through their diversity of knowledge and experiences, they play a vital role in encouraging critical, creative, and compassionate learning and collaboration for our students. As well, learn more about our teachers’ role as researchers through the R.G.N. Laidlaw Research Centre.

JICS Laboratory School Classroom Teachers & Assistants

Norah L’Esperance

Norah L’Esperance

Nursery Teacher

Susan Scott headshot

Susan Scott

Nursery Assistant Teacher

An icon depicting a person.

Debbie Young

Nursery Assistant Teacher

Raadiyah Nazeem

Raadiyah Nazeem

Junior Kindergarten Teacher

Kenisha Peters

Kenisha Peters

Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Carol Stephenson

Carol Stephenson

Senior Kindergarten Teacher

Jessica Haber

Jessica Haber

Grade 1 Teacher

Walker Kitchens

Walker Kitchens

Grade 2 Teacher

 Marcia Bumbury

Marcia Bumbury

Grade 3 Teacher

Robin Shaw

Robin Shaw

Grade 4/5 Teacher

Zoe Donoahue

Zoe Donoahue

Grade 4/5 Teacher

Nadia Dharsee headshot

Nadia Dharsee

Grade 6 Teacher

JICS Laboratory School Specialty Teachers

Sarah Murray

Sarah Murray

Drama Teacher
Wednesday Program Coordinator

Tania Debss

Tania Debss

French Teacher (Primary Grades)

Christel Durand

Christel Durand

French Teacher (Junior Grades)

Suzanne Schwenger

Suzanne Schwenger

Music Teacher (Early Years)

Russell Hersen

Russell Hersen

Music Teacher (Primary/Junior Grades)

Judith Kimel

Judith Kimel

Special Education Teacher

Nick Song

Nick Song

Special Education and Technology Teacher

Krista Spence

Krista Spence

Library and Technology Teacher

Tara Rousseau

Tara Rousseau

Visual Arts Teacher

Michael Martins

Michael Martins

Physical Education and Health Teacher

Ellie Lathrop headshot

Ellie Lathrop

JICS Social Worker
Email: elliel@jackmanics.onmicrosoft.com

Haley Higdon

Haley Higdon

Environmental Education
Natural Curiosity Program Director (on maternity leave)
Email: haley.higdon@utoronto.ca

alysse-kennedy

Alysse Kennedy

Environmental Education
Interim Program Director
Email: alysse.kennedy@utoronto.ca

 

aleksa-nitsis

Aleksa Nitsis

Alyson McMullen headshot

Alyson McMullen

Teachers as Researchers

Our teachers often participate in the Laidlaw Centre’s research activities. They bring rich knowledge of children and classrooms and the perspective of teacher-researchers to the research enterprise. 

The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Laboratory School cultivates and strengthens relationships with the broader educational community through research and collaboration. The Laboratory School principals and teaching staff attend and speak at workshops, conferences, and seminars locally, nationally, and internationally and maintain partnerships with the Laboratory School community.