Teachers & Assistants
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
Nursery Teacher
Susan Scott
Nursery Assistant Teacher
Debbie Young
Nursery Assistant Teacher
Raadiyah Nazeem
Junior Kindergarten Teacher
Kenisha Peters
Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Carol Stephenson
Senior Kindergarten Teacher
Jessica Haber
Grade 1 Teacher
Walker Kitchens
Grade 2 Teacher
Marcia Bumbury
Grade 3 Teacher
Robin Shaw
Grade 4/5 Teacher
Zoe Donoahue
Grade 4/5 Teacher
Nadia Dharsee
Grade 6 Teacher
JICS Laboratory School Specialty Teachers
Sarah Murray
Drama Teacher
Wednesday Program Coordinator
Tania Debss
French Teacher (Primary Grades)
Christel Durand
French Teacher (Junior Grades)
Suzanne Schwenger
Music Teacher (Early Years)
Russell Hersen
Music Teacher (Primary/Junior Grades)
Judith Kimel
Special Education Teacher
Nick Song
Special Education and Technology Teacher
Krista Spence
Library and Technology Teacher
Tara Rousseau
Visual Arts Teacher
Michael Martins
Physical Education and Health Teacher
Haley Higdon
Environmental Education
Natural Curiosity Program Director (on maternity leave)
Email: haley.higdon@utoronto.ca
Aleksa Nitsis
Environmental Education
Natural Curiosity Program Manager
Email: aleksa.nitsis@utoronto.ca
Alyson McMullen
Environmental Education
Natural Curiosity Program Coordinator
Email: alyson.mcmullen@utoronto.ca
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.
