Back-to-school is right around the corner, and we’re very happy to introduce our newest faculty members! These outstanding humans will be joining our team next week, bringing their own wisdom, passion, and expertise to their classrooms.
Allison Bruce – Grade 3
Ms Allison Bruce grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and from a young age enjoyed exploring and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Allison has a Bachelor of Arts from Western University, and a Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education from the University of Alberta. She loves to travel and has combined her interests in travel and education by teaching in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Shanghai, China. Allison enjoys most outdoor activities, especially hiking, skiing, and paddle boarding. She is always curious to learn something new and enjoys sharing the excitement of learning with her students. Allison also likes reading and has an interest in teaching literacy skills.
Nikki Carey – Junior Kindergarten
Ms Nikki Carey is a prairie girl who came to BC and fell in love with the mountains, oceans and rivers of Vancouver’s North Shore. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Brandon University in Manitoba, and a Masters of Early Childhood Education from Western University in Ontario. Prior to teaching at Brockton, Nikki taught both as a homeroom teacher and as a Physical Education specialist overseas in China, Qatar, the UAE, and Vietnam. Nikki is a lifelong learner, enjoys challenging herself, taking risks and conquering life with laughter (snowboarding lessons peaked her interest, but it was all downhill from there). When she’s not teaching, Nikki loves spending her time hiking, swimming, and paddling with her rescue dog Ru. Nikki believes that movement, belonging and laughter are all essential to a playful learning environment.
Rohini Ghandi – Associate Teacher & Cub Care Leader
Ms Rohini Gandhi has been a valued member of our faculty part time, and returns this year in a full time role! Rohini is a friendly and energetic preschool teacher with extensive experience in early childhood education. Rohini is highly motivated to help children develop their social, academic and creative abilities, and is well-versed in developmental milestones and activities to promote curiosity. Rohini has also enjoyed the opportunity to assist differently-abled children who have been in her care. Rohini completed her undergraduate studies in Mumbai, India, with Child Development and Child Psychology as her major subjects. She also has Montessori teachers training, and 22 years of experience as a preschool teacher on the North Shore. Rohini is a wife, a mother of two wonderful adult sons, and a caring grandmother to two beautiful grandsons. She enjoys being with her family and friends, loves gardening, reading, cooking, and traveling, and delights in spending quality time with her grandchildren whenever possible.
Tom Hopkins – POD Math & Science
Mr Tom Hopkins grew up outside of London, England and moved to Vancouver with his husband in 2021. Tom has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Portsmouth, England, and a Masters in Educational Research from the University of Cambridge, England. Before moving to Vancouver, Tom had been teaching in a range of inner-city London schools, an experience that he found thoroughly rewarding. In his classroom, Tom focuses on fostering and encouraging curiosity, with students developing an independent approach to problem solving. Tom’s passions outside of education include hiking, skiing and spending time with his English Springer Spaniel, Gethin.
Andrew Konkov – Senior School Physics
Mr Andrew Konkov’s motivation to teach Physics is deeply rooted in his belief that this subject offers a gateway to understanding the fundamental principles governing our universe. He is driven to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity in his students, enabling them to appreciate the real-world applications and relevance of science in everyday life. Andrew holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the National University of Kyiv, Ukraine. Before becoming part of the Brockton School faculty, he taught in Shenzhen, China, gaining valuable experience and cross-cultural insights. Beyond his passion for teaching, Andrew finds joy and relaxation in hiking and cycling. Nature serves as a source of inspiration for him, and Andrew embraces the opportunity to explore the outdoors, drawing connections between the marvels of the natural world and the laws of science that govern them. With his knowledge, enthusiasm, and love for adventure, Andrew is determined to create an engaging and rewarding learning experience for his students, empowering them to embrace the beauty of Physics and the world around them.
Ben Raine – Senior School Math
Mr Ben Raine grew up in London, England, and earned a degree in Economics from Durham University in 2018. After beginning his career as a management consultant at IBM, Ben soon changed paths. Ben realized that he wanted to share his love of mathematics with young people and have a positive impact on their lives. After teaching for a few years in the UK, Ben decided to expand his horizons, and moved to Vancouver in 2023. Ben loves the outdoors and enjoys sports such as skiing, badminton and table tennis. He’s also an avid chess player and an all-around board game enthusiast! Ben has high expectations for his students and seeks to build a collaborative and warm environment in his classroom where all students are eager to contribute and are not afraid to make mistakes. He is committed to ensuring that all students have a positive relationship with the subject, whilst attempting to bring a touch of humour to the classroom!
Lauren Reinhardt – Associate Teacher & Cub Club Leader
Ms Lauren Reinhardt grew up in Cambridge, Ontario, attended Griffith University in Australia, and earned her teaching degree at the University of Ottawa. Lauren strives to make sure all students feel included, heard and special. She aims to make school a fun, safe and inclusive environment. New to Vancouver, Lauren has been busy exploring beautiful British Columbia! She is excited and feels very grateful to be part of the Brockton community. Lauren loves to read, spend time outdoors and travel in her free time.
Caitlin Shepard – Post-Secondary Counsellor
Ms Caitlin Shepard was born and raised right here in beautiful North Vancouver. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English and History from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and earned her Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Roehampton University in England. After completing her PGCE, Caitlin lived in England for several more years working as a high school history teacher. Upon returning back to Vancouver in 2010 Caitlin started working at an independent school in Vancouver as an IB Diploma Program (DP) English teacher. There she became deeply immersed in the world of IB, taking on roles such as CAS (creativity, activity, service) Coordinator and DP Coordinator, but soon learned that her favourite role was one where she combined her extensive IB knowledge with her love of building strong interpersonal connections with students, thus her shift into Post-Secondary counselling. Now at Brockton, Caitlin cannot believe her luck: being able to do the job she loves in the community she adores. When not working with students Caitlin can be found running in Lynn Canyon, skiing on the mountains, cruising on her e-bike, or walking her dog in Hunter Park.
Andrea Walker – Grade 1
Ms Andrea Walker grew up in a small town in Eastern Ontario and moved to British Columbia in 2018. She has always been passionate about the outdoors and was drawn to the nature and lifestyle that BC has to offer. Andrea completed a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Studies and a Bachelor of Education at Brock University, in Ontario. After graduation she had the opportunity to teach English in Namibia and China. Andrea looks to create an inclusive and positive learning environment for her students while fostering a love of learning. Andrea enjoys hiking, skiing and being out on the water. She likes to paint and draw in her spare time, and makes this love of creativity part of her classroom experience.
Jana Zylich – Junior School Learning Resources Teacher
Ms Jana Zylich is excited to join the Brockton community. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario and obtained her teaching certification from Simon Fraser University. With over two decades of experience, Jana has worked in diverse educational settings, including the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), BC Childrens & Women’s hospitals, and public and independent schools. She is a compassionate educator specializing in teaching students with diverse learning needs. Jana is certified in Orton-Gillingham multisensory language instruction and skilled in providing personalized learning support. Recognizing the strengths and interests of each student and creating a positive, inclusive learning environment is important to Jana. In her spare time, she loves being by the ocean or walking in the forest with her family and their energetic dog, Louie.
Joseph Abou Zeid – Senior School Math & Computer Science
Mr Joseph Abou Zeid was born and raised in Beruit, Lebanon, and holds a Master’s degree in engineering from CNAM, Paris. He has lived in Armenia, Hong Kong, and Lebanon, where he designed and managed construction projects in multiple countries in the Middle East. Joseph brings this global perspective to his classrooms, with his first teaching experience in Hong Kong involved guiding students through Mathematics and Physics, particularly for the IBDP and International A-level exams. Joseph is an avid explorer of mathematics, physics, and sciences. He believes that viewing the universe through the lens of the scientific method reveals a world of beauty, kindness, and collaboration. His love for learning extends to philosophy, psychology, political science, and music. During his undergraduate years, Joseph took to the stage as a professional dancer, partnering with his future wife. This artistic background lends a creative touch to his teaching approach. Outside of academia, he finds joy in intellectual debates, backcountry camping, and training his dog, Orbit. A culinary enthusiast, he is often found experimenting with traditional Lebanese dishes in his kitchen. Joseph cultivates an inviting and immersive atmosphere for his students, driven by his fervor for both education and life. His aspiration is to nurture within his students a deep affection for learning, a penchant for critical thinking, and a strong appreciation for the scientific method.
Alan Ross – Education Technology Administrator
Mr Alan Ross grew up in North Vancouver and is one of Brockton School’s very first alumni. Alan joined Brockton’s staff in late 2019 after several years volunteering after his graduation. Alan is currently completing a B.A. at the University of British Columbia in Political Science and Urban Studies. In the past he has studied engineering with a focus on software development, and spent time working in the software industry developing mobile and web applications. Throughout this time, Alan has been developing his passion for using technology as a key tool in the creative arts world, primarily through filmmaking and photography. In his free time Alan can be found exploring the local mountains or geeking-out over train systems in Europe, likely with a camera in hand.
Lutfiya Mamadsafoeva – Early Learning Support
Ms Lutfiya Mamadsafoeva is from Tajikistan and has been living in North Vancouver for with her family since 2021. Lutfiya completed her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics at Khorog State University in Tajikistan, and her Master of Arts in Teaching at the Institute of Education (IOE), University of London. Her interest in early childhood education started with having children, and she has worked as a teaching assistant in the early year program at an International IB School in Mozambique. Lutfiya received her ECEA and ECE from the Pacific Rim Institute of Early Childhood Education and Vancouver Career College, and believes in quality education and how it empowers children to become independent learners.. She loves hiking, exploring nature with her family, gardening, and learning languages.
We’re so excited that these educators are joining us, and we can’t wait to see what their first year at Brockton brings! You can check out all of our staff in our staff directory.
See you on campus soon Brockton!
