Meet Our Teachers

Ms Smith taught Grade 2 for five years, was JR and SR Classroom Support and is now going into her third year teaching JK at SBS. She has a BSc from the University of Guelph and a BEd from the University of Ottawa. She gained experience teaching abroad in Italy at a bilingual IB school and in the UK. She is also a snowboard instructor and loves playing a variety of sports. She is a proud mother of two boys. She is honored to work with the youngest learners, helping them progress in all areas of their development.

Ms Nguyen obtained her undergrad at York University and received her BEd from the University of Ottawa. Before coming to SBS, she had the pleasure of teaching GR 1-3 in the UK. In her free time, she enjoys travelling and exploring new places, cultures and trying new food.

Mrs. Wanvig is so happy to be in the Senior Kindergarten studio again this year! She’s really enjoyed getting to know the students and the school community more over the years she’s been at Sunnybrook. Making new memories and getting involved in the more fun around the school was a highlight of last year. This year she’s looking forward to doing Cupcake Club and Track and Field again with the other teachers and students!

Ms. Camplin earned her BA as a graduate of Ryerson’s (now Toronto Metropolitan University’s) four-year Early Childhood Studies. She then completed her teaching degree at OISE of the University of Toronto. Her experience in Early Childhood placed her in the Junior Kindergarten program at SBS for several years before she moved on to teach Grade One. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, family and friends, riding horses, reading, practicing yoga and being in nature. Mostly, she enjoys sharing her interests with her class, encouraging them to discover their interests, joys in life and learning.

Mrs Power-Smith taught Senior Kindergarten for 7 years and is now starting her third year teaching Grade 2. Although she has a Combined Honours of Music and Theatre from Dalhousie University and a Masters in Education from Daeman College, the best education she has received is from having two sons of her own. Luckily, she is a person with a great deal of energy who loves to swim, bike and run, which is how she successfully finished three Ironman races so far.

Mr Lem started his post-secondary studies with German studies and fine art history at the University of Toronto before obtaining his teaching degree at the University of Ottawa in 2008. He started his career in Berlin and moved back to Toronto in 2012, where he began his life at Sunnybrook School, with both of his daughters joining him as students in 2020. He has been teaching Grade Three ever since, and outside of school he enjoys the great outdoors, playing guitar, and exploring new hobbies.

Ms Hamilton began her time at SBS teaching Junior Kindergarten. She then moved on to teach Grade One, Grade Two, and is now going into her sixth year teaching Grade Four. She is also the school’s Literacy Coordinator. Ms Hamilton obtained her BA in Psychology and BEd from York University, and is originally from Wales, UK where she obtained her NNEB. She is an avid hiker, loves kayaking, and enjoys travelling to discover new places.

Mr Rossiter has been teaching Grade Six at Sunnybrook for 20 years. His educational background is a Masters in the Philosophy of Education from OISE at the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy and Literature from McGill University. Prior to Sunnybrook, he was an early childhood music educator and a professional musician. Mr. Rossiter’s two daughters are Sunnybrook alumni. Mr Rossiter still plays guitar and in the summer can be found sailing his boat on Lake Ontario.

Ms. Griffiths has taught Kindergarten at Sunnybrook for 5 years and is excited to be back in the JK studio! She obtained her BA from Wilfrid Laurier University and her BEd from Nipissing University. She loves to travel, spend time at the cottage and complete puzzles. Mostly, she loves spending time with her daughter and husband.

Mme Chandra joined Sunnybrook School as the Junior French teacher in 2023. She obtained both her undergraduate degree and Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick, with a concentration in teaching French as an additional language. This year, she is also excited to take on the role of Grade 1 Support Teacher. In her free time, Mme. Chandra enjoys exploring with friends and family, and can often be found baking or reading a good book.

Madame Taft recently joined the Sunnybrook Family and is delighted to return for a new year in the Senior French Studio. She is a bilingual graduate of the Theatre Performance Programme at Concordia University. She co-founded Big Kid Entertainment, a professional educational theatre company that edutained more than 2 million plus elementary students. She has spent the last number of years writing curriculum and teaching all levels of French in classrooms throughout the province. When not in school, she is garage saling or at a hockey rink cheering on her 2 favorite players (her son & daughter).

Originating from South Africa, Mr Barkhuizen enjoys critical acclaim as a concert pianist, collaborative artist and teacher. As well as competing in several international piano competitions, his performances and studies have taken him from Cape Town to Finland, China, Estonia, the USA and the United Kingdom. As an educator, Mr Barkhuizen has taught students at some of South Africa’s most prestigious institutions. He is currently the director of music at SBS. Mr Barkhuizen continues to inspire and motivate students while maintaining a busy performance schedule. He also loves his two cats, Pepper and Kitty, very much.

Mr Cyrus obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Shortly after, he received his Master of Education in Kinesiology from Auburn University in Alabama, with a focus on motor development and sports psychology. He has taught at all levels from special education and high school youth detention centers, to elementary and university level courses. Mr Cyrus is originally from the US but has been in Canada since 2018. He was a professional acrobat and placed 2nd in the world as an athlete and 1st and 3rd as a coach in his area of expertise. He enjoys most active sports, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Ms Mactaggart started as Teacher Librarian at SBS in January 2012. A lifelong lover of all things books and research, she started her career in book publishing, moved overseas and became a high school (IB DP) literature teacher – and then was able to join her passion for the book world and the teaching world together in the library! Across the education part of her career, she has taught and/or coordinated at all grade levels, JK – GR 12, as well as served as an IB Language A1 Examiner. When she’s not reading, she loves running, writing, and spending time outdoors with her family.