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

Headshot of Charlotte Henderson

Charlotte Henderson

Nursery Teacher & Special Education Teacher

Headshot of Susan Scott

Susan Scott

Nursery Assistant Teacher

Headshot of Debbie Young

Debbie Young

Nursery Assistant Teacher

Headshot of Alicia

Alicia Robillard

Nursery Assistant Teacher

Headshot of Marcia Bumbury

Marcia Bumbury

Junior Kindergarten Teacher

Headshot of Kenisha Peters

Kenisha Peters

Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Carol Stephenson

Carol Stephenson

Senior Kindergarten Teacher

Jessica Haber

Jessica Haber

Grade 1 Teacher

headshot of Erika Stein

Erika Stein

Grade 1 Teacher

Headshot of Walker Kitchens

Walker Kitchens

Grade 2 Teacher

Michael Martins

Michael Martins

Grade 3 Teacher

Robin Shaw

Robin Shaw

Grade 4/5 Teacher

Zoe Donoahue

Zoe Donoahue

Grade 4/5 Teacher

Headshot of Nadia Dharsee

Nadia Dharsee

Grade 6 Teacher

JICS Laboratory School Specialty Teachers

headshot of Sarah Murray

Sarah Murray

Drama Teacher

Tania Debss

Tania Debss

French Teacher (Primary Grades)

Christel Durand

Christel Durand

French Teacher (Junior Grades)

Headshot of Suzanne Schwenger

Suzanne Schwenger

Music Teacher (Early Years)

Russell Hersen

Russell Hersen

Music Teacher (Primary/Junior Grades)

Headshot of Jayda Lam

Jayda Lam

Music & Special Education Teacher

Judith Kimel

Judith Kimel

Special Education Teacher

Headshot of Nick Song

Nick Song

Special Education and STEM Teacher

Headshot of Krista Spence

Krista Spence

Teacher Librarian, Land-Based Education Teacher, & Special Education Teacher

Headshot of Tara Rousseau

Tara Rousseau

Visual Arts Teacher

Headshot of Luke Van Ryn

Luke Van Ryn

Physical Education and Health Teacher

Ellie Lathrop headshot

Ellie Lathrop

JICS Social Worker

ellie.lathrop@utoronto.ca

Haley Higdon

Haley Higdon

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

alysse-kennedy

Alysse Kennedy

Alyson McMullen headshot

Alyson McMullen

Trees at the University of Toronto along a walkway.

Myah Birrell

Environmental Education

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.