Meet the Educators

Hi everyone! 

My name is Tracy Davis and I’ve been an English kindergarten teacher at Knoxdale for 12 years. I live in Barrhaven with my husband and 16-year-old twins. When I’m not at school, I enjoy riding horses, reading and caring for my guinea pigs. I also spend lots of time at rinks across the province cheering my kids as they play hockey and ringette. 

 Knoxdale is a wonderful school, and we look forward to welcoming your child into our kindergarten program.

Hello Knoxdale families! My name is Casandra Williams and I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I have been a part of the Knoxdale family since 2014. My son keeps me very busy at home! I enjoy reading, word searches and being outdoors. I am looking forward to meeting everyone in September! 

Hello everyone, my name is Bella Michelli! This is my 3rd year of being a Registered Early Childhood Educator, and part of the kindergarten team here at Knoxdale. In my spare time, I love to read, crochet, bake, and take care of my plants. I also love spending time with my family and my dog! 

Bonjour! My name is Laura King, and I am one of the French Teachers in the Kindergarten program here at Knoxdale P.S. I have been teaching at Knoxdale for 11 years - time flies when you're having fun! I have my Kindergarten specialist, and love teaching, learning, singing, telling stories, and playing with the kids to help them jump into learning a new language with a positive attitude. I live in Kanata with my husband, our two kids, Maxwell and Clara (5 and 2.5) and our cat and dog. Life with a Kindergartener and a toddler is busy and messy but full of a lot of laughter. I'm looking forward to meeting you in the upcoming months - I know the start of your adventure in Kindergarten will be full of so much learning and fun! 

Hi Everyone! My name is Shelby Ewing, but our students call me Mme Shelby! I've been a Registered Early Childhood Educator at Knoxdale P.S. for the last 12 years. I can't imagine wanting to work anywhere else! I'm very passionate about inquiry based/play based learning and love finding creative ways to add all sorts of fun learning into our classroom activities. I also enjoy spending time out in nature and weaving that into our learning as well. When I'm not teaching your littles, I'm spending time with my partner, our 7 year old daughter Maisie, our 4 year old son Asher, and our many pets! See you all soon!

Hi everyone. My name is Sozan. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I joined the school board 8 years ago and I have been with Knoxdale for the past 8 years, but I have been working with different age groups of children in various centres for the past 20 years. I taught preschool and kindergarten children math and English at Oxford Learning Centre and Kumon Learning Centre. When I am not at work, I like to spend time with my family, bake, listen to music, go for a walk and sit in my backyard in the summer. I am looking forward to starting another wonderful year here at Knoxdale!

Hello! I am Kristen Riddell and I will be going into my 4th year of teaching the French side of the kindergarten day at Knoxdale PS. I have been working with children for many years in a variety of programs including recreation, preschool, home daycare, emergency shelter and school settings. I love teachable moments and incorporating play as well as nature/the environment into our learning opportunities. Songs, music, art and experimenting all make learning accessible to many. I enjoy spending time outdoors, kayaking, camping, and mingling and adventuring with my family, my friends and my pets.

Hello families! My name is Samantha Bramah and this is my first full time position with the board as a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I am so excited to be a new member of the Knoxdale family and have loved this community so much already.  I have worked with children in one way or another my whole life as my mother was a teacher and I loved to come to work with her! I love working with children and sparking their natural curiosity. I am so excited to be a part of your children's lives and to see them learn and grow! I have two boys of my own and realize the importance of my role. When I am not working I love spending time outside in nature with my dogs and with my family.

My name is Hadeel Abdo (aka Mrs. Hadeel to the kiddos) and I am one of the Early Childhood Educators. This is my 7th year at Knoxdale Public School. I am excited to meet all of you! This will be an exciting year filled with lots of new friends, adventures, and learning!

Hi Knoxdale Families! I am Lisa Leith and I am an English Kindergarten teacher at Knoxdale Public School. I have been working at Knoxdale since 2016 and I absolutely love the positive energy at this school. I got my Bachelor's of Education degree in 1997 as well as my Early Childhood Education diploma a few years later. I also have geared my learning towards early learning and literacy with a Specialist in Kindergarten Education. I have been happily married for 27 years with two wonderful children. Sydney is 23 and is teaching abroad this year in Australia. Zach is in his second year at Queens studying Political Science. In my free time I love to read, travel, exercise and cook. I am passionate about teaching and absolutely love what I do. It is so amazing to see the smiling faces of the children each day and see where the learning can take them.  I look forward to working with you and your child at Knoxdale.

Hello future Knoxdale Eagles! My name is Ms. Kayleigh and I am one of the Registered Early Childhood Educators at Knoxdale P.S. I have had the privilege of being at Knoxdale since 2014. Everyday I support each child's progress in all areas of their development which is a challenge that I am honored to accept daily. Our goal is to create a community of learners that nurture this growth in a healthy, positive and stimulating environment. Outside of school, I have two young children who keep me very busy at home and certainly on my toes. When your child joins us, we will be learning lots of fun, exciting and lifelong skills. I look forward to getting to know your children, watching them learn and grow through play!

Hi Knoxdale families! My name is Allegra Peterson and this is my first year at Knoxdale P.S and second year as a French educator with OCDSB. I graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Health Sciences and am finishing my Education degree with Queens University. When I am not teaching, I am coaching volleyball with the Ottawa Mavericks’ Club or spending quality time with my family and friends. In the classroom, I love incorporating song, movement and character into my learning program. I have enjoyed learning what our current student needs are and finding ways to incorporate it into our program to make it as meaningful and enjoyable for the little learners. At my core, I am dedicated to mentoring young minds by creating safe and supportive environments where they can feel inspired to learn, grow and challenge themselves. We look forward to learning with you in the near future.

Hello families! My name is Sarah Thornber and I’m going into my 5th year teaching English Kindergarten at Knoxdale. I’ve been teaching with the OCDSB for over 10 years, and I’m enjoying working with the wonderful community here at Knoxdale! I love all the exploration in the Kindergarten program and I am also very interested in reading instruction. Outside of school I love to garden and identify plants in the forest. I am looking forward to helping your child succeed this September!

Hi Knoxdale families! My name is Risa Wine. The children call me Ms. Risa. I have had the pleasure of working at Knoxdale for the past 10 years. I have had the opportunity to teach in Ottawa for the past 30 plus years. I am a mom of twins and my cat Lilly. I love the outdoors in the summer , cooking, and travelling . I'm Looking forward to meeting all of you in September!

Hello families! My name is Amira Farhat and I am one of your child's Early Childhood Educators who will be with your child every afternoon and during after school EDP. This is my third year  at Knoxdale Public School. I was with the LINC program for 10 years.

Hello! I am Zahra Anfasi and I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). As an RECE I was working for a couple of years for the OCSB and then I switched to the OCDSB and this is my third year which is working for OCDSB. My background is gynecologist obstetrician back home and I have been working with families and children for many years. I believe to diversify and have lots of experience in conscious discipline and open ended play based learning. I know about different cultures and believe people are different in their capabilities, competencies and potentials. I enjoy spending time with my daughter outdoors, hiking, and mindfulness.