Meet our Staff
Teachers at Joan of Arc Academy are instrumental in helping the girls achieve their highest academic performance. Our teachers are qualified and passionate about their careers. They encourage polite and respectful behaviour from the students, teaching them how to care for their peers and manage social issues. These teachings help to foster a considerate and caring community at school.
Head of School
Brian Lamb
Mr. Lamb is a proud French Canadian from the Aylmer sector of Gatineau. Being fluently bilingual, he knows the importance of speaking and writing in both of Canada’s official languages—it has granted him many opportunities, such as working internationally for the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Mr. Lamb has been in the wonderful, ever-evolving world of Education for over 25 years, having previously worked in an all-girls school and in a faith-based school. He was also a founding member of the first International Baccalaureate school in the Capital Region. As a previous Mathematics and Science teacher, Mr. Lamb strongly believes that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is the basis of a great education.
Mr. Lamb has been in the wonderful, ever-evolving world of Education for over 25 years, having previously worked in an all-girls school and in a faith-based school. He was also a founding member of the first International Baccalaureate school in the Capital Region. As a previous Mathematics and Science teacher, Mr. Lamb strongly believes that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is the basis of a great education.
Department
Head of School
Contact info
brian.lamb@joanofarcacademy.com
Grades 6-8, Visual Art & Band
Connie Springfield
Regardless of whether it is in music, art, or creative writing, Mrs. Springfield loves lighting that spark of learning and enthusiasm in her students! She derives enormous personal satisfaction from being able to challenge her students to write at a very high level using a wide and varied vocabulary. She plays the cello and loves baroque and early music (pre-1600’s). Ms. Springfield originally trained as a lawyer in the UK, but changed careers to teaching in order to facilitate being a mother to her two adopted children.
Department
Grades 6-8, Visual Art & Band
Contact info
connie.springfield@joanofarcacademy.com
Finance Manager
Rhonda Levis
Department
Finance Manager
Contact info
rhonda.levis@joanofarcacademy.com
Jr & Sr Kindergarten
Rita Kouakou
Rita Kouakou was born and raised in the Ivory Coast. She immigrated to Canada with a French Master’s degree in communication and a dream of becoming a teacher. She went to the university of Ottawa for her Bachelor of Education degree in 2013.
Before joining the Academy, Mrs. Rita worked for two years in Saskatchewan as a teacher of francization and then two years in Claudel as a kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Rita is committed and passionate. Her personal model is: do it with love or do not do it at all. Teaching is her passion and she gives her very best every day.
Mrs. Rita is married and the happy mother of 4 girls. She is an aspiring writer and an excellent storyteller. Her dream is to build an orphanage for children.
Before joining the Academy, Mrs. Rita worked for two years in Saskatchewan as a teacher of francization and then two years in Claudel as a kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Rita is committed and passionate. Her personal model is: do it with love or do not do it at all. Teaching is her passion and she gives her very best every day.
Mrs. Rita is married and the happy mother of 4 girls. She is an aspiring writer and an excellent storyteller. Her dream is to build an orphanage for children.
Department
Jr & Sr Kindergarten
Contact info
rita.kouakou@joanofarcacademy.com
Jr & Sr Kindergarten
Sholpan Belgibayeva
Mme Sholpan grew up in a small town near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Her interest for foreign languages led her to attend the Kazakh University of International Relations and Modern Languages where she earned a B.A. in French Studies. She also completed an exchange at the Université de Rennes I in France. After graduation, she worked as a French teacher in high schools and later in her alma mater.
Mme Sholpan is married and has three children. She likes to travel with her family and learn about new cultures. She spends her spare time reading, cooking, and crafting. She likes outdoor activities, such as walking and biking. She also likes to swim and take yoga classes.
Mme Sholpan is married and has three children. She likes to travel with her family and learn about new cultures. She spends her spare time reading, cooking, and crafting. She likes outdoor activities, such as walking and biking. She also likes to swim and take yoga classes.
Department
Jr & Sr Kindergarten
Contact info
sholpan.belgibayeva@joanofarcacademy.com
Grades 1 & 2
Donna Jones
Donna Jones has always had a tremendous interest in learning to speak French. As a student, she participated in a student exchange program and had the opportunity to live with a family in Quebec City. She also spent a summer studying French in Jonquière. She is proud to be part of a school that gives girls the opportunity to learn both official languages from an early age. She has taught at Joan of Arc for many years because she believes in the advantages of its education. Her own daughter will soon be a Joan of Arc graduate.
When she is not at school, Donna likes spending time with her family, reading, and journaling. She is always searching for interesting books to spark her students’ love of reading.
When she is not at school, Donna likes spending time with her family, reading, and journaling. She is always searching for interesting books to spark her students’ love of reading.
Department
Grades 1 & 2
Contact info
donna.jones@joanofarcacademy.com
Grades 2, 6-8
Martha Whitlock
Martha Whitlock grew up in Ottawa, knowing from a very young age that she would choose a career working with children. After graduating from high school, she earned a B.Sc. in Psychology from McGill University, a Master of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University and a B.Ed. from the University of Ottawa. Once her studies were complete, Mrs. Whitlock moved overseas to pursue a teaching career working at international schools in Costa Rica, England and Japan. Ultimately, she decided to move back home to be closer to family.
While she enjoys teaching a variety of subjects, Mrs. Whitlock’s biggest passion is teaching mathematics. She truly loves guiding children to develop a positive attitude toward learning mathematics, to be confident in their math ability and to strive to be the best mathematicians they can be.
When Mrs. Whitlock is not teaching, she loves spending time with her two daughters, husband and two cats. Some of her favourite pastimes include cooking, travelling, downhill skiing, running, cycling and swimming.
While she enjoys teaching a variety of subjects, Mrs. Whitlock’s biggest passion is teaching mathematics. She truly loves guiding children to develop a positive attitude toward learning mathematics, to be confident in their math ability and to strive to be the best mathematicians they can be.
When Mrs. Whitlock is not teaching, she loves spending time with her two daughters, husband and two cats. Some of her favourite pastimes include cooking, travelling, downhill skiing, running, cycling and swimming.
Department
Grades 2, 6-8
Contact info
martha.whitlock@joanofarcacademy.com
Grade 3
Kelly Bougie
Kelly Bougie grew up in Dunrobin, Ontario and learned to loved nature, science and sports. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with honors in Human Kinetics (emphasizing in science and minored in English). Upon working in the industry of physiotherapy and teaching at Goodlife as an instructor, she then received her diploma in Education. She also graduated from Special Education Part 1 and 2 and Primary/junior and intermediate courses.
As a teacher who has worked within the Board of Education and the private industry for more than 18 years, she believes in the values of creating strength and opportunities for young students and empowering them with values to help them succeed. In her free time, she loves to run, ski, kickbox, bike but mostly hike with her kids. She is excited to bring her knowledge, energy and enthusiasm to Joan of Arc.
As a teacher who has worked within the Board of Education and the private industry for more than 18 years, she believes in the values of creating strength and opportunities for young students and empowering them with values to help them succeed. In her free time, she loves to run, ski, kickbox, bike but mostly hike with her kids. She is excited to bring her knowledge, energy and enthusiasm to Joan of Arc.
Department
Grade 3
Contact info
kelly.bougie@joanofarcacademy.com
Grade 4
Sabine Neubert
Ms. Neubert enjoys being a facilitator of learning, and delights in guiding her students to an understanding of the subjects she teaches. The best part of her day is the interaction with her students! Sabine is an outdoors person. She loves hiking, canoeing, skiing, and travel. She also enjoys watching contemporary dance.
Department
Grade 4
Contact info
sabine.neubert@joanofarcacademy.com
Grades 4 & 5
Melissa Wedge
Mme Melissa est née au nord de l'Ontario dans une petite ville nommée Kapuskasing. Elle a grandi au cœur d'une famille francophone et a donc poursuivit ses études en français. C'est au cours du secondaire que Melissa a pris connaissance de sa passion pour l'enseignement. Elle a suivi plusieurs formations au sein de la société de sauvetage et de la croix rouge. Ceci lui a permis d'enseigner la natation et de devenir monitrice de la société de sauvetage pour le brevet de la croix de bronze. Elle s'est ensuite dirigée à l'Université d'Ottawa afin d'obtenir un Baccalauréat ès sciences sociales (spécialisation en psychologie). Plusieurs cours lui ont confirmé son intérêt pour l'éducation donc elle a choisi de poursuivre ses études à la faculté d'éducation. Elle est enseignante agrégée de l'Ontario depuis 2013.
Lorsque Mme Melissa n'est pas avec ses élèves elle pense encore à eux et elle aime préparer des leçons originales. Autrement, elle est passionnée par la littérature, les beaux-arts, la musique, la cinématographie et aime beaucoup passer du temps en nature.
Lorsque Mme Melissa n'est pas avec ses élèves elle pense encore à eux et elle aime préparer des leçons originales. Autrement, elle est passionnée par la littérature, les beaux-arts, la musique, la cinématographie et aime beaucoup passer du temps en nature.
Department
Grades 4 & 5
Contact info
melissa.wedge@joanofarcacademy.com
Grades 5-8
Erin Elliott
Erin Elliott grew up in a small town in Southwestern Ontario. She moved to the Ottawa area after high school to attend Carleton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Honors in 2002. She returned to school and graduated in 2007 from Nipissing University with her Bachelor of Education.
She started her career at Joan of Arc Academy filling in as the English Grade One and Two teacher. In 2009 she taught her first Grade Five class and knew that was where she belonged. Erin is also an intermediate science teacher. She particularly appreciates that the curriculum allows her to discuss environmental issues and concerns with her students and hopes that together they can make an impact.
When she is not at school, Erin can be found at the arena cheering on her son’s hockey team, practicing piano with her daughter, or walking her Springer Spaniel, Piper.
She started her career at Joan of Arc Academy filling in as the English Grade One and Two teacher. In 2009 she taught her first Grade Five class and knew that was where she belonged. Erin is also an intermediate science teacher. She particularly appreciates that the curriculum allows her to discuss environmental issues and concerns with her students and hopes that together they can make an impact.
When she is not at school, Erin can be found at the arena cheering on her son’s hockey team, practicing piano with her daughter, or walking her Springer Spaniel, Piper.
Department
Grades 5-8
Contact info
erin.elliot@joanofarcacademy.com
Grade 6 & Librarian
Elaine Bartlett
Mrs. Bartlett is British but spent her childhood in Zambia, Scotland and England. She attended Bulmershe University graduating with a degree in education. She taught all subjects in various grades in primary schools in England and Wales. After moving permanently to Canada, she took courses at Ottawa University in order to qualify to teach in Ontario.
Mrs. Bartlett spent some time at a different school in Ottawa before joining the Academy. She teaches kindergarten, grade 4 and grade 6 but has also supplied for all grades. She has taught a variety of subjects including language arts, mathematics, science and religion as well as tutoring. She has been a member of the staff now for seventeen years and her passion for teaching has delayed her retirement for several years.
Mrs. Bartlett spent some time at a different school in Ottawa before joining the Academy. She teaches kindergarten, grade 4 and grade 6 but has also supplied for all grades. She has taught a variety of subjects including language arts, mathematics, science and religion as well as tutoring. She has been a member of the staff now for seventeen years and her passion for teaching has delayed her retirement for several years.
Department
Grade 6 & Librarian
Contact info
elaine.bartlett@joanofarcacademy.com
Grades 6-8
Dr Julia Morris
Dr. Julia E. Morris grew up in the Toronto area, but also lived in Westfield, New Brunswick and in Rouen, France. She has been in the Outaouais since 2003. She attributes her love of language and literature to her travels as a young person. She obtained her Ph.D. in Lettres françaises from the University of Ottawa in 2010.
Dr. Morris teaches in French and concentrates on writing, strategic communication, grammar and style. She also has expertise in francophone contemporary literature. She likes to draw on female-centric themes and female-authored narratives in the classroom.
Dr. Morris’ interests include spending as much time with her two kids as possible, running in Gatineau Park with her collie dog, working on her vegetable gardens for as long as the season permits and helping her husband with craft and furniture projects.
Dr. Morris teaches in French and concentrates on writing, strategic communication, grammar and style. She also has expertise in francophone contemporary literature. She likes to draw on female-centric themes and female-authored narratives in the classroom.
Dr. Morris’ interests include spending as much time with her two kids as possible, running in Gatineau Park with her collie dog, working on her vegetable gardens for as long as the season permits and helping her husband with craft and furniture projects.
Department
Grades 6-8
Contact info
julia.morris@joanofarcacademy.com
Performing Arts
Vivian Burns
Vivian has a special relationship with the Joan of Arc Academy, as she graduated from the school herself, long ago when the teachers were primarily still nuns. Vivian has been an educator for over twenty years specializing in performing arts. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education and studied theatre arts at the Randolph Academy of the Arts in Toronto.
Vivian a travaillé avec les élèves âgés de 3 ans à adulte, et elle réussit toujours à développer un rapport très chaleureux avec ses élèves. Elle croit que l’on peut toujours atteindre nos rêves si on le veut, avec de la passion et de la persévérance. Vivian is passionate about singing, theatre, yoga, cooking, and long walks in nature.
Department
Performing Arts
Contact info
vivian.burns@joanofarcacademy.com
Physical Education
Nicole Lalonde
Nicole Lalonde comes from a French-speaking village in Eastern Ontario called Plantagenet. She always wanted to be a teacher from a young age. She studied Physical Education at the University of Ottawa. Nicole has taught physical education for several years.
She constantly wanted to instill in students a taste for practicing different sports and to ensure that the importance of physical activity is known in everyday life. The values that relate to physical activity, such as the adoption of healthy behavior, sportsmanship, honesty, respect, self-transcendence and many others, are values that have been constantly conveyed to students of all ages.
Nicole lives in Embrun along the Castor River with her husband Daniel and her cat Coco. She enjoys traveling in Europe and going to Mont Tremblant for skiing and biking.
She constantly wanted to instill in students a taste for practicing different sports and to ensure that the importance of physical activity is known in everyday life. The values that relate to physical activity, such as the adoption of healthy behavior, sportsmanship, honesty, respect, self-transcendence and many others, are values that have been constantly conveyed to students of all ages.
Nicole lives in Embrun along the Castor River with her husband Daniel and her cat Coco. She enjoys traveling in Europe and going to Mont Tremblant for skiing and biking.
Department
Physical Education
Contact info
nicole.lalonde@joanofarcacademy.com
After School Program
Mary Fatima Safarzadeh
Mme. Fatima has been working with Joan of Arc Academy as an educator and Afterschool Coordinator for almost nineteen years. She has worked for different public and catholic schools in Ottawa and had the privilege to work with children with special needs and ESL students. She is a Masters of Education student, and would love to continue working with children for the rest of her life.
Outside of the Academy, she loves nature, animals, writing, poetry, philosophy, people, and culture. All of which inspired her to write and publish two books, one in poetry and the other about her own life journey. She hopes to one day write a children’s book.
Outside of the Academy, she loves nature, animals, writing, poetry, philosophy, people, and culture. All of which inspired her to write and publish two books, one in poetry and the other about her own life journey. She hopes to one day write a children’s book.
Department
After School Program
Contact info
mary.fatima@joanofarcacademy.com
Administrative Receptionist
Francine Després
Mme. Francine loves helping people and serving the students, parents, and teachers of the Joan of Arc community! She always makes sure to give the best service possible to every person that she encounters. Even after 14 years, it is still a joy for her to finish her day and go home knowing that she has given to others. When she eventually retires, her dream is to volunteer in a hospital serving patients as her mother did for decades. She loves to travel, take dance lessons, and go on dance cruises with her husband. She just discovered a new passion for horses. She also loves dogs.
Department
Administrative Receptionist
Contact info
francine.despres@joanofarcacademy.com
Custodian
Serge Fauvelle
When asked about Joan of Arc, M. Serge says he loves everything about the school! He especially takes great pride in the shiny floors at the school. In his spare time, he enjoys mixing music and has a particular fondness for music of the 70’s and 80’s, including disco!
Department
Custodian
Contact info
serge.fauvelle@joanofarcacademy.com
Arrange a
Personal Visit
Joan of Arc Academy’s doors are open to you. If you are interested in learning more about the Academy, or are considering enrolling your daughter, please contact us at 613-728-6364, by email or click the button below to fill out a form.