Meet the Team
Mary Acton-Bond
Executive Director (she/her)Mary’s academic background includes an HBOR in Outdoor Education, a BA in Geography from Lakehead University, and a MT (Masters of Teaching) from Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. Mary also attended the Telfer School of Business at Ottawa University where she earned certificates in change management and senior leadership.
Mary has two children who attend the Shambhala School. Mary loves to camp, read, sew, and cook.
Susan Marsh
Head of Administration (she/her)Susan has many years of experience in business administration for profit and non-profit businesses. She has been involved with the Shambhala School as a parent and volunteer since 1998, and she has two children who graduated from the school. Susan loves blues music, good coffee, good chocolate, and good grammar!
Music
Andrew MacKelvie
Grades Primary through 12 music (he/him)Andrew has a BA in Jazz Studies from St. Francis Xavier University and a BEd in Music Education from the University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Andrew has been active in the local improvised music community for the last ten years, performing with several ensembles. He has taught music at the Nova Scotia Community College. He is an ECMA (East Coast Music Award) winner and a Juno nominee.
Art
Leah Benetti
High School Art, Ceramic Tech (she/her)Leah has a BFA from the Ontario College of Art and Design and York University. She is a multidisciplinary artist working in sgraffito, ceramic, watercolours, drawing, printmaking, and poetry. Her favourite thing about teaching at the Shambhala School is the creative expression of the students; she finds seeing them inspire one another to create, express, and try new things is very rewarding.
Meaghan LeMoine
Middle School Art, High School Theatre Tech (she/her)Meaghan, aka Ms. Lemon, has a BFA from NSCAD and a BEd from MSVU. Meaghan worked as a Fine Arts Specialist for the Halifax Regional Centre for Education for a decade. She has designed and delivered professional development on Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Trauma-Informed Schools, Yoga and Mindfulness, Google Apps, Makerspaces, and Female Empowerment. Meaghan has a passion for Fine Arts and Technology and the fusion of the two. Her main priority as a teacher is creating a safe space for students to feel comfortable enough to take risks in their academic and artistic endeavours. When not at school, you can find Ms. Lemon at home watching Tiktoks with her anxious 14 year old chihuahua.
French
Mayssane El Azzaoui
Grade 1 through 9 French (she/her)Mayssane received her BA in French Language and Literature from University Reims, Champagne-Ardennes, and her MA in Didactics of French as a Second and Foreign Language from University Paul Valery, Montpellier. She has a wealth of teaching experience, having taught in Bangkok, Thailand, and Batumi, Georgia, She has also taught at Alliance Francaise in Halifax. Mayssane loves writing, reading French literature, theater, and dancing. She appreciates that Shambhala School is a safe place that encourages students to develop their creativity and to get ambitious about trying new things!
Physical Education
Ross Burns
Grade Primary through 12 physical education (he/him)Ross Burns is a teacher with a resume that ranges widely across disciplines. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of King’s College, and has extensive experience in the worlds of physical education, music, capoeira, and circus. He’s an athlete, guitarist, percussionist, improvisor, acrobat and linguist. He relishes the chance to work with students at the Shambhala School to share his joy of movement.
Ashley Whynot
Grade Primary through 12 physical education and outdoor educationAshley’s journey in education has been marked by a deep appreciation for the natural world and its ability to inspire young minds. With a BA in Psychology from Carleton University, Level 3 ECE certification, and a Forest and Nature certification, she has cultivated a unique approach to learning that combines traditional techniques with nature-based practices. Her work with Wild Child Forest School introduced her to the vibrant community at Shambhala School, where she was captivated by the students’ enthusiasm and innate desire to learn. This encounter motivated Ashley to further her connection with the school and its mission, fostering a learning environment that celebrates the interconnectedness of all things and inspires students to reach their full potential.
Pre-Primary
Maggie MacNevin
Pre-Primary Director and teacher (she/her)Maggie has a BA in Child and Youth Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University and an MA in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). Maggie loves running, cycling, reading, and watching “The Great British Bake Off”. Maggie has two children who attend the Hydrostone Academy.
Nicole Worobec
Pre-Primary teacher (she/her)Nicole has her diploma in Early Childhood Education from the Nova Scotia Teachers’ College.
She has taught at the school since 2009 and has one child who attended the school from Pre-Primary through to grade 12.
Abbey Thornhill
Pre-Primary Assistant, Before and After School Coordinator, Educational Assistant (she/her)Abbey has completed her Entry Level ECE. She is a graduate of Shambhala School and has one child who attends the school.
Primary
Jordan West
Primary teacher (she/they)Jordan has a BA in History from Queen’s University, and studied Visual Arts at Ontario College of Art and Design. They studied Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training at the Rudolf Steiner Centre of Toronto, and received their certification in Early Childhood Development.
Jordan has two children who have attended Shambhala School.
Amanda Smith
Primary teacher (she/her)Amanda studied Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training at the Rudolf Steiner Centre of Toronto and the East Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy. She is a certified yoga teacher. Amanda has been involved with Shambhala School since 2011. She has two children who currently attend the school and two children who are graduates.
Elementary
Madison Peters
Grade one teacher (she/her)Madison has her BA in Psychology and English, and her BEd from University of Prince Edward Island. Prior to beginning her career as a teacher, Madison worked with young people in various capacities: leading summer camps and afterschool programs with the Canadian Mental Health Association, as well as teaching English as an Additional Language through online programming. In her free time, Madison loves to do crafts, swim, and play board games.
Rachel Lebowitz
Grade two/three teacher (she/her)Rachel has a BA in English and Women’s Studies from Simon Fraser University and an MA in English and Creative Writing from Concordia University. She is a graduate of the Professional Development Programme at Simon Fraser University, with a focus in Elementary Education. Rachel is also a published author whose books include Hannus, Cottonopolis and The Year of No Summer and she is the co-author, with Zachariah Wells, of the children’s picture book Anything But Hank! (illustrated by Eric Orchard). After a long and varied career in adult education, Rachel is happy to be teaching elementary again, especially at a school that values autonomy and outdoor education.
Margot Louise
Grades teacher and Associate Director of the Elementary School (she/her)Margot has a BA in English and History, as well as a BEd from Mount Saint Vincent University. While a student at MSVU she was awarded the Senate Award twice. She studied music composition and arranging at Humber College and did post graduate work at the University of Southern California in writing music for television and film. When not teaching, Margot loves being in and on the water: swimming, paddle-boarding, and kayaking. She is very grateful that Shambhala School recognizes the value that the arts and being in nature bring to education.
Keisha Lent
Grade 4/5 teacher (she/her)Keisha has her BA and BEd from Acadia University, specializing in English, Theatre, and Outdoor Education. In her spare time, she works at the Art Gallery of NS as an art teacher and gallery interpreter. She is passionate about fostering well being and a love for learning in her classroom! She appreciates Shambhala School’s supportive community, which inherently cultivates creativity, confidence, and a sense of belonging for students and teachers alike.
Upper School
Jacob Fletcher
Upper School Associate Director and teacher (he/him)Jacob has a BSc and MSc in Biology from Dalhousie University. His teaching experience includes labs in Intro Biology, Diversity of Life, Developmental Biology, and Leadership in Science in the Dalhousie Biology Department. As a teaching associate in Dalhousie’s Centre for Learning and Teaching, he also conducted campus-wide workshops on pedagogy, including topics of educational leadership, and the importance of ethnic and gender diversity in the classroom. Jacob has worked on nature conservation projects in Costa Rica and South Africa, and studied Baroque art in Czechia. He enjoys performing in musical productions and dinner theatre in his spare time.
Mike LeDuc
Outdoor Education Director and teacher (he/him)Mike has a BA in English Literature from St. Mary’s University, and a BEd in Secondary English and Social Studies from Acadia University. Mike has taught in both Nova Scotia and Hong Kong. Mike was the Director of the Big Cove YMCA Camp for 8 years and has extensive practical experience with outdoor education. He has 2 children at the Hydrostone Academy.
Noel McLellan
Upper School Associate Director and teacher (he/him)Noel McLellan has been teaching at the Shambhala School since 2004. In those years he has taught English, History, and Health through middle and high school grades and served in a variety of leadership roles. Drawing on 30 years of experience as a Mindfulness instructor, he has developed our unique Mindfulness curriculum and helped to foster the culture of our school. Noel loves writing and is the author of two books: Teaching With Bravery; Meditation and Heart Advice for Teachers, and Emily and the Deepest Memory, a middle-grade novel. He is the parent of two children, Gabriel and Esme, who have grown up in the Hydrostone Academy.
Jason McNaught
Teacher (he/him)Jason’s academic background includes a BA in Geography from Lakehead University, a MT( Masters of Teaching) from Griffiths University in Brisbane, Australia, and a Diploma in Professional Writing from Algonquin College. Jason taught Elementary school in Brisbane and was a Shipboard Director for Class Afloat, where students sail a tall ship while exploring new cultures and earning academic credits. During his time with Class Afloat, he established the first independent school on a Canadian-registered sailing vessel. Jason has 2 children at Shambhala School.
Wesley Pitts
Teacher (he/him)Wesley received a BSc with honours in Biology and a BEd focusing on Secondary Education from Acadia University. He also received his TESOL certification. Wesley used his TESOL certification to teach English in Shanghai for a time. He also taught core subjects in Calgary Middle Schools.
Joyce Wright
Teacher (she/her)Joyce Wright, originally from The Bahamas, moved to Nova Scotia in 2016 to further her post secondary education. Ms.Wright has completed her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and attained a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education.
It is her priority to help develop great citizens of the world by not only helping to mold students academically, but also emotionally, helping them to become resilient, compassionate, well-educated, confident individuals. Joyce appreciates that the Shambhala School has allowed her to bring her cultural background and personal touch into the classroom.
Before and After School Care
Sarah Smith
After School Program (she/her)Sarah Smith is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist from Halifax. She has a BFA in Theatre Performance from Memorial University, as well as a certificate in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. Her training also includes classical violin, modern dance, and clowning. Sarah has performed with many theatre companies throughout the Maritimes, and is also a playwright , director, and composer. Sarah has been teaching theatre and music for more than a decade.
Hermione Tamlin
After School Program (she/her)Hermione Davis is a musician, actor and arts educator based in Halifax, NS. When not at the school, she can be found creating music and theatre with friends, and with the cast of the Grafton Street Dinner Theatre.
Tanya
Before and After School Program (she/her)Tanya is the mother of two. She enjoys multiple crafts including sewing, making costumes, and diamond painting. She appreciates how Shambhala School fosters creativity and open mindedness.
Facilities
Christian Sudsbear
Facilities Manager (he/him)Christian brings a wealth of experience and dedication to their role at the Shambhala School. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University, he has a diverse background in both education and facility management.