Our Staff
Guidance, Inspiration and Support
The core of Royal Oak School is our passionate team of Ontario certified teachers, who follow a high academic standard to guide their values, creativity and leadership. Teachers at Royal Oak believe in children- in their curiosity, in their questions and in their potential.
Julia Murray
juliamurray@royaloakschool.ca
Head of School
MA Child Study and Education, BScH - Biology & Psychology, ECE diploma, OCT
Julia holds a degree from Queen's University in Biology and Psychology, as well as a Master's degree in Child Study and Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Before joining Royal Oak, Julia was a teacher researcher for 8 years at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, located at the Lab School at OISE. Julia is a specialist in Mathematics, consulting privately for Independent schools in Mathematics programming as well as for the Ministry of Education. She also consults as a Lead Teacher for the Landscape of Nations Educational Initiative in Niagara, helping to plan and disseminate knowledge and teaching practices to teachers in the area of Indigenous history and perspectives. Julia has a special interest in Inquiry and Constructivist Teaching and has shared her knowledge of these practices in conferences in India and Japan, as well as at the Graduate level with teacher candidates. Julia lives in Niagara with her husband, three children and her dog, Duke.
Laureen Dennis
laureendennis@royaloakschool.ca
Assistant of Head of School
BA, BEd, OCT
Laureen Dennis has 20 years of experience in the Ontario elementary and secondary public and private school system. She holds two combined degrees; Anthropology and History, and Archaeology and Geography, as well as a degree in Education with a concentration on Primary/Junior education. She holds qualifications in Special education, Mathematics and History as well as certificates in Adult Literacy, Working with Exceptionalities and At-Risk individuals.
Jason Walloschek
jasonwalloschek@royaloakschool.ca
Grade 7/8
BEd, OCT
Jason is a graduate of Nippising University where he received his Bachelor of Education. He has 12 years of experience teaching Primary grades in four countries. He has taught in Canada, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Brunei. He has both a Bachelor of Art and a Bachelor of Education. His training in Art was at the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto.
Brittany Nyenhuis
brittanynyenhuis@royaloakschool.ca
Grade 5/6
BA, BEd, OCT
Brittany is a Brock University graduate in Concurrent Education with a minor in Geography. Brittany has a 10-year background in Music Theatre. Her teaching background extends to several years working with children in both school, home and outdoor education settings as well as teaching abroad in Peru.
Karyll Justo
Krista McMackin
kristamcmackin@royaloakschool.ca
Kindergarten
BA, BEd, OCT
Krista graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Studies and a Bachelor of Education in the Primary/Junior divisions. She also holds both Kindergarten Part 1 and Intermediate Math Additional Qualifications. Prior to starting at Royal Oak, Krista has had 8 years experience as a tutor for many age groups and has spent the past 7 years teaching musical theatre at summer camp.
Early Years Support Teacher
Mireille Salem
French and Music
mireillesalem@royaloakschool.ca
MA Theater Research, BA Drama & Music Education, DALF - C2 ( Diplôme Approfondi de langue Française),
Teaching Diploma in Computer Science
Mireille has a Master's Degree in Theatre Research from St. Joseph's University in Beirut. She also holds two BA's in Music Education and the other in Computer Science. Mireille has also worked as an educational trainer, focusing on teaching all subjects through Music, Drama, and Games. Mireille is a native French speaker.
Jack Adams Williams
jackaw@royaloakschool.ca
Jack is an Australian who immigrated to Canada in 2019 to be with his Canadian Fiance, teach and bring F45 Fitness Training to the Niagara region! I transitioned into Elementary Teaching in 2015 after a corporate sales career working for Kellogg's in the UK and Campari in Australia. I hold a Diploma of Education from RMIT and was fortunate to start my teaching career at the prestigious North Melbourne Primary School. I've been both a Grade 3 & 5 class room teacher and love working with children from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Ireri Espinosa-Boily
ireriespinosaboily@royaloakschool.ca
Administration
Ireri has 14 years of experience working at a community organization that helps with the educational needs of adults, teaching in the Literacy and Basic Skills sector with a concentration in Digital Training. She has a Bachelor degree in Computer Systems Engineering. In addition she has worked in a private school with elementary school aged students teaching digital skills. She holds a Certificate in translation from U of T and is a native Spanish speaker.
Physical Education Specialist
​
Kelly Satran
Resource Teacher
kellysatran@royaloakschool.ca
MA Child Life & Pediatric Psychosocial Care, M. Ed, ECE, BA, OCT
Kelly is a graduate of the Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care program program at McMaster University. Prior to this, she obtained her BA degree in Child and Youth Studies as well as her Bachelor and Masters of Education from Brock University. Over the years, she has acquired extensive experience working with children and youth in classroom and clinical settings.