Faculty and Staffdirectory - Peoples Christian Academy

Peoples Christian Academy (PCA) administration, faculty and staff are chosen for their ability to reflect the principles and values as outlined in our Philosophy of Education. These Christian faculty members are highly qualified and dedicated teachers who see their career choice as a ministry to impart Christian values to the next generation of leaders. Faculty and administrative staff participate in devotions and seek to be examples and mentors for the students. A code of conduct for staff is outlined in the appropriate manuals and handbooks. There is a strong partnership with parents to reinforce Christian and family values in the students’ lives. Some of our faculty members are even PCA alumni.

S. Kim (Choi)

English/ Social Studies/ Guidance Counsellor

B.Sc. – University of California, San Diego
M.Ed. – University of California, Los Angeles
M.A. Candidate – Fuller Theological Seminary

Mrs. S. Kim (Choi): “I became an educator because I love working with young people, empowering them to think critically about their learning and to apply this in living humbly, loving mercy, and doing justice in their contexts. PCA offers the unique opportunity to truly teach the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. Having previously worked mainly in the public sector, I am grateful for this gift. I love PCA’s vision of training young people to live out their callings and to follow Jesus in the transformative work of loving our neighbours both locally and globally.

Additionally, the PCA community must be experienced to be believed. There is such a strong culture of love, respect, and excellence. I am privileged to work among colleagues who have become brothers and sisters and who daily live out the principles we teach.”

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S. Hau

Early Learning Centre staff, RECE

Ms. S. Hau: “I am so grateful that I am given the opportunity to team up with God and other staff here at PCA to make a difference to the next generation.

I truly believe that it is important for us to tell them about Jesus’ love and start equipping them while they are young.

Being able to contribute in God’s work and witnessing how He works in the hearts of the little ones & families every day is such an amazing yet humbling experience!”

S. De Los Santos

Early Learning Centre staff, RECE

Miss. S. Bhaskar: “I am so thankful to be able to work at PCA. I love working here because I can share Jesus’ love with these amazing preschoolers that I have the opportunity to lead and guide. It has been such a blessing becoming part of the PCA community and getting to interact with a group of people dedicated to displaying Christ’s love in all they do. I feel honoured that Jesus has brought me here and I’m so excited to see all that He does with the students and the school.”

S. Cho

World Religions/ Philosophy/ Biology

B.Sc. Yale University

Ph.D. University of Toronto

Miss S. Cho: “What joy to work at a school where everything we do remembers God’s underlying redemptive purpose and seeks to model a life of 3-fold fruit: achievement and progress, loving others and ourselves, and worshiping God. I am so thankful to be part of a team that equips students’ minds, encourages their hearts, nurtures their souls, and roots them in God’s Word and Grace so that they are blessed and can go out into the world to be a blessing. It’s an inexpressible privilege to participate in GOD’s workmanship and help students grow in all manners of Christ-likeness and excellence, while encouraging them to shine His Light, share His love, extend His reconciliation, and intercede in prayer! All that while sharing life, laughter, and pizza.”

R. Leung

Early Learning Centre staff, RECE

Mr. R. Leung: “It is a blessing to be working at PCA. I really enjoy working with the young learners and share God’s words with them. It is important to teach them what is right and wrong through God’s words and support their academic growth and spiritual development. It is also an amazing journey for me to be able to grow with the children in God’s love and His blessing.”

P. Westacott

Physical Education, Junior School

P. Hui

Homeform JK2
B.A – University of Toronto

B.Ed – Tyndale University

Diploma in Early Childhood Education – Seneca College

Mrs. P. Hui: “Teaching is like lighting up candles. Children have so much potential, and our job as educators is to inspire them to shine brightly. The Christian-based learning environment that PCA provides allows me to light up children’s candles, and to plant the seeds in children’s lives through daily interactions with them. It is a blessing to watch them grow under the umbrella of God’s love here at PCA.”

N. Kirollos

Office Administrator

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L. Sinko

Breakfast Club & Homework Club Assistant

Mrs. L. Sinko: “I love working in a Christian environment where Christ is exemplified in every aspect of the school. At PCA, my co-workers are very caring and also talented. The parents that I work with in child care and in the school office are fantastic. I love the challenge of solving problems and with great bosses, you receive recognition. I am thankful for my job at PCA. As a Christian, my goal is to love everyone, be positive and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.”

K. Simmonds

Homeform 1A

Ms. K. Simmonds: “I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to teach at PCA and be part of such a strong and supportive community. Children are the future and I believe wholeheartedly that we must instill in them a sense of purpose, love and hope. The most important element of teaching children is providing a safe environment for them to grow and learn, an environment in which they feel free to develop and contribute to their own learning. PCA provides a learning environment intended to foster the development and growth of the whole person (body, spirit, and mind), equipping future generations to reach the whole world for Christ. I am privileged to be part of this amazing mission.”

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K. Jao

Business Manager, Finance & Operations

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J. McDonald

Senior School Chaplain

B. Comm, University of Guelph

B. Ed, Nipissing University

MTS, Toronto Baptist Seminary

M. Div, Heritage College and Seminary

CCEF Counselling Certificate

Mr. J. McDonald :”Working at PCA – It is a true blessing to be part of the PCA family. I have been encouraged and loved. Thank you.”

J. Lee

Middle School and Senior School Vice Principal
B.A. (Honours), B.Ed. – York University

Mrs. J. Lee: “I love that PCA exists to educate the whole person—body, mind and spirit with equal emphasis and excellence. There is a wonderful rapport of genuine respect and care shared between teachers and students. We are a tight-knit community with an environment where students can and want to learn. PCA students and alumni are living proof that it is possible to receive a premium, high quality academic education while growing in character and in faith.“

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J. Kim

Early Learning Centre staff, RECE

Mrs. J. Kim : “I believe that educators are the first stepping stone in helping children become successful individuals in their life journey. I am truly blessed to be able to work here at PCA to be a stepping stone in God’s special purpose. His provision and amazing love drives each day to be as successful as possible in a safe and fun place here at the ELC. I am very happy to have the priviledge to witness our preschoolers grow and most importantly, to be able to teach a Christian based education to our wonderful children.”

D. Westacott

Mathematics, Social Science
B.Sc., B.Ed. – University of Toronto
M.Div. – Tyndale University

Mr. D. Westacott: “It is true that I absolutely love Mathematics, but my life-long passion is sharing life together with teens! PCA is a wonderful place to encourage, equip and empower teens as they pursue their future and the call of God in their lives. There are countless opportunities to “tell the next generation the marvellous things God has done.” I am overwhelmed each day by God’s faithfulness in bringing me back to PCA after being away for 23 years.”

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D. Sun

Homeform 1B

HBA – University of Toronto

M. Teaching – Griffith University (Australia)

Mrs. D. Sun: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to teach at PCA. My schooling started at a Christian school and I value the lessons I learned and friendships I made there. It is important to me to value each student as a child of God while instilling the future generations with strong Christian morals.”

D. Overbeek

Head Custodian

Mr. D. Overbeek: “My personal mission statement for working in Maintenance and Caretaking at Peoples Christian Academy (PCA) is “Time to Shine” (John 12:35-36). I pray that care and value would shine through every action and interaction and brighten peoples’ days (Romans 12:10). Also, by choosing environmentally-responsible cleaning products and promoting sustainable best practices, we steward God’s world faithfully so His glory is reflected brilliantly (Psalm 19:1). Every person’s safety and well-being is vital to my calling to serve at PCA – I am privileged to contribute even by turning on the lights and changing light bulbs.”

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D. Lau

Early Learning Centre staff, RECE

Miss D. Lau: “I am truly thankful that God has given me the opportunity to serve Him here at PCA. By His grace I have been saved through faith and by His grace I am able to partake in His mighty deeds! I believe that through the sharing of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit working amongst us, children’s lives are continually transformed as they learn and experience the gracious love of God. In partnership with families, we can work together to provide a safe environment in which children can explore and create meaning from the world God has created for us to enjoy. “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”” (Matthew 19:14, ESV). To God be all glory, honour, and praise!

C. Yiu

Advancement Officer

Mrs. C. Yiu: “It has been an incredible journey ever since our children were born. God entrusted them to us so we could bring them up to be Christ’s faithful servants. PCA is very important to me because I believe my children can experience God’s love in this nurturing environment, and build a strong Christian foundation to face any life challenges for years to come. I have witnessed the teachers’ genuine love and care for the students and for each other, and I am committed to introduce our vision and mission to the community who is yet to know about PCA. God’s amazing grace is always sufficient!”

C. Pires

Homeform 5B

B.A. (Honours) – University of Toronto.

B.Ed – Trent University

Miss C. Pires: “Being a teacher has always been a dream of mine because I understood the importance of an education to an individual, but more importantly, I know Jesus is first and above anything else. At PCA, I love that students get to combine their faith and love of Jesus with an meaningful and inspirational education. Not only do the students get a chance to grow in their educational careers but they also have a chance to gain a deeper understanding of their faith. I also love that I get to grow in my faith in a environment that celebrates my love of Jesus.”

C. D’Eall

Homeform 5A

B.A., B. Ed. – Tyndale University College & Seminary

Mrs. C. D’Eall: “Teaching at PCA feels like more than just a job. It is a calling God has placed on my life. It enables me to work with students in a Christian setting so that, not only am I teaching them the curriculum, I am teaching them about God’s love. I’m helping them on their paths to discover who they want to be as followers of Christ Jesus.”

B. Sinko

Custodian

Mr. B. Sinko: “I like working at PCA because of the challenges, and there are no shortages of challenges in keeping the building running smoothly so everyone can do what they need to do. I like the staff, the teachers, and the students. I consider my work as my service to the Lord.”

B. Shum

Senior School Biology/Law/ Math/Physics

B. Sc. (Hons.) in life sciences – Queens University

J.D. – Harvard Law School

M.T. – Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Mr. B. Shum: “I feel truly privileged to be part of the PCA community. I hope to be guided in my teaching practice by Jesus’s words, ‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (Jn. 13:34). Prior to joining PCA, I worked at Greenwood and Upper Canada College, both private schools in the Toronto area. I also practiced briefly as a U.S. corporate tax attorney before beginning my career in education.”

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B. Ho

HR, Payroll & Facilities Administrator

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A. Sung

Office Administrator

Mrs. A. Sung: “It is a miracle from God that He provided me a job at PCA. PCA is a place to serve the Lord by helping the students and parents when they are in need. I enjoy growing and learning the blessings of God everyday along with my PCA family.”

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Both of our children attended the Peoples School many years ago and we are forever thankful for the positive influence the teachers and staff had in their lives. Thank you.

Dave and Joyce (PCA Parents)

Passionate and caring spirit

One day when my 7 year old daughter and I were on the road, we heard sirens from an ambulance. When I was looking for where the ambulance was coming from, I noticed my daughter was bowing down her head. I asked, “Are you scared?” She said, “No, I am praying. Teacher said, “when we hear ambulance passing by, that means someone is in trouble. We shall pray for the people involved.” I thank PCA for instilling a passionate and caring spirit in my child.

Carol L. (PCA parent)

When I was at PCA I was not a Christian nor interested in Christianity at all. While I was there, two girls in my class in particular that caught my attention. They seemed to possess something real in their faith with God. I knew they were the real deal.

Over the years after leaving PCA, my mind would go back to these individuals who had something that I was missing in my life. When I was in college, I had a profound spiritual experience that forever changed my life and brought me to Christ.

Since that time I married my precious Joanne, had four children, and spent twelve years in Japan as a church planter. We are part of a church planting family of churches. We have been involved in this church plant for the last four years and it has been the happiest experience of my life.

Tim Kerr

I was not a Christian

Some of my dearest friends to this day are the people I went to high school with at Paul B. Smith Academy. Many extremely fine individuals came out of Peoples, some of whom continue to give me inspiration and enrichment both personally and professionally.

Nad Barsoum, Class of 1984 Barrister and Solicitor.

Inspiration and enrichment

It has been a privilege and honor to teach at PCA. Both the students and staff have given me so much support and love throughout my 17 years teaching at PCA. The PCA community supported me with love through the loss of my husband 6 years ago. The enthusiasm of the students for learning has been inspiring! I am grateful to be a part of the PCA community!

Mrs. J. Paas