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Tutors

Wanda LaClaire

Educator

Wanda is an experienced non-traditional education professional. While working at the H.R. MacMillan Planetarium, she designed and implemented hands-on workshops, demos, classroom programs, small stage demo shows, as well as large theatre productions to educate all ages in a fun and engaging manner. She created programming that met B.C.

Tutors

Daryl Wakeham

Educator

Daryl taught English and Social Studies in both the public and private education sectors for 38 years. Most recently, he taught at St. George's School for 25 years, eventually becoming the Head of the Personal Counselling Department for the last 10 years of his time at the school.

In order to keep his academics and his love of teaching strong, he also taught English 11 AP.
His goal is to use his teaching and counselling experience to help bring teachers, coaches and parents to the collaborative table to creatively maximize our students’ potential.

He found that maintaining a good relationship is imperative in education. Students must feel that their teacher and advisors know them, so that when issues arise or difficulties manifest themselves, they are more likely to ‘listen’ and embrace a learning strategy.

Tutors

Dawid Mora

Educator

Dawid graduated from SFU with a degree in English Literature. He is a certified teacher with extensive classroom experience both as a teacher and a curriculum developer. Dawid also has an Art degree and a certificate in English language instruction. Dawid knows that learners are unique individuals that are capable of becoming responsible for their own learning, especially as they mature. It is important to recognize and embrace the student’s own unique views and personality and channel it into opportunities to enhance learning and growth. As a teacher, his primary role is that of a facilitator of learning, creating opportunities that improve the chances of student success, while addressing the student as a whole person through instruction designed to meet their needs, offered in a welcoming, safe and engaging environment. Dawid is very excited about working at KEY Education to help students achieve their fullest potential.

Tutors

Rachel MacDonald

Educator

Rachel has been teaching since 2013 and has accumulated a decade of teaching experience in subject areas such as English, French, and ESL. She has taught students of all ages both in Canada and abroad. In addition to her professional teaching, she has also volunteered countless hours mentoring children, assisting with homework, organizing recreational programs, and facilitating international employment and volunteer opportunities for university students.
As a graduate student studying counselling psychology, Rachel has a passion for helping people to reach their personal potential by overcoming any barriers and identifying their unique strengths. She believes that the best way to support students is by showing them unconditional positive regard in order to build their self-confidence, because she knows students are capable of anything if they believe in themselves and put in the hard work.

Tutors

Jasyn Katrusiak

Educator

The majority of Jasyn’s professional teaching career has been in Vancouver, but has included stops in Korea, China, and most notably in Japan, where he was involved with the successful development and implementation of an English education pilot program for the Toyonaka City School Board.
Before coming to KEY, he founded and operated his own language school in Coquitlam for international students. For 20 years, being able to assist and watch students from elementary age to high school achieve and grow as individuals was his most rewarding experience.
KEY’s core values align with his views on education, including the importance of critical thinking, challenging students to perform to their best, and that educational style and content should be tailored to an individual. In academics, an educator needs to consider what attributes make our students stand out, including their social awareness, extracurriculars, sports, and the arts.
He is a strong believer that the foundations that are developed from a young age, such as working hard and learning to cooperate with others, are the keys to success.

Tutors

Sam Tehrani

Educator

Sam holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature and a PhD in Teaching English as a Second Language. With over 15 years of international experience in countries like Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, and China, he is deeply passionate about exploring the world and its complexities through literature. Sam thrives on designing and delivering courses in diverse formats—whether in-person, online, or hybrid—leveraging platforms like Moodle to create inclusive and dynamic learning environments.

Tutors

Sadia Chowdhury

Educator

Sadia brings over seven years of experience in education, including her previous role as an Education Coordinator, where she led curriculum development, personalized student programming, and progress tracking for a wide range of learners. She has worked with students from diverse backgrounds, including international students and those with learning disabilities, and is committed to meeting each learner where they are.

Leadership

Ben Batt

Managing Director | 总经理

Ben upholds the KEY vision.

 

Leadership

Bryan R. Ide

Education Director | 教育总监

Bryan transforms the KEY vision into student success.

 

Leadership

Bernard Batt

Finance Director | 财务总监

Bernard safeguards the financial wellbeing of KEY.

 

Admission Guidance

Ben Batt

Private School Admissions Advisor|私校申请顾问

An advocate for educational enrichment and giving families that edge, Ben co-founded KEY Education in 2011 alongside fellow St. George's graduates. He has guided hundreds of families to help them find their school of right fit and strategize to achieve their goals.

Admission Guidance

Dr. Phil Jarvis

Phil Jarvis began his career as a teacher outside of London in the UK and has held multiple roles at independent schools in the Bahamas, Canada, and the United States. Boarding school experience for Dr. Jarvis includes five years as Director of Admissions at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, now Canada’s largest boarding school, and twelve years as Dean of Enrollment at the Berkshire School in Massachusetts, where he also served as Interim Head.

Dr. Jarvis is an associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and has been a presenter at SSATB, the Association of Boarding Schools, the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) faculty at the National Summer Leadership Institute, the Canadian Admissions Conference, and at conferences/fairs in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Admission Guidance

Bryan R. Ide

Education Director | 教育总监

Bryan believes in the transformational power of education and is passionate about helping students and families make the right educational choices. He graduated from St. George’s School and holds a BA from Cornell University and an MA from Columbia University.

Admission Guidance

Cameron Russell

Admissions Strategist | 申请策略师

Cameron is a person for whom education is a lifelong pursuit, as he lives his life with the philosophy that nothing is more important than understanding the world around us. He attended St. George's Senior School in Vancouver, and graduated from the University of Victoria with a BA in Political Science after taking classes in nearly every discipline, from Philosophy to Biology to Creative Writing

Admission Guidance

Cora Wills

Private School Admissions Advisor|私校申请顾问

Navigating the private school admissions process can be challenging. As the parent of two “lifers” at private schools in Vancouver and having attended private school herself, Cora is very familiar with the private school system.

Admission Guidance

Amy Starkey

Private School Admissions Advisor|私校申请顾问

After ten years working in two Lower Mainland independent schools as both an administrator and a teacher, Amy brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to help families identify key priorities in their children’s educational goals. As a parent whose daughter attended an independent IB school, Amy values personalized education that recognizes and uplifts the individual nature of every student. Guiding her own child from preschool to university acceptance has taught Amy the significance of balancing support for children, while nurturing their independence and critical thinking skills. As their children’s greatest advocate, parents are well positioned to help develop the academic, socio-emotional skills and co-curricular interests that will lead to success at school and beyond. To this end, Amy encourages parents to collaborate with their children in setting goals and to create an environment of positive communication and active listening. Amy also draws on her years of experience in the arts to support families with a pragmatic and creative approach in amplifying the unique qualities of their child to contribute to their school and society at large.

Admission Guidance

Matthew Sy

University Admissions Advisor

Matthew has experience working as an English tutor and writing coach, and has assisted students with many private school applications. His major in Developmental Psychology and minor in Creative Writing at UBC has inspired him to enrich future generations through education. Additionally, Matthew has gained valuable experience in the field of education administration, further enhancing his understanding of educational systems and organizational dynamics.
Matthew values interpersonal skills in teaching, believing that a foundation of trust and respect is crucial for optimal learning. His adaptive teaching style tailors to the individual needs of students, instilling confidence and building character. Matthew is motivated by witnessing the emotional growth of his students, encouraging them to think critically by viewing concepts from multiple perspectives and connecting ideas to form a deeper, more comprehensive understanding.

Admission Guidance

Connor Doyle

Writing Coach

Connor Doyle graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with degrees in English and Creative Writing. He has been the recipient of multiple awards for his writing as well as his contributions to the writing community. These include the David and Terry Atkinson Creative Writing Endowed Award from KPU and the Lush Triumphant Award for Poetry from subTerrain Magazine.

A professional writer and editor since 2014, Connor has contributed to news publications, financial websites, corporate marketing campaigns, literary magazines, and spoken word festivals, all while stoking a lifelong passion for creative expression. As a part of the KEY Education team, Connor is dedicated to sharing both his expertise of, and his love for, the written word.

Admission Guidance

Eve Newstead

Writing Coach

Eve is a writer and English language teacher from Newcastle, United Kingdom. In past roles - in arts marketing, higher education administration, and copywriting – she has strengthened her own craft as well as shared the tools for successful professional, academic, and creative writing with others. Coaching for university applications, Eve has helped students find their unique voice, write with confidence about their achievements, and express insight about their lives and the wider world. For professional writing, Eve’s students have learned how to write cover letters and resumes in a concise, businesslike manner that hits keywords and targets specific job roles. Finally, coaching fiction, Eve has shared techniques for developing character, plot, narrative arc, dialogue, and more so that her students can effectively realize their creative visions.
Eve’s fiction, non-fiction, and theatre reviews have been published in various literary magazines, journals, and news publications and she is the winner and shortlist nominee for multiple accolades including the John Younger Prize, Bridport Prize, Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize, and The Master’s Review’s Novel Contest. A knitter, sewer, painter and Etsy seller, Eve celebrates creativity in all its wonderful, myriad forms; she is dedicated to helping students put their own passions onto the page. Eve’s coaching sessions foster confidence and skills building, and she always encourages curiosity and active participation.

KEY ECE

Sharon Percival

ECE Manager

Sharon has been working in Early Years Education for over 25 years. She began her teaching career at ‘Thomas’ Kindergarten, in Chelsea, London, after graduating with honours from the St. Nicholas Montessori College in South Kensington, London.  Prior to being an Early Years Educator, she studied Theatre at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles and at the Stella Adler Conservatory in New York. She worked as an actress before leaving entertainment for a less nomadic lifestyle. After teaching in London for a year she returned to Vancouver and began working as a Montessori teacher. She also studied at Capilano University and gained her diploma in ECE.

KEY ECE

Prabha Lokuhewa

Early Childhood Educator

With over nine years of international experience in early childhood education across Sri Lanka and Canada, Prabha brings a compassionate, inclusive, and highly skilled approach to nurturing young learners. Her background spans all early age groups, including specialized support for children with autism and other developmental needs.Prabha aims to contribute her deep understanding of child development, curriculum planning expertise, and leadership experience to create personalized, engaging learning experiences. Her strengths in communication and multicultural sensitivity help her build strong relationships with families and students, while her creative interests in reading, crafts, and music add depth and joy to her teaching.

KEY ECE

Christine Chen

Early Childhood Educator

As an Early Childhood Educator at KEY, Christine brings nearly seven years of experience in tutoring and early education. She has worked with children from diverse backgrounds, helping them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Her training at Sprott Shaw College, along with years of one-on-one and small group instruction, has shaped her ability to design individualized, play-based learning programs that nurture each child’s unique strengths. 

KEY ECE

Dana Bascur

Early Childhood Educator

Dana is a passionate Early Childhood Educator originally from Ottawa, Ontario, where she grew up in a warm, close-knit family with her parents, younger siblings and beloved family dog. Proud of her Italian and Chilean heritage, she brings a rich cultural perspective to her work with children. Dana earned her Early Childhood Education diploma from Algonquin College, where she developed strong adaptability and a deep commitment to supporting children through all stages of development. With over four years of experience, she has worked in diverse childcare settings, including babysitting, Montessori schools, daycares, and school boards. Her approach emphasizes creating safe, inclusive spaces and building trusting relationships with both children and their families. Since moving to British Columbia in June 2024, Dana has embraced this exciting new chapter in her career and life. She is eager to share her knowledge, energy, and dedication with the students, families, and team at Key throughout the upcoming school year.

Advisory Board

Peter Lee

Gallant Investments | Gallant 投资

Peter Lee is a Hong Kong based investor in various sectors including technology, oil and gas, mineral extraction, and real estate developments. He previously served as principal of a Vancouver-based firm assisting numerous entrepreneurs in small to medium-sized businesses raising capital, restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions.

Advisory Board

Denis O'Brien

Chairman, Digicel Group | Digicel Group董事长

Denis O'Brien is one of Ireland's leading entrepreneurs with investments across several sectors including international telecoms, radio, media, property, aircraft leasing, golf and online recruitment.

Advisory Board

Jared Carney

Founder and CEO, Lightdale LLC | Lightdale 有限责任公司创始人兼首席执行官

Jared Carney is the founder and CEO of Lightdale LLC and Senior Advisor to the Milken Institute. As the former Chief Strategy Officer at Milken Institute, he was instrumental in increasing the Milken Institute's programmatic and revenue growth to become a preeminent financial thinktank.

Advisory Board

Albert Ip

Former Managing Director, Citigroup | 花旗集团前董事总经理

Albert Ip has 33 years experience in international banking at First National Bank of Chicago, Wells Fargo Bank, Merill Lynch and Citigroup, where he was Managing Director. He sits on the boards of various academic institutions, including the Alumni Board of Governers at Washington University in St. Louis.

Advisory Board

Simon Jameson

Director of Brand Strategy, Hutchison Whampoa International | 和记黄埔国际品牌战略总监

Simon Jameson is the Director of Brand Strategy for Hutchison Whampoa International. He is one of the UK's leading brand and consumer experts. His previous roles include chief advisor of marketing and strategy at The Times (London), the Guardian, and The Sun - the UK's best-selling newspaper.

Advisory Board

Ajmal Khan

Chairman and CEO, Verus International Group | 维勒斯国际集团董事长兼首席执行官

Ajmal Khan is the founder and president of the Verus Group of Companies and is a Global Advisor to Citigroup. At Verus Capital, Ajmal has acquired and resold over $2 billion in real estate properties, becoming the largest syndicator of properties in Canada.