June 24, 2025
Retirements
We would like to acknowledge three longstanding teaching staff leaving UTS this year. Sandra DellaMaestra is retiring after 33 years at UTS. Paul Harkison is retiring this year after 30 years and Maureen McCarthy will retire at the end of December 2025 after 21 years.
Leaves
Josh Fullan and Gowsiga Thirunavukkarasu will both be on leave next year.
Farewells
We appreciate the contributions of Deirdre Casey, Oliver Cusimano, and Tyler Beatty over the past year and wish them all the best as they move on to new opportunities.
Welcomes
We are delighted to welcome the following educators to the UTS community, beginning August 26, 2025.
Bargaining Unit (BU)
Dr. Joshua Curk joins UTS as a BU teacher. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Oxford University and has spent the past nine years teaching, moderating, and coaching at Villanova College.
Josh describes his teaching style as intensely Socratic, embracing complexity and spirited debate. He has supervised international trips, founded a Chess Club and a Model UN team, coached multiple sports and coordinated major school events including annual Remembrance Day and Black History Month assemblies. Josh has also led a student trip to a farm that shelters Ojibwe Spirit Horses, where students engaged with an Indigenous knowledge keeper in conversation about Truth and Reconciliation.
Allison Dickson
Allison Dickson also joins UTS as a BU teacher and will take on the Position of Responsibility (PoR) of Debate Program Director. She holds an Honours Specialist in History and currently teaches at Lauremont School (formerly TMS/Toronto Montessori School), a CAIS-accredited institution.
An experienced IB educator, Allison integrates technology and inquiry-based approaches in her teaching to foster critical thinking and analytical skills. Her work with debate competitions has already connected her to UTS students and staff, paving the way for a seamless transition. She has also served as a Mock Trial coach and led Basketball and Ultimate Frisbee teams to medal-winning seasons.
Josh and Allison will be stepping into roles previously held by long-standing members of the Canadian and World Studies (CWS) Department.
Natalie Webber joins UTS as an M3-S6 guidance counsellor within the Student Services Department. Currently Assistant Curriculum Leader of Guidance and Student Success at Etobicoke School of the Arts, Natalie brings extensive experience in student well-being, academic and career counselling, and post-secondary planning.
Her career began in the classroom, teaching senior science and biology with the Toronto District School Board for 14 years before transitioning into guidance. At ESA, Natalie has helped students secure placements at top universities, including Harvard, NYU, and Parsons School of Design, as well as international institutions such as University of the Arts London and ArtEZ University of the Arts in the Netherlands. Her deep knowledge and compassionate approach will be a great fit for our team.
Owain Jones joins UTS as a BU teacher in the Mathematics/Computer Science Department and will take on the Position of Responsibility (PoR) of VEX Robotics Program Director. Currently the Head of Computer and Technological Studies at St. Clement’s School, Owain brings a wealth of experience in curriculum leadership, co-curricular programming, and educational technology. He has completed the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy certification for instructors and is a qualified VEX Event Partner. Owain’s extensive experience with VEX Robotics, both as a coach and mentor, will be a great asset to the UTS community as he leads this innovative program.
Returning in a permanent capacity
Conrad Kesek (HPE/CWS)
Asmae Khalla (Languages/CWS/AT)
Nkechinyem Oduh (English)
Rita Mehta (Mathematics)
Returning in 2025-2026
Thomas Nachshen
Jadyn Yong
Alia Toor
Welcome Back
Adria Lee is returning to UTS to teach in the CWS Department. Adria taught Geography, Careers and Civics at UTS in 2022. Most recently, she taught at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School. Adria will be covering Gowsi’s upcoming leave of absence.
Positions of Responsibility and Program Support
We are pleased to announce the following appointments for Department Coordinators and Program Coordinators, Program Directors and Program Support positions effective September 2025:
Department Coordinators
Marisca Vandercamp is appointed Department Coordinator for Science, for a 3-year term.
James Campbell is appointed Department Coordinator for English, on an interim basis for 1-year.
Continuing Program Directors:
Adnan Zuberi is appointed Director of AI Integration.
Incoming teacher Owain Jones is appointed as Robotics Program Director.
Incoming teacher Allison Dickson is appointed as Debate Program Director.
Program Coordinators/Program Support (3-year terms):
Nkechenyim Oduh is appointed Public Speaking Program Coordinator.
Bryan Balkisoon is appointed Chem Lab Coordinator.
Liz Straszynski is appointed Biology and Junior Science Lab Coordinator.
Please join us in congratulating Marisca, James, Adnan, Nkechenyim, Bryan and Liz on their appointment and welcoming Owain and Allison to UTS.
