Melanie Duncan

Guide (Discovery and Math Lab architect)

Melanie moved to Ottawa in 2006 to begin an Honours degree in Fine Arts. She dove headfirst into the nation’s capital “scene” - managing independent music retail outlets (yes, she still plays CDs!), interpreting at the National Gallery, and painting with a local artists’ collective. In 2014, Melanie then obtained a BEd degree certified by the Ontario College of Teachers and has since been a full-time classroom educator and part-time private tutor and skills coach. In 2018, she became certified by the International Baccalaureate as well, drawn to its inquiry-based, transdisciplinary framework. Melanie routinely earns additional qualifications which keep her engaged in emergent teaching and learning theories, most recently with a focus on Mathematics. She has a passion for imbuing the arts into education in every possible way and with the intention of helping students enjoy math as a creative and ubiquitous subject.

No matter the age or ability, Melanie will focus on building trust and making space for Rebels’ thinking and doing, guided by the belief that our mistakes are magical and from them the deepest understandings spring! She loves emerald green, Sour Cream and Bacon potato chips, elephants, lavender, a good pun, hazelnut lattés, long forest walks and the warrior yoga poses.

Jenna Smith

Guide (Discovery and Reader/Writer GuRU)

Jenna is an OCT certified Elementary Teacher originally from Hamilton, Ontario. Jenna moved to Ottawa in 2015 after she completed her Master's in Education Degree through OISE at the University of Toronto. Jenna has taught at the elementary and junior intermediate levels (ages 5-14) for over 8 years in both the private and public sectors in Ontario, as well as overseas in Seoul, South Korea. Over the past five years in Ottawa, she has acquired training in various programs, from Barton and Orton-Gilingham Reading Programs, Visual and Performance Art, the Zones of Regulation curriculum, various Coaching techniques and Design Thinking. Jenna's deepest educational passion is creating enrichment programs that focus on linking children's interests to real-world topics and current events that offer unique and critically challenging learning experiences for all. 

Jenna loves to travel, practice yoga, spin, reading, cooking and loves spending time with her family and friends. She looks to her favourite B's for inspiration: Brene Brown and Beyonce. Jenna is always eager to learn anything new and loves a challenge - a mindset she aspires to always encourage in Revel's Rebels!  

Megan Nolan

spark guide

Megan grew up in a small Ontario town, and after high school graduation, took time to travel and explore the world. She has been working with children for many years in a variety of settings and holds a Bachelors Degree in Children’s Studies and has her AMI Montessori diploma. Megan has a husband and two young daughters and loves spending time outdoors with her family. As an educator, she strives to foster curiosity and a love of learning for each student. Her natural warmth and experience are incredible assets to the Spark Studio and our Revel community!

Kaitlin Compeau

spark guide

Kaitlin grew up in Kingston, Ontario and moved to Ottawa to further her education. To kick off her journey, she graduated from Algonquin College in the Early Childhood Education program. Due to her experience travelling abroad to volunteer at a private international school in Prague, Kaitlin decided to continue her education at the University of Guelph, receiving her BA in Early Childhood. She has continued seeking additional qualifications and embodies the lifelong learner's lifestyle. Kaitlin is very passionate about being a role model for our Rebels. She strives to ensure that each learner has a wonderful school experience and feels comfortable being their unique self within our community.

Kaitlin enjoys playing sports, going to spin class, travelling, camping, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. She loves to start her days off with high-intensity movement with a side of espresso. Kaitlin is an energetic being who exudes positive energy and brings out the best in others. Her ability to build strong relationships with her learners has made her an incredible addition to our team.

Marianne Gingras

French Guide

Marianne (she/her/elle) is originally from Ottawa but her first language is French. She has a major in French Literature and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University. Marianne has taught arts, robotics, and woodworking in French and English and believes that the best way to improve your French conversational skills is through authentic action! Oh, and did we mention that she also makes props and sets for the theater in her Little Italy art studio?!

Marianne has also been the manager of the children's section of a bookstore, so she is very in tune with finding the right French book for the right reader. As a summer camp counsellor, she knows that songs are an incredible way to learn and practice French. Marianne loves the colour lilac, ketchup chips, drawing, and going to the theatre.

Laura Sandefer

ADVISoR

Laura lived on both US coasts and in between as a child, then settled into Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science. After being awarded the highly competitive Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd’s of London, Laura worked in the aviation insurance industry in New York City.

Deciding to follow her calling into the world of education, Laura returned to Nashville and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. This led her to her work at the Oklahoma Arts Institute, creating fine arts education programs for teachers and talented high school students.
 
Laura married Jeff Sandefer and is the happy mother of Sam and Charlie and step-mother to Taite. It is the inspiration of these children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy. Her greatest hero is her mother who was a Master Teacher. Her wisest mentor is her father who sent her off to college with two words of advice: “Be curious”.

Jeff Sandefer

ADVISoR

Jeff Sandefer lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and a Socratic Guide.  As an entrepreneur, he founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses. As a Socratic teacher at the University of Texas, Jeff’s students five times voted him the school’s Outstanding Teacher and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America. Jeff went on to co-found the Acton School of Business, an MBA program perennially ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012 The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world.

Jeff is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he served for over twenty years on the school’s governing committees. He was a longtime director of the Philanthropy Roundtable and National Review magazine and one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame.