Middle School

JJ Patterson

Head of Middle School

Mrs. Patterson joined the Havergal community in September 2011 as the Head of Health and Physical Education department, became the Head of Middle School in 2013 and has enjoyed a teaching career spanning 25 years at both public and independent schools in Toronto. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at Florida International University and a Master of Science in Teacher Education and Physical Education at West Virginia University. While at FIU, she earned a full athletic scholarship and played on their NCAA Division I soccer team. 

Mrs. Patterson truly loves being a student and throughout her career in education has consistently engaged in professional development. She earned her Principal Qualification Part 1 and 2 through the Ontario Principals’ Council, the Leadership Institute Diploma through Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) and the New and Aspiring Leader Certification through Harvard University. She’s also earned many additional qualification courses such as Guidance Part 1 and 2, Junior Education, Intermediate Math, Intermediate Science and an Honours Specialist in Health and Physical Education.

After initially beginning her career at the high school level in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), it was her move to the independent school system in 2001 when she discovered her love of Middle School education. She is passionate about the importance of the Middle School years and loves the change and growth that students at this age experience in their academic abilities and personal maturity. 

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Patterson has enjoyed coaching soccer and volleyball at Havergal and is the mother of two daughters. One who graduated from Havergal in 2021 and another who will be a member of the Class of 2023.

Megan Clark

Mathematics Teacher

Ms. Clark joined the Upper School Mathematics Department in September 2020. Previously the Curriculum Leader of Mathematics and Computer Science at Greenwood College, she brings proven leadership experience and a broad background, having taught Mathematics courses from Grades 7 through to 12. 

Ms. Clark has extensive experience in curriculum planning and implementation of new approaches to teaching. Developing and innovating her own practice, along those of her colleagues, has led her to explore problem-based learning and asynchronous, blended and co-teaching strategies in her classes.

She has demonstrated her passion for research in the domain of math anxiety in girls (which she explored as part of her Masters of Teaching from OISE) and for sharing her learning with her peers through presentations at various conferences (including ISOMA).    

Meghan Donnelly

Mathematics Teacher

Ms. Donnelly is joining Havergal after having most recently taught Mathematics and Computer Science at St. Clement’s School. She has previously taught at Country Day School in King City, Moor House School & College in Surrey, UK, where she also served as Mathematics Coordinator, as well as at Hundred of Hoo Academy in Rochester, UK. She has extensive experience supporting learners with differing abilities and exceptionalities, leverages technology to help students visualize connections between mathematical concepts, and has recently presented her findings at the OAME.

Ms. Donnelly completed her Bachelor of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, her teaching degree at Queen’s University and is qualified in both Mathematics and Computer Science. She is excited to join the Havergal Math team and to continue exploring open-ended and project-based assessments to broaden evaluation in mathematics.

Christine Foster

Health & Physical Education Teacher

Ms. Foster joined the Havergal community in 2020 as a Health & Physical Education (HPE) teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Teaching degree from OISE. Her professional development has included seminars and workshops for coaching, impactful teaching and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), along with additional qualification courses in Special Education. 

Throughout her studies, Ms. Foster completed research where she looked at why students stop taking HPE after their Grade 9 requirement, as well as action research on student motivation and creating positive environments in girls HPE. With her passion and commitment to learning, Ms. Foster strives to aid students in creating and maintaining a positive relationship with health and physical activity and hopes to inspire them to be active for life.

Ms. Foster also enjoys supporting students outside of the classroom whether it is coaching a team or cheering students on from the sideline. She has a wide variety of coaching experiences including soccer, volleyball and rugby. When not at school, Ms. Foster can be found on a soccer field either playing or coaching her U21 women’s soccer team.

Erika Friesen

French Teacher

Since joining the Languages Department at Havergal in September 2000, Dr. Friesen has taught French to both Middle and Senior School students, with the goal of helping the greatest number of students acquire French they can use. At all levels, this means giving students tools to express themselves and engage with the world around them. Although the nature of the tools has changed over the years, from vocabulary lists, verb charts and flashcards to modeled mini-conversations and popcorn exchanges, the goal remains for students to gain skills and confidence to interact with people in their language.

Dr. Friesen brings a wealth of knowledge to Havergal, including a BA from the University of Winnipeg in French and Music and a PDP from SFU in French and Music Education. She then furthered her education with an MA from UBC in French, and then went on to complete a PhD in Medieval French at the University of Toronto.

In Dr. Friesen’s continuing quest to find the best tools for all her students, she engages with colleagues and the school community in many ways. In the past, she chaired the Languages Department for nine years, held the Havergal Chair for Teaching and Learning, participated in a variety committee work and learning teams and pursued professional enrichment locally, nationally and internationally. 

As a child immigrant, Dr. Friesen grew up speaking multiple languages with her family and community. She values real-world language practice and has planned and chaperoned experiential learning for students within Canada and to Europe.

Most importantly, Dr. Friesen believes that learning a language is also learning culture, which lays the groundwork for deeper understanding and connection with those we meet from other contexts. And that is the ultimate goal of language learning: improving the quality of our interconnectedness as humans.

Jennifer Pollack

English & Drama Teacher

Ms. Pollack has taught English to students from Grades 7 through 10 at Havergal for the past 16 years. After earning her undergraduate degree at McGill University, she worked at a post-production company in Toronto and then enjoyed a number of years travelling and teaching English as a second language. It was during her travels that she fell in love with teaching, and upon her return to Canada, she earned her Masters of Education and pursued her full time career in teaching.

In her years at Havergal, Ms. Pollack has been involved in a number of capacities at the school such as coaching field hockey, supervising the Grenoble Community Partnership, extending her understanding of how girls learn through the Girls & Learning team, developing school-wide initiatives as a member of the Effective Communication Strategic Planning Committee, singing in the Staff Choir and leading as the Margaret Taylor House Advisor. Her professional growth planning focuses on creating ravenous readers of her students using strategies inspired from Penny Kittle and the New Group Reading test to evaluate reading progress over the middle school years. Currently, she is very much enjoying her new position as a Grade 8 Form Teacher.

Outside of school, she appreciates her time to read (of course), swim, kayak, paddle board, downhill ski, practise yoga and walk her dog. She is a passionate member of her book club, formed with university friends more than 20 years ago. Most of all, she cherishes time with her partner and two daughters.

Kyle Rourke

Mathematics Teacher

Mr. Rourke joined Havergal College as a mathematics teacher in 2020. Originally from Vancouver, he moved to Ontario to attend the University of Western Ontario, earning a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Mathematics and Psychology. Following his passion for travel and education, Mr. Rourke completed his Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Wollongong, Australia. Mr. Rourke brings 10 years of teaching experience to Havergal, including international positions in South Korea, Australia and Oman. 

Mr. Rourke likes to incorporate inquiry and problem-based experiential learning strategies into his teaching to show his students the importance of mathematical fluency in their daily lives. His teaching also goes beyond mathematics as he helps guide Middle School students to become respectful, valued and informed members of their communities.

When he’s not in the classroom, Mr. Rourke can be found in the kitchen or on the golf course. He’s also looking forward to expanding his role and helping foster new passions within the Havergal community by supporting students and families in co-curricular activities and sport.

Carrie Steele

Middle School Guidance & Learning Support Specialist

Since arriving at Havergal College in 2012, Ms. Steele has held a number of positions and has worked in the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools. She began her Havergal career as the first Learning Support Specialist, where she was fortunate to work with teachers and students across the grades and to support students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. In her current position as Middle School Guidance Counselor and Learning Support Specialist, Ms. Steele works to build connections and to inspire and engage students through the development of self-awareness and advocacy skills and by helping them to recognize and acknowledge their strengths and needs. She also works to develop programming focused on assisting students to manage their own learning and to acquire the habits and skills necessary for success both inside and outside of school.

Throughout her extensive career at various private and independent schools, Ms. Steele has taken on the challenge of providing leadership and support in instituting and facilitating strategies and approaches to meet the diverse needs of all students. Ms. Steele partners with teachers and students on a regular basis to determine the best way to implement teaching and learning objectives and to provide balanced opportunities. Differentiation has always been at the core of her instructional practice. It is her belief that targeting individual student’s needs and providing the tools and resources required to achieve success will ultimately yield greater academic achievement within an inclusive classroom environment.

Ms. Steele’s commitment to education has led to her involvement in all aspects of school life. As a lifelong learner, with a passion for cycling and the arts, Ms. Steele works diligently to make a meaningful contribution to the school through her participation in extracurricular activities including the Study Buddies Mentor program, the Middle School play, and as an advisor for various clubs and special events. Her outside activities involve her participation in the Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Barrie 2 Baycrest rides, as well as her active involvement in a community-based theatre group.

Ms. Steele’s educational background includes an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Bachelor of Education from York University as well as additional specialist qualifications in both Guidance and Special Education. Her post-graduate studies include a Master of Education degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, with an interdisciplinary focus on Adaptive Instruction and Special Education.

Nadia Valani

Languages & English Teacher

Ms. Valani has been a part of the Havergal Community since 2020 as a French and English teacher. She enjoys sharing her love of learning languages with her students and bringing cultural elements into her classroom via modern teaching techniques. Before teaching at Havergal, Ms. Valani had the opportunity to teach in Quebec, British Columbia, France and Sweden. She strives to create a sense of wonder about the various communities that exist around the world, their different perspectives and their cultures in her classroom.

Ms. Valani completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature and French from the University of Waterloo and her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of British Columbia with International Baccalaureate (IB) Certification. Throughout her career she has focused on professional development in Understanding Traditional Teachings, Histories, Current Issues and Cultures in regards to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. Ms. Valani has completed additional qualification courses with Queen’s University on this subject in addition to her Honours Specialist in English. 

Outside the classroom Ms. Valani likes to listen to music from around the world, especially in French. She also likes trying new recipes in the kitchen, attending hot yoga classes and swimming at the Havergal pool.