Senior School

Deirdre Timusk

Head of the Senior School

Before joining Havergal, Ms. Timusk held a variety of leadership roles at Upper Canada College including the Assistant Head of Operations and Strategic Projects, Director of Service and International Trips, Chair of Mathematics and Senior House Advisor. She brings extensive experience leading programs for Upper School students and faculty and a particular passion for leadership opportunities for women. Ms. Timusk’s positive attitude and ability to see both the big picture and the small details that allow students to find connections impressed the interview panel throughout the process.  

As Head of the Senior School, Ms. Timusk is responsible for promoting wellbeing practices, ensuring that each student is known and has access to the diversity of experiences in the Senior School. She oversees the co-curricular programming including the support and mentoring of student leaders and the House program. 

Ms. Timusk is keen to begin to learn about Havergal, the student body, faculty and staff who support them. During her tenure at Upper Canada College, she developed the insight that each school is unique and that culture and tradition can be successfully coupled with innovation that serves the school and the students well. 

Adam Caplan

Director, HC-X

Mr. Caplan joined the HC-X team in September 2020 with eight years of experience in the independent school sector. In addition to being an educator for students in Grades 1 to 12, he also held the position of Technology & Teaching Coach at a local all-girls independent school. He embodies the notion of the professional learner in how he pursues knowledge, what he practises and how he networks. Mr. Caplan’s learning has focused recently on future-readiness, leading to his interest in earning formal certificates in Design Thinking and User-Design. He is currently working toward a Certificate of School Management & Leadership at Harvard and a Masters of Education at OISE/UT.

Through his work as Coaching Mentor for Cohort 21 and co-founder of the CIS Ontario Coaching Collaborative, Mr. Caplan has extensive experience working with faculty to navigate complex change. He believes in building strong relationships to enact positive shifts in culture and launching school-wide initiatives. He is passionate about Integrated Arts programs and is interested in how digital wisdom serves humanity. His thoughtful curiosity and professional coaching inspire many at Havergal.

Jining Lu

Languages Teacher

Ms. Lu joins Havergal this year with over 20 years of teaching experience in China, United States and Canada. Her academic background includes a Master of Arts in Education from Beijing Language and Culture University, specializing in teaching Chinese as a second language, and a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature from Jilin University. Most recently, Ms. Lu taught Mandarin at Bronte College for 11 years; before that she taught at Tsinghua University, Eckerd College, Peak to Peak Charter School and The Bishop Strachan School.

Classroom experience and student performance can be greatly enhanced when students are motivated to learn. Ms. Lu’s classroom is interactive and activities are designed based on multiple intelligences. She believes that a teacher is not an authority of knowledge, but a facilitator who creates a supportive and positive environment. She is passionate about helping students become lifelong learners and reach their full potential.

Ms. Lu enjoys practicing Chinese calligraphy and her work has been published and exhibited in China. She believes that art and culture can build bridges of communication and connect people. In her class, Ms. Lu incorporates a variety of calligraphy practices and places language in its cultural contexts to boost student engagement and learning. 

Fiona Marshall

Director of Student Leadership, Social Sciences Teacher

Ms. Marshall arrived at Havergal this year from Upper Canada College (UCC), where she spent the last four years as Assistant Head of the Upper School, Student Affairs, focused on helping students become their best selves. Ms. Marshall transformed the culture around leadership in the Upper School and created many new inclusive leadership pathways. She feels blessed to be serving as Havergal’s Director of Student Leadership and thoroughly enjoys teaching Social Sciences to her wonderfully engaging Grade 7 students. 

Ms. Marshall is a passionate historian and coach, who believes that knowing each student is at the cornerstone of supporting them in their journeys of growth and discovery. She believes in the importance of student mentorship and agency in schools and is deeply impressed by the formal and informal student leadership she sees everyday at Havergal. Her goal at the school is to have all students embrace and deploy their many strengths in order to leave the school confident and prepared to share their voices, values and passions with others. 

With more than 20 years experience teaching and leading in independent schools, Ms. Marshall has served as Social Science Teacher and Department Head at UCC, Branksome Hall and The York School, the latter of which she was also honoured to launch Challenge Week in 2003. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s, a BEd from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Toronto. 

A parent of two active teenagers and an extremely cute dog, Ms. Marshall loves running, being in nature and volunteering in her free time.

Tom O’Donoghue

English & Drama Teacher

Mr. O’Donoghue has been teaching English, Drama and Media Studies at Havergal since 2019. During that time, he has enjoyed working with all year groups and encouraged students to look in depth at aspects of the Arts. Together with the English and Drama departments, Mr. O’Donoghue endeavours to bring literature to life, with creative approaches and lots of collaborative learning.

As well as teaching, Mr. O’Donoghue is a committed member of Ellen Knox House and loves to get involved with all the activities in which they participate, as well as other clubs and societies. Mr. O’Donoghue earned a Master of Arts in English from Emmanuel College, Cambridge and a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in English and Drama teaching from New College, Oxford.

Fatima Remtulla

Mathematics Teacher

Remtulla joins Havergal this year with 18 years of teaching experience in Mathematics at The York School and Upper Canada College. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematics and Biology from McMaster, a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Senior) from Queen’s, as well as an Honours Specialist Mathematics and a Masters of Arts, Mathematics Education from OISE. So basically, she’s got a good math head on her shoulders.

School isn’t just the building, but what happens in and around it. Remtulla has served as a House Advisor, service trip leader, basketball coach and even found time to become a certified yoga instructor. Informal roles have included mentorship of colleagues, technology support, event planning and execution. 

Remtulla definitely keeps busy in her life outside of work. You can find her cheering on the Raptors, working on her photography skills, DJing up some major tunes, listening to podcasts and audiobooks on double speed, traveling the world or searching for the best eats around the city (she has a serious French fry addiction). 

One of the key factors that brought Remtulla to Havergal is the opportunity to engage with and encourage students in their transformation to becoming strong, independent and capable individuals. 

Lulu Wang

Science Teacher

Ms. Wang joins Havergal this year with 11 years of teaching experience in the sciences at Upper Canada College. She will be joining the HC-X team as the coordinator of the Grade 9 Transdisciplinary course. She is looking forward to working collaboratively with members of the faculty to further develop student agency, curiosity and future readiness in our students. 

Outside the classroom, Ms. Wang has extensive experience coaching debate on the regional and national level. Ms. Wang believes in building an inclusive and safe environment for students to explore topics through curiosity-led investigations. She is excited to meet the Havergal teams and looks forward to case preparations and judging debate rounds.  

Ms. Wang’s love for plants has bloomed during the pandemic. Known as a plant parent or plant enthusiast, you might just find her contemplating the species of the Philodendron genus and looking for variegated plants at the BioWall!

Kasia Ulbin

Art & Design Teacher

Ms. Ulbin joined Havergal College in 2018 as an Art and Design Teacher at the Upper School, bringing with her over 10 years of experience in Experiential Learning. She has worked as an arts educator at major institutions across the GTA, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Harbourfront Centre, Lakeshore Arts and with schools across the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Prior to discovering a passion for teaching, Ms. Ulbin was a freelance artist in the film and design industry working for companies such as IMAX, Tantrum VFX and DDB Public Relations.

Ms. Ulbin believes that creative thinking and expression are integral to student growth and is passionate about preparing students to be critical thinkers. Outside of the technical competencies acquired in her visual arts, media arts and communication technology classes, Ms. Ulbin believes that creative problem solving, collaboration and communication are crucial skills that help students succeed in any subject and future discipline. Ms. Ulbin feels strongly that each student holds within them a creative spark and she thus creates a safe and inclusive classroom in order for each student to exercise this vital voice. She values working with real-world artists and exposing students to the practice of professionals by planning workshops, trips and seminars. 

In addition to her teaching role in the Art and Design Department, Ms. Ulbin is a House Advisor for Mary Dennys (Go Dragons!), The Photography Club, The Salon and has previously advised the Ludemus Yearbook club. She has also enjoyed coaching tennis, alpine skiing and joining students on a number of excursions. Ms. Ulbin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University and a Bachelor of Education, Arts Specialist and Social Science teaching qualifications from OISE.  

Ms. Ulbin is also an animal lover who is always happy to share photos of her furry babies—just ask!

Eli Javasky

Science Teacher

Mr. Javasky has been teaching science courses at Havergal since 2007. During that time, he has had the privilege of sharing with many students and colleagues the excitement that comes from trying to make sense of the scientific wonders of our world, both big and small.

Together with his colleagues, Mr. Javasky strives to create an authentic scientific learning experience for his students; one that recognizes that science is a collaborative endeavour built on creativity, knowledge, technical skill and effective interpersonal communication. As a member of the Dialogue Learning Team at Havergal, he has been able to explore classroom strategies that enable students to create a community in which they can discuss scientific concepts with their peers in an effort to build a more complete understanding for everyone.

In addition to his teaching role as a member of the Science department, Mr. Javasky is also House Advisor for Frances Ridley House (“Go Frannies!”), coaches Ultimate Frisbee and can be found playing guitar in various staff and student bands.

Mr. Javasky earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Education  in Math, Science and Technology from York University. He recently completed his Master of Business Administration at McMaster University.