Meet Our Team

With a Master’s degree in Social Work, Elisabeth is an excellent listener and communicator keenly interested in fostering health, well being and growth of individuals and communities wherever she goes, Her association with the school extends back nearly 10 years when she began as a parent and volunteer. Since then she has held many leadership roles within the school and in several non-profit organizations. She has served on the Shambhala School society Board including a term as the Baord Chair from 2019-2020. Elisabeth is deeply familiar with all levels of our organization and will be able to carry our school forward in this interim period.

Advanced Diploma in Event Management, NSCC and Co-founder of events company, Loop In Events

Michelle is the chair of  the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, continuing to ensure that we meet or exceed Public Health directives during the ongoing pandemic. Michelle also supports the Executive Director with her administrative and leadership skills acquired through her experience from a previous role at Shambhala School–Associate Director of Community Enrichment. She has a certificate in Heart and Mind Conflict Transformation, and is a meditation instructor. Michelle also owns her own event company, Loop In Events.

Both of Michelle’s children attend the Shambhala School, and her husband is an allumni. She loves the way that the school fosters and encourages creativity and critical thinking skills in it’s students.

BA Religious Studies, Certified Mindfulness Instructor for 20 years, teacher at Shambhala since 2004. Author “Teaching With Bravery: Meditation and Heart Advice for Teachers.”

Learning in its fullest sense is a process of connection between teachers and students. It combines nurturing the heart and the intellect, as well as serious purpose and a sense of play. It’s a wonderful and mutual experience.
For me, Shambhala School is a place to help build a model for education infused with the philosophy of natural goodness. It’s deeply inspiring to see young people learn to trust themselves and relax into who they are. Small classes, mindfulness practices, and the whole school culture allow this to happen. The teachers spend a ton of time contemplating each student and how to support them.

I have two children at Shambhala School. I like tea, books, cookies, and tigers.

B.A. English and History, B. Ed., teaching for 16 years in both independent and public schools.

I get to spend my days with wonderful people. I like to present curriculum in a variety of ways to present each student with the opportunity to shine. I strongly support the pillars on which the school is built. I hope the work I do here helps foster kind and strong individuals who are stewards of the natural world.

I have one daughter who is a criminal defense lawyer working with a mainly indigenous population in Northern Manitoba. My husband is a fabulous cook and the kindest person I know.

Managed both nonprofit and for-profit businesses.

One of the things I have always loved about Shambhala is the continuity. The flow from grades PP to 12 is very well thought out. Shambhala offers a learning experience very different from other schools that I support whole-heartedly.

My two sons are Shambhala Grads; Trey attended from Grade 2-12 and John attended from Primary-12.

MA in Early Childhood Studies (Ryerson University) and BA in Child and Youth Studies (Mount St. Vincent University).

I began my career in early childhood education at the Shambhala school in 2008, as a Pre-Primary assistant teacher. I moved on to work in a variety of other roles, including family resource, early childhood research, and teaching post-secondary ECE students. I recently moved back to Halifax from Toronto and I am thrilled to be back at the Shambhala School Pre-Primary classroom, where a lot of magic takes place every day.

I have two children aged five and two. There isn’t much spare time these days, but if I had some you might find me reading, running, biking or baking.

Early Childhood Education at Nova Scotia Teachers College.

Working with young children is one of the most rewarding, fulfilling experiences. Fostering and encouraging children’s minds through daily activities brings me joy. I love Shambhala for its sense of community throughout the whole school from pre-primary to grade 12.

Our daughter has been at Shambhala starting in pre-primary and is now in grade 11. My hobbies include running, biking, and being with my family.

Queen’s University (History) degree, Ontario College of Art and Design (Visual Art), Early Childhood education, currently studying Waldorf education.

I believe in creating a nurturing and supportive environment to foster children’s exploration of their world. Teachers at Shambhala School see and nurture the unique qualities in each child and help them to incorporate these qualities into a social group. The combination of seeing both forest AND trees encourages social and emotional growth and resilience.

My 2 children have been at Shambhala school since pre-primary. I love reading, drawing, and painting.

BA Music Therapy, Enki Contemplative Teacher Training Program, Founding teacher Elementary school, Certified Mindfulness Instructor.

I love educating children to become well-rounded adults, intelligent with their minds and hearts. Keeping open capacities by learning through the arts is something I believe we do really well! I love making sure children have time to play outside and have opportunities to experience wilderness.

I have two adult children, both of whom attended Shambhala School, and one grandchild. I sing in the Kings Chorus and enjoy hiking and kayaking.

BA at Trent University, Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training at the Rudolf Steiner Center of Toronto.

I teach from a place of trust in the journey of each child. I love how as I get to know each child, they teach me what they need and how to meet that need. I strive to create opportunities for children to develop their capacities of imagination, compassion, emotional awareness, and physical development.

I find the parents and faculty at the Shambhala school to be very
supportive and I enjoy the community that we all build together. I love watching the children grow up as they move on through the grades.

I grew up in Nova Scotia and attended the Shambhala school myself from grades 5-9. I have a daily meditation practice, connect very deeply with the natural world, engage in water protection and indigenous solidarity work in my free time, and love to dance.

Amanda is one of our Primary teachers and also frequently leads yoga with the Pre-Primary class and substitutes in other elementary grades.

Currently training with the Rudolf Steiner Centre of Toronto in Professional Development for Waldorf Early Childhood Teachers, having completed the Foundations Studies program. 2015 graduate of the East Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy – Early Years Program. Certified Children’s Yoga teacher.

I have a deep passion and respect for the magic of early childhood. A secure and healthy foundation is the key to a child flourishing through the rest of their educational journey. Being able to be a part of nurturing the younger members of the school community is a joy and an honour.

Shambhala School is truly a school like no other. Our unique offering of a play-based curriculum in the early years is what I truly believe to be the best support to the young child. Our school nurtures the child’s whole being. I deeply value the emphasis on time in nature, and the support of social and emotional aspects of growth.

I have been a parent and volunteer at the Shambhala School since 2011, when my oldest daughter started grade 7 at the school. My family chose Shambhala School in the hopes of finding a warm, supporting middle school experience for our daughters, and proceeded to fall deeply in love with all the school had to offer. My two oldest daughters went through their middle and high school years at Shambhala School, and I currently have two children in elementary grades at the school.

B.Ed Primary/Elementary specialization, B.A. Psychology and English.

I am continously inspired by young minds and consider it a privilege to help children recognize all that they are capable of achieving. I like to make learning fun and developmentally appropriate for my students – this involves including movement, play and social-emotional learning opportunities. I am grateful to be a part of a school community that places value on the uniqueness of every child and encourages a holistic approach to learning.

I am originally from Prince Edward Island. I enjoy playing games, making crafts and spending time with my loved ones.

B.A. English and History, B. Ed., teaching for 16 years in both independent and public schools.

I get to spend my days with wonderful people. I like to present curriculum in a variety of ways to present each student with the opportunity to shine. I strongly support the pillars on which the school is built. I hope the work I do here helps foster kind and strong individuals who are stewards of the natural world.

I have one daughter who is a criminal defense lawyer working with a mainly indigenous population in Northern Manitoba. My husband is a fabulous cook and the kindest person I know.

B.F.A. NSCAD University, Major in Photography and Art History and B. Ed. MSVU, Visual Arts and Social Studies

I attended Shambhala School for twelve years. I am deeply familiar with the Shambhala School experience as a student and I am honoured to come back as a teacher. Shambhala School encourages students to be fierce, compassionate, and inquisitive. I am excited to work with youth and foster their individual strength.

My interests include painting, crafting, playing, and spending time with my family.

Visual Arts, Lakehead University. B.Ed, Acadia University

I studied visual arts at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After graduating I travelled, tree planted and worked on farms. My travels eventually led me to work as an English Instructor in Korea. It was a wonderful experience with delicious food and I found my love for teaching there. When I arrived back in Canada I knew I wanted to continue working in education and pursued by education at teacher’s college program at Acadia. I am now entering into my sixth year of teaching, with experience in both public and independent schools. I love that the Shambhala School can allow their talented teachers to be creative in their practice, offering a dynamic and unique learning experience.

I have a big beautiful dog named Ti’loup who shares my love of swimming, I also love to cook and have an extensive cookbook collection. My partner is a talented musician and brings out my musical side.

B.A. English and Medieval Studies, Wilfred Laurier University, and M.A. Child Study and Education, Erick Jackman Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto

I am a native French speaker and have lived, attended school and worked in French my entire life, here in Canada as well as in Poitiers, France. I am fascinated with the human experience and I am a lifelong learner. I moved to Halifax in August 2019 from Toronto and worked primarily at Halifax Grammar School and Armbrae Academy. In my first year as a substitute teacher and teaching assistant, and most recently as a grade 3, 5, and 8 French teacher at HGS. I am excited to be joining the Shambhala School team, whose values and commitment to equity are so closely aligned with my own.

I love history, literature, creative writing, historic homes, cooking, and spending time in the natural world. I live on a lake in Dartmouth with my partner and our two dogs, Ruby and Chevy.

B.Kin and B.Ed, Acadia University

I am a Physical Education specialist with a passion for well-being, nature and bringing back quality play through purposeful movement. I completed both my degrees here in Nova Scotia at Acadia University and began my career teaching Physical Education and Outdoor Education in Saskatoon followed by a year in New Brunswick. I am thrilled at the opportunity to bring what I’ve experienced back to Nova Scotia. In my learning space, I strive to create an openness and opportunities for students to confidently express themselves as movers. I’m looking forward to being a part of the Shambhala Suns community!

I spend a lot of my time completely immersed in nature searching for waterfalls, hiking, rock climbing, tree climbing or enjoying my garden.

Jazz voice & piano, Mohawk College. Taught Basic Keyboard and first-year Jazz Harmony.

I have been a touring musician since age 15 and have performed all over the world. I am lead vocalist, piano, mandolin and 12 string guitar player for the band Signal Hill., as well as a drummer, and a songwriter and big band arranger with several top 10 east coast countdown singles as a solo artist.

I enjoy hiking, swimming, kayaking and biking and snowmobiling with my two children, both Shambhala students. On vacation, I enjoy taking part of the Via Rail Artist on Board program to travel and perform across the country by train.

BFA Ceramics. 24 years of teaching experience; 21 at the Shambhala School.

I love the students. I approach each student as an artist and encourage them to trust themselves, open to the materials they are using and be creative. I love the school. Both of my sons attended grades 7-12 and graduated from here. All of our graduates are leaders when they walk out of our doors after graduation, with great confidence to follow their interests and passions. I like being an influence on their development and in their lives.

I am a studio potter and a long-time student of Chado (Japanese Tea Ceremony). I have 2 sons and a wonderful husband who is a professional photographer.

B.Sc in Biology, M.Sc in Biology, Dalhousie University. Teaching experience includes introductory biology labs, diversity of life, developmental biology, economic botany, and leadership in science. Conducted campus-wide workshops on pedagogy, including topics of educational leadership, and the importance of ethnic and gender diversity in the classroom at Dalhousie’s Centre for Learning and Teaching, After having served as a judge for the Halifax Sci-Tech Expo and the Canada Wide Science Fair, I am delighted to have begun establishing our Science Fair program here at Shambhala!

Shambhala is a school of embracement, compassion, exploration, and a wholesome appreciation for one’s self, those around us, and the universe in which we share. It is a place where I can contribute my love of knowledge and mentorship with our generations of the future, to embolden their individualities, to play an everlasting part in their limitless potential.

I really enjoy traveling and being immersed in other cultures. I have worked on nature conservation projects in Costa Rica and South Africa and studied Baroque culture in the Czech Republic. I love the performing arts. I’ve been in many musical productions, dinner theatres, and sing in a quartet. In my spare time, I enjoy reef keeping and playing musical instruments.

BA English Literature, BEd Secondary English and Social Studies. I have taught in Hong Kong and for the Province of Nova Scotia, and was Director of Big Cove YMCA Camp for 8 years.

Loved and nurtured youth will not only be successful and emotionally prepared for life, but will lead in their own way, loving and nurturing the world. This school encourages students to awaken, be mindful and enjoy each moment. The love of learning and school community are top priorities here.

I have two sons who are students at Shambhala School. I love going camping, canoeing, biking and everything outdoors! When I have quiet time I enjoy writing, reading and listening to my vinyl records.

As a fairly new teacher, I am fortunate to have a diverse background of teaching experience, having taught in China, Calgary, and Halifax.  In China, I taught ESL to students from grades 6-9 focusing on conversational english and speaking skills.  When I moved back to Canada, I took on the Calgary public school system teaching grade 7 math, science, history, and English to a group of students with diverse learning challenges and strengths.  I substituted in the Halifax public system before joining the Shambhala School team. One of my goals as a teacher is to instill compassion in the world around us, and give students opportunities to think critically, explore their curiosities, and embrace challenges with an open mind.  Learning should never be just about learning facts and memorizing information.  Youth, and adults for that matter, need to have chances to explore ideas and topics beyond the pages of worksheets and the screens of computers.  In my classroom, we try to achieve this through outdoor activities, experimentation and lab work, class discussions, documentaries, and whatever other ways I can think of or borrow from other teachers. I began teaching at Shambhala School because it seemed like the perfect fit for a teacher looking to join a community that is compassionate, caring and open-minded, which for me is the basis of being able to be happy in the classroom. I’m Nova Scotian, born and raised in the Annapolis Valley. I am a hopeful photographer, with publications in Canadian Geographic and other print media.

BA Religious Studies, Certified Mindfulness Instructor for 20 years, teacher at Shambhala since 2004. Author “Teaching With Bravery: Meditation and Heart Advice for Teachers.”

Learning in its fullest sense is a process of connection between teachers and students. It combines nurturing the heart and the intellect, as well as serious purpose and a sense of play. It’s a wonderful and mutual experience.
For me, Shambhala School is a place to help build a model for education infused with the philosophy of natural goodness. It’s deeply inspiring to see young people learn to trust themselves and relax into who they are. Small classes, mindfulness practices, and the whole school culture allow this to happen. The teachers spend a ton of time contemplating each student and how to support them.

I have two children at school. I like tea, books, cookies, and tigers.

Masters in Teaching, Griffith University. Developed multiple sailing programs dedicated to the development of leadership, confidence, and self-reliance in youth aged 12-18. Established the first independent high-school aboard a Canadian-registered tall ship.

I love identifying and nurturing the potential of young people while playing a role in helping them become the best versions of themselves. On a daily basis, I enjoy making their learning experience challenging, yet joyful. I want each and every student to feel safe and welcome in class and I want them to look forward to coming to school each day. The Shambhala School is a place of warmth, caring, and acceptance. Our students understand that, live, and practice it. I love Shambhala because at every staff meeting I can see how much teachers care about the students, how much time and thought they invest in providing exceptional learning experiences for each individual student.

I have two boys, age 7 and 18 months. We snowboard every weekend in the winter and this summer we look forward to sailing in the warmer months. I also enjoy writing, woodworking and making art.

B.Ed. with a focus in Mathematics and Science and a B.Sc Mathematics major, Biology Minor, Mount St. Vincent University.

My work experience prior to teaching was based in customer service and volunteering with children and youth programs here in Nova Scotia and back home in the Bahamas. I’ve found it easy to transfer the skills I’ve perfected in the customer service industry over to teaching. I look at each student as a client with certain requirements and needs and it is my duty to fulfill. I try my best to understand my students and find different ways I can help them so we’re all happy at the end of the day.

My outlook on teaching and life in general, is that something is better than nothing. I teach my students that daily small steps towards their goals will allow them to attain their ultimate goal.

As I continue my journey at the Shambhala School I appreciate their outlook on education. Here, we don’t just focus on the academics, but also focus on the emotional, physical and mental well being of our students. Being at an institution that focuses on teaching the whole student makes my heart smile.

B.A. English and Medieval Studies, Wilfred Laurier University, and M.A. Child Study and Education, Erick Jackman Institute of child Study, University of Toronto

I am a native French speaker and have lived, attended school and working in French my entire life, here in Canada as well as in Poitiers, France. I am fascinated with the human experience and I am a lifelong learner. I moved to Halifax in August 2019 from Toronto and worked primarily at Halifax Grammar School and Armbrae Academy. In my first year as a substitute teacher and teaching assistant, and most recently as a Grade 3, 5, and 8 French teacher at HGS. I am excited to be joining the Shambhala School team, whose values and commitment to equity are so closely aligned with my own.

I love history, literature, creative writing, historic homes, cooking and spending time in the natural world. I live on a lake in Dartmouth with my partner and our two dogs, Ruby and Chevy.

B. Kin and B. ED, Acadia University

I am a Physical Education specialist with a passion for well-being, nature and bringing back quality play through purposeful movement. I completed both of my degrees here in Nova Scotia at Acadia University. I began my career teaching Physical Education and Outdoor Education in Saskatoon, followed by a year in New Brunswick. I am thrilled at the opportunity to bring what I’ve experienced back to Nova Scotia. In my learning space I strive to create an openness and opportunities for students to confidently express themselves as movers. I’m looking forward to being a part of the Shambhala Suns community!

I spend a lot of my time copmpletely immersed in nature searching for waterfalls, hiking, rock climbing, tree climbing or enjoying my garden. .

Jazz voice & piano, Mohawk College. Taught Basic Keyboard and first-year Jazz Harmony.

I have been a touring musician since age 15 and have performed all over the world. I am lead vocalist, piano, mandolin and 12 string guitar player for the band Signal Hill., as well as a drummer, and a songwriter and big band arranger with several top 10 east coast countdown singles as a solo artist.

I enjoy hiking, swimming, kayaking and biking and snowmobiling with my two children, both Shambhala students. On vacation, I enjoy taking part of the Via Rail Artist on Board program to travel and perform across the country by train.

Professional Artist – Social Sculptor, Educator, Certified Mindfulness Instructor, Facilitator and Community Maker for 25 years plus.

I love working with youth as they are perpetually blossoming, radiating with an openness and eagerness to see, understand, and embrace the world around them. I feel very fortunate to teach at Shambhala as its philosophy and practices are based on the true essence of open mind and kind heart, parallel to my own personal values.

I have a son and a daughter who give me lots of experience thinking outside the box, an awesome doggie Jojo and two silly kitties. I live between Halifax and rural N.S. where I work endless hours in my studio and on the land, and where I run a collective gallery, The Swan, in Lunenburg.