Meet the fantastic team at Newbridge Academy
Stephen A. Olah
Principal
BA (SFU), PDP, MEd. (UVIC)
Mr. Olah has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration (University of Victoria) and a Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from Simon Fraser University. He has been an educator for more than 25 years, with the last 20 years being in administration. He has taught in BC, been a principal of a top 10 independent school in BC, opened up the first BC Offshore school in Northwest China and was Principal/Head of School in China, including Peking University Experimental School.
Ivy Dong
Office Administration
Bachelor Degree
Ms. Ivy has a gentle persinality and is full of love for children; she obtained two bachelor degrees in food safety and public relations management in 2006. Since then, she has been engaged in clerical work for many years and has accumulated a great work experience. For education, she has a deep understanding, this is a job that requires more respinsibility and care.
Samantha Ferguson
Kindergarten / Grade 1 Teacher
BA, Masters in Teaching
Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, History, and Sociology and a Masters of Teaching degree with the University of Toronto. She is originally from Ontario, but has lived and taught in South Korea and Thailand. Samantha has over 6 years of experience teaching students ages 3-12 years. She is overjoyed to be working as a Kindergarten Teacher at Newbridge Academy and is excited to see what this academic year holds.
Joshua Davenport
Grade 1/2 Teacher
BA, BEd, CELTA
Joshua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history, a Bachelor of Education degree, and a CELTA Certificate. He has extensive experience teaching EAL in South Korea, and spent the past two years teaching first grade in Shanghai, China.
Wanyi Wong
Grade 3/4Teacher
BA,BEd,MET
Wanyi has a Bachelor of Arts degree in New Media Designs, a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Educational Technology degree. She has many years of experience working with international high school students placed in private schools throughout BC and Ontario. She also lived and taught EFL in public schools in South Korea for 5 years.
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Carrie Li
Mandarin & Art Teacher
BA SFU / Emily Carr University
Carrie has years experience teaching Fine Arts, Mandarin and Chinese culture to young children at international schools in China. She is passionate about teaching, and enjoys working with students from multiple backgrounds. Carrie is very enthusiastic, outgoing and creative. She always brings new ideas, inspiration, and energy to her classes.
Jenny Liu
Mandarin Teacher
BA, MEd
Mrs Liu is an experienced school teacher with 25 years of teaching experience in high school. She has a passion in education and hopes to pass on her knowledge of the Chinese traditional culture from generation to generation. She strongly believes that in education, Love is the foundation as living life is education.
Cathy Huges
Ms. Hughes holds a BA with extended minors in History and Geography (UFV), and a BA in Curriculum Development (SFU). Her 35+ years as an educator includes special needs assistance, high school and elementary classroom teaching, tutoring, and department head. Mrs. Hughes has lived and taught in Japan, Egypt, and China.
George Harjani
Public Speaking
Leaders of Tomorrow
George is a leadership expert, speaker, and author. He is the founder of Leaders of Tomorrow - a proven successful leadership and public speaking program. He has earned the honour of Distinguished Toastmaster, from Toastmasters International, the organization's highest award.
Guro Oneal Mendoza
Martial Arts
Newbridge Academy is the first school in Canada offering Arnis! Punong Guro Oneal Mendoza is a 5th Dan Blackbelt, a National Sport Arnis Champion, and former Canadian Kickboxing welterweight Champion. He is the President of Sport Arnis British Columbia, the head coach and owner of The Mendoza Boxing Club and Training and goal is to have the national sport of the Philippines(Sport Arnis) become recognized in Canada, with the hopes one day for Sport Arnis to become an Official Olympic sport.
Newbridge Academy
Board Members
Karen Huang
Director
Karen has been working in cultural and media industry for years. She studied media at the Concordia University, and worked in the local Chinese media. Since 2011, she began to dedicate herself in the career of community development. As the co-founder of CVC and Director of Newbridge Academy, she believes that both Eastern and Western cultures and education are the wealth of human civilization.
Sophie Jin
Director
Sophie has been teaching English in universities for 16 years in China, and working as an education consultant after she immigrated to Canada. Sophie is an expert educational planner and a gentle educator. She knows well about education system in North America, and understands students’ needs.
Ying Liu
President
Ying is the President of Chinese Village Club and the founder of Newbridge Academy. She is a passionate educator, who has dedicated herself to contribute to the community and promote a creative education mindset. Ying is responsible for keeping the vision and developing the direction of Newbridge Academy.
Debra Swain
Director
Debra taught high school Social Studies for 28 years in Surrey School District. Debra believes deeply in the power of education to enrich and empower students’ lives and is excited about sharing her expertise with the Newbridge Academy staff and students.
Moti Bali
Director
Moti Bali was a High School Governer in Uganda. Moti is an active community builder, a true believer in multi-culturism.
Moti is one of the founding Directors of CVC Newbridge Academy Society.
Raj Rajgopal
Director
Raj Rajgopal is a long time White Rock resident and manager of the Rotary Club. He is involved in many community activities.