At Discovery Academy, our teachers aren’t just instructors—they’re mentors who know every student by name and invest in each one’s growth. With backgrounds spanning multiple countries, disciplines, and decades of experience, our team brings both depth and heart to the classroom.
The Discovery Academy teachers are a carefully selected group of people who are dedicated to igniting a passion for learning in their students. Extremely talented, hard-working and committed, our team meet the highest standards of their profession. We provide them with the best resources, facilities and opportunities to meet these standards. By fostering excellence in teaching, we are able to offer our students remarkable opportunities to be all they can be.
The pride of Discovery Academy is its closely-knit community which comprises students, parents, past parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. Staff are the backbone of our community. This team is highly committed and works extremely hard, both on the front lines and behind the scenes, ensuring that we have efficient administrative systems, engaging classes and friendly environment for the students and parents.
Dr. Marina B. founded Discovery Academy in 2006 after a distinguished career in physics research, including nearly 20 years at the University of Toronto leading PhD students in Nanotechnology. With over 40 years of teaching experience across three countries—Canada, Israel, and Russia—and at institutions including the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) and the University of Toronto, she brings a rare depth of expertise to education.
Dr. Marina personally develops the school’s proprietary curriculum materials and designs individualized learning plans for every student. Her deep passion for science and mathematics led her to create a gifted education program designed for regular students—one that builds the essential skills needed to succeed in our ever-changing world.
Mr. Len holds a BFA in Theatre Performance with a minor in Classical English. He brings over 10 years of teaching experience, specializing in literature, dramatic arts, and public speaking, with a focus on building confidence and strong character in students.
Ms. Kayla holds a BA and Master’s degree in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. She teaches humanities subjects with a focus on history, philosophy, and critical thinking, supporting students through structured and engaging lessons.
Ms. Didenko holds a degree in English Language and Literature and certification in school administration. With extensive experience in education, she supports elementary students in developing curiosity, critical thinking, and independent learning skills.
Ms. Mirzaei holds a Bachelor’s degree and brings over 17 years of teaching experience. She teaches Science (Grades 3–8) and senior-level Mathematics and Sciences, focusing on clear instruction and deep conceptual understanding.
Dr. Shiriaeva holds a PhD in Psychology and a background in Linguistics. She supports school operations and works closely with students, teachers, and families to promote emotional wellbeing and academic success.
Ms. Maleki holds a BA in English Language and Literature and an MA in Linguistics, along with multiple teaching certifications. With 15 years of experience, she supports students in language development through creative and adaptable teaching methods.
Ms. Saidzhanova holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Cambridge Young Learners teaching certification. She specializes in early childhood education, supporting students in developing foundational reading, writing, and math skills.
Ms. Saledinova holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Pure Mathematics and TESL certification. She teaches senior-level courses while overseeing school operations, supporting academic excellence and program development.
Julia P. supports student development through Montessori-based approaches and integrated teaching methods. She focuses on language learning, particularly French, creating engaging lessons that foster curiosity and strong foundational skills.
Ms. Katya teaches English and Social Studies, supporting students in developing strong communication and critical thinking skills. She holds a diploma in Child Psychology, studied Sociology and History, and is TESL certified.
Ms. Angelese graduated from the University of Toronto in 2018 with a degree in Psychology. With over 5 years of experience in primary education, she teaches all core elementary subjects and specializes in early childhood learning and foundational skill development. Ms. Angelese creates a nurturing and structured classroom environment, helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a strong love of learning.
Ms Fong is a math teacher at Discovery Academy. She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business Technology (IT) at Toronto Metropolitan University. With over three years of in-class teaching experience, she has developed strong skills in instructional planning and student assessment. Ms. Fong specializes in mathematics and business finance concepts. She focuses on explaining ideas clearly and guiding students through structured, step-by-step practice.
Olga Goncharova holds a Bachelor’s degree from Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. With 37 years of experience in early childhood education, she specializes in classroom adaptation, fine motor development, and foundational math and science skills.
Mr Alexander Zubkov holds the Master’s degree in Mathematics (Moscow State University) and successfully completed the Web Development and Python Development courses at the University of Michigan. Mr Zubkov has been working at the Discovery Academy for 2019 teaching math, physics and computer science. The old Chinese proverb says “teachers can open the door, but you must enter it yourself”. Here at Discovery Academy we’ll deal with the door but you should always keep in mind the second part of this proverb.
Tell us a little about your child and we will arrange a visit — you will meet the division head and see a lesson in progress.
