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Our Teachers
At WIS, we know that a good teacher makes all the difference to student learning. We seek out teachers who influence students through their engagement and curiosity. Our teaching staff are qualified and experienced in their field. WIS teachers challenge and support students throughout their high school education.
OUR ACADEMIC TEAM
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Founder
Mr. Jim Sebastian
Mr. Sebastian holds a Master’s degree in Education and is fluent in both English and Spanish. With over 40 years of experience in the field of education, he has served in senior leadership roles at the Ontario Ministry of Education, specializing in curriculum development, school leadership, and student achievement.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sebastian has supported schools in building strong academic frameworks and nurturing individualized learning pathways for students. His deep expertise and leadership continue to guide WIS toward excellence and innovation.
Mr. Sebastian also brings a broad range of experiences from the public education sector, international program development, and community partnerships, enriching the school environment and inspiring both students and staff.
Co-Founder/Business Director
Mrs. Leilei Cheng
Mrs. Cheng entered private high school education in 2009 after studying Business Studies and Education at Iowa State University.
With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in helping students discover their strengths and choose university programs that align with their goals.
In 2011, she co-founded Laurel Academy with Mr. Jim Sebastian, which later became Waterloo Independent School (WIS).
As both mentor and friend, Mrs. Cheng has guided countless students to overcome challenges and grow into confident, independent young adults.
A proud mother of two, she finds joy in supporting youth—living out her dream of being “the catcher in the rye.”
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Principal
Dr. N. Farahi
Mr. Farahi obtained his Master's (M.Sc) in chemical engineering and also holds a chemistry degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Waterloo. With more than six years of experience in teaching science and engineering concepts, he is passionate about teaching mathematics and sciences that can be applied to real-world problems. Mr. Farahi helps teachers to thrive and students to strive.
“I believe if the students put their minds and hearts to the task and dedicate themselves they can achieve any goals.”
Math & Science
Dr. E. Katvala
Mr. Katvala received a B.Sc. from the University of Calgary, an M.Sc. from the University of Montana, and a Ph.D. from the University of Calgary. His research spanned math, biology, chemistry, physics, and physical geology within the natural sciences.
Mr. Katvala has always enjoyed all aspects of education and considers teaching crucial to all disciplines. He implements numerous learning methods in the classroom, including hands-on methods. He has worked at the Teaching and Learning Centre and strives to meet different learning styles to help every student succeed.
Business & Humanitie
Mr. G Shields
Mr. Shields completed his Honours BA in English Literature and his MA in Political Science at the University of Waterloo. He is TESOL certified. He has been working in various roles in education for the past 8 years. Mr. Shields spent 2 years teaching in South Korea. He previously taught with The Princeton Review and has assisted students with IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC preparation as well.
Mr. Shields believes strongly in interdisciplinary learning, and in the classroom, he puts emphasis on students making connections between interrelated areas of knowledge.
Head of English & Social Sciences
Student Events Coordinator
Ms. K. Van Puymbroeck
Ms. Van Puymbroeck advocates for using literature as a tool to help students empathize with others and explore the world in innovative ways. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree, she leverages her past roles as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant to prepare her students for university-level reading and writing expectations. She has presented at both national and international conferences, enriching her teaching with global perspectives.
"I encourage each student to develop and share their own ideas while in my classroom."