Our Team
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.
Staff
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.
Faculty
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.
LEADERSHIP
Dr. Marina B.
Founder & Headmistress, Discovery Academy
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
High School Vice Principal | English, Drama & Humanities
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
Humanities Teacher
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
Elementary Teacher
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. Fatima Mirzaei
Science & Mathematics Teacher
Ms. Mirzaei holds a Bachelor’s degree and brings over 12 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. Irina Shiriaeva
Vice Principal | School Psychologist
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. Marzieh Maleki (Ms. M)
English, ESL & Art Teacher
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. Anastasiia Saidzhanova
JK/SK Teacher
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. Lenie Saledinova
Principal | Math, Business & ESL Teacher
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.
Teaching Staff
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
English & Social Studies Teacher
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. A
Grade 1 Teacher
Ms. Angeleski 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. Angeleski creates a nurturing and structured classroom environment, helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a strong love of learning.
Ms. Fong
Math Teacher
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.
Ms. Olga Goncharova
JK/SK Teacher
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.
Alexander Z.
Teaching Staff
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 since 2016 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.