Leadership & Founders

As Co-Founder and Principal of Pear Tree School, Alexis leads the day-to-day academic program and ensures consistent delivery of the Pear Tree Method across classrooms. A seasoned educator with more than a decade in public and independent schools in Richmond and Vancouver, she combines classroom expertise with instructional leadership—coaching teachers, aligning assessment and curriculum, and sustaining a school culture where every child is known and challenged.

Alexis’s scholarship and public work strengthen that practice. She is completing a Doctor of Education at UBC and holds an M.Ed., B.Ed., and B.A. from UBC. Her research on critical literacy has been published in the Canadian Journal for New Scholars in Education and the Australian Review of Applied Linguistics, and she has presented at the Vancouver EdTech Team Summit (Google for Education). Alexis brings the rare blend of practitioner, researcher, and leader—focused on measurable progress and whole-child development.

As co-founder and Director of Pear Tree School, Paul sets the educational vision and builds the systems that make it visible in every classroom. He champions the Pear Tree Method—theme-based, hands-on, evidence-driven—and pairs it with teacher development and thoughtful use of technology so progress is clear and consistent.

Paul moved into education in 2001 after early success in computer engineering, where his custom PC work was recognized in leading magazines. He has taught and led programs in ESL, career/vocational training, and education management, including directing the Oxford International Royal Holloway summer school operation, overseeing 1,000+ students and 70 staff across six seasons. He also leads Pear Tree’s media work; his videos on 21st-century education are used in teacher-training programs in the US, UK, and beyond. Paul holds an M.Ed. in Educational Technology and Learning Design (SFU) and a B.A. from UBC.

Jose brings 15+ years in multi-unit operations, facilities, and hospitality to Pear Tree’s leadership team. As Operations Manager, he aligns people, systems, and facilities so the Pear Tree Method is delivered consistently across campuses. His remit spans safety and compliance, vendor and contract management, budgeting and P&L discipline, capital projects and renovations, and the day-to-day logistics that let teachers focus on students. Jose’s approach is data-driven and service-oriented: clear standards, efficient processes, and reliable support for staff and families.

Before joining Pear Tree, Jose served as Operations Manager for HI Canada, overseeing 14 hostels across multiple provinces. He led cost-control initiatives, managed complex budgets, and delivered renovation projects on time and on budget—all while building high-performing teams, including in unionized settings. His broader background in food & beverage and remote accommodations strengthens on-the-ground execution in dynamic environments. Certified in Lean Six Sigma and Scrum, Jose brings continuous-improvement discipline to every aspect of school operations.