Meet Our Specialist Teachers

Sean brings a dynamic blend of passion, expertise, and experience to Pear Tree School as our new Physical Education teacher. With a solid foundation in Exercise and Sport Sciences and a PGCE, Sean is a fully qualified educator dedicated to fostering a love of sport and healthy living among students.

Sean’s career in education is rooted in his own transformative experiences with physical education during his school years. Inspired by mentors who nurtured his confidence and determination, he has made it his mission to positively impact young lives through sport. His extensive background includes teaching both physical education and business studies at the secondary level, where he also served as Head of House and mentored students with social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

A nationally recognized basketball player, Sean has not only excelled on the court but has also channeled his skills into coaching and curriculum development. He has led basketball camps, coached teams to new heights, and redesigned physical education curricula to ensure comprehensive and engaging learning experiences. His achievements include leading his current school’s U15 boys’ basketball team to the Hampshire Cup semi-finals and being named both Coach’s Player and Fans’ Player of the Year in the National Basketball League Division 2.

At Pear Tree School, Sean is committed to promoting sport for all through inclusive and well-structured lessons. His approach emphasizes the importance of understanding and behavior in addition to physical skills, aiming to instill lifelong healthy habits in students of all abilities. Beyond the classroom, Sean is eager to contribute to our extra-curricular programs, bringing his expertise in basketball, soccer, rugby, and athletics to further enhance our students’ opportunities for success.

We are excited to welcome Sean Mulhern to our team, confident that his dedication and enthusiasm will inspire our students to achieve their best, both in sports and in life.

Typhaine has amassed a wealth of experience as a French teacher, fostering an adaptive teaching style and a broad approach to instruction, having taught in various international contexts. Born in France, Typhaine moved to Canada in 2022 where she started work with the Alliance Française of Manitoba. There, she engaged with multicultural learners, introducing children from grades 1 to 8 to the French language through songs and games.

Her earlier work includes roles in Tosse, France, as an online French teacher where she engaged in pedagogical activities centered on French music and cinema. At Hongik University in South Korea, Typhaine served as a trainee, assisting in courses, preparing students for the DELF B1/B2 exam, and organizing French conversation and composition classes for intermediate-level learners.

Academically, Typhaine is well-educated, holding multiple degrees from respected institutions. She achieved a Master’s degree focusing on the didactics of French as a foreign and second language from both the University of La Reunion and Paul-Valéry Montpellier University. Her interest in Asian languages and culture is evident through her Bachelor’s degrees in Korean and Chinese languages from Bordeaux Montaigne University, where she also participated in language study programs in Seoul. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Language Science.

JR works with our kindergarteners on singing and percussion, our grades 1-3 on learning the ukulele, and our grades 4-8 on the guitar. He also practices composing songs, singing, and concert preparation with our students.

In line with Pear Tree School’s educational philosophy, all of JR’s classes are focused on the themes and topics that we’re currently working on, which will provide natural and meaningful inspiration for music. JR’s songwriting, music producing and live performance experience are all great tools for this process.

JR works in various parts of Metro Vancouver from the North Shore to Richmond with students from K-12. He also works for Deep Cove Music as their head instructor and has been running Group Guitar/Voice classes for the Squamish Nation and The North Shore Neighborhood House.

Heather brings a wealth of experience to her new role as Learning Support Teacher at Pear Tree School, building on her successful tenure as an Associate Teacher. With a strong foundation in early childhood education and care, Heather is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

Heather’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of both active and reflective learning experiences. She skillfully balances energetic activities like singing, dancing, and games with quieter, focused moments of reading, writing, and skill development. This holistic approach not only helps children develop essential skills but also builds their self-confidence, openness, and pride in their achievements.

Her professional journey is marked by a diverse range of roles, including English tutor, preschool teacher, and Children’s Centre Manager. These experiences have honed her ability to support students with varying needs and learning styles, making her particularly well-suited for her role in Learning Support.

In her role as Learning Support Teacher, Heather will continue to apply her dynamic and nurturing approach to help students overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. We are confident that her expertise and passion for education will make a significant impact on the lives of our students.

Amanda Marques is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and has been an integral part of our team for the past three years. She holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology, which she completed in 2007.

With a wealth of experience working as a therapist for Child & Youth Mental Health at both the Ministry of Children and Families and Vancouver Coastal Health, Amanda brings a deep commitment to supporting the well-being of our students. She specializes in evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy for Depressed Adolescents (IPT-A). Additionally, Amanda has served as an IPT-A trainer and consultant for Child & Youth Mental Health teams across the province.

Amanda’s approach to counselling is rooted in positive psychology, with a focus on mindfulness, kindness, self-compassion, gratitude, and connection. She is passionate about working with children, youth, and their families, and believes strongly in the resilience of individuals. With the right support, she believes that everyone has the capacity to overcome obstacles, experience personal growth, and achieve lasting change.

We are proud to have Amanda as our school counsellor, where she continues to make a positive impact on the lives of our students and their families.

Caoilann Brazil joins Pear Tree School as an Associate Teacher, bringing a wealth of experience from both primary and secondary education settings. With a Professional Master of Education in Primary Education, Caoilann is a fully qualified teacher who has demonstrated a strong commitment to student development and inclusive education.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Caoilann served as a teacher in Meath, Ireland. In this role, she was responsible for creating and delivering student-centered lessons that catered to diverse learning styles and abilities. Her expertise in integrating technology into the classroom and implementing differentiated instruction allowed her to meet the unique needs of each student effectively. She also maintained strong communication with parents, fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment.

At Pear Tree School, Caoilann will not only support the teaching team as an Associate Teacher but will also take on the responsibility of covering the Grade 6-7 class one day per week. Her diverse background, combined with her passion for inclusive education, makes her a valuable addition to our team, and we are excited to see the positive impact she will have on our students.

Nina Wu joins Pear Tree School as an enthusiastic and dedicated Associate Teacher, bringing with her a solid foundation in education and a deep commitment to student-centered learning. Recently completing her Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts and Education from Queen’s University, Nina has gained valuable experience working with primary and junior grades, where she developed a passion for nurturing holistic student growth.

Nina’s teaching philosophy centers around creating an inclusive, positive classroom environment where every student feels safe, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential. She places great emphasis on hands-on, real-life problem-solving activities that engage students and foster curiosity. For example, during her practicum, she successfully taught a science unit on the phases of matter by having students make ice cream using simple ingredients from home—a creative approach that not only reinforced scientific principles but also sparked excitement and enthusiasm for learning.

Her diverse experience includes placements at various schools where she adapted, developed, and implemented lesson plans across different subjects, such as literacy, math, and science. At Pear Tree School, Nina completed a practicum that deeply resonated with her educational values, particularly the school’s emphasis on theme-based and project-based learning. Her time at Pear Tree reaffirmed her belief in the importance of a well-rounded education that balances academic, social, emotional, and physical development.

We are thrilled to welcome Nina Wu to our team, confident that her passion for education and her innovative teaching methods will inspire and support our students at Pear Tree School.