This year, we have had two long-standing employees retire from York House School.
Julie Rousseau, Head of School, and Lynne Massel, Senior School Mathematics Teacher
Lynne Massel, Senior School Mathematics Teacher, will retire this year after an astounding 39 years of service to our school.
Lynne obtained her B.Sc and her BEd. degrees in South Africa. She began her career teaching high school mathematics for several years in South Africa before moving to Canada in 1979. She first taught at Vancouver’s Talmud Torah School prior to joining York House School in 1981.
Since then, Lynne’s commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm for teaching mathematics has been widely recognized by many of her students and their parents. Lynne was the Mathematics Department Head for 27 years where she guided the philosophy of the department and was a willing mentor to her colleagues. In 1988, she introduced the AP Calculus course at York House.
A lifelong learner, she completed her M.Sc. in Mathematics Education at Simon Fraser University in 1989 and has presented at many mathematics conferences throughout BC. Lynne has also served on a number of Ministry Committees and marked Provincial Mathematics Examinations, where she was a Table Head, for all the years they were written.
In recognition of her contributions to teaching, Lynne has received a number of accolades: in 1993, she was nominated by a group of students for the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence; in 1996, she received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Chicago and in 1998, was nominated by students of the UBC Department of Chemistry as an influential teacher. Lynne’s commitment to the school has extended beyond the classroom. Her many contributions have included supporting the swim team, the Environment Club, and being the House sponsor for many years. During this time, Lynne initiated and introduced Pyjama Day and House Breakfast as well as Funarama, two annual school-wide events that students continue to enjoy.
We thank Lynne for sharing her passion for mathematics with our students and for her many contributions to York House School.
On June 20th, we hosted a retirement celebration for Lynne Massel at the school where current staff, former staff, alumnae, students, and her family gathered to reminisce about her career and the positive impact she has had on the school. We wish Lynne the very best for a healthy and happy retirement.
Head of School, Julie Rousseau and Anita Irani, Director of University Admissions
Anita Irani will retire from her role as Director of University Admissions at the end of the school year. In her 26 years at York House School, Anita has held various roles that have contributed to her strong leadership in her role as Director of University Admissions. Anita’s career at York House School began in 1993 as an administrative assistant where she was responsible for everything from school supervision and switchboard coverage to technology support and network backups followed by a position as an administrative assistant in the counselling department. It didn’t take long before her natural ability to work with students and families was evident. In 1998, she became our school Registrar and the following year became our Director of Admissions and University Admissions. It was in 2002 that her role evolved to that of Director of University Admissions.
Throughout her career at York House, Anita has been deeply committed to ensuring that our students have everything they need to make successful scholarship and university applications and are well-prepared for their transition to their university careers. Within this role, she has expertly guided both students and families with regard to course selection in the Senior School and has ensured that our students have the support they need during AP examinations. In more recent years, she has also been instrumental in important year-end events coordinating our Graduation and Prizegiving ceremonies.
Her dedication and commitment to the success of our students have undoubtedly helped to guide the career paths of so many of our alumnae; something I know she is deservedly very proud of.
We wish to thank Anita for her strong leadership, her immense care for the YHS community and her tremendous dedication to students and their families. Anita has not yet decided what future opportunities she wishes to explore but wishes to thank the entire community for an outstanding 26 years at York House School.
Anita will certainly be missed by students, staff, parents, and alumnae alike and we wish her all the very best in her future endeavours. In lieu of a retirement celebration, at Anita’s request, the school will be making a contribution to the Khimji Family Teaching and Learning Excellence Fund and the Audrey Fund Scholarship.
York House School would not be the amazing place it is without the hard work and dedication of our outstanding faculty and staff. This year, together with students at assembly, we were delighted to recognize 15 individuals in the Junior School and Senior School for their years of service at York House School.
Wendy Shore, Gr. 3 Teacher with Julie Rousseau, Head of School
(L-R) Brent Jackson, Athletics Coordinator; Kathy Kealey, Director of Junior School (JK-Gr. 7); Susan Sobieski, Jr. School Counsellor; Madeleine Abbott. Gr. 7 Teacher; Lela Ling, Science Teacher.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Kathy Kealey, Director of Junior School (19 years): Kathy Kealey has worn many hats in addition to her role as Director of Junior School. For many years, Kathy held a dual role as Director of Junior School and Assistant Head of School before coming over to the Senior School as Deputy Head and returning as the Director of Junior School and Deputy Head this year. In each of these roles, she has always been recognized as a caring community builder with a great love of the school as well as students, faculty, and staff. Her tireless service to our community, for the past 19 years, has been outstanding and commendable.
Wendy Shore, Grade 3 Teacher (19 years): Over the past 19 years at York House School, Wendy Shore has made her classroom a magical place of learning where the individual needs of each student are met. Whether it is through their artwork that is displayed or through their writing of stories, Wendy encourages each of her students to explore their creativity and to make their learning visible. Her students have also benefited from Wendy’s clever sense of humour. For many years, Wendy has shared her creative energy with students beyond the classroom as a co-sponsor of the Art Club.
Madeleine Abbott, Grade 4 Teacher (18 years): Madeleine Abbott has been teaching at York House School for 18 years. During that time not only has she made learning so joyful and engaging for all her students, she has also given so much to our community through her coaching of the Tigers Volleyball, Cross Country and Track & Field and even as a very enthusiastic cheerleader on the sidelines in her Tigers costume!
Lela Ling, Science Teacher (18 years): Lela Ling has been with York House School for the past 18 years. Lela has been instrumental in creating a truly excellent science program in the Junior School and for sparking the curiosity and engagement of so many young Yorkie Scientists. Outside of the classroom, Lela has been a very dedicated coach to our Tigers as a Cross-country and Track & Field coach.
Brent Jackson, Athletics Coordinator (18 years): Brent Jackson has done a tremendous job over the past 18 years coordinating so many activities for our students. Not only has he been an outstanding PE teacher, he has also put his organizational talents to great use by helping to organize the ISEA Cross-country and Track & Field events over the years. A voice of support and encouragement for our students, he has coached many of our Tigers in both the Junior School and Senior School.
Susan Sobieski, Junior School Counsellor (18 years): Susan Sobieski is someone who has provided tremendous support and comfort not only to students and their parents, but has also been such a great resource for her colleagues. In the 18 years that she has been a counsellor in our Junior School, she has been responsible for introducing many new programs to the school that support our students and their well being such as Second Step and Mindfulness. In addition, Ms. Sobieski has also encouraged our students to tap into their inner artist in Art Club.
(L-R) Neil Menzies, Board Chair; Clint Robertson, Fine Arts Teacher; Marianne Chang, Math Teacher; Tanya Boteju, English Teacher; Pat Lewis, Accountant; Alison Waterhouse, Science Teacher; Zosia Dorcey, Social Studies Teacher; Mong Xuan Ha, Director of Finance; Priscilla Clark, Associate Director, Alumnae Relations; Myriam Le May, French Teacher; and Julie Rousseau, Head of School.
SENIOR SCHOOL
Marianne Chang, Math Teacher (21 years): Marianne Chang has been with York House School for 21 years and in that time, has had tremendous impact on her students’ learning by creating an engaging classroom environment and fostering love of math in her students. In fact, she introduced the AP BC Calculus course to YHS. More recently, she was instrumental in designing and teaching an AP Statistics course together with Saint George’s and Crofton House School. She has also made many contributions outside of the classroom as a cross country coach, as a chaperone on Outdoor Education and art trips, as well as teacher sponsor for the Grad Dinner Dance. Marianne cares deeply for her students’ success and we are truly grateful for all her hard work and contributions to our students’ learning.
Myriam LeMay, French Teacher (19 years): Marianne LeMay has dedicated incredible time and energy to the ongoing development of French as part of our Modern Languages Program at YHS. Before we introduced the AIM program, she also taught in the Junior School where she supported the development of our bilingual program. In her aim to provide rich language and cultural experiences in French over the years she has led many trips to both France as well as more recently to Quebec. Un gros merci pour votre passion Mme Lemay!
Mong Xuan Ha, Director of Finance (18 years): Mong Xuan Ha is someone who continually makes sure that our school is financially stable and runs smoothly. Mong Xuan has been overseeing the many responsibilities of our finance department for 18 years – making sure that our bills are paid, budgets are balanced, and that our endowment for scholarships continues to grow. In addition to the work that she does to support everyone in the school, she also works to support the financial operations of our Board, the Parents’ Association, the Alumnae Association, and the YHS Foundation. She has a deep devotion for the school and her colleagues and she is highly skilled at what she does. We are very thankful for her many years of service.
Alison Waterhouse, Science Teacher (18 years): Alison Waterhouse, an alum from the Class of 1991, has been sparking her students passion for science for the past 18 years. Her passion for science and her devotion to her student’s success is evident. Alison is not only dedicated to her students’ growth she has also been a great mentor to her colleagues. She has been incredibly supportive of both her colleagues and the science department and her knowledge, skills, and experience are truly invaluable. She has also been a dedicated Class President Teacher Sponsor where she has helped our grads plan the Grad Banquet, Grad Sleepover, and various other Grad fundraising events.
Clint Robertson, Fine Arts Teacher (17 years): Mr. Rob, as he is affectionately known, has done so much to support the development of our many young artists at YHS over the past 17 years including working with students on their portfolios and ensuring that student work is beautifully displayed throughout the school. For several years he has run Art Week at the school in cooperation with other ISABC schools, he has been the district coordinator for Fine Arts, led art trips to New York and participated in many Outdoor Education activities. Thank you, Mr. Rob, for your passion for the arts and for helping our Yorkies develop their beautiful skills of creative self-expression.
Pat Lewis, Accountant (17 years): For the past 17 years, Pat Lewis, an integral member of the finance department, has helped student, staff, and parents with anything and everything related to ensuring that invoices are processed and bills are paid. Her interest in learning Spanish led her to attend Spanish classes with our senior students and also travel on a service trip to support Project Somos in Guatemala. We thank you, Pat, for your love of the school and your dedication to your work for the past 17 years.
Tanya Boteju, English Teacher (15 years): Tanya Boteju started at YHS as a TOC almost 18 years ago and has been a full-time teacher at the school for 15 years now. In addition to teaching creative writing to our senior students, Tanya has fostered our students’ capacity for leadership as a teacher sponsor of our student executive and student government. As well, as a strong teacher ally, she has sponsored our GSA club for many years ensuring that our school is a safe, caring and respectful place for all students. Many years ago, she started the recitation competition, the Cat’s Meow, and ran our public speaking club. At one point, she coordinated an International Debating Tournament at YHS which was hugely successful. She also leads our Teacher Advisor Committee. With all that she does, she somehow found time to write her own book, Kings, Queens, and In-betweens. Thank you, Tanya, for developing in your students a true love for creative writing.
Priscilla Clark, Associate Director Alumnae Relations (15 years): For the past 15 years, Ms. Clark has worked closely with our alumnae from the classes of 1989 and above to ensure that they maintain their close connection to the school. Each year she helps to organize key events that create lasting connections for our alumnae community such as Founders’ Day, Alumnae Day, and our Golden Alumnae Luncheon. She was instrumental in creating our Museum & Archives and also supports the work of our YHS Legacy Society which is celebrating its 20th year this year. Priscilla is an incredibly strong advocate of our school and her tireless efforts helps our alumnae stay connected to the school that they love.
Zosia Dorcey, Social Studies Teacher (15 years): Zosia Dorcey, an alum from the Class of 1993, joined York House School 15 years ago as a Resource Teacher. Later she began to teach Social Studies to our senior students and developed the current ethics course. Zosia’s passion and love for her students is evident as she cares deeply for their success both in and out of school. Zosia is also deeply appreciated by her colleagues. She has participated in the development of amazing learning opportunities and projects and her passion for her students’ learning has led her to create many experiential learning opportunities that take her students into the community. For many years she was a teacher sponsor for the Debate Club. Her commitment to our motto, Not for Ourselves Alone, also led her to become a teacher sponsor for our longstanding support of Munroe House.
