Staff Biographies

Amanda Dervaitis
(Centre Director)
Amanda has been working with the Oxford program for 10 years. After graduating with a B.Ed. from McGill University, she began teaching at a public school, and teaching part-time at the Oxford Learning Centre in the Beaches area of Toronto. She instantly fell in love with the program and in 2004, she opened up the centre in her neighborhood of High Park. Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband Matt, and her 2 sons.

Brandon Ellenberger
(Teacher)
grew up in a small town near Windsor Ontario. After a four year Human Kinetics program at the University of Windsor, he completed his Bachelor of Education at York University in 2008/09. Brandon enjoys being a spectator at, or participating in a vast variety of sport and leisure activities such as baseball and hockey. His passion for being involved in the process of growth and development led him to teaching, while each meaningful interaction has kept this desire strong. He looks forward to getting to know each child he meets and believes that teachers and students learn from and teach each other.

Julia Solyom-Newman
(Teacher)
Julia Solyom-Newman is a recently retired teacher from the Toronto District School Board. She received her B.A. and B.Ed. degrees from York University, and her M.Ed. from O.I.S.E at the University of Toronto. During her 30 years as a teacher, Julia had the opportunity to work with ESL and Special Needs children, as well as in regular classrooms. She cares deeply for children and continues to enjoy the challenge of motivating and helping them learn. In her spare time,Julia loves spending time with her family and friends. As well, she enjoys gardening, Pilates, movies, reading and life-long learning.

Dan Smiley
(Teacher)
A graduate from York University with a BA in English and Professional Writing, Dan Smiley enjoys having fun with his students while helping them learn. His degree along with his math and science background allow him to teach a variety of subjects. He loves writing and all things comedic--funny movies, books, plays, and people--so if you have a good joke, he's all ears.

Group Photo
Here is the entire team at Oxford Learning High Park!