Meet Our Team

CEO - Mr. Stephen Pollack

Stephen has almost 30 years experience with successful and fast growing businesses. His most recent company, PlateSpin Ltd, was the 2nd fastest growing company in Canada from 2003-2008 for which he was a finalist for the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award. He has extensive background in a variety of industries and fields and brings to Everest the business leadership and direction that will allow the Everest platform to flourish.

Founder / President and General Manager - Mr. Farell Duclair

Farell has over seventeen years of experience in education, athletics, and personal development. 1996 Farell was the number one draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders. After a successful career in the CFL, Farell began helping young people achieve their dreams and goals. He founded and co-founded numerous successful programs dedicated to the development of youth. Farell attended Northern Illinois University and Concordia University.

Principal - Mr. A.T. Sim

Tim has been an outstanding teacher, curriculum leader, system leader and administrator with the Toronto District School Board for the past thirty three years. Over the past eighteen years of his career, he has effectively managed all major principal portfolio responsibilities involved in the leadership of a school including; visioning, strategic planning, innovation, change management, vision into action and accountability. To read more, click here!

Grade 1/2 - Ms. Kerri-Lyn Elizabeth King, H.B.A., B.Ed.

Kerri-Lyn is a caring, enthusiastic, and creative hands-on educator who believes that all children deserve the right to meaningful, purposeful, and authentic instruction. She creates safe and inclusive learning environments for all of her students so that they may achieve a high level of academic and personal success. Kerri-Lyn is a firm believer in community, she values working closely with students, parents, staff, and community members in order to provide a rich and diverse learning experience for her students. Her passions and goals are to empower children to become lifelong, independent critical thinkers and problem solvers, who believe in themselves and have the confidence to always reach their full potential.

Grade 3/4 - Ms. Ashley Eckhardt, H.B.A., B.Ed.

Ashley is a highly energetic, creative, and motivated individual with strong communication and mentorship skills. She is a critical thinker who welcomes challenging opportunities and new ideas, with a strong desire to provide leadership in education. She has come to understand that to be an excellent educator is to know the whole child, understand differences in learning styles, bolster self-esteem, and meet the specific needs of each individual child. She believes that a supportive and reflective teacher is not only key to academic success, but also to the social and emotional well being of all children. As a teacher, her role is to work from an anti-oppression framework, advocating for justice, equity, and creating a learning community that gives space to be seen, heard, and understood as a person of worth and value. This is the type of learning environment that empowers children to go out into their communities and engage in progress and change!

Grade 5/6 - Ms. Suzanne Turney, H.B.A., B.Ed.

As a teacher, Suzanne motivates and inspires her students to enjoy learning while reaching their full potential. Her personal philosophy is to approach learning as a life long process by preparing her students to deal with decisions, conflicts and challenges they encounter along the way. She is a strong believer in teaching with passion to produce self motivated students who have a love for learning. She offers a student-centered atmosphere within her classroom creating students who construct their own learning, providing greater retention and confidence.

Grade 7/8, High School, Lacrosse Director - Clem D'Orazio, MS ED

Clem is a highly respected lacrosse coach with the Ajax Rock Major Lacrosse Club and Brock University Men's Lacrosse team.  Clem graduated Brock University with a Bachelor in Physical Education and a Master of Science in Education from Medaille College. Clem's teaching is based around a program that will give the student-athlete the best opportunity to learn the necessary skill to succeed in post-secondary schooling. Clem is an accredited OCT teacher.

Grade 7/8 and High School - Mr. Jeff Easby (Lacrosse coach)

Jeff is a highly respected coach from the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club. Jeff recently coached the U16 Toronto Beaches field lacrosse team to a 2011 Ontario ‘B’ silver medal. Currently, Jeff is strength and conditioning coach for our Elite athletes at the school. Jeff is an accredited OCT teacher. Jeff played 4 years at Laurentian University and 1 year at Brock University.

High School - Mr. James Gurunlian, B.Eng., B.Ed.

James believes that education is both the battleground and playground in which teachers help students fully realize their potential in many of life's pursuits.  her refers to education as a battleground because it is a long and arduous journey with many unforeseen challenges that can ultimately lead to countless rewards.  He also uses the word playground to describe education because it is a time for students to develop new thoughts and ideas in a fun and engaging environment.  Having had experience in the corporate sector,  James brings a real world knowledge and passion to teaching. With a sound knowledge of business studies and mathematics he inspires students to excel in both their academics and extracurricular pursuits.

High School - Mrs. Sara Meerwali, H.B.Sc., B.Ed.

Sara graduated from the University of Toronto where she received her Honours BSc. with a major in Biology and minor in English. She received her B.Ed. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and is currently a registered member of the Ontario College of Teachers. She enjoys getting to know her students and inspiring them to excel. When not teaching, she enjoys reading Canadian literature, traveling and hiking. Sara agrees with Marcus T. Cicero in wondering “What greater or better gift [can be offered] … than to teach and instruct our youth?”

High School - Mr. Richard Russell, B.A., B.Ed. (also baseball coach)

Richard comes from an extensive family of teachers, all of whom have helped influence his teaching philosophy. Richard believes that providing a warm and inclusive environment is a must to achieve a successful classroom. Being able to help students reach their goals by breaking them down into smaller more manageable components has been his strength. He looks forward to working, teaching and mentoring the students inside and outside the classroom.

Varsity Hockey Director - Mr. Jim Thomson

Jim Thomson has over fifteen years of playing experience in the OHL, AHL, IHL and NHL. This experience has allowed him to become a mentor to many elite hockey players and to help them attain the mental and physical edge required to get to the next level. He is a hands-on coach and mentor whose passion is to help young athletes achieve their goals. His NHL style/approach allows the athletes to understand the commitment involved in reaching the highest levels, and he demonstrates to them the tools he has learned over his professional career.

Hockey Director - Mr. Jules Jardine

Jules is the President and Chief Instructor of World Class Hockey Development Inc.-Master Power Skating and Hockey Skills Instructor. He is a two-time NCAA All American at Elmira College, and a  former European Professional player. Jules was the former power skating instructor for CHL team St-Michaels Majors and OHL team Mississauga Ice Dogs. Jules was also the head coach for the GTHL AAA team Jr. Canadians with a coaching record of 206-78-32. Jules has coached hundreds of players that have moved on to Jr 'A', NCAA, and professional leagues.

Hockey Goaltending Director - Mr. Dave Dolecki

Dave brings over 17 years experience as a goaltending instructor. He is the owner of The Crease Goaltending Academy, an elite goalie school located in Ice Sports Etobicoke. Dave has a great reputation for getting goalies to the next level. He played CIAU hockey with Ryerson University, OJPHL with the Milton Merchants, and was drafted to the OHL London Knights. Dave has been a goalie coach for the OJPHL Georgetown Raiders, St. Mikes, Milton Merchants, Ryerson University. Dave has taught 100's of goalies from all levels; NHL, OHL, NCAA, ECHL, GTHL and House league.

Hockey Goaltending Director - Mr. Bujar Admidovski

Bujar brings over 11 years experience as a goaltending instructor. He played 7 years pro NHL, AHL, ECHL,OHL and signed 2 NHL contracts with the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. Bujar has been the goalie coach for the OJPHL Streetsville Derby and Vaughn Vipers. He was the 1997/1998 OHL goalie of the year with the St. Michael Majors.

Golf Director - Mr. Henry Brunton

Henry Brunton Golf has an unparalleled record in Canadian golf for developing junior golfers who graduate to NCAA and CIS university golf teams. Beginning in September, student-athletes at the Everest Academy will have the opportunity to participate in the Golfer Development Program-a specialized golf coaching and training program designed to serve athletes who have interest in making golf their secondary sport of choice. This program will enable athletes to develop golf skill competency and confidence.  As well, many of the skills taught and reinforced will have a positive transfer to their primary sport.