Our Faculty

Our Faculty 2024-02-21T21:26:28+00:00

Mr. Brian Burke

Mr. Burke has been teaching for over 25 years including the last five year at Pattison High school. He was born and raised in Toronto but has spent over ten years teaching abroad including South Korea and Japan. For the last 18 years he has been living and working in Vancouver. His experience includes teacher training as well as IELTS. He is now teaching social studies and economics. He believes that knowledge and an appreciation of the past is helpful to properly understand the present. In his free time he likes cycling around the parks and trails in the city or reading in the sun on one of the great beaches in Vancouver.

Mr. Christopher Catalano

Mr. Catalano studied at Emily Carr from 1984-88, and at Nimbus School of Recording and Media in 2011. He has a B.F.A. in painting through Emily Carr and Thompson Rivers University and a Diploma in Advanced Music Production from Nimbus. His creative work consists of allegorical/surrealistic painting, drawing, photography/videography, and music creation, production and performance.  He has had over 20 solo exhibitions, has his music available for on Apple Music and Spotify. His main instruments are voice, guitar, and bass but he has also been exploring synthesis, sound design, percussion and drums for many years. Mr. Catalano integrates different media into all of his classes, and he encourages his students to find creative outlets that will enhance not only their academic studies but their lives in general. He feels that everyone can benefit from sharing the knowledge they acquire.

When he is not out on his bicycle or exploring the city with a camera, Chris spends much of his time in his project studio recording new songs and soundscapes, painting, and watching movies. In the summertime he loves to swim and in the winter he loves to chill.

Mr. Catalano’s door is almost always open; he has collaborated numerous times with large and small groups of students (and teachers) on school music productions, and he likes to answer questions (even when he has no answers). Please feel free to visit his room anytime.

Ms. Erin Pettinger

Ms. Pettinger moved back to Canada and started working at Pattison High School in 2019. She enjoys teaching academic readiness, career education, physical & health education and working with students from around the world.

Ms. Pettinger had lived in Jeju, South Korea for 15 years. She worked for the Public Office of Education teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to middle and high school students as well as teacher training programs. Prior to teaching in Jeju she also taught EFL in Japan.

She completed a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s degree specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Southern Queensland.

In her free time she enjoys hiking, biking, snowshoeing, swimming and playing volleyball.

Mr. Michael Powell

Born and raised in Ottawa, Mr. Powell obtained his Education degree from UBC, and stayed to teach in Vancouver before going overseas with his wife, who is also a teacher, to work in international schools in Asia. He is excited to be back in a dynamic school, amidst such a diverse and active setting, surrounded by natural beauty and so many opportunities that Vancouver has to offer. His family now includes two daughters who settled in well back home in Canada.

Mr. Powell earned his undergraduate degree in biology and mathematics from the University of Waterloo before starting his educational career as a High School Mathematics Teacher. Overseas, he taught high school, headed mathematics departments, worked in school accreditation, and, to deepen his practice, he earned a master’s in educational administration from the University of Bath. Upon his return to Canada, he has had several teaching and educational management roles.

Mr. Powell knows that we are all born with curiosity and a desire to learn. Everyone can be successful in life by knowing themselves and drawing on their natural talents. He believes that learning occurs through both practice and reflection, in a partnership between teacher and student. As a school leader, he is eager to help students build a solid foundation for a life of growth and purpose, and there is no other work he would rather be doing. In his leisure time, Mr. Powell enjoys yoga, cycling, and music.

Mr. David Truman

Mr. Truman is originally from Edmonton, but has lived in Vancouver since 2016. He earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English literature and a minor in Mathematics from the University of Alberta. He then spent four years teaching English as a Second Language in the Seoul area of South Korea before returning to Canada to complete his Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta.

The experiences teaching overseas have taught him many things about teaching, as well as the many of the difficulties those from other cultures face when moving to and living in a different country and environment.

In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, reading, movies, watching sports, and experiencing the Vancouver lifestyle.

Ms. Lydia Walker

Ms. Walker began her teaching career through the Teach for America program while simultaneously earning a Master of Arts degree in Teaching Secondary Mathematics. She also has degrees in Biology and Gender & Women’s Studies from the University of Kentucky. Over the last five years she has taught an array of math and science courses to grades 7 through 12, encouraging students to think creatively and critically. She loves getting to know her students and building relationships with them through class discussions, team building exercises, and projects.
Ms. Walker recently moved to Vancouver, spending her summer exploring the city and trying new coffee shops or finding cozy bookstores. She is an avid reader, often choosing true crime, mystery, or science fiction novels. She also enjoys doing yoga, cooking, crocheting, and listening to podcasts.

Ms. Mireille Golemiec

Ms. Golemiec earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. She continued her education with Master’s and PhD degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from The University of Toronto, where her research focused on social behaviours and interaction dynamics in Drosophila Melanogaster (fruit flies!).

In Toronto, Ms. Golemiec worked as a teaching assistant for 9 years, running first year Biology and second year Genetics labs and tutorials. She also worked as a private tutor for elementary and high school students, teaching a variety of Mathematics and Science courses – it is here where her love of teaching truly developed. Ms. Golemiec is passionate about learning new things and believes that all students can succeed when they are intrigued by a subject and fully engaged in the learning process. She approaches each concept with enthusiasm and encourages curiosity in her students.

Ms. Golemiec is new to Vancouver and enjoys spending her spare time exploring the city and staying active with running, hiking, or workout classes. She also enjoys reading, crafting, and doing crosswords!

Ms. Frances Kenston

Ms. Kenston has over a decade experience in teaching and educational leadership. Recently making Canada her home, Ms. Kenston considers herself a true “global citizen”. She has lived and worked in various countries, including the Philippines, South Korea, Ghana, China, Australia, United States of America, Switzerland, and more. This exposure to international and multicultural settings has enriched her perspective and teaching approach.

In her leisure time, she enjoys travelling and taking spontaneous road trips with her family. She finds joy in reading books, watching movies, listening to music and swimming—a well-rounded individual with a passion for both education and life’s enriching experiences.

Mr. Joseph Masi

Mr. Masi has been teaching for 15 years in Surrey, British Columbia both at the high school and elementary levels. For the last three years, Mr. Masi has taught both English and Physical Education at Khalsa Secondary. He lives in Surrey, BC with his wife and two daughters.

In Vancouver, Mr. Masi received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in English and Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Mr. Masi believes that teaching is about motivation, perseverance and providing the opportunity for all learners to succeed in the classroom. During his free time, Mr. Masi enjoys spending time with his kids, being active, reading books, and playing soccer.

Ms. Cecilia He

Ms. He is an accomplished educator with a passion for fostering engaging and student-centered learning experience. Commencing her teaching journey as an AP instructor in 2011, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. Driven by her commitment to educational excellence, she pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s Degree in Science Education from the University of British Columbia within three years of entering the teaching profession. She believes that bridging the science in the classroom with real-life applications can empower students with a deeper understanding of science, making students learning experience both meaningful and impactful. In her spare time, she likes travelling, watching movies, swimming and practice yoga.

Ms. Baran Abadian

Ms. Abadian is a dedicated ESL/ELL teacher at Pattison High School with teaching experience of 15 years. She has a passion for promoting language acquisition and cultural understanding. She is originally from Iran. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Translation and her master’s degree in business administration (MBA) in Iran. She also holds a TESOL Diploma recognized by TESOL Canada from ISS Language and Career College of BC.

She moved to Canada in 2016. Since then, she has been living in Vancouver. She worked at different language schools teaching English as a foreign language EFL in Iran to both young learners and adults. She was working as an Academic Coordinator at TOBE Language School before moving to Canada. She has also worked in Language Schools and Colleges in Vancouver teaching ESL and Pathway courses alongside teaching business programs. She has gained valuable experience working with diverse students that has helped her to be equipped with the tools necessary to create an encouraging environment for language learners.

Her teaching philosophy is creating a supportive and interactive atmosphere where students can feel empowered and free to express themselves in English. She believes in accepting cultural diversity and helping students from diverse backgrounds to overcome the challenges in their learning journey. She strongly emphasizes preparing students not only for academic success but also for success in the globalized world.

Working out is her priority. She spends her free time walking her dog, watching series and movies, listening to podcasts, and hanging out with friends.

Ms. Yvonne Yu

Miss Yu specializes in English, and currently English First Peoples, due to her creativity and skills in learning languages. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a History minor, then went on to receive a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education focusing on Humanities and Social Justice. Miss Yu found that she enjoyed helping students learn English, so she received a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Certificate and taught at a language school for over ten years before COVID-19 appeared. In her formative years, she also developed interests in Indigenous Canadian culture, African-American civil rights, World War history, and European art. Her aim is to help students appreciate and use language well, to understand indigenous culture and social and amnesty issues, and foster a desire to improve the community and world. She hopes her students will become contributing and respectful citizens in and outside the school.