Our Team
Hua (Jennifer) Lan - 蓝华
Founder and Music Director - Owner
Jennifer is the founder of Zida Academy and provides music instruction to children at our school. As an international acclaimed musician with over 35 years of teaching experience, Jennifer has cultivated the talent of thousands of enthusiastic young musicians. Many of whom have achieved top results at music exams, recitals and competitions both in Canada and internationally. In 2019, Jennifer was inducted into Steinway & Sons’ inaugural Music Teacher Hall of Fame which includes some of the world’s most distinguished music educators. Under Jennifer’s leadership and vision, Zida Academy continues to be the educational leader in combining music education as part of early childhood development which unlocks children’s potential and allow them to have the best start possible!
Sheng Lan - 蓝晟
Managing Director - Owner
Sheng is Zida Academy’s Managing Director that oversees the day-to-day operations along with organizational leadership & management and strategic planning & execution. With an academic background in economics, law and business along with professional management experience from both public and private sectors, Sheng is here to ensure that Zida Academy is always running seamlessly. As a professionally trained pianist, Sheng brings his love of music to the many events that are held at Zida Academy!
Abbey Gauthier, RECE
Supervisor
Abbey is our Supervisor at Zida Academy. She graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education. She is registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Abbey has always had a passion for working with children since a young age; she has grown up with her mom running a home daycare and that is where her passion has started. She is passionate about helping children strive to reach their full potential. Abbey is also passionate when it comes to letting children learn through play and experiences to help expand their curiosity. Abbey believes that nature is our third teacher and want to include as much of the outdoors into children’s learning. Abbey has a great understanding of child development and looks forward to supporting and collaborating with her team to create a welcoming and nurturing environment for each and every child enrolled at Zida Academy. Abbey is eager to showcase her strong leadership skills and continue building positive relationships with families and the community!
Ilkyaz Meral
School Chef
Bio coming soon.
Elisa Parkins, RECE
French Registered Early Childhood Educator
Elisa is our French Registered Early Childhood Educator at Zida Academy. She graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education and is registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Elisa loves to work with children. She is an aunt to 12 nieces and nephews and has experience with all children’s age groups. Elisa is also a mother of a young daughter. She knows all about the joy of having children. Elisa enjoys spending time outdoors doing various activities with her family. She has a very fun and bubbly personality. Elisa believes it is important to build a personal relationship with both children and parents. She wants the parents to feel that their children’s needs will be met leaving them with a welcoming environment.
Naile (Nina) Ture
Educator
Naile is one of our Educators at Zida Academy. Children call her as “Nina”. She graduated from the Istanbul University’s Faculty of Gifted Children Education in Turkey. Naile is currently pursuing the Early Childhood Education program at Algonquin College. She has had educational experience with many children with different intelligence and talent types. She likes to create and play games that will develop children's intelligence. She knows many mind-enhancing games from her past education. She loves spending time with the children. She thinks that the most enjoyable and fulfilling moment in school is when she does circle time, because during this time, she gets the chance to communicate with each of the children one-on-one in the circle and supports them in revealing their talents. Naile enjoys dancing, imitating animals, and pretending to be mini mouse and it makes her feels like a kid by being with children. It makes Naile very happy to see that her hard work has paid off by watching the children's development. At the end of the day, Naile always looking forward to a child’s hug and this gives her more energy even after a long day of work. Naile is excited to be spending her days with all the wonderful children at Zida Academy!
Haiqing Li, RECE
Registered Early Childhood Educator
Bio coming soon.
Megan Callander
Educator
Bio coming soon.
Ebony Callander
Educator
Bio coming soon.
Nicole Ottchitch
Educator
Bio coming soon.
Iris Liu
Educator
Bio coming soon.
Ramanpreet Kaur
Educator
Bio coming soon.
Emma Rowe, RECE
Registered Early Childhood Educator
Bio coming soon.
Manar Benchabane
Educator
Bio coming soon.
Moumina Houssein, RECE
Registered Early Childhood Educator - currently on maternity leave
Moumina is one of our Registered Early Childhood Educators at Zida Academy. She graduated from la Cite Collégiale with a diploma in Early Childhood Education and is registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Working with kids was something Moumina had always wanted to do. During her first few years of elementary school, she used to help with the daycare that was located within the school and used to express her desire to work with children. Moumina’s passion is dancing, and she attends a class every Thursday. She is also a mother to a beautiful and smart little boy who is turning 2 in May 2024 and have 10 beautiful nieces and nephews. When they all unite, you’ll probably see her playing and having fun with the kids instead with the adults. Moumina understands that for kids to learn, they must have fun. Dancing, singing and getting messy are ways she makes learning fun. Building strong professional connections with the parents is also a priority for Moumina. In addition, she is fully bilingual and graduated from a French college. Moumina is enthusiastic about taking care of your little ones and welcoming them each morning with a big smile.