Dr. Fox is a parent and educator of many years’ experience in the public, private and university systems, with a special interest in the gifted adolescent. She has lectured for learned societies, the University of Toronto, and York University, and has held the post of Head of English and of Vice-Principal at another Toronto private school. She received her doctorate in English Literature from the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies in 1986, with a dissertation on Political and Social Models in the Works of Philip Sidney. Her special scholarly interests are in Renaissance literature, history and political science. She has also pursued academic work in pedagogy and philosophy as well as fine arts. She has lobbied for the legalisation of midwifery in Ontario, and taken part in numerous amateur and professional theatrical productions. She is a published poet, and the author of five novels. She also sings Gershwin, and accompanies herself on the piano. She has spent many of the happiest hours of her life in the world’s great museums.

Mr. Ferraro, who did a double-major in Cognitive Science and Psychology at the University of Toronto (Honors, BSc), is currently pursuing graduate work in Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. Mr. Ferraro has worked as a counsellor and teacher with adolescents, and has developed and implemented an imaginative (and very popular!) programme of fitness, self-defence and hygiene theory (including the rudiments of logic) at another Toronto private high school. His own training and expertise in martial arts reflect a long-standing commitment to physical fitness, and his interest in mind-body synergy.

Dr. Vervaeke holds a doctorate from the University of Toronto; his specialization is Cognitive Science and Philosophy. He received his M.A. in Philosophy from U of T, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Toronto. A teacher of Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto,also the Associate director of Cognitive Science at UofT, he was the recipient of the APUS and SAC Undergraduate Teaching Award for 2001, and has been teaching senior humanities at the Durham Secondary Academy. He is widely published in his field, and a frequent presenter to learned societies. Dr. Vervaeke's studies in both Philosophy and Cognitive Science help inform the school's curriculum.

Ms. Ferraro, whose background is as a professional designer (she created our dragon logo), trained in Industrial Design at the Ontario College of Art and Design, and brings her gifts as a parent and grandparent to inspiring young art students. She also has enjoyed great success in teaching mathematics to our younger students.

One of Canada’s foremost flamenco teachers, choreographers and dancers, Ms. Carolina has taught for the University of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Appleby College, and the University of Calgary as well as at The Dragon. Artistic director and principal choreographer of Theatre Flamenco, she has shared the soul of Flamenco through classes, workshops and concerts with leading artists. All this has been in addition to her many outreach programmes through the Arts Council and Toronto area schools.

Ms. Carolina’s early studies included dance at the National Ballet School and music at the Royal Conservatory of Music. After university studies in music composition, she lived in Spain for 10 years, and studied with such famous artists and teachers as La Tati, Manolete, Ricardo "El Veneno", Paco Fernandes and the late Maria Alba. She has worked and toured extensively in the tablaos of Spain and the concert halls of Europe, the Middle East, the U. S. A. and Canada, along with a two year stint at the New York City Opera, and appearances at New York’s famous flamenco gathering place, le Chateau. She now travels throughout Canada performing, choreographing and teaching, most recently bringing her Misa Flamenca, the first Flamenco Mass to be realized in Canada, to sold-out audiences in the west.

Sarah Beatty, Art Teacher and Administrator:

Ms. Beatty graduated with an Honours BFA at the Ontario College of Art and Design in 2004, where she was trained in printmaking and book arts. She returns this year as the senior level art teacher and part-time administrator. She has recently begun to make quirky cards under the name Good Morning Press, a project which has stemmed from collaborative efforts of art practice that is known publicly as S.D.Wormwood.  She partners in a handbag company called Plain Jane, where she designs, prints, and sews purses.

Brad Warren:

Mr. Warren recently moved to Toronto from Virginia after having spent years both travelling and living abroad. His journeys have taken him all over Europe and North America. He is a former university professor who specialised in European culture and the French language. This led him to teaching in Europe every year after having completed his M.A. in 2004 from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. During his graduate work he studied French-Canadian literature and North American Spanish literature and culture. He enjoys language's ability to open up a new world to his students and he is passionate about his student's progress learning both language and culture. He loves music and enjoys the wonders of Canadian fishing.

Dr. Halvorson received a Ph.D. (2006) and an M. Phil. from Columbia University, an M.A. from Stanford University (2000), and an honors B.A. from Macalester College (1996). As a political philosopher who is interested in education, Dr. Halvorson has taught at Columbia, Stanford and the University of Iowa. He also has over 12 years of experience teaching high school students.

Dr. Halvorson's scholarly interests lie at the intersection of ethics, politics, and education. His recent book on the mechanics of value debate has been recognized as one of the best textbooks available on the subject. A champion debater, he attends to argumentation, critical thinking, and advocacy skills in his courses. He is also a painter, who has exhibited his work in New York City, and a drummer, who has played in a number of bands ranging in genre from the blues, to rock, to country.

Dr. Halvorson's courses at Dragon focus on the history of philosophy, political and ethical theory, and government. We are delighted to welcome such an eminent and committed teacher to our community.

Ms. Ashkenazy joined the Dragon as a teacher of Math, Science, and Drama. Ms. Ashkenazy completed her Bachelor of Arts at York University, and is currently finishing her Master of Education at Daemen College, where she is researching fears that adolescents face in the school setting. She was actively involved on campus as an undergraduate with the York Israeli Student Association, where she brought speakers and students together to explore and further their understanding of the social and political environment in Israel. Ms. Ashkenazy furthered her involvement in the advocacy of international understanding and personal responsibility through subsequent work with not-for-profit organizations.  Beginning with her interest in Socratic teaching, she began searching for a school which shared her commitment to it and so found us.

Matt Russo:

Mr. Russo holds a B. Music for Jazz guitar from U of T where he is currently completing a specialist degree in Astrophysics. He teaches senior level Math, Chemistry, and Physics courses at the Dragon Academy, developing the students' faculties in understanding the mathematical nature of the universe, critical and skeptical thinking, and areas of physics such as quantum mechanics and cosmology. He also teaches workshops in rock music, providing the students with a venue to develop their musical personalities through practice, performance and recording. Mr. Russo has a passion for scientific literacy which he inherited from Carl Sagan and enjoys teaching at the Dragon Academy immensely.

Jonathan Glidden:

Mr. Glidden spent four years at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Bachelor of Music Program, and currently studies at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto under the tutelage of Bryan Epperson. A teacher of international repute, Mr. Glidden's cello includes both classical and world music. Mr. Glidden has worked extensively in Canada and abroad, from Dublin's St. Mary’s Music Institute to Mexico, where he gave performances in Ajijic and Guadalajara. Mr. Glidden is currently an ‘Artist in Residence’ at the Dragon Academy. As a world music cellist, he has worked with members of the Boss Brass in performing original works by John MacLeod. As a classical cellist, he has been a member of the Northern Lights Festival Orchestra (Mexico), the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Mooredale Youth Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. He can be heard regularly on CBC radio.

Ms. Webb joined The Dragon in the fall of 2007 to take up the duties of Assistant Registrar. Her creativity, cool head and organizational talents are much appreciated. Ms. Webb attended the Ontario College of Art and Design where she earned her Bachelor of Design in 2005. She continues to create and show her textile based work at various galleries and art shows. She recently joined a crafts-based collective called Domestic, which has had several successful showings at The Ontario Crafts Council, Distill, and the Gladstone Hotel. In her spare time, Ms. Webb also enjoys knitting, reading, gardening, working on her website (www.hillarywebb.ca) and singing in a classical music choir.

Mr. Sommerville, originally from Toronto, is a freelancing drummer and teacher. A recent graduate from the University of Toronto's Jazz Performance Program, he has had the privilege of studying with some of the country's premier drummers, including Terry Clarke, Bob McLaren, and Barry Elmes. Kevin performs at various local venues, including the Rex Hotel, The Horseshoe, and The Drake Hotel. His versatility as a drummer has seen him active as a show band drummer on cruise ships, in Broadway revue shows, in various jazz ensembles, and in backing numerous singers and songwriters. Having studied theory, arranging, and advanced improvisation, he provides a wealth of knowledge to his loyal student base.