Our Team

After being raised on the North Shore and graduating from a local high school, Allie attended university in Calgary. There she attained a Bachelor of Arts: Behavioural Science degree, while she participated on the school futsal team for four and a half years. There she took her practicum, and continued to work, in the school’s Learning Services department. After returning to Vancouver she entered youth development work, which she has pursued for over two years.

Whether Allie is walking, biking, going longboarding, or playing soccer, she is happiest outside. Allie is an enthusiast of both ukulele and pottery; she loves being creative and exploring new things. Painting, squash (the sport), photography, music, reading, and astronomy rank high on her list of interests and hobbies.

Bridget first joined Whytecliff in 2015 as a practicum student. She enjoyed herself so much that when her course commitment ended, she continued to volunteer her time with the program. Bridget’s amazing gift for empathy helps her bond with the youth and create lasting relationships. In 2017 Bridget took over the administrative duties for the Langley campus where her organizational skills are put to the test on a daily basis. Bridget is outgoing, creative and the proud mother of 2 boys. She loves cooking and joking with the youth. She enjoys staying fit by running and doing pilates.

Born and raised in Ireland, Cliodhna moved here in June of 2019. She has completed her studies in Ireland with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Geography and then specialising in her Master’s in Education. She began her teaching career in Ireland and has taught there for the last 6 years, teaching English and Geography in a troubled area in Dublin as well as the school that she once attended. When she moved to this school, she discovered her passion for working with youth with educational needs. She also is an avid reader. Cliodhna is passionate about sports especially athletics and camogie (a traditional Irish sport). She is keen to learn other Canadian sports and culture.

Born and raised in Northern BC, Ian studied at Trinity Western University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. When he’s not chasing teenagers around at Whytecliff, Ian is climbing, mountain biking, baking bread, or working on his garden, and loves building meaningful relationships through the things that he is passionate about. Ian is excited for his role as a Youth Worker and Operations Coordinator for the Langley Campus, and is looking forward to supporting young people as they grow and learn.

Ilona was part of the original team who opened the Burnaby program in 2001. She was the Principal and the Humanities teacher for four years before returning to the program in 2016 as the Program Manager. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in World History and Secondary Education, and a Master’s of Science Degree in Brain-Based Teaching and Learning. She has worked with youth in both teaching and counseling capacities, and has worked with a wide spectrum of young people in the Gifted and International Baccalaureate Programs, and in Special Education. She is passionate about teaching the thinking skills of optimism and growth mindset to all youth and families, and is dedicated to “busting” the myths many young people have about their ability to learn and change (through teaching about the concept of neuroplasticity).

Happy-go-lucky world traveller.  Queens alumnus.  Versatile veteran teacher and polymath.  Everywhere in the world one may find interesting, friendly people, and meeting new people is one of Jeff’s favourite hobbies.  Jeff also enjoys reading, writing, photography, playing baroque music, singing, musical theatre, attending sporting events, discussing religion and politics, playing and teaching chess, coaching racquet sports, and attempting to learn foreign languages.

Born and raised in India, Kiran has more than 7 years’ experience in teaching and working with youth (including poor and special needs children at an elementary and secondary level). She was head of the department at the Marx Institute of Science in Punjab, and holds Master’s Degrees in Education and Mathematics. Since moving to Canada in 2015, she has worked at the Khalsa school in Surrey, and has experience in teaching Applied Design, Skills and Technologies, and Math and English. Her chief goal at Whytecliff is to enable and encourage students to appreciate the usefulness, power and beauty of mathematics.

Luca became involved with Whytecliff Learning Centre first as a Practicum student in 2015, and then as a Youth Worker in 2017. Prior to joining Whytecliff, she volunteered in a variety of non-profits—developing and delivering services to help engage youth in the Fraser Valley.

Luca was a star basketball player with Brookswood Secondary of Langley throughout her high school career. Her skills allowed her to gain a scholarship at Trinity Western University, where she led her team for 5 years while pruning her shooting skills. Now these skills are being shared with Whytecliff’s youth.

Luca is a strong member of a local family in the Langley area and is proud to mentor the students at Whytecliff.

Maddie is one of the newest additions to the Whytecliff team. Born and raised in the Lower Mainland, Maddie studied at Trinity Western University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology, as well as a Human Services Certificate. Maddie loves a good dance party, but she especially has a passion for nature, photography, and for supporting and encouraging young people as they learn and grow. She is excited for her role as a Youth Development Worker and Administrative Assistant with the Burnaby program.

Marcus has been a Youth and Family Worker at Whytecliff since 2012. He has shown on multiple occasions what “ethics of care” truly means. Marcus’ commitment to kids’ well-being is second to none. This year he will be taking a leadership role in developing the electronics and outdoor education program.

Marcus draws upon his approachable personality in active listening and hands-on learning. Marcus’s love of animals and nature is obvious, and he works with many children in activitiers related to the outdoors.

Marcus grew up in the Fraser Valley, moving a few times prior to his family purchasing a poultry farm in Chilliwack where he lived for 13 years. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology with a certificate in Human Services in April 2020. Marcus first got involved at Whytecliff back in 2019 as a practicum student where he connected with the students and staff and could not resist coming back. When Marcus is not at Whytecliff he enjoys his time hanging out with his friends, working on the farm, refereeing for Volleyball Canada, and detailing vehicles.

Nick grew up in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast before moving to Vancouver a decade ago and recently joined Whytecliff Burnaby as a Youth Worker. He completed a Bachelors of Social Work at Douglas College and a Diploma of Fine Arts at Langara College where he explored his interests in mental health and counselling practices as well as painting and sculpture. These experiences encouraged his passion for developing creative outlets as ways of coping, exploring the world and expanding self-awareness. In his spare time Nick enjoys making art and music, reading and gardening.

Rachael Sorsabal was born and raised in Southern California, growing up to love the outdoors. She finished her education with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology wherein she discovered a passion for teaching science. After college, she spent some time in North Carolina raising two beautiful twin boys, finally returning to Washington State. In Washington she spent eleven years coaching high school track and field and working as a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor, which she still does to this day. She is a passionate SCUBA diver, photographer, horseback rider, and outdoors woman.

Robert Kissner, B.A. (Honors), M.A., Ph.D., R.S.W. is the founder and creative energy of Focus Foundation of BC. Dr. Kissner is a specialist in stress and trauma, with an interest in innovative ways to facilitate resilience and emotional recovery. He has experience in clinical practice, agency administration, teaching, research, and as a social innovator and entrepreneur. He is a former member of the Simon Fraser University Senate and Board of Governors. He served as President of the BC Association of Social workers and was BC provincial representative to CASW. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2012.

Dr. Kissner has taught a wide range of subjects for the University of Chicago, SFU, Trinity Western University, UCFV and Douglas College, including courses in social work, education, criminology, and sociology. For balance, he loves to read, learn and grow, to travel, and to go hiking and explore the outdoors.

Shelley earned a B.A. degree in neuropsychology and BSc. Degree in computing right after high school. While at SFU she played on the soccer team and worked part time for a small building repair company. After graduation she continued to work in the trades for the next 25 years before returning to SFU to get a teaching degree specializing in education and learning disabilities. After 5 years of teaching in public schools she found a home at Whytecliff, where she gets to teach math, science, robotics and carpentry.

Victoria is a BC local who grew up in New Westminster. She recently graduated from Trinity Western University with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a Human Services Certificate. Vic first became part of the Whytecliff family as a Practicum Student in 2018, and she enjoyed it so much she came back to complete her final practicum with us in Spring 2020! When she isn’t spending time with her friends and family, you can find Vic curled up with a good book or keeping active by going on hikes, running, and playing sports with friends (especially volleyball and spike ball). Fun fact: Victoria hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim a few years ago!

Wilf was a teacher in the Coquitlam School District for 8 years.  He has a bachelor’s degree in both Archaeology and in teaching through the PDP program from Simon Fraser University.  He was born and raised in Vancouver where his formative years belonged in Chinatown.  Wilf is a lifelong learner and passionate educator in history and in the arts.

Wilf also has a background in the local museum community in which he has worked for many years.  He has previously worked at The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site and still works seasonally at the Burnaby Village Museum.  Wilf’s interests include floor hockey, photography, listening to music to relax, blacksmithing, Italian rapier fencing and archery.  Wilf is an avid reader.  Wilf is very excited to be a part of the Whytecliff family. He also professes to be the original Kung Fu Panda. Skadoosh.