What qualifications do your teachers have?

At Glen Briar Academy, our teaching team includes Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs), educators with advanced degrees, and specialists with expertise in areas such as special education, STEM, the arts, language instruction, and inquiry-based learning. Many of our staff members bring diverse teaching experiences from both Canada and international settings, allowing them to provide students with a well-rounded and globally minded educational experience. Our educators are committed to ongoing professional development and work collaboratively to create engaging, differentiated, and student-centred learning environments that support academic, social, and emotional growth.

How does GBA staff support each student's learning needs

GBA staff works closely with students and families to understand each child’s individual strengths, needs, interests, and goals in order to create a supportive and responsive learning environment. Through small class sizes, individualized programming, and differentiated instruction, teachers are able to provide targeted support and meaningful challenges that help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. For students who require additional support, teachers collaborate with families and our Student Support Team to help each student develop confidence and essential learning skills within their learning communities.

How do teachers communicate with parents?

Our teachers maintain regular communication with parents and guardians through a variety of methods, including email updates, communication platforms such as ClassDojo, student agendas, and report cards. Teachers are also available for scheduled parent-teacher meetings to discuss student needs, answer questions, and work collaboratively with families to support each child’s academic, social, and emotional development.

How does outdoor education fit into Glen Briar Academy’s pedagogy?

At Glen Briar Academy, outdoor education is an important part of our inquiry-based and experiential approach to learning. Students engage in Outdoor Learning Days throughout the year that support academic, social, emotional, and physical development. Whether through nature walks, outdoor inquiry activities, physical education, gardening, environmental exploration, community-based learning, or seasonal activities, students are encouraged to observe, question, investigate, and interact with the world around them. These experiences help foster curiosity, resilience, environmental awareness, and a deeper connection to learning while supporting the development of the whole child.

Meet our Founders | Glen Briar Academy Inc.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do

Konstantina Peristeris, Ph.D. Candidate, M.Ed., OCT, is the Founder and Director of Glen Briar Academy. As a doctoral candidate at York University, Ms. Peristeris is passionate about creating individualized learning experiences that nurture each child’s unique strengths, needs, and goals.

With a strong foundation in differentiated, inquiry-based, and experiential education, she brings together academic research and practical classroom experience to guide the school’s vision and daily practices. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to meaningful student growth, inclusive education, and the development of programs that are both research-informed and responsive to the needs of every learner. At Glen Briar Academy, Ms. Peristeris works closely with students, families, and educators to foster a supportive learning community where children are encouraged to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Brenda Kastner, PGDE, OCT, is the Founder and Director of Studies at Glen Briar Academy. With extensive teaching experience in both Canada and international settings, Ms. Kastner brings a diverse and global perspective to GBA’s educational programming.

She is passionate about creating engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that encourage students to think critically, explore deeply, and make meaningful connections across subject areas. Her approach emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and student voice, fostering an environment where curiosity and creativity are valued.

Through her leadership, Ms. Kastner supports the development of knowledgeable, reflective, and compassionate learners who are prepared to succeed academically while becoming responsible and open-minded global citizens.

What qualifications do your teachers have?
At Glen Briar Academy, our teaching team includes Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs), educators with advanced degrees, and specialists with expertise in areas such as special education, STEM, the arts, language instruction, and inquiry-based learning.

Many of our staff members bring diverse teaching experiences from both Canada and international settings, allowing them to provide students with a well-rounded and globally minded educational experience. Our educators are committed to ongoing professional development and work collaboratively to create engaging, differentiated, and student-centred learning environments that support academic, social, and emotional growth.
How does GBA staff support each student's learning needs
GBA staff works closely with students and families to understand each child’s individual strengths, needs, interests, and goals in order to create a supportive and responsive learning environment. Through small class sizes, individualized programming, and differentiated instruction, teachers are able to provide targeted support and meaningful challenges that help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

For students who require additional support, teachers collaborate with families and our Student Support Team to help each student develop confidence and essential learning skills within their learning communities.
How do teachers communicate with parents?
Our teachers maintain regular communication with parents and guardians through a variety of methods, including email updates, communication platforms such as ClassDojo, student agendas, and report cards. Teachers are also available for scheduled parent-teacher meetings to discuss student needs, answer questions, and work collaboratively with families to support each child’s academic, social, and emotional development.
How does outdoor education fit into Glen Briar Academy’s pedagogy?
At Glen Briar Academy, outdoor education is an important part of our inquiry-based and experiential approach to learning. Students engage in Outdoor Learning Days throughout the year that support academic, social, emotional, and physical development. Whether through nature walks, outdoor inquiry activities, physical education, gardening, environmental exploration, community-based learning, or seasonal activities, students are encouraged to observe, question, investigate, and interact with the world around them. These experiences help foster curiosity, resilience, environmental awareness, and a deeper connection to learning while supporting the development of the whole child.