SaJANTH MOHAN

Principal

Sajanth Mohan is a community leader, pastor, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in Christian ministry and faith-based leadership. He has served in pastoral ministry for two decades, led Christian charitable initiatives for over 15 years, and has a background of more than 10 years in the private education sector. Sajanth holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has dedicated his life to building strong communities through education, faith, and service.

Teresa pIerre

Vice Principal

Teresa Pierre has worked in the educational sector since 2011, when she founded a parent group in Toronto called Parents as First Educators. For over thirteen years she worked to bring accountability and transparency to Canadian schools, acquiring extensive experience in marketing, fundraising, social media, and graphic design. Teresa is a historian by training, and received her PhD from the University of Toronto in medieval history. She is a published author on medieval history, and a media expert. Her favourite occupation is being mother to four grown children, and a loud herding dog.

SOPHIE DUAN

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Bringing a commitment to compassionate care from her years as a medical doctor, Sophie Duan has been responsible for creating the culture of FH FAMILY at Future Hope Education for the past eight years. She cultivates an environment of care, empowerment, joy, creativity, integrity, and leadership, and truly makes school a home away from home. She has studied biblical theology and is a regular participant in her Bible Study group. Sophie brings two decades of business experience in administration, marketing, public relations, human resource, non-profit and coaching to FH operations.

Shamar Bennette

CHAPLAIN AND COMMunity relations manaGer

Shamar Bennette has been the lead pastor of The Door Church for over seven years. He is passionate about teaching biblical truths, mentoring youth and young adults, and equipping believers with foundational truths. As Future Hope Academy Chaplain Pastor Bennette supervises devotions, worship events, service projects, and mission trips. He also maintains community outreach to local churches and pastors to the athletic teams.

Tim Keung

VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tim Keung is a dynamic leader whose career spans psychology, real estate, entrepreneurship an business development.  With a background in organizational psychology from the London School of Economics, he worked with Fortune 500 companies globally before transitioning into real estate, where he now leads the TimSold Real Estate Team. As a Board Director for the Markham Board of Trade, Tim is committed to fostering business growth and education in the GTA region. His philanthropic efforts include supporting SickKids Hospital and local community and religious organizations. A dedicated family man, Tim balances his professional success with a passion for giving back.

JOEL LAZARUS

 Director of outreach and spiritual care, Board of Directors

Joel Lazarus is committed to fostering a Christ-centered educational environment at Future Hope Christian Academy that nurtures both academic and spiritual growth. With over 25 years of global ministry experience, Joel brings a heart for the gospel and a vision to guide the next generation. He is also an evangelist, children’s author, and founder of Joel Lazarus Ministries. In addition to his work at the Academy, Joel is a devoted husband and father, balancing his ministry with running Versed Creations, a custom apparel business.

EarL JaMEs

Director of IT, Board of Directors

With expertise in IT marketing and a keen eye for community engagement, Earl James brings his vision, experience and skills to FH Academy’s education development while fostering community growth and engagement. His leadership and innovative approach make him an invaluable asset to FH Academy and the broader community it serves.

EDGardo G. Gonzales

Board of ADVISORs

Edgardo G. Gonzales is a Filipino–Canadian author, speaker, and philanthropic advocate. Born in Tondo, Manila, as one of ten children, he was sponsored in his youth by the Christian Children’s Fund (now Children Believe) and World Vision Philippines—support that helped lift him from poverty and inspired his lifelong passion for social justice.

He wrote Somebody Believes, his autobiography, sharing his journey of transformation through compassion and sponsorship. In 2007, Gonzales became a Multicultural Philanthropy Advisor with World Vision Canada, where he helped establish a council of faith and ethnic leaders dedicated to fighting poverty. Currently, he serves with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), continuing to use storytelling and cross-cultural outreach to promote faith and compassion.

He resides in Pickering, Ontario, with his wife Marilou; together they have three adult children.  

Samuel Mills

Board of ADVISORs

Samuel (Sam) Mills is the Interim Lead Pastor of The Bridge in Markham, Ontario, bringing over 25 years of pastoral leadership experience across North America. Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Toronto, Sam has served in both the U.S. and Canada, including more than 15 years in Canadian ministry. He previously held senior leadership roles at Sanctus Church in Ajax and is widely recognized for his relational leadership and ability to empower others through strategic coaching and team development. Sam holds a Graduate Diploma and Master of Theological Studies from Tyndale University and Seminary, a ThM from Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Adaptive Leadership through Fuller Seminary. He is known for delivering biblically grounded, practical teaching that speaks to real-life challenges, with impactful messages such as Through Many Trials and The Lord Is My Banner. Sam also serves on the boards of Chosen Children and Pickering Christian School, and is a certified facilitator for Prepare & Enrich and Working Genius. He lives in the GTA with his wife Ann and their two children and enjoys sports, technology, theology, music, and travel.  

George Haddad

 TEACHER, ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING

George Haddad graduated from the University of Alberta with a BA in education and from Newman Theological College with an MA in Religious Education. He has taught primary and secondary education for ten years and served as a chaplain for three years in Edmonton Catholic schools, where he supervised prayers, worship services and faith-based learning. He has experience in physical education and as a coach in track and volleyball. He has participated in youth ministry and been a camp counsellor, supervising watersports, archery and the zipline and facilitating team-building activities.

Richard Lloyd

 MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER

Dr. Richard Lloyd received his Masters in Education from the University of Windsor and his Doctor of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary. He has achieved numerous other doctorates including a Doctor of Philosophy from the International Bible University, Oklahoma City, OK. He has been teaching for over 30 years in secondary school classrooms and online, with over 20 years experience in Christian schools, where he assisted with mission trips, mentoring, biblical expository teaching, weekly devotionals and tutoring. What he has valued most during much of his teaching tenure is that, as a believer, he could present his lessons within a foundation of biblical truth.

SAHEERA PONN

ENGLISH, SOCIAL SCIENCE, AND PRIMARY TEACHER

Saheera Ponn is a dedicated and experienced educator with a strong background in teaching middle and high school English, social science and ESL in both public and private school settings. Skilled at integrating technology and supporting diverse learners, she is committed to fostering critical thinking, engagement and academic success through student-centred approaches. She is one half of our grade 7/8 teaching team.

Shanti MCLELLAND

TEACHER

Mr. Shanti McLelland has been a teacher and a principal in Ontario, Sri Lanka and China in four different schools for the past 15 years. He teaches a wide variety of subjects including science, math, business, and English. 

Robert Mangeni

SCIENCE, TUTOR, AND PRIMARY TEACHER

Robert Mangeni, originally from Uganda, where he did his post-graduate studies in Education, has spent over 15 years teaching middle and high school students math and science in Kuwait and Uganda. Robert is the other half of the grade 7/8 teaching team.

LINETTE GODLEY

 TEACHER, TUTOR

Linette Godley has a BA and MSC in Kinesiology/Health Sciences from York University. She has three years experience working at an Ontario private school. She has been very involved in her church as a youth leader and participated in several life-changing missions to Mexico. She is passionate about delivering academically insightful and spiritually grounded education. Linette works in our tutoring program as well as teaches at FH.

Lara Cerqueira

English and Business teacher

Holding a double major in English and Portuguese, Lara Cerqueira has eight years of experience teaching English as a second language. She is passionate about teaching literature and language and has a background in business as well. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in classroom management, collaboration, and fostering positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents. Administrative tasks have also been part of her professional path and play a huge role in her adept management of organizational operations and processes.

Yaroslav STROYAN

English Teacher

Holding a master’s degree of Translation and Interpretation and passionate about helping students build linguistic confidence and fostering cross-cultural awareness, empowering them to thrive in our globalized world, Yaroslav Stroyan has been teaching English in Canada, Hong Kong, and China for over a decade.

Yaroslav believes that personalized support and encouragement are key to unlocking each student’s potential and fostering their love for the English language and communication. His unique teaching inspires students to embrace English not only as a language, but also as a gateway to understanding and connecting with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

David Vu

Manager of Student Services

A caring advisor with two decades of educational marketing and recruitment experience, David Vu is passionate about guiding and helping students down their academic path.

TINA FU

Guidance Counsellor

Graduated from University of Western Ontario with a master’s degree in education, Tina Fu has been dedicated to guiding students toward academic success at Future Hope Education for over 7 years and has supervised an impressive 100% university/college acceptance rate for FH students.

Believing in a balance of authority and trust, Tina also mentors students and fosters confidence, motivation, and a strong sense of direction in them. She always ensures each student reaches their fullest potential.

Seba Yalcin

Specialist in Recruitment & Marketing

Formerly an international student in Canada, Seba Yalcin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. She is the Office Manager at Future Hope Academy and ensures all systems run smoothly.