Skip to content

School Staff

FOUNDERS

A man in suit and tie standing next to wall.

Sal Ritacca
B.Sc. (University of Toronto), B.Ed. (University of Toronto), Primary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Principal Qualifications.

Co-Founder and Principal of LDVA from 1992 – 2008. Experienced educator with over 45 years of experience at the TDSB and LDVA. Sal is dedicated to fostering the growth and future of Leonardo Da Vinci Academy. His commitment to its founding principles is irrevocable.

A man in a suit and tie standing next to a flag.

Dom Tassielli
B.A. (York University), B.Ed. (University of Toronto), Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Principal Qualifications.

Co-Founder and first Headmaster of LDVA. Over 45 years of educational experience with the TDSB and LDVA. Devoted to the long term success of Leonardo Da Vinci Academy.

ADMINISTRATION

A woman with glasses and a jacket on.
Susan Lee
B.A., B.Sc. (University of Massachusetts), Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)

Academic Head and Grade 4 Core teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience in elementary education in Massachusetts and at LDVA.
A woman with long hair wearing glasses and a black jacket.
Giulia O’Neil
B.A. (University of Toronto), B.Ed. (Queen’s University), AMI Montessori Diploma – Casa dei Bambini (FME, Toronto), Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)

LDVA’s CCMA liaison, marketing director and social media manager. 10 years of educational experience including 6 years as LDVA’s Casa Montessori Directress.

SCUOLA MATERNA

A woman in black shirt sitting on chair next to book shelf.

Marcella Ricciuti
Scuola Magistrale, Liceo Beata Vergine del Carmine (Italy); Montessori Teacher Training (NAMC)

Scuola Materna Directress with over 25 years teaching experience in Italy and LDVA.

A white and grey background with a wave

Cinzia Marcuz
Istituto Magistrale (Italy), B.A. (Ryerson University), E.C.E. (Ryerson University), Montessori Assistant Certificate (MTC)

Scuola Materna Assistant with over 20 years teaching experience at LDVA including Italian, ESL, and Camp Specialist.

CASA MONTESSORI

Jada D’Aversa
B.F.A (OCAD), Early Childhood Diploma (Toronto Montessori Institute)

LDVA’s Casa Montessori teaching assistant. Jada has Montessori and ECE training from the Toronto Montessori Institute. She has several years of experience as a teaching assistant in Montessori classrooms. Jada also works with the after-hours students.

LOWER ELEMENTARY MONTESSORI

A woman with long hair wearing glasses and smiling.

Beverley Lobo
AMI Montessori Diploma – Casa dei Bambini (MTTC, Pakistan), International Montessori Teaching Diploma – Lower Elementary Montessori (NAMC), Lower Elementary Montessori Diploma (CMTEI)

Lower Elementary Montessori Directress (Grades 1 – 3) at LDVA for over 15 years.

A woman with curly hair and white shirt smiling.

Suzann Tassielli
B.A. (University of Toronto), Casa Assistant Training (TMTTI), Lower Elementary Montessori (TMTTI)

Lower Elementary Assistant with over 20 years teaching experience in Montessori and traditional education.

UPPER ELEMENTARY

A man with glasses and a plaid shirt.
Trent Jewell
B.Sc. (McMaster University), B.Ed. (Brock University), Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)

Senior grades core teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience at LDVA. Areas if expertise include Language Arts, Math, Science, Art & Drama, Social Studies and Physical Education. Extra-Curricular activities include Intramural Sports, Drama, Chess Club, and more.

SPECIALIST TEACHERS

A woman in a suit and tie standing next to two framed pictures.
Monia Gagliese
B.A. ILUM (Milano), E.C.E. (Seneca College)

LDVA’s principle Italian teacher with 3 years of specialized education in Italy and 5 years of preschool/Montessori education in the GTA. Monia works with the Italian Government to help increase the authenticated number of hours of Italian studies at LDVA. She is in charge of after school Italian Clubs for primary grades and the first Italian Drama Class for Grade 4.
A woman with long hair wearing a sweater.
Manjola Golgota
B.A. (University of Languages, Tirana, Albania)

Core French teacher for Grades 1 to 8 at LDVA for over 16 years. Manjola’s talent for teaching employs innovative and exciting methods to foster her love and passion for the French language.