Our Team: Bios
Melissa Dias
Executive Director
Melissa first joined Appletree as a teacher in 2009 and brings more than 15 years of experience in Special Education and remedial instruction to her role as Executive Director. After teaching at Appletree from 2009 to 2011, she continued her work in specialized academic remediation, where she received extensive training in Direct Instruction (DI) and further developed her expertise in its delivery. Melissa returned to Appletree as Managing Director in 2018 and became Executive Director in 2026.
Throughout her career, Melissa has supported students with a wide range of learning needs and has developed extensive expertise in Direct Instruction and evidence-based remedial programming. Her particular area of expertise is early literacy and the development of foundational reading skills, with an approach informed by the Science of Reading. She is passionate about helping students develop the foundational skills they need to become successful readers while building confidence in themselves as learners.
Melissa’s many years of direct work with students and families continue to shape her approach to leadership at Appletree. As Executive Director, she oversees Appletree’s educational programming and centre operations and works closely with the instructional team to maintain high standards of program delivery and ensure students receive consistent, individualized and high-quality support.
One of Melissa’s favourite parts of her work continues to be seeing students recognize their own progress and begin to view themselves as capable and confident learners.
Miranda Leung
Miranda is an Ontario Certified Teacher with Primary/Junior qualifications. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Trent University, and her Bachelor of Education at Western University. She is extremely passionate about teaching, and strives to make sure every student has the opportunity to succeed. In her spare time, Miranda loves cooking, cross-stitching, going to Blue Jays games, and spending time with the people she loves.
Laura De Re
Laura is an Ontario Certified Teacher with Primary/Junior qualifications. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Family Relations and Human Development, at the University of Guelph. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Education at Lakehead University.
Laura’s goal is to create a welcoming and supportive learning environment where every student feels heard, valued, and confident in their learning. Outside of teaching, Laura enjoys taking her two dogs for walks, cooking and trying new foods, and exploring local art markets.
Chris Orr
Chris is an Ontario Certified teacher who completed both their Honours Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching degrees at the University of Toronto. Chris holds Intermediate/Senior and Special Education qualifications. They are also a Permanent English and Visual Arts Teacher with the Toronto District School Board. When Chris isn’t teaching they love birdwatching, watercolour painting, and reading.
Zowie Johnson
Zowie completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts, Sociology major with a Law and Society Certificate at York University in 2000. In the years that ensured, she thought she would continue pursuing law, but the universe had other plans for her. Motivated by the desire to ensure a quality, holistic educational experience for her own children, she moved into becoming an owner and manager of a private daycare and pre-school in 2004. Within just a few years, she joined forces with other educators to open, manage and teach in another private school, this time at the elementary level. As her love of teaching grew stronger, she returned to school to obtain her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto (OISE).
Upon completing her education degree, Zowie became certified with the Ontario College of Teachers and continued her teaching career mostly within the private sector, and for a brief period in the public school sector. Throughout her years of teaching, Zowie has worked with students of varying grade levels (JK to 8), and abilities. Over the past 10 years, she has acquired extensive experience teaching children with mild to severe learning exceptionalities. Within the last year, Zowie has been trained in Direct Instruction, and continues to work with students using this highly effective framework. She is still enjoying the educational journey and remains committed to improving her teaching strategies to ensure that “no child is left behind”. In her free time, Zowie enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, and good action movies! She is excited to bring her skills to Appletree and looks forward to observing the growth in her students, as well as in herself as a Remediation Specialist.
Lindsay Tramble
Lindsay is an Ontario Certified Teacher. In 2021, she received her Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from the University of Toronto and in 2023, she received her Master of Teaching from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
In addition to working as a Direct Instruction teacher at Appletree, Lindsay teaches elementary school students in the Toronto District School Board. She is passionate about creating environments where students feel supported and confident in their learning, especially in the areas of literacy.
When she's not teaching, Lindsay can be found at her sewing machine, reading books, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and many pets!
Laurie Hayden
Laurie Hayden is currently an occasional teacher with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and has experience across the primary, junior, and intermediate divisions. She is TESL-certified, enabling her to teach English to newcomer adults in Canada.
Throughout her career, Laurie has been a dedicated classroom teacher and has also worked in specialized programs, including Special Education, the Literacy Enrichment Advancement Program, and as an ESL coach.
Outside of teaching, Laurie enjoys staying active with hot yoga, Pilates, and tennis or pickleball. She also finds joy in practicing the violin for her orchestra
Shaniya Cameron
Shaniya is an Ontario Certified Teacher. She is qualified and is currently teaching in the Primary/Junior division. Shaniya holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from York University, with Additional qualifications including Teaching English Language Learners, Kindergarten, Special Education and Reading.
Outside of teaching, Shaniya enjoys going for walks, attending gym classes, meditating, dancing and listening to music.
Debbie Kantartzis
Debbie is currently a teacher within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and has over twenty years of teaching experience. Over the years, she has acquired additional qualifications in Full Day Kindergarten Education, Special Education and English as a Second Language. Debbie believes that every student can learn, and strives to create a safe and supportive learning environment. In her free time, Debbie can be found walking her dog, and participating in her local book club.