Leah Vance, Teacher
As an elementary teacher, Leah believes learning should be defined by joy, curiosity, and student-led exploration. Her education journey began while volunteering in a kindergarten classroom in Australia where she was living and working as an au pair. She witnessed the profound impact of allowing children to guide their own discovery. This experience inspired her to pursue the Education program at the University of Ottawa, where she further refined her inquiry-based approach.
Leah holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Guelph, majoring in Family Studies and Human Development with a double minor in Child Studies and Psychology. In her classroom she fosters a creative, safe, and encouraging environment where students feel confident to ask questions, take risks, and celebrate their growth. Outside of school, Leah stays active on the soccer field and is an avid cinema-goer and concert-goer.
Jana Ogston, Teacher
Jana is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching in private schools, homeschool cooperatives, and alternative learning environments. She is known for her warm, student-centered approach and her ability to adapt learning to meet the unique needs of every child. Her background includes Waldorf-inspired early childhood teaching, inquiry-based homeschool programs, and individualized literacy intervention for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
Jana holds a B.Ed. from Queen’s University and a B.A. with Highest Honours from Carleton University, along with specialist qualifications in Reading and Special Education. She is deeply committed to nurturing confidence, independence, and a love of learning, and believes every child can thrive with the right guidance, encouragement, and tools. When she isn’t teaching, Jana enjoys horseback riding and hiking with her family.
Linsey Scotch, Director
Linsey is a Director and parent within the Nova community. After becoming a mom, she chose to step away from her career to spend more time with her children and become closely involved in their learning and development.
Through that experience, Linsey became increasingly drawn to educational approaches that combine the flexibility and connection of homeschooling with the richness of learning in a collaborative community. She believes children thrive when they are well known, supported as individuals, and given the space to think critically, explore creatively, and develop confidence in themselves and their ideas.
At Nova, Linsey helps guide the vision and day-to-day operations of the school while working closely with families and staff to cultivate a thoughtful, relationship-based learning environment. She values open communication, strong community connections, and creating a school culture where children feel both supported and inspired.
Outside of school, Linsey enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and continuing to explore new ideas about education, child development, and meaningful learning.