Jenna Smith

Head of School & discovery guide

Jenna (she/her/elle) is originally from Hamilton, Ontario. She moved to Ottawa in 2015 after completing her Master’s in Education at OISE, University of Toronto. An Ontario Certified Teacher with over a decade of teaching and leadership experience in education, Jenna has worked with learners in both public and independent schools in Ontario, as well as internationally in Seoul, South Korea. Her background includes training in structured literacy and reading intervention, executive functioning and self-regulation, coaching, design thinking, and arts-based education. What draws Jenna to Revel is her belief that education should be meaningful, ever-evolving, and deeply human. She connected with Revel’s commitment to creating a place where learners feel safe to be fully themselves, follow their curiosity, and take their learning further than they ever imagined.

Jenna is passionate about creating learning environments where curiosity is taken seriously and young people are challenged to think critically, take ownership, and discover what they are truly capable of. She believes learning should connect to each learner and to the world beyond the studio, giving Rebels opportunities to explore their interests, solve authentic problems, and develop the confidence and independence to make a meaningful impact. As Head of School, Jenna is committed to continually evolving Revel while protecting what matters most: a joyful, supportive community where learners feel known, challenged, and empowered to grow. A lifelong learner herself, she loves a good challenge and rarely passes up an opportunity to try something new.

Outside of Revel, Jenna loves spending time with her children, husband and friends, travelling, reading, and taking her ongoing quest for the perfect donut far more seriously than she probably should.

Melanie Duncan

discovery guide

Mel (she/her/elle) is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT), International Baccalaureate (IB) educator and Primary/Junior Mathematics Specialist with more than a decade of teaching experience in Ottawa across both public and independent school settings. Early in her career, she also spent evenings supporting K–12 learners as a private tutor and organizational coach, working closely with students and families across a wide range of learning profiles and subject areas. These experiences shaped Mel's belief that meaningful learning happens when high expectations are paired with empathy, curiosity and strong relationships. They also helped her develop the adaptability, emotional intelligence and steadiness needed to support learners through both challenges and successes.

Since becoming a Guide at Revel, Mel has grown immensely, unlearning some traditional teacher moves that actually inhibit learner development and autonomy, and instead building in their place the confidence to pause, ask questions, step back and let failure happen so true learning can occur. Revel’s learner-led philosophy and mastery-based approach is amazing to witness in real-time and she learns from the Rebels and these processes everyday. As a Primary/Junior Mathematics Specialist, Mel is constantly seeking new and progressive approaches to make Math Labs as fun and engaging for Revel’s Rebels as possible, striving to develop community among learners through critical discourse, while fostering academic risk-taking, procedural fluency and cultivating growth mindsets. She loves watching Rebels experience that healthy struggle together in the lab to solve complex problems and hearing the frenetic “buzz” of conversation as they test and share ideas!

Outside of school, Mel looks forward to slow mornings with coffee and yoga. She believes forest walks are healing, and loves reading, journaling, listening to music, and singing (off-key) to her son. To recharge at the end of the day, curling up on the couch with her two dogs and husband (with potato chips) is a must!

Megan Nolan

spark guide

Megan (she/her/elle) has been working in education for over a decade and has spent the past seven years as part of the Revel community. She holds a Bachelor of Children’s Studies from York University and an AMI Montessori Diploma, and she is passionate about creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. 

What Megan loves most about the Spark program at Revel is its unique approach to education. The Spark studio combines the best elements of a variety of educational philosophies into one dynamic learning environment. With a strong Montessori foundation, the learners also experience loose parts play, play-based learning, outdoor education, small-group learning, and project-based learning through Quests. The learners have the opportunity to celebrate and share their discoveries during public Exhibitions, showcasing their learning journey with the community. For Megan, the Spark Studio is a truly special place where fun, growth, learning, and play come together every day. She feels grateful to be part of such an inspiring environment and loves watching learners develop confidence, independence, and a genuine excitement for learning.

When she’s not at Revel, Megan loves spending time with her husband and children, exploring the outdoors, playing soccer and ringette, curling up with a good book, tackling a new LEGO building project, and gathering around the table for a good board game!

Genevieve Bisson

Exploration Guide

Gen (she/her/elle) is an educator originally from Quebec City who grew up in Ottawa and eventually found her way back home after years of working, teaching and learning around the world. Her wonderfully eclectic journey in education has taken her to some pretty unexpected places: running an educational camp in England, teaching in Madrid, travelling the world aboard Peace Boat, working in a virtual world for kids, and co-founding an NGO in the Philippines focused on community education, teacher training and a mobile library called Beep Beep Book. Back in Canada, she worked as an Education Specialist with myBlueprint before returning to the classroom in Ottawa. She also holds a Master’s degree in Competency-Based Education.

At the heart of Gen’s work is a love of creating meaningful learning experiences that spark curiosity, give people space to discover what they are capable of,  and empower them to keep learning and growing. She believes some of the best learning happens when we are given the freedom to ask questions, try things out, make mistakes, and follow our curiosity. 

Outside of education, Gen has travelled to more than 65 countries and likes to approach life as a choose-your-own-adventure book. She loves community, dreaming up far too many projects, turning ordinary moments into adventures, and saying yes to dancing, yoga, tennis, hockey and pretty much any event that sounds interesting. She is also preparing diligently for retirement by perfecting her pickleball game - or at least perfecting the art of looking like she knows what she is doing.

Marianne Gingras

French Guide

Marianne (she/her/elle) is originally from Ottawa, and French is her first language! She studied French Literature and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University, bringing a wonderful combination of creativity, language, and hands-on learning to Revel.

Marianne has experience teaching art, robotics, and woodworking in both French and English, and she believes that the best way to develop confidence and strengthen conversational French skills is through authentic, meaningful experiences. Whether learners are building, creating, experimenting, or collaborating, Marianne encourages them to use French naturally through hands-on activities that spark curiosity and make learning fun!

Oh, and did we mention that her creativity extends well beyond the Studio? Marianne also designs and builds props and sets for the theatre in her very own art studio in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood! We’re so excited for the creativity, energy, and passion for experiential learning she brings to our Rebels!

Sarah Futterer

Learning foundations program guide

Sarah (she/her/elle) comes to Revel Academy after many years of working one-on-one with learners, helping to build their reading, comprehension, writing, and math skills. With a Master’s degree in History, a background in Fine Arts, and Barton Tutor certification, she is excited to continue supporting learners in their literacy and numeracy journeys. As a former Revel parent, Sarah brings an incredibly unique perspective on just how special and motivating the Revel community and learning environment can be. She understands firsthand the impact of meeting learners where they are and is passionate about building on the incredible foundation that has been created at Revel.

When she’s not guiding, Sarah enjoys creating art, gardening, paddling, reading, making sourdough creations, and spending time with her four kids. She loves baseball and the Winter Olympics, and if asked what she would take to a deserted island, her answer would be all the salads... and BOOKS!

Katherine Clarke-Nolan

Chair, Board of Directors | Rebel Education Collective

Katherine brings over 20 years of experience working across government, not-for-profit organizations, and small and medium-sized businesses. Currently working as a fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) for not-for-profits and growing organizations, she loves helping teams connect big-picture ideas with the everyday operations that bring them to life. With more than a decade in senior leadership roles, including as COO, Katherine has extensive experience overseeing finance, human resources, IT, and organizational strategy. She's passionate about helping organizations find their footing, grow sustainably, and thrive.

Katherine's connection to Revel goes well beyond her professional expertise. She's also a proud Revel parent of two Rebels, an incredible hockey mom, and a passionate advocate for progressive education. She believes deeply in championing learning environments where children are encouraged to think independently, discover their strengths, and grow into confident, capable humans. That passion extends far beyond her own children to every learner who deserves an education that celebrates their individuality and potential.

As Chair of Revel's Board of Directors, Katherine brings a wonderful combination of strategic thinking, practical experience, and genuine heart to our community. We're incredibly lucky to have her helping shape Revel's next chapter, both as a leader behind the scenes and as a parent who believes so deeply in what we're building together!

Genevieve Westrope

Secretary-Treasurer, Board of Directors | Rebel Education Collective

Genevieve brings a wonderful blend of experience in education, law, and international development to Revel’s Board. A human rights lawyer with the Department of Justice Canada, she leads international development initiatives and works alongside governments across Africa, Latin America, and Asia to bring meaningful projects to life. A former teacher with a Master of Education from the University of Toronto, Genevieve also brings a wealth of experience in educational programming, nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and community engagement.

As a proud Revel parent, Genevieve is deeply passionate about raising not just capable learners, but good humans. She believes education should go beyond academics to nurture kindness, empathy, and a genuine sense of responsibility toward ourselves and others. Revel’s culture of kindness is especially close to her heart, and she is committed to helping create a school community where every Rebel feels empowered to grow into a thoughtful, compassionate person who makes a positive difference in the world around them.