Join us in welcoming and get to know some of our new Southridge faculty. If you see them around campus, be sure to say hello!

Jon Chan
PHE Teacher & Permanent TOC, Junior School

Jon was born and raised in Vancouver. He really enjoys most things to do with sports and athletics (either playing, coaching, or watching). Jon also enjoys cooking and making recipes from scratch.

Jon completed his Bachelor of Arts (Human Geography) and Bachelor of Education at UBC. He previously worked at Vancouver College and Richmond Christian School, where he has been a homeroom teacher, a specialist PHE teacher, and athletics director. He lives in Surrey with his wife and 3-year-old Corgi named Cooper.

Jon will be taking on the role of PHE Teacher and a Teacher on Call in our Junior School. The thing he loves most about teaching is having opportunities to form meaningful relationships with the students he teaches and the players he coaches. He is looking forward to getting to know the students, the parents, and the faculty at Southridge, and fully immersing himself in the school community.

 

Zoë Mandell
Grade 6 & 7 Visual Art & Design Teacher, Junior School

Zoë is passionate about art and how it starts conversations, inspires new ideas, and brings people together. She has always loved making things from arts and crafts, to music, to writing stories and trying new recipes. When she’s not busy painting at home and looking after her garden, you might find her hiking so she can paint outside in nature. A fun fact, is that Zoë has recently started training her adventurous cat Millie to go on walks with her to help her experience more of the world.

Zoë has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University with a focus in drawing, painting, and visual communications. She has also completed her Independent School Teaching Certification specializing in Visual Arts education.

She loves teaching all ages, from kids art classes, to paint night events for adults! Zoë loves encouraging people to try new things they didn't know they could do, and being able to light a spark that inspires them to see the world differently and appreciate its beauty.

She’s so excited to get to know her new students and to bring more colour and creativity to Southridge. Her dream is to make the world a better place through art, and can't wait to make that possible at Southridge.

Nicole Milne
Science Teacher, Senior School

Nicole spends most of her free time with her partner and close friends, whether they're exploring hidden gems in the local food scene or experimenting with new recipes at home. She’s a total foodie and loves any excuse to cook or try something new. She also loves sharing and discovering new meals with others and it's one her favourite ways to connect! Outside the kitchen, Nicole stays active by training at the gym and hiking through local parks. On quieter days, you’ll find Nicole crocheting or sewing with a cup of jasmine tea. Recently, she’s also started learning Mandarin, which has been a rewarding challenge that she’s excited to keep pursuing.

Nicole completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a focus on Materials Science at Simon Fraser University in 2024. Immediately after, she pursued a Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia as part of the IB Diploma Programme cohort, graduating in the summer of 2025.

Nicole is passionate about fostering a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment where students feel empowered to explore their interests, express themselves, and take pride in their learning. She finds it fulfilling to witness this growth in her students as they discover their passions, build confidence, and share their ideas with the world.

Nicole is thrilled to begin her professional teaching journey at Southridge! She’s especially excited to develop her teaching practice around the Harkness method, which she think aligns with the core principles of scientific inquiry (collaboration, curiosity, and critical thinking) really well. Too often, student-centered discussion is overlooked in traditional science education, leaving students proficient in following instructions but less confident in asking why. Nicole thinks Harkness teaching will not only help her become a better educator but also allow her students to develop scientific literacy, build confidence in exploring their ideas, take intellectual risks, and learn from their mistakes. All essential skills for developing resilient, thoughtful individuals ready for an ever-changing world.