Meet Our Teachers

Ian Botnick was born and raised in Toronto.  After graduating from the University of Toronto with an Honours Specialist in Biochemisty and Physiology, he earned his Bachelor of Education degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.  Mr Botnick has been an educator for the past 35 years.  For the past 18 years, he has been in the role of Vice-Principal and Principal.

As a teacher, Mr. Botnick taught Mathematics and Science at the Secondary level and then became an administrator in the Toronto District School Board.  He has delivered numerous workshops on building successful schools, assessment and evaluation, classroom management, equity and how to achieve academic excellence.

Mr. Botnick believes that by providing a welcoming, safe and positive learning environment, students will achieve at high levels and feel comfortable taking risks.  Mr. Botnick encourages his teachers to expect the best from their students and accept nothing less.  Setting high academic standards that are achievable challenges the students to be analytical, creative and critical thinkers.

Mr. Botnick is honoured to be working with the dedicated students, parents and all staff at the SuOn International Academy.

You might want to know…
I have a wife and a son, Nicholas, who is one year old. I went to university at Western and completed a degree in Mathematics. This year is my sixth year teaching at SuOn.

When I’m not at school I enjoy running, fishing, cooking, reading, learning about finance and economics, and spending time with my family.

A message to our students…
I wish all of you the very best this school year. I hope your time at SuOn will be useful and productive. Work hard, but don’t forget to have some fun along the way!

A favourite quote
Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
– B. F. Skinner

You might want to know ………..

I have a partner and two dogs. You will quickly learn that I’m crazy about my dogs. This will be my 6^th year teaching at SuOn. I mainly teach English and Visual Arts. I majored in English at York University. I am Polish Canadian. I can speak Polish but should definitely brush up on my vocabulary!

When I’m not at school I enjoy painting or working on any art project, taking long walks with my dog, reading, and bingeing on TV shows. I am also very passionate about human rights issues and learning about Indigenous history in Canada.

A message to our students …..

Welcome to Canada! I look forward to getting to know each of you and providing you with an engaging classroom environment as well as support as you adapt to living in a new environment. Even if you’re not in my class, don’t be afraid to say hi! I encourage you to get involved in the school community and to venture out and explore what Toronto has to offer. I hope that your time spent at SuOn will be inspiring and memorable.

A favourite quote

If you want to know what a man’s like, take a look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals. (JK Rowling)

A pet peeve

I don’t like it when people are late and I hate being late myself. Showing up on time says that you value and respect that person’s time as well as your own.