Celebrating our Outstanding Alumni
After a brief pause since 2022, we’re excited to resume celebrating the valued work and contributions of UBC Faculty of Education alumni. Between 2025 and 2026, we will be sharing new biographies and interviews with our illustrious alumni.
Margaret Paxton, BA’86, BEd’92, MEd’07
Margaret Paxton is an educator and leader whose career spans more than three decades in British Columbia’s K–12 education system. Over 32 years, she served as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal across three different school districts, shaping school cultures and supporting learners and other educators through her thoughtful, student‑centered approach.
A proud UBC alumna many times over, Margaret later graduated from UBC’s Transformative Educational Leadership Program in 2016. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in the EdD program in Educational Studies at UBC.
Recently, Margaret joined the UBC Teacher Education Office as a Faculty Advisor, supporting the TELL 3C and IB cohorts. In addition, her contributions to education have been recognized at the national level. In 2015, she was named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals.
Karen Roeck, BEd’07
Since earning her BMus in 2006 and BEd in 2007 from UBC, Karen has continued her academic journey, completing a Master of Arts at Trinity Western University in 2017 and a Doctor of Education at Western University in 2022. In her current role as Director of Learning at Heritage Christian Online School, Karen leads the professional learning and practice department for more than 900 educators and staff who serve 8,500 students across British Columbia.
Karen describes herself as a master educator and systems thinker, who equips teams to navigate new technologies, simplify complex ideas, and streamline evolving workflows. Karen designs and delivers data-informed training that empowers educators to live out their calling with confidence and purpose. Her active research portfolio explores the intersection of pedagogy, educational technology, and relational learning, shaping strategic initiatives for the future of online and hybrid education in the province. Beyond her leadership role, Karen serves aspiring educators and leaders as adjunct faculty at Trinity Western University and Queen’s University, sharing her expertise with the next generation of teachers.
Outside of her professional life, Karen enjoys being deeply involved in her community through sports and music with her husband, Aaron, and their two children, Kayte and Ben. She is especially proud that Kayte plans to follow in her footsteps by becoming a teacher and will begin full-time university studies in September 2026.
Amanda Jensen, BEd’11 
Amanda Jensen is a dedicated educator whose career has been rooted in her hometown of Kamloops, BC. Since graduating from UBC with a Bachelor of Education in 2011, she has been teaching in the Kamloops-Thompson School District, where she has made a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike. From 2013 to 2017, Amanda worked with the local teacher association during a pivotal time in BC education, contributing to advocacy efforts around the restoration of class size and composition. While she found meaning in advocacy, her true passion lies in the classroom.
Since 2018, Amanda has been teaching at the same secondary school, where she works with an incredible group of students in inclusive education, English, math, and senior psychology. Her commitment to student success and inclusive learning environments is at the heart of her teaching practice.
In 2021, Amanda earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Yorkville University—an achievement she accomplished while navigating a whirlwind of life changes, including pregnancy, the birth of her daughter, a shift in her teaching assignment, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her resilience and dedication to lifelong learning continue to inspire those around her.
Amanda lives in Kamloops with her husband Jon and their four-year-old daughter Gabrielle, who bring joy and balance to her life.
Zahra Rahbari, MEd’23
Zahra Rahbari is a passionate advocate for early childhood education, with a strong focus on mentoring, curriculum development, and bridging research with practice. Since earning her Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from UBC, she has been actively engaged in teaching and supporting future educators, while also supervising practicums and contributing to curriculum design across several college programs.
Her work reflects a deep commitment to inclusive, evidence-based practices that elevate the quality of early learning. One of Zahra’s most meaningful accomplishments has been the creation of a platform for caregivers, parents, and Early Childhood Educators—an initiative that brings together her experience and knowledge to support the broader ECE community. She also has an article forthcoming with ECEBC Writers, further highlighting her dedication to advancing the field.
Outside of her professional life, Zahra enjoys spending time with her family, nurturing her relationship with her adult child, and finding balance through travel and community involvement.
Romina Simian, BA’07, BEd’08, MEd’10
Romina Simian is a passionate educator and academic whose career has spanned continents and disciplines. After completing her BEd at UBC, she began teaching immediately, and following her MEd, she moved abroad to teach at a private school in Italy. There, she immersed herself in a new culture, learned Italian, and met her partner. Romina has since returned to Canada, where she and her partner are raising two children while continuing to travel regularly to Italy and Romania to stay connected with family.
Since 2018, Romina has been a Faculty Advisor with the Teacher Education Office (TEO) at UBC and a Sessional Lecturer with the Department of Language and Literacy Education (LLED), primarily teaching courses in the French specializations. Most recently, she has taken on a leadership role in managing the Core French Option for Non-specialists—an innovative initiative designed to equip teacher candidates who are not French specialists with the foundational pedagogical and linguistic skills needed to teach Core French in K–12 schools.
Romina is proud to be contributing to a high-demand area in BC’s teacher education landscape. Her work within the Faculty of Education has provided her with rich professional development opportunities and has deepened her commitment to placing criticality at the heart of French teacher education.
Cathy Jung, Dip Ed’03, MET’11
Cathy Jung is a seasoned Learning and Development and Human Resources professional whose career has been shaped by her academic journey at UBC, where she earned a Diploma in Education (Adult Education) and a Master of Educational Technology. Her time at UBC laid the foundation for a global career focused on fostering cultures of continuous learning and building future-ready skills across diverse industries and organizations ranging from startups to multinational corporations with over 90,000 employees.
Cathy’s work has taken her around the world—from leading immersive global leadership development events in Barcelona and Dubai to delivering employee learning sessions in the UK, US, Mexico, and the Philippines. In 2024, she joined TVO Media Education Group as Vice President, People and Culture. TVO, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Education and a not-for-profit social impact charity, aligns closely with Cathy’s passion for equitable education, learning, and educational technology.
Her commitment to empowering others is also reflected in her volunteer work with NextUp Toronto, a non-profit dedicated to advancing women in business and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Since 2023, Cathy has served as Growth and Development Officer on the Regional Board, helping to drive leadership development and programming that addresses systemic barriers and builds community for women and allies in the Toronto region. Her term concludes in Fall/Winter 2025, marking a significant contribution to the organization’s mission.
Cathy has remained engaged with the UBC alumni community, designing and delivering a well-received webinar in April 2025 titled “Overcome the Overwhelm in Your Life,” which attracted over 550 registrants worldwide. She also volunteered with alumni UBC in 2021–2022, offering resume reviews and mock interviews to support students transitioning into the workforce, sharing her HR expertise to help them succeed.
Stephanie Zantingh, BA’97, BEd’98, MET’16
Stephanie Zantingh is an accomplished international educational leader with over 25 years of experience in independent schools across Canada and around the world. After earning her BEd from UBC, she spent nearly two decades teaching in International Baccalaureate (IB) primary and middle years programs at international schools in Kyrgyzstan, Angola, Tanzania, Colombia, and Switzerland. Her global journey reflects a deep commitment to fostering empathy, social justice, and inclusive learning environments.
Now based in Oakville, Ontario, Stephanie serves as Assistant Head, Academics at MacLachlan College. She is passionate about empowering students to address inequities and take positive action in their communities. Her leadership philosophy centers on meeting students where they are, supporting educators as change-makers, and modeling lifelong learning.
Stephanie is also a dedicated volunteer with Classrooms Without Walls, where she coordinates the GED program for Afghan girls studying online—an initiative that provides meaningful educational access to young women banned from formal schooling in their home country. She hopes to connect this impactful work with UBC’s Faculty of Education in the future.
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Stephanie is a proud mother of two children, ages 18 and 20, who remain the heart of her world.
Kabeer Panesar, BEd’20
Kabeer Panesar is a dedicated educator and cultural entrepreneur who brings creativity and community spirit to everything he does. He currently teaches high school business and dance in the Surrey School District, where he inspires students through both academic and artistic expression. Outside the classroom, Kabeer is the founder and owner of VanCity Dance, a vibrant Bhangra studio in Surrey, BC, that has grown to include over 200 members, with more than 50 competitive dancers.
VanCity Dance is more than just a studio—it’s a community built on the intersection of education and performance. Many of its instructors are trained teachers, allowing the team to design lessons that are developmentally responsive and inclusive for learners of all ages. Under Kabeer’s leadership, the studio has achieved remarkable milestones. Since opening its doors in February 2016, VanCity Dance has performed at major events including UBC’s Jumpstart program, and has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Diljit Dosanjh during his Dil-Luminati Tour, where 60 competitive dancers performed alongside him. The studio also appeared at the JUNO Awards with Jazzy B, Chani Nattan, and Inderpal Moga, and was featured in CBC’s Asian Heritage Month programming. In September 2023, VanCity Dance moved into a brand-new, spacious studio, marking another exciting chapter in its journey.
Several VanCity Dance instructors and members are UBC students and alumni, reflecting the studio’s strong ties to the university. Through both his teaching and artistic work, Kabeer continues to foster cultural pride, educational excellence, and community engagement.
If you are interested in possibly being featured submit your profile to Alumni Profile Submission | Faculty of Education – Faculty of Education.
