About our teachers

Springboard Active Learning tutors are BC certified and experienced teachers. Additional training in active learning is required to ensure the best possible program for all children. Tutors may be assisted by education students who are not yet certified. Contact us for an application to be trained in active learning.

Marnie Spencelayh

Marnie Spencelayh is an educational innovator. As a certified teacher with a degree from the University of Victoria, she has always been a leader in creating learning alternatives for children. Soon after starting her career in the Terrace district in 1972, she persuaded the principal and a few teachers to create an open area classroom for children in grades 1 - 4. This experiment in education gave her an opportunity to watch students learn in a more flexible environment. The results were rewarding and exciting!

When Marnie returned to Victoria, she followed her passion for children with learning difficulties and opened Discovery School. This little school continues to meet the learning needs of special students more than 30 years later. Now the principal and founder of a second independent school, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Mrs. Spencelayh’s vision for education inspires students to work toward their dreams. Lighthouse has grown to include a graduation program and has a goal of 250 children from kindergarten to grade 12.

Marnie started Springboard Active Learning to provide out-of-school support for children needing tutoring, help with homework, summer programs and options for home schooling parents. While meeting with parents about these programs, the dream for a school for young adventurers began to take shape. The Adventurers School will offer one more educational option for parents who wonder why their child doesn’t seem to thrive in a classroom.

If you would like to talk to Marnie Spencelayh about your child, email her at --- for an appointment. 

Patricia Bentham

Patricia has taught young children for over 20 years, art to students in grades K - 12, as well as adult education courses. She is a B.C. certified teacher and private tutor. She enjoys finding new and creative ways to help children learn.

As well as tutoring, Patricia coordinates international students for LCA, creates websites and illustrations for others, www.benthamdesign.com and is the author of a website that help teachers and parents create an interesting learning environment and explains how to teach the basic skills young children need to practice, www.kindergarten-lessons.com .

Patricia has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Victoria and has Certification in both Web and Print Design.

Kim Maan

Kim Maan is a B.C. certified teacher and private tutor.  She is currently working as a teacher-on-call for a variety of schools in the Victoria area, tutor for Springboard Active Learning, and also runs a home-based tutoring business.

Kim graduated from the University of Victoria in 1991. From October 1995 - June 2008 she taught in the Lower Mainland at a school that specialized in gifted education, more specifically, in providing programming for students, mainly boys, who were deemed as “double labeled”, which means gifted with some sort of accompanying learning disability and/or behaviour concern.

Kim states, "I am excited about bringing my knowledge to Adventurers School to help facilitate an educational environment that provides opportunities for meaningful interactions and experiences. This program provides academic experiences which focus on the needs and behaviours of the students through physical, hands-on outdoor education. Adventurers Schools is committed to providing such a program.

Education

• B. Ed. Elementary Curriculum with a minor in Social Studies
• Certification - B.C. College of Teachers Professional Certificate
• Emergency First Aid CPR Level B

Bonnie Kankkonen

Bonnie is a British Columbia certified teacher and teacher-on-call with various private schools in and around Victoria. She is the head swim coach of the Oak Bay Orcas and Glenlyon Norfolk School Swim Club, in addition to being a coach with Pacific Coast Swimming. She is very enthusiastic about the subject areas Physical Education and Social Studies and has a particular passion for Outdoor Education.

Her previous experience includes seven years of leading and supervising summer camps where she designed and delivered recreational programs including climbing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, hiking, biking, camping, and swimming. Bonnie says, "My dream has always been to establish a successful and meaningful outdoor education program which would provide a wealth of opportunities for students that cannot be achieved by other means. My passion for outdoor education along with my desire to see active boys have a meaningful and valuable education experience is a perfect fit with the Metchosin Boys and Girls Club."

Education

• B. Ed. in Physical Education (Secondary Curriculum) with a minor in Social Studies History
• Certification - B.C. College of Teachers Professional Certificate
• National Lifesaving Society
• Standard First Aid/ CPR Level C
• Wilderness First Aid
• Belaying Certificate
• Class 4 Driver’s License
• National Coaching Certificate Level 1 and 2 Theory
• Avalanche Safety Awareness Course