Our Team
Meet the team behind IGNITE: An Acton Academy
We’re unlike any school you’ve come across. Yes, we are a school but we’re also determined to hold high standards of professionalism. The community we serve —our families, and our learners— are the centre of everything we do. We’re committed to leading by example, to developing a family centric culture and we’ll always welcome and even solicit your feedback.
Interested in joining our team? Check out our careers page to see what openings we are hiring for.
LISA BEAN
OWNER, FOUNDER and LAUNCHPAD STUDIO GUIDE
Lisa has a diverse career that started out in business as a corporate leader and member of the executive suite in the Wealth Management industry. From there she transitioned to entrepreneurial life where she coached many high-performing businesses, individuals, and parents. Most recently, and with the eye-opening help of her children, she became aware of the problems inherent in the traditional, industrial-age education system, and founded IGNITE: An Acton Academy, as a 21st century solution.
Lisa is a mom of two boys, Garrett, age 13, and Gavin, age 14. Like all children, her boys have unique challenges and superpowers, including dyslexia and ADHD. Neurodiversity brings incredible gifts but they’re not always recognized as such in a typical school. School battles, homework and many tears were the catalyst to do something different.
In Lisa’s early career, she gained understanding and expertise in leadership, adult learning, and business coaching. She saw the tremendous value that a learner-driven, strengths-based, and experiential approach can provide. She also saw disparities between the recommendations of thought leaders and experts in the education field, and what was being provided to children in traditional schools.
She saw children who cried over going to school and doing home-work each night and couldn’t wait to grow up so they could stop learning. It was heartbreaking, and Lisa strongly believes that this doesn’t have to be the script we follow for our children.
More than anything she wants her children to find a love of learning.
Since switching her focus to the world of education, she’s been determined to find a better, 21st century approach. In early 2020, Lisa discovered Acton Academy and fell in love with the model that allows learners to be free to discover their unique strengths and character. At the same time, it also provides an empowering structure and environment for learners to become a force to be reckoned with. She loves the flexibility it allows learners to work at their own pace and in their personal zone of challenge, balanced with a focus on relationships and teamwork that honours diversity and community.
Lisa is a certified coach through the International Coach Federation, a trainer, a teacher, and a writer. Also in the sphere of education, she’s trained in the Orton Gillingham approach to structured literacy, developed to help dyslexic learners thrive with reading. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Business Degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Lisa’s greatest dream is to change the definition of traditional education, having school systems across North America adopt a learner-driven, strengths-based approach. She sees the path to that dream as one child, one family at a time.
Danielle Chilton
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND LEARNING, and
EXPLORE STUDIO GUIDE
Danielle began her journey in education while studying Developmental Psychology at the University of Windsor. It was there that she developed a deep understanding of how people learn — and why education needs to be as unique as each learner. During her studies, she tutored students of all ages in reading and writing, adapting her approach to help every individual grow with confidence and clarity.
After university, Danielle joined The Children’s House Montessori in Windsor, where she worked in the Casa classroom. She fell in love with the Montessori philosophy, especially the way it empowers children to take ownership of their learning by following their interests at their own pace. She thrived in this environment, guiding learners individually and helping them make meaningful connections with new ideas.
During the COVID pandemic, Danielle returned to Guelph and worked with an online tutoring company, where she used the Socratic method to help students from grades 3 to 12 strengthen their writing skills and explore literature and history. Her thoughtful questioning techniques helped young learners build confidence in their voice and thinking.
Danielle later worked as an educational assistant with the Waterloo Region District School Board, supporting students with diverse learning needs and ensuring their Individual Education Plans were thoughtfully followed. While she enjoyed supporting students, her passion for learner-driven education called her back toward alternative approaches — and ultimately to IGNITE.
Now serving as Director of Operations and Learning, Danielle leads the day-to-day functions of the school and supports each studio and Guide in delivering meaningful, personalized learning experiences. Her background in developmental psychology, Montessori practice, and learner-centered methods makes her a natural fit for this leadership role. She combines her warmth and empathy with strong organizational skills, helping the school run smoothly while keeping learners at the heart of every decision.
Danielle continues to bring her passion for hands-on, interest-driven learning into the classroom as the Explore Studio Guide, where she works closely with our midde school and high school-aged Eagles on real-world projects, collaborative learning, and self-paced core skills.
Danielle lives in Kitchener with her partner, Dan, and her stepson, Lincoln. She loves weightlifting, running, swimming, hiking, and spending quality time with her family.
CORRINE PSAILA
DISCOVER STUDIO GUIDE
Corrine brings more than 22 years of experience in education to her role as an Elementary Studio Guide at IGNITE: An Acton Academy. She began her career as an elementary educator with the Waterloo Region District School Board, where she developed a deep love for working with children, supporting their growth, and building strong relationships with learners and families.
Over time, Corrine became increasingly aware that children thrive when they are seen as individuals — not when they are expected to move through a one-size-fits-all system. She saw firsthand that confidence, curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning matter just as much as academic progress. This belief eventually led her to step away from the traditional school system and search for a learning environment that better honoured each child’s unique strengths, passions, and potential.
After leaving the classroom, Corrine continued serving children and families through literacy and community-based learning. She worked with Strong Start Charitable Organization as a Regional Program Co-ordinator for the Letters, Sounds and Words program, supporting elementary school staff, training volunteers, and helping strengthen early literacy in the community. She also worked with the Cambridge Public Library and Waterloo Public Library, where she created engaging programs for babies, children, teens, and adults, led school tours, and built meaningful connections with schools and community partners.
Each of these experiences reinforced Corrine’s belief that children are capable of extraordinary growth when they are appreciated, supported, and encouraged to discover what makes them come alive. Some of the most rewarding moments in her career have come from watching a child make a discovery independently — that unmistakable moment when confidence grows and a learner realizes, “I can do this.”
Corrine was drawn to IGNITE and Acton Academy because of its learner-driven approach, its focus on independence and self-discovery, and its belief that every child is a genius on a Hero’s Journey. As a Guide, she looks forward to asking thoughtful questions, telling stories, creating engaging games, observing carefully, and coaching with purpose. Most of all, she wants to take the time to truly listen to each learner — to understand who they are, what inspires them, and how she can support them as they grow.
Corrine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies and a Bachelor of Education from Brock University. She has also completed Additional Qualification courses in Math, Special Education, and Reading, including her Special Education Specialist and Reading Specialist qualifications.
Corrine is the proud mother of two grown daughters who are both attending university and pursuing their own passions. Watching them grow into confident, independent learners has strengthened her belief that when children are empowered to follow their interests with courage and purpose, they can accomplish remarkable things. Corrine also enjoys music, playing the drums, pickleball, staying active, and spending time with people she cares about.
Sarah Klein-Geltink
SPARK STUDIO GUIDE
Sarah is passionate about offering learning that’s inspiring, engaging, and fun. As a guide, she strives to honour and celebrate the uniqueness of each child and their own individual hero’s journey.
Sarah began her journey in education as a high school math and science teacher. She spent over 10 years helping teens make sense of the world around them — using creative, hands-on projects to show how math and science are connected to real life. Even then, she believed learning should be active, collaborative, and fun.
When she became a mom to four amazing girls, Sarah’s view of learning expanded. She wasn’t just a teacher anymore — she was a parent too. Wanting something more personal and meaningful for her own children, her family made the move to homeschooling. It was there that Sarah truly found her stride, guiding her daughters in a learning environment filled with curiosity, freedom, and joy.
Sarah has a gift for tuning into what makes learning click for each child. She loves discovering new ways to make learning engaging — from playful invitations to deep questions that spark young minds. She believes in nurturing confidence, kindness, and clear communication from the very beginning.
After many years of successful homeschooling, Sarah found a natural home in Acton Academy’s approach. The focus on independence, creativity, and real-world skills matched her own values — and she’s thrilled to bring that energy to our youngest Eagles in the Spark Studio.
With warmth, patience, and a deep respect for each child’s unique path, Sarah creates a space where young learners feel safe, inspired, and ready to take the next step in their Hero’s Journey.
Sarah holds her Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario and her undergraduate degree from Redeemer University with a major in Math and a double-minor in Science and Physical Education. She lives in Cambridge with her husband, Mark, four children—Aliyah, Kayla, Edyn, and Jaydn—and their dog, Bailey.
ABEERA ATIQUE
ART PROGRAM, and OCCASSIONAL GUIDE
Passionate about education and making a difference, Abeera Atique brings over two decades of international experience in education, art, and leadership to her role as the Discover Studio Guide at IGNITE: An Acton Academy. Her passion for learning — and for helping children discover their unique voice and gifts — shines through in every part of her journey.
Abeera has taught in schools across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Italy, Thailand, and now Canada. In each setting, she has embraced inquiry-based, learner-driven approaches that invite children to think deeply, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning. Most recently, she served as a Discover Studio Guide at Infinity School, London’s Acton Academy, where she fell in love with Acton’s unique blend of academic rigor, student agency, and real-world relevance.
With a Master’s in Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Bachelor’s in Home Economics — as well as diplomas in interior design and computer programming — Abeera brings a rich interdisciplinary background to her work. She is also a certified Toastmasters Competent Communicator and an IB workshop leader and examiner, known for fostering reflection, creativity, and student voice in every classroom she leads.
She has been a featured speaker at several prestigious international educational conferences, including:
- ECIS – European Council of International Schools
- NESA – Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools
- TOYC – Teachers of Young Children
- TARA – The Arabian Reading Association
Outside the classroom, Abeera is an award-winning artist and illustrator of over 28 published children’s books—many of which are available through Barnes & Noble. Her art has been featured in over 40 exhibitions around the world and has been used to raise funds for humanitarian causes, including refugee relief, underprivileged schools, and Habitat for Humanity.
Now based in Cambridge with her family, Abeera is thrilled to be part of the IGNITE team. She brings a warm, thoughtful presence and a deep commitment to helping each Eagle on their Hero’s Journey grow in curiosity, courage, and purpose.
JEFF SANDEFER
ADVISOR & ACTON ACADEMY FOUNDER
Jeff Sandefer lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and a Socratic Guide. As an entrepreneur, he founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses. As a Socratic teacher at the University of Texas, Jeff’s students five times voted him the school’s Outstanding Teacher and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America.
Jeff went on to co-found the Acton School of Business, an MBA program perennially ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012 The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world.
Jeff is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he served for over twenty years on the school’s governing committees. He was a long-time director of the Philanthropy Roundtable and National Review magazine and one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame.
LAURA SANDEFER
ADVISOR & ACTON ACADEMY FOUNDER
Laura lived on both US coasts and in between as a child, then settled into Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science.
After being awarded the highly competitive Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd’s of London, Laura worked in the aviation insurance industry in New York City.
Deciding to follow her calling into the world of education, Laura returned to Nashville and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. This led her to her work at the Oklahoma Arts Institute, creating fine arts education programs for teachers and talented high school students.
Laura married Jeff Sandefer and is the happy mother of Sam and Charlie and stepmother to Taite. It is the inspiration of these children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy.