Our Principal  :  Mr Gary Donovan

Gary Donovan was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He brings to Gai Hon Nya: Ni:’- Amos Key E-Learning Institute over 30 years of experience from a variety of positions. He has been an administrator for the past 21 years in various capacities including: Secondary School Vice Principal, Elementary School Vice Principal and Summer School Principal. Gary graduated from St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto and ultimately received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto specializing in the teaching of Mathematics. He has also completed his Masters of Science in Education – School Administration from Niagara University. Over the years he has been involved in mathematics in a number of ways: teaching at Ryerson University first full time and then as a Continuing Education Instructor, full time High Teacher of Mathematics and Department Head, and most recently teaching Mathematics as a night school and summer school teacher. He found that teaching Night School and Summer School during his administrative years kept him grounded and more in tune with students and their challenges. He is very proud of being recognized by the Continuing Education students at Ryerson as the Teacher of the Year in 1996.

On the home front, life is always busy as Gary and his wife Colleen have a combined family of six adult children. They are in the process of making St. Catharines their new home base. In his spare time Gary enjoys spending time with family, music in all its forms, solving Sudoku puzzles, playing hockey and following the various Toronto sports teams (He says it’s really tough being a Leaf fan and waiting over 40 years for another championship!).  

Gary is looking forward to working with the Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board in their mandate of assisting youth in the Niagara Region’s urban centres. He believes that this method of delivering courses will better serve those that have been away from school for a while.

If you would like more information about the program, please contact Gary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Our Teacher = Ms Cristina Lai

Ms. Lai holds her specialization in science and special education and works part-time for the Toronto District School Board.  In addition, she has worked as an educator in aboriginal communities in Ontario (Attawapiskat FN) and overseas (Guatemala, Bolivia).  In her capacity as educational consultant, she has collaborated with Indigenous Education Coalition in Muncey, Ontario following the mandates of the Ipperwash Inquiry to generate original curriculum on treaty history.  Currently, she is an E-learning instructor working for Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board using the Sunchild Model.  Ms. Lai has just completed her doctoral degree in Education from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, with specialization in designing culturally-relevant curriculum for Aboriginal students.  Some of her research interests and consultancy strengths are culturally-relevant curriculum and assessment, adult numeracy and literacy, and program provisions and modifications for students with special needs.  

Please contact Cristina at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it