Welcome to our school
Uchenna Academy was established in 2013. We are a Ministry of Education inspected private school and internationally accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) in USA, dedicated to enhancing the learning experiences of high school students. We invite you to read about the history of our school name, our core values and the unique features that differentiate our school from the traditional learning environments.
At Uchenna Academy, our teachers are co-learning with students to develop best practices in a disciplined, supportive, inclusive learning space. Our athletic program is designed to offer optimal balance of competitive athletics and daily on-court instruction. Each student and student-athlete is surrounded by a support team inclusive of passionate teachers, experienced coaches, college placement advisors and more.
Meet the Uchenna Academy leadership team
Principal: Mr. Dave McNee
Mr. McNee, in addition to his role as a principal is also a member of several community boards, including the City of Toronto, Toronto District School Board (TDSB), BWXT Nuclear Technologies and is a Chair of The QSLA Foundation. He attended Ryerson University’s undergraduate Business Management program, as well as Athabasca University’s Political Science program. His expertise and breadth of knowledge in education, sports, marketing and advertising brings an unmatched leadership and guidance to our school. He has facilitated collaborations between Uchenna Academy and University Health Network (UHN), as well as Deloitte Canada, where high school students have an opportunity to learn from the experts in the field, and get a unique opportunity to present their product ideas at UHN’s Annual Research day. He is also spearheading research initiatives that explore effects of combining sporting activities with mathematics pedagogy, a study which seeks to explore novel ways of engaging youth into mathematics.
Contact: Dave.Mcnee@uchenna.ca
Academic Director: Ms. Claudia Mandekic
Claudia has an extensive teaching career in mathematics and sciences. She attended University of Toronto’s Human Biology undergraduate program, as well as the graduate and the teaching program with the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE). Her passion for mathematics, as well as developing novel pedagogical approaches while teaching math and science are providing our students with new learning platforms. In 2021, she was nominated for the Prime Minister Teacher of the Year Award. You can view Claudia’s LinkedIn Profile here.
Contact: Claudia.m@uchenna.ca
Meet the Uchenna Academy academic team
Social Science, World Studies and Physical Education: Mr. Pierre Howard
Pierre is an exceptional educator with a plethora of international educational experiences, spanning China and USA. A graduate of the BA program at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, Pierre served as a middle school teacher in Georgia, prior to moving to China and pursuing a career in teaching and school leadership as a Principal at the Nanjing Echo International School. Pierre is exceptionally adept at building relationships and maintaining student motivation in his classrooms. As a stretegic planner and problem solver, Pierre’s instructional and educational history attribute to a framework of leadership and community involvement.
Mathematics, Science and Computer Science teacher: Ms. Zanib Cheema
English, French and Social Science: Ms. Sidera Tahir
Ms. Tahir brings over a decade of international teaching experience and a passion for language, culture, and student growth. Before joining Uchenna Academy, she taught English, English Literature, and English as a Second Language at leading institutions in Hong Kong, including the University of Hong Kong’s School of Professional and Continuing Education, where she delivered IB and IGCSE English Language and Literature programs.
Her teaching career reflects a commitment to academic rigor and creativity. Ms. Tahir has designed formal and informal assessments, advised students on extended essays and Theory of Knowledge, and led initiatives that promote strong communication and critical thinking skills. Her classroom approach blends structure and enthusiasm, encouraging students to express ideas confidently in both English and French.
Beyond the classroom, she has coordinated language clubs, overseas study tours, and student recruitment campaigns, emphasizing collaboration and cultural exchange. Ms. Tahir holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland (UK), a Master’s in Public Health from University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Studies from the City University of Hong Kong, where she graduated with First-Class Honours and received a Creative Writing Scholarship.
Fluent in English and Urdu, and conversant in French, Hindi, Punjabi, and Cantonese, she embodies global citizenship in her teaching. Ms. Tahir is dedicated to helping students build literacy, empathy, and confidence – preparing them to thrive as thoughtful communicators and informed global citizens.
Business Studies: Mr. Shams Uddin
