Shad Laurier
Program Director
Joe Monks
Instructor and Outreach Coordinator, Faculty of Education
Joe (he/him) is an experienced educator and administrator with a lifelong interest in the STEM disciplines. He holds a Bachelor’s of Education in Math and PE from the University of Exeter in England and a Masters of Education from the University of New England in Australia. He has over 20 years of experience teaching and leading in schools and organizations in the UK, Bahrain, Malaysia, Japan, and most recently, the Czech Republic.
During his time in the Czech Republic, he served as the First Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics partner for the Central and Eastern European Region. At Laurier, Joe serves in the Faculty of Education as the project manager of the ‘STEMovation’ and ‘Mission on the Moon’ projects. Both initiatives aim to provide in-community STEM experiences for children and youth from groups under-represented in STEM education and careers.
Joe is an enthusiastic triathlete who has represented Great Britain in long distance triathlon. His passion for cycling allows him to explore the country roads and gravel trails of the Waterloo region. He is a volunteer bike mechanic at ‘Recycle Cycles’ community bike shop in Kitchener.
Samy Charles, MD
French Teacher / Research Assistant
Samy (he/him) brings a diverse background and a wealth of experience to the team at Shad Canada. Having graduated with honors as a medical doctor in 2021, Samy has since embarked on a journey that spans various fields, all driven by a passion for community engagement, Science and education.
During medical school, Samy was deeply involved in student life, spearheading initiatives such as fundraising for mobile clinics and actively contributing to the betterment of the student community. He also dedicated his time to leading a conversational English program in Haiti, organized by the faculty of education at Wilfrid Laurier University, aimed at empowering Haitian university students.
In his new home of Canada, he wears many hats: as a French Teacher in Kitchener, a Research Assistant at both Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Toronto, and providing administrative support at the faculty of education at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Samy finds joy in soccer, both as a spectator and player. A devoted fan of Real Madrid, he could engage in passionate discussions about the sport for hours. He is deeply passionate about medicine, finding the intricacies of the human body endlessly fascinating.
With his multifaceted background and unwavering dedication to making a difference, Samy is excited to bring his unique perspective and expertise to the Shad Laurier team, contributing to the organization’s mission of empowering and inspiring young minds across the country.
