Staff
| Paul D. Faris | President and Legal Counsel | |
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As the oldest in a family of seven children, Paul was homeschooled on his family's farm in St. Thomas, Ontario. Paul went on to study history and political science at the University of Western Ontario before graduating from their law school in 2001. He was called to the bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario) in 2002. Following graduation, Paul articled with Lerners LLP and was hired back thereafter to work in their Dispute Resolution Group, Business Law Group, and Commercial Litigation. In 2003 Paul joined Home School Legal Defence Association of Canada as legal counsel and became executive director in 2005. Since joining HSLDA, Paul has been serving and defending homeschooling families across Canada in the courtroom, in Parliament and provincial legislatures, and in the media. Paul lives in London, Ontario with his wife, Suzanne, also a homeschool graduate, and their two daughters Abigail and Isabella. |
| Brenda Switzer | Office Manager |
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Brenda joined the HSLDA staff in 2008. She brings over thirty years experience in office management and working with the public. She believes in the Biblical principles of teaching your children at home. Brenda understands the importance of home education and instilling Godly morals and values into the lives of children. She homeschooled her son Michael until the death of her husband in 2004. Brenda is one of the friendly voices that you will hear when calling into our office. She is dedicated to serving in whatever capacity needed at HSLDA and in supporting our homeschooling families. |
| Bonnie Getty | Member Services Administrator | |
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Bonnie Getty graduated from Fanshawe College in 1989, after which she worked full-time and later part-time in her field of study. She married her husband, John, in 1990. Bonnie chose to stay at home after their second child was born, and when their oldest was five, the couple decided to homeschool. Since 1988, they have been actively involved in a London homeschool group, where Bonnie has served as Program Director for several years. Bonnie and John have three homeschooled children: Nathaniel, Leanna, and Katherine. |
| Kerry Mullenix | Office Assistant |
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Kerry is married to husband Jim and is mom to their two sons Andrew and Matthew. She worked in the banking field and public service for many years before starting her own home daycare. For over 20 years she enjoyed the numerous hours she spent loving on and teaching the young children who were placed in her care, making an impact on their young lives. Kerry homeschooled her oldest son for three years and was actively involved in a London homeschool group during that time. She joined the HSLDA team in January. |
| Carole Cardinal | Law Clerk | |
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Back in 1999, when Michel and Carole Cardinal first met Dallas Millar about translating HSLDA's application form into French, they couldn't have guessed how important their involvement would become. Since then, Carole has been rendering HSLDA's services available to Francophones by providing translation services and serving as a liaison for French families in need of HSLDA's expertise. Carole and Michel also serve on Association of Christian Parent-Educators of Québec (ACPEQ) Board of Directors. They homeschool their 5 children and live in the Québec City area. |