About YPLS

Meet Our Staff

Greg Duggan, Director of Studies

Mr. Duggan (B.A., B.Ed, M.Ed) has over 12 years experience as a teacher of English as a second language, writing and communications, both overseas and in Canada.  Prior to joining the team at the Ottawa-Carleton Education Network and the Young People's Language School, Mr. Duggan worked as an English professor at Algonquin College and as a Communications professor at Canadore College. Before that, he spent several years in Osaka, Japan teaching English at both the secondary and post-secondary levels.

"Living and studying in a foreign country is a fantastic experience and the best way to learn a new language" says Mr. Duggan .  He adds, "At YPLS students come first, we measure our success by their success." 

Insook Bowman, School Administrator

Ms. Bowman has more than 12 years experience as a teacher and as a head teacher in various Elementary schools overseas. She is usually the first person new students meet when they come to YPLS. As the school administrator, Ms. Bowman is responsible for making sure the day-to-day operation of the school goes smoothly by registering new students, organizing and administering TOEFL testing and communicating with teachers, students' families and host families. Of her role at YPLS, Ms. Bowman says, "The students are the best part of working at YPLS. I love to see them improve every day and become more comfortable studying at our school and living in Canada."

Fair Rapsey, Teacher

Ms. Rapsey is a mainstay at YPLS.  Prior to joining our team as a teacher in the High School Foundation and High School Orientation programs, she taught for over 30 years in Ottawa secondary schools.  In addition, Ms. Rapsey spent  two and a half years teaching ESL in Suzhou, China.  An avid cyclist, skier, and kayaker, Ms. Rapsey credits her dedication to physical fitness for her continued passion and energy for teaching.  The pillars of Ms. Rapsey's teaching philosophy are the advancement of individual learning skills to produce quality work and meaningful learning as well as the development of positive group learning skills.  According to Ms. Rapsey, "Students learn best in environments where positive communication is recognized and individual voices are heard."

Judy Schaber, Teacher

A firm believer in setting high standards for student learning, Ms. Schaber has been with YPLS since 2006 and brings over 30 years experience teaching in the Ottawa-Carleton District School board where she worked in primary and ESL education.  She spent two years teaching English in Moscow, Russia, an experience that she credits with helping her develop a global perspective in her professional practice.  Additionally, Ms. Schaber has extensive volunteer experience, including two years as a classroom volunteer at the Ottawa Adult High School.  Of her approach to teaching, Ms. Schaber says, "I love thematic learning as I feel strongly that classroom activities should prepare students for real-world situations".