Welcoming New Teachers To Our CHS Community

UPDATED: AUGUST 23, 2021

Junior School

Nora Vermeulin - French Teacher, Junior School

Nora Vermeulin started her teaching career in Lyon School District in France. Her career as a French teacher has taken her to South Africa, China and Luxembourg. During her seven years in the International School of Luxembourg, Nora developed a passion for curriculum design and the purposeful use of technology in her role as a French teacher and Language Coordinator. Nora holds a Bachelor of Education from the Education University of Provence, France and holds a teaching certificate for primary (elementary) students. Relocating to , Nora is excited to join the CHS community. She is a dedicated teacher and learner and looks forward to working with students and colleagues in her new role.

Rebecca Paulding - Music Teacher, Junior School

Rebecca Paulding is well-known to the Junior School community. Rebecca previously worked as an associate teacher at CHS, before moving to Campbell River as a music teacher. Passionate about music education, Rebecca shares the joy of music with her students and believes in the power of music to support many aspects of student wellbeing. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts and Indigenous Education), a Master of Music (Opera Performance), and a Bachelor of Music (Opera Performance) from the University of . She is a dedicated and passionate educator and looks forward to rejoining the Junior School community in this capacity.

Stephanie Shewchuk - Physical & Health Education Teacher, Junior School

Stephanie Shewchuk will join the Junior School as a physical and health education teacher. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor in Kinesiology from Western University. Stephanie has taught Physical Education in Saskatoon since 2012 and has a passion for educating girls. Stephanie values living a healthy lifestyle and inspiring others to pursue wellness, activity and adventure. She enjoys volleyball, rock climbing, gymnastics, surfing, karate and fitness in her free time. Welcoming New Teachers 2021-2022

Recently relocated to Vancouver, she looks forward to joining the CHS community in September.

Cheyanna Kempel - Grade 6 Form/Humanities Teacher, Junior School

Cheyanna Kempel will move into the role of Grade 6 Form/Humanities teacher next year as Sarah Edgington commences her maternity leave. Cheyanna holds a Bachelor of Arts from Doane University with a focus on English/Language Arts as well as a Master of Education from the University of British Columbia. She began her teaching career in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska with a focus on middle and high school students. Cheyanna joined the Junior School community in January 2021 as a middle school support teacher. She is well versed in the practices of our middle school program and looks forward to expanding her relationships with students in this new role.

Heather Wright - Grade 7 Form/Science Teacher, Junior School

Heather Wright will join the Junior School as Grade 7 form/Science teacher for Term 1, as Caitlin Harris concludes her maternity leave. Heather holds a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Strathclyde and a Masters of Science in Outdoor Education from the University of Edinburgh. Before commencing her focus in education, she studied dramatic arts completing a higher national certificate in Acting and Performing from Edinburgh Telford College. Heather began her teaching career in Glasgow, where she discovered her love of middle years students. Most recently, she has worked as a learning resource teacher in the . Heather is passionate about outdoor learning and works with Sea to Sky supporting school groups to foster this love of the outdoors. This is where she was introduced to our CHS community and is delighted to reconnect with students and teachers in this new role.

Meghan Schouten - Learning Resource Teacher, Junior School

Meghan Schouten joins our Learning Resource team, as she completes a maternity leave for the 2021-22 school year. Meghan holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Queen's University, a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Leadership from the University of British Columbia. Meghan is a CHS alum and began her teaching career in the Senior School. Since then, she has worked at Elementary School as a Middle School humanities teacher before moving into the role of learning resource teacher. She is thrilled to be returning to CHS.

Amy Higgins - Learning Resource Support Teacher, Junior School

Amy Higgins will join our Learning Resource team as a support teacher for Term 1, completing a maternity leave. Amy holds a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education at Western University and a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. Amy has worked at several independent schools with a focus on supporting primary age learners. She is

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experienced in developing foundational early literacy skills and has a passion for supporting a diverse range of learning profiles. Amy is delighted to be moving into this position in our Learning Resource team, working in partnership with teachers to support the girls.

Cheryl McHugh - Band Teacher, Junior School

Cheryl McHugh will join us for the early part of next year as the Middle School band teacher. Cheryl earned a Bachelor of Musical Arts from Western University and a Master of Music from the University of British Columbia. With extensive experience in music education within an setting, Cheryl is excited to bring her passion and expertise to our Middle School students, as they develop a love and capacity for band.

Emily Wong - Education Assistant, Junior School

Emily Wong will join our community as an intermediate education assistant. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia. She has a passion for elementary education and has supported students in a variety of classrooms within the Delta School District. She is dedicated to service and held the roles of Residence Advisor and Student Ambassador at the University of British Columbia. Emily was awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Medal Program for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation Candidate in 2021. With a passion for dancing, singing, and running, Emily looks forward to being involved in many aspects of school life.

Juliana Reydon - Education Assistant, Junior School

Juliana began her career as a pre-preparatory class assistant in Kindergarten in Sao Paulo. It is here she developed her love of working with young learners. Following the completion of her Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Sao Paulo, Juliana spent the next decade working as a classroom teacher with a focus on primary-aged students. As an educator, she values the development of the whole child, and strives to cultivate curiosity among students. Upon moving to Vancouver, Julianna is excited to gain experience in a Canadian classroom, working alongside colleagues that align with her values and approach to learning. She is a dedicated lifelong learner and has recently completed her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Leadership from the University of British Columbia.

Welcoming Associate Teachers

Hannah Dyck-Chan - Associate Teacher Hannah Dyck-Chan is a recent graduate holding a Bachelor of Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science from UBC. She is passionate about sustainability and environmental-based learning and values an inquiry approach to facilitate student interest and agency in the classroom. Hannah has a wealth of experience working with youth in a variety of settings including; Environmental Educator in Stanley Park Ecology Centre, Coordinator at YMCA-YWCA Camp Stephens and Volunteer Coordinator at UBC Sprouts/Seedlings Initiative.

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She values a strong sense of community and looks forward to working with Junior School teachers and students.

Haruka Higo - Associate Teacher, Junior School

Haruka Higo will move into the role of Associate teacher following her year as an educational assistant in the Junior School. Haruka holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia as well as an International Baccalaureate Certificate. She is a committed and compassionate educator and brings a wealth of experience working with young learners in a variety of settings both in and Japan. Haruka brings a passion for athletics and looks forward to working with students in this capacity.

Katie Farion - Associate Teacher, Junior School

Katie Farion holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity Western University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. Previously, she has worked as a respite care provider, a behaviour interventionist and children’s yoga instructor. She deeply cares about the well-being of young people and looks forward to supporting our girls as they pursue their passions.

Emily Harris - Associate Teacher, Junior School

Emily Harris has a passion for supporting the well-being of young people. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. Before pursuing a career in education, Emily worked as a dietitian for Fraser Health Authority, BC Children’s Hospital and NDC Nutrition. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering for organisations including Richmond Food Bank, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and Jessie’s Legacy Eating Disorder Prevention and Awareness. Emily values teamwork and collaboration and looks forward to joining the Junior School community.

Additional Staffing Notes - Junior School. Chantal Eady - Coordinator of Student Wellbeing and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Ms Eady will leave her role as Learning Resource and Physical & Health Education teacher and assume a new position in the Junior School as Coordinator of Student Wellbeing and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). You can expect to hear more about this exciting addition to the Junior School program in the year ahead.

Senior School

Alexis Briley - English Teacher, Senior School After graduating from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts, Alexis Briley completed her Master and Doctorate Degrees at Cornell University in Comparative Literature. Her experience in curriculum design at the University of British Columbia will be invaluable. Ms Briley is 4 Welcoming New Teachers 2021-2022

particularly excited to join our Crofton House’s English department, as she is deeply committed to ‘Harkness’ and ‘Visual Thinking’ classroom design. Moreso, she can't wait to become a part of our community as it is known for providing young minds with progressive education and teachers with support to both innovate and grow.

Eden Cooke - Art, Teacher, Senior School

Eden Cooke is excited to join the Arts and Applied Design, Skills & Technologies team this academic year in an interim position. Through her experience, she is dedicated and passionate about Arts Education. “She loves working with students, in particular when finding new ways to engage their imaginations and empower their creative thinking through art.” Ms Cooke attended Emily Carr University prior to earning her bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Moreso, Ms. Cooke’s own studio practice will bring her professional expertise in utilising both digital and traditional art mediums to her classes.

Kristen Drozda - Personal Counsellor, Senior School

Kristen Drozda is returning to after her professional journey took her overseas to Switzerland and Germany where she worked in international schools. Upon her return to Canada, her work at solidified her aims of supporting “students with their well-being and personal growth” and is eager to join our Personal Counselling team in this interim position. Ms Drozda earned a Master of Teaching Bachelor of Education at the University of Calgary and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. In coming to Crofton House, Ms Drozda aims to continue to support our students as they continue to “gain a strong awareness of the importance of mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.”

Clint Lemkus - Physical Health & Education, Teacher, Senior School

After graduating from Washington University, Clint Lemkus completed his Masters of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. Mr. Lemkus specialised in the interrelationship between mental toughness, self-compassion and mindfulness while earning the standing of Academic All Canadian. Mr. Lemkus is excited to apply his academic research as well as his extensive coaching experience as he joins Crofton House’s Physical and Health Education Department.

Cheryl McHugh - Band Teacher, Senior School Cheryl McHugh is excited to join the Arts and Applied Design, Skills & Technologies team this academic year in an interim position. Through her experience at York House, Mulgrave and Collingwood, Ms McHugh is well placed to support our “commitment to the whole student” as they pursue their personal excellence within the arts. Ms McHugh earned a Bachelor of Musical Arts from Western University and a Master of Music from the University of British Columbia. She is keen to play an active role in our musical showcases and our advisory program.

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Erica McKeen - English Teacher, Senior School As a finalist for the 2021 Malahat Review and nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2020, Erica McKeen's passion for the written word will make her a role model for all her students. She earned her Master of Arts, specialising in language literature and creative writing, at Western University and a Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Described as a “true seeker of knowledge,” Ms McKeen is excited to join our English department as she brings her dedication, positivity, and her personal experience to each of her English classes.

Sara Nieuwenburg - Mathematics Teacher, Senior School Teaching in Sweden for the previous 6 years, Sara Nieuwenburg is eager to return home to Vancouver and join our mathematics department in this interim role. The Crofton House’s commitment to Standards-Based Grading drew Ms Nieuwenburg to our community, as her expertise in differentiation, standards-based assessment and wellness programming are a perfect fit. She earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Ms Nieuwenburg is keen to play an active role in the co-curricular and advisory program.

Additional Staffing Notes Christine Bernier Ms Bernier will return to her role as a member of the Learning Resource Team.

Sarah Burgess Ms Burgess will assume the role of Head of Grade 9 (interim).

Zoe Gillis Ms Gillis, a member of our Senior School Physical and Health Education Department, will assume the role of Student Life Administrative Assistant.

Michelle Hartley Ms Hartley, a long-standing member of our Junior School staff, will join the Senior School music team.

Martina Hannigan Ms Hannigan will assume the role of Head of Grade 11.

Kady Huhn Ms Huhn, a long-standing member of our Senior School, will assume the role of IVY Coordinator.

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Joanne Kimmel Ms Kimmel will leave her role as Learning Resource teacher and assume a new position in the Senior School as Coordinator of Student Wellbeing and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). You can expect to hear more about this exciting addition to the Senior School program in the year ahead.

Mark Klein Mr Klein will return to his role as a teacher within the Language and Social Studies Departments.

Jocelyn Manion Ms Manion will return to her role of Assistant Director, Student Life.

Chris McKenzie Mr McKenzie will return to his role of ICT Coordinator.

Holly Morgan Previously a member of the Junior School staff, Ms Morgan will join the Senior School Physical and Health Education and Careers Departments.

Shannon Wilson Ms Wilson, a long-standing member of the Senior School, will assume the role of Assistant IVY Coordinator.

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