2010 - 2011 Staff Directory 1 Webber Academy 2010 WEBBER- 2011 StaffACADEMY Janet Adamson Grade VI Homeroom Mrs. Adamson earned both her Bachelor of Education and her Bachelor of Arts (English) degrees from the University of Lethbridge. She began her career teaching Grade Five in a small northern Alberta community and Grade Five/Six for the Calgary Public Board of Education. Both of these positions provided her with a wealth of knowledge and experience as she worked with students from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. Mrs. Adamson came to Webber Academy in 2004. In the years since, she has taught Grade Five Language Arts, Grade Five and Six Geography/History, Grade Five Math and Grade Five and Six Art. Now, in a half time position as a Grade Six Language Arts specialist, she spends her days at school striving to inspire her students to gain a life-long love of literature. When she isnʼt teaching, Mrs. Adamson spends her time pursuing her own love of reading (especially young adult fiction to recommend to her students) and her passions for painting, cooking and interior design, as well as, of course, spending quality time with her wonderful family. Paul Adolphe SH English Mr. Adolphe was born in Calgary, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary, earned a degree in Education from the University of Victoria, and a Masters degree in Education from Gonzaga University . He is married to his very patient wife, Laurel, and has a wonderful two year old daughter named Charlie-Jean Parker. Mr. Adolphe coaches the Junior and Senior High golf teams, and brings over twenty years of teaching experience to Webber Academy, where he has been instructing English for the last four years. Jason Ash Grade V Homeroom Mr. Ash grew up here in Calgary and graduated from the University of Calgary in 1996. In university, he specialized in the Sciences as well as in Psychology. After university, Mr. Ash was hired at Rundle College where he spent nine years teaching primarily Grade Four and Five subjects. He has been teaching now for over 14 years and has taught various subjects and grades including French. Mr. Ash is now in his fifth year at Webber Academy and is teaching a Grade Five homeroom. Currently, he is also the coach of the Grade Eight and Nine Girls Volleyball team. Mr. Ash hosts Science Olympics every year for Division Two students. Since the induction of the Olympics, Webber Academy has won Gold twice. He is also a member of the APEGGA Science Committee. Mr. Ash is an avid sports fan. He enjoys the outdoors and spending quality time with his family. 2 WEBBER ACADEMY Michael Asmus JH/SH Physical Education Mr. Asmus is an enthusiastic and dedicated Physical Education teacher. He has a passion for health and physical education and he is a strong role model for his students as he practices what he preaches. He is a strong believer in developing a healthy body and mind in his students and encouraging each student to reach their full potential in the gym and in the classroom. Mr. Asmus graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. He began his basketball career at Red Deer College and finished playing at the University of Calgary. He has since focused his passion for athletics on coaching and educating young athletes. He has had the opportunity to coach several sports including basketball, golf, track and field, and badminton through his previous position at Iron Ridge Middle School. His passion for coaching basketball has taken him to expand his knowledge of the game through organizations such as Alberta Basketball, Red Deer College, University of Calgary, University of California Berkley and Stanford University. He continues to help the Calgary Red Jackets youth basketball organization. Mr. Asmus is excited to be a part of the Webber Academy faculty and is looking forward to meeting the students and parents of Webber Academy. Maureen Brandstaetter Flores Office Administrator Maureen is a first generation Canadian of Austrian descent. Her background fueled her passion for history. She holds a Master of Arts in History with a specialization in Canadian Immigration History from the University of Calgary. Following her career as a “professional student”, Maureen partnered with her younger brother in the family woodworking business founded by her father in 1958. Over the course of fifteen years, Maureen relished her role as an administrator and general contractor. A smile always comes to her face when she recalls the subcontractors shout out, “Hey Lady.” Moreover, she takes great pride in the custom woodwork that will stand the test of time in hotels such as Chateau Lake Louise, and the Austrian Canadian Cultural Centre in Calgary. In May of 2010, Maureen became part of a new family at Webber Academy. She takes pride in her position in the front office as an Administrative Assistant. Above all, she is privileged to be part of preparing students for university and beyond. 3 WEBBER ACADEMY Erin Beattie Grade III Homeroom After graduating from the University of Calgary with her Bachelor of Education in French Immersion, Mrs. Beattie moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to pursue her teaching career. She began her first year of teaching with a Grade Four French Immersion class at Ecole King George School. The following year Mrs. Beattie moved to Grade Two where she fell in love with the energy and enthusiasm of Division I students. The following five years were spent at Ecole King George learning her profession, defining her teaching style, and gaining much valuable experience. Mrs. Beattie returned to Calgary in the fall of 1998 to join the staff at Webber Academy teaching Grade Two. Returning from her last maternity leave, Mrs. Beattie changed grades and moved to Grade Three. Since joining the staff at Webber Academy, she has been involved in the development of the Grade Two programme, the start up of the soccer club, and also coached the Jr. High/Sr. High soccer teams in their early years. Following her love of the French language, Mrs. Beattie also began a French Club for the elementary students. She continues to run soccer club for the Division I students, as well as speed stacking for Division I. Jane Bedford Elementary Resource Teacher Mrs. Bedford holds a Bachelor of Education Degree (with distinction) from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Ryerson University (Toronto). Prior to coming to Webber Academy, Mrs. Bedford worked as a Resource Support Teacher with the Calgary Catholic School Board for 3 years, where she underwent extensive training as a specialist in literacy skills, reading and learning strategies. She has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience over the 15 years she has spent teaching. Mrs. Bedford has worked at Webber Academy for the past 5 years. She uses her extensive knowledge of literacy skills to work with students that may require extra support to develop stronger reading and writing skills. She also spends time with our Gifted Students and offers them opportunities for enrichment or acceleration of the concepts taught in the classroom. She is passionate about mentoring students on their journey to reaching their full potential and loves to watch their confidence soar to new heights. Mrs. Bedfordʼs love of life-long learning is exemplified by her pursuit of professional development courses. Last year, she took seminars in Gifted Education, Handwriting and Printing, and Literacy Skills. This past August, Mrs. Bedford completed an in-depth reading instruction program with The Reading Foundation (Calgary) and is now a Certified Member of the Discover Reading Association. 4 WEBBER ACADEMY Grant Boyko Performing Arts Centre Manager & Advancement Administrator A graduate of Fanshawe Collegeʼs Music Industry Arts (MIA) program, and the University of Windsorʼs Sport and Recreation Management program (B.Hk.), Mr. Boyko is a specialist in the technical aspects of live theatre (audio, lighting, multimedia integration, special effects) as well as theatre facility management. He comes to Webber Academy after spending five years as the Technical Operator and Manager of Performing Arts Facilities at Seoul Foreign School in South Korea – a position that provided a wealth of experience working within an International Baccalaureate (IB) setting. While at Seoul Foreign School, Mr. Boyko acted as the Technical Director on countless theatrical performances, musicals, string orchestra and choir concerts, in addition to teaching the fundamentals of audio engineering, recording, video production, theater lighting and other relevant topics to middle school and high school students. He also managed the day-to-day operations of three theatre venues with the schoolʼs performing arts facility. Mr. Boyko also actively pursues his own passion for the performing arts. He has several years of experience in the field of music as a songwriter, recording engineer, producer, instructor and performer. Sam Burke JH/SH English Sam Burke is currently serving in his seventh year as a Junior/Senior High English teacher at Webber Academy. Besides his work in the classroom, Mr. Burke coaches soccer as well as the Senior Debate Team and the Mock Trial Team. He also helps to coordinate the live theatre program for the senior school. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Mr. Burke started teaching in 1973 and, over the years, his teaching assignments have included Social Studies, Art, CALM, Outdoor Education, Business, Film Studies and English. He has also served as a high school counselor and as a professional development consultant with the Alberta Teachersʼ Association. At times, Mr. Burkeʼs career has wandered beyond the sphere of education and his professional life has included work as a youth counselor, business manager, writer and artist in both the private and public arenas.