Becky Brown
(Teacher)
Hello! My name is Becky Brown and I have been teaching for 17 years. My teaching philosophy revolves around creating a supportive and engaging atmosphere where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I believe in recognizing and celebrating the unique strengths and abilities of each student, fostering a sense of belonging within the classroom community.
Outside of school, I love spending time with my family at the lake, swimming and having bonfires. I also really love reading…on the beach of course!
Lorelei Bunkowsky
(Assistant Superintendent, Inclusive Student Services)
Lorelei joined Winnipeg School Division in October 2023 as Assistant Superintendent, Inclusive Student Services. She has a wealth of experience as an educator with 33 years of teaching experience. Lorelei was a Principal for 18 years with Seven Oaks School Division prior to joining Winnipeg School Division.
Lorelei has a tremendous compassion for students and advocates for equity and inclusion for all children in Winnipeg School Division.
Lorelei is an avid supporter of the arts and sings and plays in a family band.
Jesse Costello
(Teacher)
Jesse is a Grade 4 teacher at Elsie Roy Elementary School in Vancouver. He is thrilled to be participating in Wingspan for the second time! With 16 years of teaching experience, Jesse is an educator who strives to build a classroom community that is inclusive and engaging. Jesse holds a Master’s in Educational Technology; he draws upon this when designing and facilitating lessons that are accessible to all. Through his time spent collaborating with staff and working with children and their families, Jesse has learned about the importance of inclusion and accessibility. He believes that it is of the utmost importance for an educator to create a warm, welcoming, and equitable environment. When not working, Jesse loves spending time outside with his family and enjoying all that the Lower Mainland offers.
Megan Davies
(Principal)
Megan serves as the Principal at Elsie Roy Elementary School where she works alongside students, staff and families to build an inclusive, connected and engaging community. She supports Elsie Roy’s team as theycollectively create a nurturing and empowering school that meets the dynamic social, emotional and learning needs of each child. With a teaching
background in Home Economics and Teacher Librarianship, and a Master’s degree focused on Leadershipand Mentorship, Megan is committed to fostering opportunities for interdisciplinary inquiry, skill and leadership development, collaboration, critical thinking and lifelong learning.
Jane Gordiyenko
(Teacher at Oasis Arts and Social Change Program)
I’m Jane, a dedicated and creative educator with a background in Biology, Psychology, and Geography. My journey has been marked by a curiosity about the world and the human mind. Helping students discover their strengths and passions is what motivates and excites me in teaching.
Born in Ukraine, my cultural roots have influenced my perspective, fostering a global outlook of compassion, empathy, and understanding that I aim to share with my students. I have a deep appreciation for learning about other cultures through travel, connecting with nature, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a focus on fitness, and expressing my creativity through drawing and painting. These passions not only enrich my own life but also contribute to the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere I strive to create.
Kylie Hoydalo
(Teacher)
Kylie Hoydalo is a Métis artist and art educator living on Treaty 1 Territory. Her work explores ceramic processes and how clay nurtures the relationship between communities and their connection to the land. Kylie seeks to challenge the traditional shapes and functions of ceramics through rethinking wheel throwing, hand building and sculptural techniques.
As an educator, her practice is deeply connected to working with the community and facilitating accessible art workshops for children and adults. Kylie believes that utilizing art with the community is a practice that allows for social justice, fostering deeper connections and permits artists of differing backgrounds and capacities to reach their true potential.
Robyn Johnson
(Teacher)
Hello! My name is Robyn Johnson. Throughout 18 years of teaching experience at Greenway School, I have been provided the opportunity to work with a beautifully diverse group of students with all abilities. Inclusion of all students is a fundamental part of Greenway School’s philosophy and practice. Over many years, Administrators, Specialists, Resource Teachers, Classroom Teachers and EA’s at Greenway School have worked to develop programs and differentiated lessons suited for students with Autism and or Adapted Skills that individualize their needs for success at school and within the classroom. As a Grade 5 and 6 Teacher, my classes have been blessed with opportunities to appreciate the importance of accessibility, sign language, braille, the use of language supports, ever evolving technological supports, and incredibly diverse thinking of each and everyone. It has been a privilege to learn from and about all of my students’ unique abilities.
Creative pursuits have played an integral role in my life from silk screen printing to martial arts. Helping students develop their appreciation for the arts is one of the many reasons why I love the art of teaching.
Chris Rempel
(Teacher)
Chris Rempel is a seasoned educator with over 20 years devoted to nurturing musical talents in Grade 7-12 students within the Winnipeg School Division. Armed with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education, Chris runs the Choral and Contemporary Music programs.
Through the Contemporary Music program, students delve into musicality through popular instruments like guitar, bass, piano, and drums. By embracing repetitive chord progressions and accessible music, the program caters to various skill and interest levels simultaneously. The goal is to create a harmonious space where the joy of making music takes precedence over traditional technical skills.
As an advocate for inclusivity and musical diversity, Chris is always looking for ways to meet the needs of the ever-changing demographic of students.
Andrew Robinson
(Teacher)
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Andrew Robinson still calls the city home. Currently leading Literature and English Language Learner students at Seaquam Secondary in Delta, Andrew has also worked for the school districts of Richmond, West Vancouver and Comox Valley, in addition to having spent two years at Fuyong Public School in Shenzhen, China, and two years at North Shore Academy, partner school to the North Shore Warriors Hockey Academy. He fulfilled his undergraduate degree at Simon Fraser University, went on to U.B.C. for his B.Ed. with I.B. focus, and has since finished a post graduate diploma at Queen’s. Andrew is always looking for innovative and creative techniques for bringing social justice issues to the forefront of his curricula, and artistic expression is actively fostered in all of his classrooms.
Mark Robinson
(Principal)
Mark Robinson is a Principal of Seaquam Secondary School in Delta. He has been an educator in Delta for 32 years. Seaquam is a school that values inclusivity and celebrates the diversity of the students. Seaquam Secondary is a grade 8-12 school located in the Sunshine Hills community of Delta. We have a school population of over 1500 students. The school has an outstanding academic reputation along with many well developed extra curricular programs for students to enjoy. Seaquam is also the home of the IB program. We are honoured and excited to be working with Wingspan and having a Seaquam graduate come and be the resident artist.
Julie Smerchanski
(Assistant Superintendent, Innovation, Engagement and STEAM)
Julie joined the Winnipeg School Division in September 1992 as an educator. She has over 33 years of experience working in education in Canada & Europe. Julie was a Principal within the Winnipeg School Division before taking on a role in Senior Administration.
Julie has an unwavering passion for the arts and advocates for the inclusion of arts programming as a way of doing, being, and creating.
Erin Zimerman
(Teacher at Oasis Skateboard Factory)
Erin “Rock” Zimerman is a key fixture in Toronto’s graffiti subculture, having painted in the city for 25+ years. He is currently employed with the Toronto District School Board as a permanent teacher at Oasis Skateboard Factory, an award-winning arts and entrepreneurship high school program.
Erin holds a BFA from OCADU and a BEd from York University. Photo credit: Robert Cribb