 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Third Academy Calgary North Michelle Berggren BEd. Michelle graduated from the University of Alberta with an elementary specialization in special education. She has taught a grade 8 to 12 special needs class for 2 years and spent the last year travelling Australia. She is looking forward to her second year at The Third Academy. Susan Blixt, bio to follow Janet Corcoran BA. Janet graduated with her BA in education and theology from Concordia University, and received both her teaching diploma and post graduate diploma in special education from McGill. She has taught grades 1-9 in Quebec and Ontario, was a resource teacher, tested children and adults for learning disabilities at UBC and was Director of a pre-school literacy program in BC. Growing up in Quebec with a French Canadian father and living in France for 21/2 years, she completed her Teaching French as a Second Language at The University if Toronto. Janet moved to Calgary a year and a half ago. Andy Hitchcock BA (Psychology) BEd Andy has worked with many special needs students over his several years of teaching. He worked in Korea for 5 years as an ESL teacher before returning to Alberta and completing his Teaching Certification at the U of C. He specialized in early elementary studies and Majored in Psychology at the University of Guelph, Ont. Geoff Rosenstein BA BEd recently graduated from the University of Lethbridge, where he received a Bachelor of Mathematics and Education. Growing up as a gifted student with Attention Deficit Disorder, coping with special needs has been a major focus in his own development. He is very eager to teach others to understand and manage themselves so that they may also find success in mathematics, as well as all facets of life. He is very optimistic with the prospect of teaching at the “student-centered” Third Academy, where students’ needs are addressed on an individual basis, and the high teacher-student ratio allows for a more personal education. Chris Scales BA(Honours) Psych BEd is teaching grade 3/4 this year
with Kaetlon Irwin. Chris graduated from the University of Calgary Masters of
Teaching program in 2001 and has since taugh at the elementary level for 6 years at a
local private school. Chris is on paternity leave.
Bharati Singh BEd MSc (Chem) MEd, Principal.Mrs. Singh previously taught for ten years at an International School in Saudi Arabia. During this time she was in an administrative capacity for three years. Prior to joining the Third Academy in 2000, she worked for Calgary Immigrant Aid Society as the Team Leader for one of their educational programs. In addition to her duties as the Principal, Mrs. Singh continues to teach Science to high school students. She has completed her MEd with a focus in Mentorship at the University of Calgary and has recently been granted status as a Designated Signing Authority. Karamee Stange BA BEd. I recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education specializing in Elementary education and special needs. I completed my first practicum in a behavioural and learning assistance classroom with Edmonton public and the second in a mainstream grade 5 classroom with Calgary public. As a new teacher I look forward to applying various innovative ideas in the classroom. I look forward to my second year of teaching with The Third Academy.
The Third Academy Calgary South Deborah Dryden BA (Psychology) BEd is a graudate of the University of Calgary. I have experience teaching students with autism spectrum disorder. I am really excited to join the Third Academy staff. This will be a fantastic year! Christine Farrell, BEd. I’m a new teacher to Third Academy School this year and feel very fortunate to be part of a school which leads from the heart and makes a difference in students lives academically and emotionally. I’m fairly new to Calgary; moving from Regina, Saskatchewan with my 10 year old daughter and my black cat, Angel for a maternity leave teaching position. Our move brought us closer to my parents and brother and family who live in Three Hills which is not far from Calgary. I taught alternative education in Regina as well as lots of substitute teaching while my daughter grew up. I graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon with Exceptional children (Special needs) and social studies as my majors. I then completed my Montessori teacher training in Ottawa and taught several years. I am also completed training as an Irlen screener which is an often undetected light sensitivity syndrome and requires special coloured glasses or overlays to see the words properly on the page. I am very excited to be team teaching with Mandi Long who taught last year at Third Academy as we make a great team. I look forward to the opportunity to form caring relationships with our students in Room 2 and all students of Third Academy.
In my free time I love to run and compete in road races; and generally love to be outside in nature and exploring new places! Joe
Graham BHK BEd While attending the University of British Columbia, Joe
successfully completed a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education. He has
worked in Taiwan, England and Canada teaching in various schools and different age levels.
With his broad cultural understanding and life experience, Joe brings an element to the
Academy that one could not learn in school.
Stephanie Jones BEd BSc, completed a combined degree at the University of Lethbridge focusing on mathematics and chemistry. This is her first year at the Third Academy, prior to which she was substitute teaching for the Foothills School Division and Christ the Redeemer School Division. Mandi Long. Armed with an Honours Degree in Mass Communication from Carleton University in Ontario, Mandi has followed her heart to teaching. Achieving her Masters of Science in Teaching from SUNY Potsdam, in New York, Mandi has also completed additional credits focusing on Special Education. The past 3 years of teaching have taken her to East Central Alberta and back, reaching students with her creativity and resourcefulness. She looks forward to new challenges with Third Academy. Donny Lynch, bio to follow Patrick Nicholls BMus BEd Certificate Special Education completed his post secondary studies at the University of Calgary where he was heavily involved with both the University bands as well as the Affiliated Marching Bands of Calgary. Patrick not only has extensive experience in teaching music but also has experience in management at a local restaurant, Bona Roma. This is Patrick's third year at the Academy teaching band to all grades. He also now teaches Foods to junior and senior high students. Joe Palashniuk BEd Joe graduated from University with a Bachelor Degree in Education in 1995, then began his career working in the child and youth care field. For 8 years, he worked as a Certified child and youth care counselor with Hull Child and Family Services in Calgary. Joe worked as a program coordinator for dually diagnosed teens designing and implementing treatment plans for high-needs young adults. Extensive work with troubled teens led to his next job as a Guidance Counselor in the Public school system. Ripu Rahman, BEd. Ripu has graduated from the University of Windsor. She obtained her diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Bachelor of Family and Social Relations and Bachelor of Education with the concentration graders K-6. She is currently enrolled in Master of Education with the specialization in Teaching and Curriculum development. Facilitating students with special needs is her passion and loves what she does!
The Third Academy Red Deer Erin Gerow, bio to follow Burl Horniachek BA LLB BEd grew up near Red Deer in Lacombe, Alberta. He graduated with an education degree from York University in 2006 and has an additional qualification in Special Education. Prior to joining the Third Academy this year, he taught high school and junior high for two years in Okotoks, Alberta. Dr. Ken Marquart BEd MEd PhD, Principal. Ken's teaching and administrative experience goes back 35 years to include the early days teaching in the Outback of Australia, teaching in the United States both at the 1-12 and University levels, teaching at Red Deer College, and with the Red Deer Catholic School systems as a Teacher and a Principal. During his tenure as Principal for 20 years, Ken was responsible for establishing special needs focused schools in the Red Deer Catholic system. A Psychologist, Ken also has expertise in psychometrics. Programming, teacher mentorship, community development, and project development are a few of Ken's other strengths. An active member of the Red Deer community for many years, Ken has been happily married for even longer. Ken and Theresa are proud of their three sons and are doubly blessed with grandchildren. Lisa Riches, BEd. My background is in Early Childhood Education and my interests are in both Special Education and Literacy. I spent many years teaching Kindergarten and as a returning teacher to Third Academy I am excited to integrate my literacy and drama interests within the classroom setting. In my own life I am also a wife and mother and have various hobbies that I enjoy with my family. Being able to combine my professional life with my personal has been my greatest achievement. Jodi Robertson BEd. Recently from Red Deer, where she worked with grades five and seven, at Westpark Middle School and Innisfail Middle school. Jodi has attended various conferences pertaining to middle school and has a strong background in differentiated learning. |