The Third Academy Calgary North

Carrie Anderson teaches English Language Arts at the High School level.  She worked for a number of years previously at Rundle College as well as having experienced working on Alberta's northern reserves.

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 first year at The Third Academy.

Michael Cranley BA BEd teaches Social Studies at the senior highschool level. He attended St. Patrick's College and the University of Lethbridge for his post secondary education. His previous sixteen years of teaching were in Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, and Calgary (Foothills Academy). Michael has also worked with Statistics Canada and in the photo-technical field.

Lisa deBoer BA (Sociology with distinction) BEd teaches elementary with a focus in special topics of English as a Second Language. In 2003, she graduated from University of Calgary, substituted for the Calgary Catholic School District and joined the Third Academy staff. Lisa has experience working with high needs students through her university practicum. Lisa has a passion for art and uses it as a tool in her teaching. Children respond to her creativity and enthusiasm. Lisa is on maternity leave this year.

Janice Hedley BEd PBCE: Special Education. Janice graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1982 and spent most of her teaching carreer in a multi-graded classroom at the Junior High level.  She has taught from grades 3 - 12, was a Principal of a K-8 school, and most recently has been a Special Education/Resourec teacher in Winnipeg for three years.  During this time Janice has been responsible for assessing, programming, writing and implementation of Individual Education Plans, Adaptive Education Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans for the students on her case load.  She is experienced in differentiated instruction within the classroom and knows the benefits this programming has for ensuring students' success both academically and with their behavior.  Janice is looking forward to joining the Third Academy team and helping to create a supportive and positive environment that will enable the students attending to reach their full potential and be successful in their learning.

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.

Becky Kerr BGS BEd. graduated from the Master of Teaching program at the University of Calgary in 2006. She has since taught for one year in a special needs grade one classroom, and also spent one year teaching language arts and social studies in a remedial junior high shcool for Inuit youth. Becky joined The Third Academy in 2008 and is looking forward to her first year!

Florian Lim BSci BEd is a senior high math and science specialist at The Third Academy.  Upon completion of her Biological Sciences program at the University of Calgary, Florian enrolled in the Master of Teaching program at the University of Calgary in 2004.  She joined The Third Academy team in 2006 and is thrilled to kick start her teaching career with such a strong, supportive staff.

Raluca Olivia Neamtu - I was born in Romania, but I have been here for over 20 years almost. I graduated from York University with a Bachelor degree in Health and Society. From there, I went to Lakehead University where I received my Bachelor of Education and I graduated with a First Class Standing. I also have my Special Education Part I, and I will pursue Part II and III in order to grow as a teacher. Once I graduated, I applied to the Calgary Board of Education for a teaching position. As soon as I was accepted, I moved out to Calgary on my own and started a new life with a new career. I worked for the Calgary Board of Education as a substitute teacher before I received a full time position at John Ware Junior High as a Resource teacher. As I have always wanted to work with special needs children, I applied to Third Academy in hope that I would receive a full time position with the school. I have enjoyed my time here with the school, and I have learned so much from the other staff.  I want to thank everyone that has supported me and given a chance to be part of this great team.

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.

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. 

Leslie Steele BA BEd. Leslie teaches Social Science and Physical Education at the Junior and Senior high school level. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honors Degree in Kinesiology and completed her Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of Wollongong Australia. Her passion for travel has provided her with lots of interesting experiences, many of which she intends to bring to the classroom in her first year here at The Third Academy.

Steven Vogel BEd. I recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a major in Social Studies and a minor in Special Education. I completed both my practicums in special needs and worked four summers with the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta’s Camp Amicus as a social skill camp counselor. One of my favorite things to do is travel, because I think it is the best education one can receive. As a new teacher, I look forward to sharing my travel endeavors as well as being a solid role model for the students.

The Third Academy Calgary South

Ross Champion BEd attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton and has taught a broad range of special needs students for years.  Also, he has worked as an English teacher at a private boarding school and taught at First Nations schools in northern Alberta. Ross has a great love of literature and enjoys sharing his love of reading with his students.

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!

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.

Raina Haffey BEd (History) is a graduate of the University of Calgary. She is a teacher in the elementary division. Raina has a background in pre-school kindergarten special needs as well as experience as a special education funding coordinator. Raina is on maternity leave this year.

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.

Rehana Mattu BEd is one of the founding Third Academy teaching staff.  She has worked with our students, grades 1-9, over the past 11 years primarily at the Calgary campus.  Rehana has also taught at Third Academy Lethbridge and Third Academy Red Deer and as such sees herself as connected to the broad Third Academy family.  She prides herself in being unconventional in her approach.  She is firm, has high expectations of her students, never gives up, finds ways for them to succeed, and has enjoyed the support of her students and parents over the years having been voted Teacher of the Year by the student body.  Rehana loves her students.

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. This is Joe's first full year at The Third Academy. 

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. 

Sarah White BEd is a native Calgarian who is now teaching Third Academy students at the High School level.  Prior, Sarah was working as a substitute in the Foothills School Division.

The Third Academy Red Deer

Justin Amthor BEd. I earned my BFA at the University of Calgary, and then went to Asia to teach English for two years. Shortly after this I received my BEd from the University of Windsor (Ontario). I worked in northern Alberta on a native reserve for two years before joining The Third Academy Red Deer in September 2008. I am currently enjoying the challenge of teaching grades 7 - 9.

Sacha Fleming BEd. Sacha graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Education, specializing in Elementary Education, and also has completed her Certificate of Special Education. She has teaching experience in Mexico, a Northern Saskatchewan Indian Band, and has spent the last 3 years teaching in a variety of Special Education classes which has only strengthened her passion towards differentiated learning. Sacha looks forward to her future with The Third Academy.

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.

Dr. Mark Ryan BEd MEd PhD has been teaching for 30 years and is working with Third Academy students at the high school level. Dr. Ryan has been a 'teacher of teachers' for a number of years at Red Deer College, with his student teachers now teaching in almost every elementary and middle school in Red Deer.  He brings over thirty years of experience in education to Third Academy Red Deer.

The Third Academy Lethbridge

Ginny Bergsma BEd is on maternity leave this year.

Roma Davidson BEd. I graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997 with a Major in Home Economics, Minor in Art Education, and Middle Years Language Arts. I taught Middle years and Home Economics as well as a variety of other subjects at Biggar Central School 2000 in Biggar, Saskatchewan for 8 years. I became the Resource Teacher after transferring to Landis School in 2006 and started taking the Post-Graduate Certificate in Special Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007; to date I have completed four courses. I am also three courses short of attaining my Masters in Educational Communications & Technology majoring in Instructional Design. I hope to conmplete this with courses from the University of Calgary. This move to The Third Academy Lethbridge has brought me closer to my three daughters who also liver here and near. I enjoy working with children and look forward to a challenging, fun, and successful year with the students of LC2 Grades 6 - 8.

John Leskosky BA BEd  John has been working with students with special learning needs for the past 35 years.  He has a particular interest in Remedial Reading... even going so far as to develop a comprehensive program.  John is assisting students in Lethbridge as a Reading Specialist, in a 1:1 and small group situation.  John's dream is to have his reading program published and available for the use of teachers and benefit of students across Canada

Ken McLean BEd, Principal, Lethbridge and teacher Lower elementary. Ken was born in Montreal, Quebec, and lived in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Alberta. He has 5 brothers and sisters, and one son... family is very important to him. He enjoys travel, sun, spicy foods, weight training, walks, and learning. He has degrees in psychology, management, education, and is now completing graduate work in psychology. He has 12 years of experience with special needs clients/students, 7 years in teaching, and several years of counselling and assisting children of various needs.

Janine Primrose is on maternity leave this year.

Natalie Scotland BEd. My hobbies are playing the piano, singing, exercise, and reading. My interests are my three children (Ashley, Amanda and Andrew) - they keep me very busy!  I love spending time with them. My favorite place to visit as a child was Vancouver.  I went with my family every summer to visit my grandmother. I have a Bachelor of Education degree, and this is my second year of teaching at the Third Academy.

Diane Shapcott BEd. I have been blessed to have a musical background beginning as a child.  Both my parents were musical and gave each one of their eight children music lessons of an instrument of their choice.  I chose to sing and play the cello.  Our family performed at many church and community functions throughout Edmonton.  My singing has been the focal point of my musical studies.  I obtained my Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Lethbridge in 2005.  After which I immediately secured a one year position teaching choral music and musical theatre at St. Francis Junior High in Lethbridge.  That year St. Francis put on the musical Roger and Hammerstein “Cinderella”.  I was privileged to be the vocal director for that enormous production involving over 100 students and staff members. I have spent the last two years substituting for music teachers and other classroom teachers in three school districts in the Lethbridge area. I continue to perform solos, in a community women’s choir and I am presently choir director at our church. I have been married for 27 years and my husband John and I have five children.

Bernie Sheahan BEd. I enjoy most sports especially hockey and football. I love spending some quiet time after work. I am interested in keeping up to date on sports trivia. I enjoy following and watching my children grow and develop in their athletic and academic pursuits. Brock is trying out for his first professional hockey team, The Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins. Brodie is in his third year at Holy Cross University, playing hockey and studying business and finance. Taylor Anne is in grade 12 at Catholic Central High School and taking the year off from Dance because of a severe foot injury.

Gary Zuko BEd, MEd. I started school in 1972 in the small remote town of Barrhead, Alberta.  I was raised to value and understand alternative education. In 1982, my high school work experience was in the extension of New Hope School called “Blue Heron Enterprise”.  Blue Heron was a complete “Functional Academic” setting where students were taught through experiential learning.  At the University of Alberta I continued to bridge special needs and education.  I received a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education and went on to operate the Central Alberta branch of the Special Olympics as I was the Associate Director of the Red Deer Y.M.C.A.  I continued to study a 2 year degree in Primary Education at Red Deer College. In 1991 I transferred to Edmonton and studied full time another 2 years of Secondary Education at the University of Alberta.  In 1994 I finished certification as a Special Needs Basic Skills Therapist; in 1995 I certified as a Special Needs Rehabilitation Therapist and in 1997 I certified as a Counselor for High Risk Children and their Families.  I went on to a Masters in Education in Portland Oregon and I owned and operated a group home/school in Edmonton; I created programs in Special Needs settings from fly in communities North of the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean; I worked with Indian Affairs and Alberta Education on improving practices in “High Risk Schools”; I prepared teachers to meet the challenges of today’s student; I mentored 3rd and 4th year practicum students working toward their degree; and finally, I am here at Third Academy. My incredible wife Rosetta teaches here at the Lethbridge campus and my awesome 19 month old son Kai attends the daycare only paces away from my classroom.

Rosetta Zuko BSc, BEd. I received two degrees from the University of Alberta. The first degree my major is chemistry, and minor is psychology. The second degree my major is physical sciences and minor is math. My cultural background was Vietnam, but I was born in Thailand while my parents were escaping from a refugee camp in 1980. I was taught to speak Vietnamese at home; therefore, English is my second language. My first teaching job was teaching gymnastics, which I taught for 10 years. I was a recreational gymnast for 5 years and the other 3 years I compete provincially; winning many awards and medals. I also played in an ultimate frisbee league in Edmonton for two years, which is one of the greatest experiences of my life.