Early Learning Centre

Carla Eiers, ELC Associate Teacher
Carla’s 14 years of combined roles as an Early Childhood Education Teacher with the North Van Rec Commission and as a Family Resource Facilitator with Family Services of the North Shore brings with her a plethora of experiences. She believes the strengths of an individual are enhanced by positive early experiences and a strong foundation which you will forever be building upon. Recognizing the connection between family and community and that learning is a lifelong process she is excited to be joining the Early Learning Centre and being a part of building strong foundations. Carla strives to live a balanced life by pursuing interests that feed the whole person including reading, staying active and spending time with family and friends.

Junior School

Adam Blandford-Morrow, French Teacher
Adam is reasonably new to teaching, having worked at Collingwood Junior School as an Associate Faculty in the 2011-2012 school year. He graduated in Quebec from Bishop's University with a Bachelor of Education and a BA in English. Adam's French experience has been going on his whole life, having been born in Montreal and raised in a half-English, half-French environment. When Adam isn't working, he is usually found snowboarding, hiking, biking or camping.

Shannon Clarke, Associate Teacher
Born in Mississauga, Ontario and raised on the North Shore, Shannon attended West Vancouver Secondary School and received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria. Shannon is in her second year of professional teaching and has experience in IB and generative schools in both British Columbia and Alberta. Shannon recently returned home from Hong Kong where she spent a year teaching Kindergarten in an International IB School. She is looking forward to joining the Mulgrave community.

Nicole Corlin, Associate Teacher (K)
Nicole recently graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She spent the past year tutoring students from Kindergarten to grade 5, as well as teaching English as an additional language class at Brockton School. Nicole has always had a passion for musical theatre. For the past two years, she has shared her passion by teaching musical theatre classes. Nicole loves teaching and working with children; she is delighted to be joining the Mulgrave community.

Kendra Grahauer, Intern
Kendra completed her Bachelor of Education at Simon Fraser University with a focus on elementary education and fulfilled her undergraduate degree at the University of the Fraser Valley, majoring in psychology. Over the past year Kendra has worked as a behavior interventionist and social skills instructor for children with autism on all levels of the spectrum. Previously, Kendra taught for two years as an intermediate teacher at a private band school in Merritt, BC. Kendra is currently in the process of completing her Diploma in Special Education at the University of British Columbia. She has a passion for animals and volunteers with various animal rescue societies.

Paula Jasek, Kindergarten
Paula is delighted to join the Mulgrave community. She has twelve years of teaching experience at Meadowridge School, an independent, International Baccalaureate World School. She takes deep pride in her role as a professional teacher and in sharing her lifelong love of learning with students. Paula completed both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Simon Fraser University. As a part of her studies she was able to explore her love of children’s literature, multiculturalism and international-mindedness. This was further enhanced through participation in International Baccalaureate training. In addition, Paula was the Primary Years Program Department Head at Meadowridge School from 2004-2011. This position allowed her to develop a strongly collaborative approach as she worked with colleagues to create a shared vision of excellence in teaching and learning. She is passionate about interrogating theory and practice in order to construct the most empowering learning atmosphere possible, enabling students to achieve their greatest potential. Paula’s others school contributions include chairing the Literacy Committee, coaching volleyball and developing a Mathematics enrichment club. She adores spending time with her husband and their fifteen month old son, travelling, kayaking and painting.

CCCaleigh Mingay, Associate Teacher (G1)
Caleigh Mingay is thrilled to be joining the Mulgrave community as an associate teacher in 1Y for her first year of teaching. Originally from Ontario, Caleigh moved to Vancouver in 2006 to attend UBC where she received her BA and her BEd in 2011. Outside of school Caleigh enjoys the outdoors, instructing leadership programs at her summer camp and leading canoe trips in Algonquin Park. She is excited for the year ahead and looks forward to being a part of Mulgrave!

Jane Richards, Kindergarten
Jane Richards is originally from London, Ontario but has called Vancouver “home” since 1990. She earned an Honours Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education, with an Early Primary Specialty, from Queen's University in Kingston Ontario. Jane has been teaching Kindergarten and Grade One in the Abbotsford and West Vancouver School Districts, since 1992. She is also a Certified Family Coach who has worked closely with parents as a parenting mentor. She has coached parents as they navigate the different ages and stages of their children's development. As well, Jane is a mother of 3 children. She has a 17-year-old daughter attending Queen's University this fall, a 14-year-old son at Handsworth Secondary and a 12-year-old daughter at Highlands Elementary, in Edgemont Village. Jane believes Kindergarten is a fantastic time in a child's life! She is very excited about joining the Kindergarten Team at Mulgrave’s Junior School.

Natalie Smyl, Associate Teacher
Natalie graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Victoria in 2011. Her previous work history has always been geared towards children as she has worked in daycares, summer camps and taught as a swimming instructor. Through these experiences Natalie discovered a passion for working with children. Since graduating, Natalie embarked on an adventure to Hong Kong where she taught Kindergarten at an International School. In her free time, Natalie enjoys running, hiking and travelling.

Tawnya Yochim, Intern
Tawnya has recently graduated from UBC with her Bachelor of Education degree, specializing in Early Childhood. Upon completion of her final practicum, Tawnya received the Outstanding Practicum Award from her Faculty Advisor. Tawnya grew up in Parksville on Vancouver Island where she continues to enjoy activities such as swimming and camping. This past summer she toured Italy for a month where she visited extended family. Tawnya is very much looking forward to beginning her career at Mulgrave.

Upper School

Maurice Broschart, French
Maurice is a native of Victoria and studied at the University of Victoria, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in French. Maurice has lived in both Montreal and Courseulles-sur-mer in Normandy France. In France, he taught history, as well as worked as an English and French tour guide at the Juno Beach Centre. Maurice has also worked at Science World teaching Biology (insects) to K-grade 3 groups. He recently graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Education.

Brunswick-Werner, Rebecca, Upper School Intern & Math Teacher
Rebecca Brunswick is a Vancouver native who enjoys being active outside, playing soccer and hiking the trails around the city. She completed an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Mathematics at McGill University where she spent four years enjoying the change of pace Montreal offered. Upon her return to Vancouver she decided to pursue her passion for teaching by completing the Teacher Training Program at UBC. Rebecca is delighted to be starting work at Mulgrave after hearing so many great things about the school and community.

Christina Chiu, Math/Science
Christina returns to Mulgrave after completing the Bachelor of Education programme at UBC this year. She also holds a Bachelor of Science, with a specialization in Life Sciences and a minor in Family Studies. Her experiences with children and youth include positions within the community as a teacher, tutor, athletics coach and camp counsellor. During Christina’s free time, she plays competitive volleyball and designs unique cupcake creations. She also loves to explore her artistic abilities through portrait drawings, scenic paintings and photography. Christina is excited to join the teaching faculty and is thrilled to work with the Mulgrave community once again.

Catherine Holder, University & Careers Guidance Counsellor
Cathy has been teaching for nine years. She received her Bachelor of Science through Simon Fraser University and the University of Bath (UK) then completed her Bachelor of Education degree at the University of British Columbia. This was followed by a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration through Simon Fraser University and a Masters Degree in Education Administration and Leadership at the University of British Columbia. For the past five years, she worked as the Academic Counsellor and taught high school French and Science at Little Flower Academy in Vancouver and prior to that, she taught at Chace Community School in Enfield (UK). She also contributed to the co-curricular programme by working as the Athletic Director, with the Duke of Edinburgh Program and has led international community service trips most notably to Iceland and France. Cathy is very excited to be counselling at Mulgrave School; and is delighted to be involved in such a wonderful school and parent community.

Emily Parker, Outdoor Education Intern
Emily is joining us as an Outdoor Education Intern in the Middle school. She has been instructing Outdoor Education for nine years, primarily for Outward Bound Canada. She has recently received her Bachelor of Education Degree from Vancouver Island University, and is very excited to be gaining a new teaching experience here at Mulgrave. Emily has a natural comfort and understanding of the great outdoors and the joy it can bring. She has spent most of her summers on expedition trips, both with youth of all walks of life, and on her own personal explorations. Mountaineering, sea kayaking, climbing and horseback riding are just a few of her favorite outdoor activities. Emily’s kind and energetic personality gives her a natural ability to work with children of all ages.

Kyle Prior, Math/ Science Teacher
Kyle Prior joins Mulgrave this year after five years of teaching internationally and is very pleased to be living on the North Shore where he plans to hike, bike, and ski for many years to come. Originally from Ontario, Kyle made the trip out West in 2000 to study Physics and Mathematics at the University of Victoria. He followed that degree with another in Education, and soon after accepted a Mathematics position at a Canadian International school in Dalian, China. Three travel-filled years later, he aimed a little closer to home and spent two years teaching AP Physics in sunny Monterrey, Mexico. Kyle has just completed a Masters in Education through UBCO with a focus in integration of technology in the classroom to help support the development of 21^st Century skills and looks forward to working with the students of Mulgrave School.

Alvaro Rojas, Music Teacher
Alvaro Rojas is a guitarist, composer and teacher and has been working professionally in Vancouver’s creative music community for 10 years. He has been a featured performer at the Vancouver Jazz Festival, has toured across the country and holds a B.A. from Capilano University, and a B.Ed from UBC. He is very excited to begin teaching at Mulgrave this year and is looking forward to working with staff and students to continue developing Mulgrave’s music culture.

We are also delighted to welcome back the following returning members of staff:

ELC

• Monique Vodrey, Early Childhood Teacher & Curriculum Coordinator

Junior School

• Suzanne Finlayson, Grade 2
• Mahkameh Youssefi, Grade 1

Upper School

• Jessica Richmond, Individualised Programme Support Teacher