Cohort Graduates

2018 MEd Students

Michelle Alberts - High River, Alberta

I am originally from Brooks, Alberta where I grew up on a vegetable farm. I am currently a Grade 9-12 Physical Education and Sports Science teacher at Highwood High School in High River, Alberta. In addition, I am a Canadian Red Cross First Aid/CPR instructor that I have incorporated into my Sports Science program. In my spare time, I love to travel, hike, golf, play volleyball and practice yoga. I am looking forward to getting to know my fellow students and expand my knowledge in Health and Physical Education!

Jillian Nanavaty - Calgary, Alberta

Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, I moved to Alberta at the age of 18 to pursue my education at the University of Alberta. After graduating, I was hired by the Calgary Board of Education, where I currently work as an Elementary Phys Ed Specialist. I love traveling, cooking, and playing/trying all sorts of sports! I cannot wait to further my passion for teaching Phys Ed and inspire youth to pursue an active, healthy lifestyle!

Meagan Clarke - Red Deer, Alberta

I had the pleasure of growing up Vancouver Island, British Columbia. After high school, I made the choice to move to Alberta in order to pursue my Education degree at the University of Alberta. After graduating, I was hired as a physical education specialist at St. Thomas Aquinas middle school located in Red Deer, Alberta. In my spare time, I love to travel, spend time outdoors, coach a multitude of sports, and hangout with my labradoodle Jersey. I cannot wait to embark on this MEd journey with my fellow cohort members as we continue to grow and learn how to reach all minds and bodies in the realm of HPE.

Ty Riddick - South Korea

I am originally from Drumheller, Alberta but grew up mostly in Whitby, Ontario about 40 minutes outside of Toronto. I am currently a High School Physical Education teacher, Head of Department and Athletic Director at the Korea International School of Jeju in South Korea. Previously, I spent 4 years in a similar role at Delia School of Canada in Hong Kong. I've never actually taught a day in Canada! In my spare time (haha), I enjoy coaching, hiking, ball hockey, beach volleyball, cycling and rugby. Looking for meeting everyone in the cohort this summer!

Chris Fenlon-MacDonald - Calgary, AB

Hey team! I’m looking forward to meeting each of you and working alongside you in this exciting endeavor. I came to teaching as a second career after working as a reservist in the military. I began teaching in an elementary setting and through this I developed a passion for school-health promotion, and the broad impacts comprehensive school health has on student wellbeing. Currently, I work with Ever Active Schools, a provincial initiative that supports health and learning outcomes in Alberta school communities. When I’m not working l enjoy being active, challenging myself physically (adventure racing, CrossFit, running, biking) and spending time in the mountains with my family.

Hanna Burger - Calgary, AB

I always think every activity in Physical Education class is a "Yeah!!" I really believe everyone has a path to their healthy selves. Personally, I love outdoor sports, biking, running, hiking, and skiing, especially in the mountains. Due to some influence from my partner and children, I do enjoy a strong coffee.

Amanda McGarry - Medicine Hat, AB

After a four year journey of teaching STEM 7, I have finally landed my dream job of becoming an Athletic Director and PE Specialist at the Middle School level. I am excited to dive into the PE world and help kids become more intrinsically motivated towards improving their health and wellness. Some of my personal passions are fly fishing, volleyball, golf, hiking, yoga, and backpacking. Let the adventure begin!!

Tory Boeckh - Toronto, ON

I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and a lover of sports and activity. I'm a Physical and Health Education teacher for grades JK-8 and Athletic Director and Co-curricular Coordinator at an independent school in Toronto. I've been teaching in Toronto for 5 years and coach hockey, soccer, basketball, cross-country, and track and field. I received my B.Ed. and B.A. from Queen’s University where I also played on the Varsity Women’s Hockey team. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy travelling, biking, and spending time with family and friends at my cottage in Haliburton, ON. Looking forward to meeting everyone this summer!

Megan Brain - Edmonton, AB

I am proud mom of two beautiful boys, married to my best friend, and a movement junkie who lives and breathes doing anything physical. From my career as a PE teacher to my hobbies such as running, hiking, paddle boarding, yoga, teaching fitness classes, coaching school sport teams, and playing on a number of competitive sports teams... If I could move all day every day, I would. I am super passionate about the field of health and PE and happily volunteer as a member of the Health and Physical Education Council of Alberta. I love my family, my friends, my river valley, and that I get to wake up everyday doing something that I love.

Tyler Baier - Saskatoon, SK

I am super nervous to be going back to the grind after 11 years. I am father of three busy boys and am married to my college sweetheart. I spend my spare time at the hockey rink, football field and baseball diamond chasing my boys. I am proud alum of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and Saskatoon Hilltop Football programs, and currently teach 9-12 PE at Bethlehem Catholic High School. I love all sports and continue to play baseball and hockey, despite my badly broken down body!

Susan Shearer - Calgary, AB

I am currently working at Alberta Education as a K-12 Wellness Curriculum Consultant. I moved to Edmonton in January 2018. My passion is teaching Elementary Physical Education, and I have been teaching for 26 years. My most recent teaching assignment was in Strathmore, AB at Wheatland Elementary school teaching K-6 Physical Education. I enjoy being outdoors, fitness, yoga, golfing, and DANCING!

Logan Woytowich - Regina, SK

I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and have lived there my whole life. I received a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Regina in 2015. I have been teaching at a high school for the last three years. In my spare time, I like to be outside, play sports, and spend time with family and friends. My biggest passion is traveling and I have a slight obsession with sloths.

Adrian Xavier - Toronto, ON

ALIASES: Adri, Mr. Shabear, Mr. Sugar, Mr. Mercer FAMILY ORIGIN: Guyana, South America GENERATION: Millenial (just barely!)

PROFESSION: Elementary Health+Physical Education Specialist teacher, Elementary classroom teacher (10 yrs) INTERESTS: Music, Walking/Hiking, 5K running, Reading, Outdoors, Grooving, Mindfulness, Lifelong Learning

POWERS: Listening, Reflecting, Questioning, Change VULNERABILITIES: Memory, Dark Chocolate, Shoes

NOTES: Relocating to Sherwood Park, Alberta; Psyched about this program!

Nicki Keenliside - Toronto, ON

I am so excited about beginning this Masters program and the opportunity to learn with and from all of you! I have had the privilege of teaching for over 25 years with the Toronto District School Board in a variety of positions and have also worked centrally with the board as an Instructional leader in Health and Physical Education. When not working I love spending time with family and friends and being active - dragon boating and flag football in the summer and hockey a sport new to me as an adult in the winter.

Lori Olson - St. Albert, AB

I have been teaching Physical Education for 16 years and teach at Paul Kane High School in St. Albert. I am an activity enthusiast and love being outdoors with my family. I am passionate about encouraging young girls to be active for life and continually try to build connections within the community. In my spare time I chuck stones at houses and participate in CrossFit. Looking forward to learning from this epic group of colleagues!

Gina Otte - Edmonton, AB

I am originally from a small town in Saskatchewan where I grew up playing multiple sports per season. I moved to Grande Prairie, AB where I was lucky enough to be able to teach Physical Education for 11 years! This year my fiancee and I moved to Edmonton where I now teach at Academy at King Edward. This school is a full strategies sight which has given me a unique look at how I approach teaching PE. All students at my school have learning disabilities and many have fine and gross motor learning disabilities as well. I have had to adapt and learn how to teach for each individual student's challenges at my new school. I am super passionate about my job and working with kids to inspire them to be active for life. Much to the shock of my staff, I don't have caffeine, I'm just naturally energetic! I love being outdoors and I take joy in running, biking, swimming, paddle boarding, hiking, fitness classes, yoga, and any workout that can get me sweating! I love being a role model for my students by being active and eating healthy. I look forward to meeting everyone this summer.

Laura Boudens - Calgary, AB

I am originally from the Ottawa Valley where I grew up paddling whitewater and racing kayaks. I happily moved to Calgary two years ago for my current job as an Elementary Health and Physical Education specialist. I have previously lived and worked in Wuhan, China teaching high school HPE and Berlin, Germany teaching 1-6 HPE and absolutely loved teaching abroad. In my spare time, I need to be adventuring with outdoor pals! Mountain biking, skiing, kayaking, hiking and camping are recent highlights of living near the mountains. I am thrilled to get started and I am really looking forward to working and learning alongside like-minded folks!

Sharlene McNairn - Saskatoon, SK

( aka... Cooper, Coops , Scoops ) Born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - I am Prairie Proud.. except of the winters... not proud of the winters. My husband Kelly and I have 3 children ( 5, 4 & 18 months). I'm in my 13th year of teaching Physical / Health and Career Education for Saskatoon Public Schools at a high school level.I currently teach in the FLEX Program at City Park School. I am a proud alum of the U of S Huskie Women's Basketball team...never won a ring but that doesn't matter ?!? I had a lot of fun and made some pretty amazing friends. In my spare time, I teach spin at RYDEYXE, organize and run a 3x3 basketball fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis ( check out www.hoopsforhope.ca), pretend that I can still game on the basketball court in a Senior Women's league and love spending time with my family and friends. Looking forward to learning and building friendships together.

Courtney Wald - Edmonton, AB

I have been teaching PE for the past 5 year, the last two which have been here in Edmonton at ME LaZerte high school. I am lucky enough that I get to take my favourite hobby and include it in my teaching assignment...soccer! I am a graduate from the University of Alberta's BPE/BEd program, where I was also a member of the Pandas Soccer team. I fill all my non-teaching hours with coaching soccer, between our school programs, our provincial training programs, and at the University of Alberta as an assistant coach. In the extra few minutes I have left in a day, I love to do all sorts of activities, and eat as much delicious food as physically possible. Can't wait to get to work with all my awesome new colleagues!

Lindsay Burns - Winnipeg Beach, MB

I am from Manitoba. More specifically, I live in a touristy beach town - Winnipeg Beach, about 50km North of Winnipeg. I currently teach Physical/Health Education and Exercise Science at the High School level (grades 9-12). I'm involved with a lot of program planning and coaching with my job in addition to teaching, supporting and encouraging kids. I love being active, especially in the outdoors. Some of my passions include running, biking, paddle boarding and golf in the Summer and ringette, hockey and cross-country skiing in Winter. I'm excited to be a part of this Cohort and look forward to meeting everyone very soon.

Nadeen Halls - Calgary, AB

Growing up in North Vancouver, BC surrounded by the forest, the ocean and the mountains, made it easy to explore and develop a passion for all kinds of movement. I have an B.Hkin from UBC and my B.Ed from U of C. The majority of my teaching career has been for the Calgary Board of Education in a number of schools (K-12) and in a variety of roles. Currently, I am a Health and Physical Education (HPE) Learning Leader at Patrick Airlie School which is a K-5 setting. Most recently, I'm excited about becoming the President of the Health and Physical Education Council (HPEC) of the Alberta Teacher's Association and our amazing family of HPE champions around the province. I enjoy being at the lake, early morning coffee walks with my dogs and lots of yoga. I am excited to finally begin this part of my journey amongst this most amazing cohort of colleagues. I am truly grateful for what is to come of this great opportunity.

Liam Mills - Edmonton, AB

Hi there! I graduated from the U of A with a combined BPE/BEd degree way back in 2006. Since then I have been a teacher with Edmonton Public Schools, working mainly with Junior High and Elementary students at Dr. Donald Massey School in Edmonton. I will be making the jump into the world of high school PE/Athletics for the upcoming school year at WP Wagner, and look forward to my new role and all of the coursework with the HPE cohort. I enjoy golf, my mountain bike and keeping fit when I'm not coaching rugby with the Pandas or the Men's 7s program at the U of A. I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to meeting all of you.

Nicholas Brown - Lac La Biche, AB

My journey started in Owen Sound, Ontario. I relocated to complete my Undergraduate Degrees in Physical Health Education and Education at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario. I moved out to High Prairie, Alberta in 2014 and taught K-12 Physical Education at Sturgeon Lake School. I have since migrated North East to the town of Lac La Biche, Alberta teaching K-3 Physical Education. I enjoy all types of recreation and sport. I coach men's hockey in the winter and lacrosse in the summer. On the days out of the arena’s, I am on the lake where my true serenity lies.

Kim Hordal-Hlewka - Edmonton, AB

Kim is the Assistant Principal of Michael Phair Junior High that opened it's doors in the Fall of 2017. Kim has taught K-9 PE and was the PE, Health and Comprehensive School Health Consultant for Edmonton Public Schools. Recently, Kim spent four years as the Provincial Comprehensive School Health Consultant for Ever Active Schools. She is extremely passionate about the importance of connecting the whole child through PE, health and well being. In the past, Kim has presented for @EverActiveSchoolsAB, @AlbertaHPEC, @PHECanada, Early Childhood Conferences, New Teachers Convention, International Physical Literacy Conference, National Healthy Schools Conference and Shaping the Future.

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