TRUSTEES 2026-2030

Pamela has proudly called Cranbrook home for the past 19 years, where she and her husband own and operate a local construction company. She is a proud mother of five children, all of whom have graduated, and a grandmother to two wonderful grandchildren. Having raised her family in Cranbrook, she has a strong connection to the community and a genuine interest in seeing local schools and students thrive.

Volunteering has always been an important part of Pamela's life. Over the years, she has been involved with numerous organizations and school programs, including KEYSA Soccer for 12 years, the Sam Steele Society, Operation Christmas Child, school breakfast programs, Highlands Elementary PAC, and Mount Baker Secondary School PAC, where she served for more than five years. She has also been involved in planning graduation events for four of her children at Mount Baker Secondary School. These experiences have given her an appreciation for the importance of community involvement, parent engagement, and creating positive opportunities for children and youth.

Pamela enjoys spending time outdoors and believes in the value of lifelong learning and personal growth through new experiences. She looks forward to building relationships with educators, students, parents, and families throughout the school district, listening to their perspectives, and working together to support schools and help every student succeed.

After 30 years of experience in education in the Southeast Kootenay School District, Irene is excited to be joining the Board of Education as a trustee for her second term. Working as a Youth Care Worker enabled Irene to pursue her passion for ensuring the proper supports were distributed to all students across the district. In addition to receiving the BC Medal of Good Citizenship in 2021, Irene has worked and supported youth through power skating and as a figure skating coach. She has also supported the many employees of the Southeast Kootenay School District as past president of the CUPE Local 4165 Union.

Irene enjoys a healthy active lifestyle that can be attributed to the beautiful community where she lives. Irene is looking forward to continuing to strengthen her partnerships with parents, educators, support staff and administration.

Cheryl was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, and moved to Sparwood with her family at the age of three. She grew up in Sparwood, attending school from kindergarten through grade 12, and has always considered the community home.

After graduating, she attended college in Idaho, where she earned an Associate Degree in General Studies and Social Work. She later moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, where she met her husband, Jason. Over the years, they lived in Calgary, Raymond, and Taber before eventually returning to Sparwood for work and to raise their family.

She and Jason raised their two sons in Sparwood, both of whom graduated from Sparwood Secondary School. She currently works as the Financial Manager for their family business, Rayco Steel.

Community involvement has always been an important part of her family life. Over the years, she and her family have been actively involved in volunteering in local schools, coaching basketball, and supporting community activities. Her husband, Jason, also recently retired from serving on Sparwood Town Council.

Now a grandmother, she has the wonderful opportunity to watch another generation of her family grow up in Sparwood and begin their own educational journeys.

She is excited and honoured to serve her community as a school trustee for the Southeast Kootenay School District. Having grown up in the local school system, raised her children in the community, and now watching her grandchildren follow in their footsteps, she has a deep personal connection to the schools and the families they serve.

She looks forward to listening, learning, and working alongside parents, educators, and the community to help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Alysha grew up in Fernie and has enjoyed the switch to living in a rural community with her husband and children for the past 16 years in Baynes Lake. She is a Registered Massage Therapist, owning and operating her own clinic in the Elk Valley for the past 22 years. This has allowed her to speak with many people with different points of view and backgrounds and understand the diverse needs and opinions of her community. Alysha is a proud mother of three, which has led her to be an active volunteer in her community. She has volunteered with the Baynes Lake Parks and Rec Society, Girl Guides Canada, Jaffray PAC, 4-H and Ag & More.

Alysha is excited to speak with students, parents, and staff to reflect on how our school has grown over the years and collaborate on ideas of where we would like to see it go over the next four years. She is looking forward to serving her community as school trustee.

Sophie lives in Elkford with her husband, their two daughters, and their border collie. Since moving to Elkford, she and her family have been warmly welcomed into the community. She enjoys spending time with her family, running, biking, hiking, dancing, yoga, and travelling, particularly to Whistler and Montana.

Sophie has a diverse background in education, social services, and disability support. She has worked as a Behaviour Therapy Assistant, Educational Assistant, and Disability Case Manager. Her educational qualifications include a degree in Psychology, a Social Service Worker Diploma, and an Interior Design Certificate.

During her high school and post-secondary years, Sophie worked as a camp counsellor and respite worker, along with various positions in retail. Growing up with deaf parents, she used sign language as her primary form of communication. She also enjoys creating personalized and customized items using a vinyl cutter.

Through her professional experience, Sophie understands both the day-to-day realities of modern classrooms and the administrative responsibilities involved in managing student support systems. As a school trustee, she is committed to listening, asking thoughtful questions, and supporting the needs of all learners.

Sophie believes in ensuring classrooms have the resources necessary to support every student, including special education services, early intervention, and enrichment opportunities for gifted and advanced learners. She values building strong relationships with families across the education community, including those involved in public schools, alternative programs, and homeschooling, so parents feel heard and supported.

She looks forward to working alongside parents, educators, and the community to support schools, encourage the effective use of resources, and help ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Nicole has been an active member of the PAC at both École Isabella Dicken Elementary School (EIDES) and Fernie Secondary (FSS) since 2011. She served as Parent Advisory Chair (PAC) at EIDES from 2016-2021 and FSS Vice Chair from 2020-2022. Nicole worked as an emergency Southeast Kootenay School District employee in a variety of roles including noon-hour supervisor, secretary, education assistant, and Teacher Teaching on Call (TTOC) prior to joining the Board of Education in 2022. She is looking forward to representing Fernie on the Board of Education for a second term and hopes to build on the relationships and experience she gained during her first term.

Nicole grew up in London, Ontario, received her Bachelor of Physical Education from McMaster University in 1995 and moved out west in 2000. She enjoyed a successful ten-year career working in pharmaceutical sales with Eli Lilly Canada before moving to Fernie in 2009 with her husband Dennis and their three children. Nicole enjoys hiking and biking, coaching youth basketball and is an active volunteer in the community.

Chris has been a teacher for more than 36 years with successful teaching experience at the elementary, junior and senior secondary grades. He had teaching assignments in Fort Nelson, Port Alberni, and, for the last 28 years, in Cranbrook prior to his retirement in June of 2008.

In Cranbrook he taught at the upper elementary level with teaching assignments at Steeples and Amy Woodland. He had two terms as the President of the Cranbrook District Teachers’ Association, one in the late 1980s for two years, followed by his most recent term of 11 years that concluded in June 2008 with his retirement from active teaching.

He has also been a student-teacher supervisor for the University of Victoria/College of the Rockies Teachers’ Education Program for six years giving him experience with entry-level students becoming professional educators.

Together with his wife Carol, also a teacher and early childhood advocate, they are long-term residents of Cranbrook with both of their children, Jenn and Steve, being successful graduates of the Cranbrook public school system and Mount Baker. The Johns’ family were also a Kootenay Ice Billet Family for 10 years and are presently Season Ticket holders with the Cranbrook Bucks.

In his extensive experience he’s witnessed firsthand the importance of the advocacy and engagement by parents and stakeholders for decision-making that is based on the best interests of students that reflects their individual educational needs.

Allie (she/her) is a parent of two elementary-aged boys and a teacher for the University of Victoria East Kootenay Teacher Education Program. She has worked in both the Southeast Kootenay School District and Rocky Mountain School District as a teacher of grades 2-3, elementary music, and technology. She currently teaches reading and technology courses for UVic, working closely with local schools, teachers, and students. In addition to this role, Allie is also a UVic field advisor for teacher candidates on practicum as well as a support and educator for mentor teachers.

Born and raised in the Kootenays, Allie has lived in Cranbrook for the past 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Education (UVic, 2011) and a Master’s in Educational Technology (UBC, 2017). She has coaching certification and experience in gymnastics and basketball, and believes that sports and the arts are essential components of child development.

Allie is committed to fostering safe, inclusive schools and classrooms that engage all learners, including those with diverse needs. She is passionate about literacy, social and emotional learning (mental health), environmental education, and educational technology.

Allie brings both parent and educator perspectives to help make informed, student-centred decisions that stay current on education trends and issues.

Doug was born and raised in Cranbrook and has dedicated more than four decades to public education. Beginning his teaching career in 1982, he went on to serve in school administration and district leadership positions before retiring in 2014 and continuing his service as an elected school trustee.

Throughout his career, Doug has worked in areas including Indigenous education, student and staff safety, Restorative Justice, technology, alternative education, and educational leadership.

As Board Chairperson for the past four years, Doug has helped guide the district through significant challenges, including school facility planning, capital projects, and advocacy for improved educational funding.

His provincial involvement includes serving as President of the Kootenay-Boundary Branch of the BC School Trustees Association and contributing to provincial committees addressing compensation for exempt education staff and capital funding for the replacement of aging school facilities.

Doug is actively involved in his community, volunteering with the Salvation Army School Meals Program, the Cranbrook Legion, and Rotary. He also supports initiatives advancing prostate cancer research and organizations providing assistance to individuals experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Each December, Doug and his wife, Deb, bring the spirit of Christmas to local celebrations and children's community events through their appearances as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Having raised his family in Cranbrook, Doug values the importance of strong schools and healthy communities. He believes effective school board governance is built on collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to providing every student with opportunities to succeed.