2024-2025

Executive Member

Candidates

Please continue scrolling to see candidate profiles for the following candidates:

Cody Appleton

Jasper Bintner

Christy Blazieko

Ceara Bogan

Ali Burgess

Neal Cantin

Kyle Graham

Katie Groskopf

Michelle Gulka

Kelsey Kiefer

Megan Larson-Wilkie

Melissa Ledoux

Caileen McKeague

Iona McPherson

Christian Meggs

Jeremy Rigby

Chris Scheirer

Irena Smith

Larissa Snider

Cathlia Ward

Withdrawn names:

Crystal Boschman

Allison Cameron

Natalie Rivard

Adine Thivierge

Tera Hale

Olivia Thornton

Members who have been elected or acclaimed to other positions:

Eastlyn Appleton - acclaimed Executive VP

Lenora Hobbs - elected VP of Finance

Justin Morrison - acclaimed GSCS System Coordinator

Chetwin Swales - acclaimed GSCS System Coordinator

Vince Mamer - acclaimed SPSD LINC Chair

Shayne Meggs - acclaimed GSCS

Cody Appleton

As a candidate for STA executive, I bring 14 years of diverse teaching experiences, having taught in various school settings, including community schools as well as large and small schools throughout the city. My teaching experiences have given me valuable insights into the different challenges and opportunities of Saskatoon schools. My teaching career includes being a classroom teacher, prep release teacher, band teacher as well as a vice principal.

I have a personal connection to education as well, as my children are enrolled in French immersion and my amazing wife is a secondary teacher in Saskatoon. This provides me a perspective with firsthand insights into the educational landscape and challenges faced by educators.

I hold a Master of Education degree and actively participate in advocacy and leadership roles within the education sector, including serving as a non-executive STF councillor (one year), as well as SSR and SSL (3 years). Additionally, I have been involved in setup and volunteering at strike days, advocating for educators at a local and provincial level. Although I am not currently a member of the executive, I think this allows me to offer a fresh perspective, bringing new ideas and insights to the table.

I am dedicated to advocating for teachers’ rights and promoting transparency, better management and accountability within the STA. With my experience, leadership skills and dedication to collective action, I aim to be a strong voice for teachers and students, fostering positive change and supporting the needs of the education community.

Jasper Bintner

I began my career in Edmonton as a science teacher before returning to teach in Saskatoon at Montgomery School, Bedford Road Collegiate, and most recently at Evan Hardy Collegiate. Prior to teaching, I spent a decade in biomedical research, but my experience teaching English abroad shifted my focus towards education. This led me to channel my passion for science into the classroom. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I am actively involved in the Saskatoon Teachers' Association, contributing to the STA and STF as an SSR (and SSL in the recent past) as well as turns on the Executive Expense, PD, and Election (when we still did in person vote tallying) Committees. I have also regularly served as a non-Executive Member at STF Council. I am committed to improving education and maintaining a transparent and collaborative educational community.

Christy Blazieko

Christy is an LAT at St. Peter School.

Ceara Bogan

I am a dedicated and passionate Grade 4 teacher committed to the advancement of public education and the empowerment of fellow teachers. I believe in the transformative power of education. Beyond the classroom, I am invested in the community and am passionate about advocating for positive change within the field. I believe that collaboration and solidarity among educators are essential for driving meaningful progress in public education. As such, I am eager to leverage my skills, experiences, and passion for teaching to contribute to the association's initiatives. I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded educators and contribute to the Saskatoon Teachers' Association.

Ali Burgess

My name is Ali Burgess and I teach third grade with SPSD. I received my Master of Education in Educational Administration in November of 2024. I am passionate about women in leadership as well as deepening my anti-racist/anti-oppressive practice, both personally and professionally. I have been an SSR and SSL for about four years with a break in between for my maternity leave. I believe in the work of the STA and am hopeful for the opportunity to serve the association and my colleagues as a member of the Executive Council.

Neal Cantin

Kyle Graham

Hello! My name is Kyle Graham. I teach English at Centennial Collegiate. I have been involved in the STA for 14 years. I have served on the SPSD LINC committee for 5 years and been part of 2 negotiations. I have served on the Public Relations committee for about 5 years, serving as co-chair for 1 year and Chair for 1 year. I have been a member of the Executive Committee for 2 years. I have been advocating for teachers my entire career. I really look forward continuing to do so in the future. Thanks!

Katie Groskopf

Katie has been a teacher for 12 years, half of those with Regina Catholic School Division in high school and the other half with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools in elementary school. As the current Chair for the Constitution and Policy Committee for the STA, Katie was worked hard to build an understanding of the STA Finances in order to develop sound policy. She hopes to extend her knowledge of financial practices and to act on the policies she has co-created by working as the Vice-President of Finance. Katie has an eye for detail and a rule-following nature that would be well-suited to the role and responsibilities of the Vice-President of Finance. She would ensure consistent, honest, and transparent communication of how the STA is allocating Member's funds. Vote Katie Groskopf for Vice-President of Finance!

Michelle Gulka

Bonjour and hello folx, my name is Michelle Gulka and I am running to be a STA executive member.

I'm currently in my ninth year of teaching and throughout those years, I've been in many different roles. While I currently teach in secondary, I also taught in elementary school, mainly middle years. Not only do I have experience with various age groups, I am also currently teaching half time French Immersion and English Language Arts. During my nine years, I have also mentored new teachers, worked with inters, co-taught, been department head, and supported experienced colleagues. I feel that my knowledge and understanding of both elementary and secondary schools will be a great asset for the executive.

I began attending STA meetings in 2021 with a not so subtle push my a colleague to join. He saw my passion for supporting teachers, my ability to work well in collaborative environments, and believed my perspective was both unique and valuable for the organization. Since then, I've really enjoyed learning more about our association and as I've gathered more confidence, I feel ready to take a more active role. This is evident in my involvement this year, especially with sanctions and that I'm committee chair for the newly developed SSR Mentorship Committee.

Thank you,

Michelle Gulka (She/Her/Elle)

Kelsey Kiefer

Kelsey has been involved with the Saskatoon Teachers' Association in several ways since 2017. This has included time as a School Staff Representative, as well as being on the STA Executive for the past five years.

As an executive member, she has been the Substitute Teacher Representative (2021-2023) and Executive Representative to Substitute Teachers (2023-present). She has also chaired and co-chaired the Superannuation Committee since June of 2021, a project which she is very passionate about. In addition to the committees she chairs, she has worked with the Convention, Executive Expense Allowance, and Executive Professional Learning Committees.

Kelsey loves her work with the STA Executive and is especially interested in substitute teacher rights, superannuation, and member engagement. If she has the opportunity to continue in this role, she would also like to be more involved with the mentorship of new teachers. She is hopeful that she will have the opportunity to continue working with the STA Executive next year.

Megan Larson-Wilkie

Melissa Ledoux

Caileen McKeague

I have been an educator in Saskatoon since 2006, having taught across various elementary classroom grades. For the past eight years, I have worked as a French Immersion Learning Assistance Teacher, presently holding this role at Saskatoon French School.

I take pride in representing my school on the STA, a responsibility I have undertaken on and off over the last 15 years. The past couple years I’ve been diving deeper into our association - attending the rally in Regina, volunteering at our Saskatoon mini rally, and working as a site deputy during every strike day. I have also recently joined a new STA committee - the Executive Allowance Committee. Additionally, I have previously served on a committee with the STF.

However, It's time for the next step! I hope to be elected as an Executive Member of the STA, so I can help to lead the STA towards its “Big, open, and transparent” future.

Iona McPherson

Christian Meggs

Christian is a teacher at Holy Cross.

Jeremy Rigby

You can find Jeremy's profile here.

Chris Scheirer

Irena Smith

Hi, my name is Irena Smith. I am new to the teaching profession. I have been teaching since January 2024, and my first two contracts have been at Centennial Collegiate and Evan Hardy Collegiate teaching English and History. I’m also able to teach in French Immersion. In addition to my B.Ed, I have a B.A. in International Studies and an M.A. in Women and Gender Studies. I became a teacher after working for seven years in the non-profit and charitable sector, mostly in international development and with newcomer serving agencies, and with a focus on engaging youth in positive social change. I have also volunteered with arts- and social justice-focused community organizations, including as a board member, giving me some experience in organizational governance. I think well-supported teachers are a cornerstone of thriving, healthy communities, and I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute more to the profession through the STA!

Larissa Snider

As a substitute teacher with extensive experience across various school divisions and teaching capacities, I am running for the STA Executive. I have actively participated in STA meetings for several years, and I am currently serving as the Chair of the Substitute Teacher Committee and the Substitute Teacher Representative. My vision is clear: I want to ensure that substitute teachers are better represented within our union and the province, as a whole. I understand the unique challenges we face, from job insecurity to lack of benefits. By collaborating with contracted educators, I believe we can create a stronger, more inclusive union, which recognizes and addresses these unique issues. My commitment is to advocate for job stability, health benefits, sick days, and fair compensation for all substitute teachers. I hope that you, the members of the Representative Assembly, recognize my experience and desire for continuing the work to ensure substitute teachers have a seat at the table. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to serving all teachers within Saskatoon.

Cathlia Ward

Cathlia Ward is an Elementary School Teacher with Saskatoon Public Schools. Originally from the East Coast of Canada she has called Saskatoon home since August 2020 with her husband and two young children. Cathlia brings with her a diverse academic background that includes a Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies (double minor in French and Business Admin), a Bachelor of Education, Early Years and a Post-Grad Diploma in Human Resources (Labour Relations) all obtained from the University of New Brunswick. Prior to teaching Cathlia worked in various roles including sports administration as well as several years as a political aid as a special assistant to an MLA. Years of high-level athletics enable Cathlia to bring a championship mindset to every aspect of her life. Cathlia has competed in the sport of curling at some of sport's highest levels including a Junior World Championship and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Cathlia aims to bring the same levels of dedication, precision, excellence and determination to her professional endeavors and looks forward to serving as a strong advocate for teachers in Saskatoon.

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