Cheryl Ermine is a member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation and spent her childhood in Ontario, moving to Saskatoon as an adult. She is biracial (Dutch and Cree) and has been a teacher since 2001 in Ontario and Saskatoon and has taught at the elementary, secondary, and university level. She has a B.A. from Wilfrid Laurier University, a B.Ed. from the University of Toronto and completed her Specialist in Special Education at York University in 2005. In 2012, she received her M.Ed. in Anti-Racist and Aboriginal Education at the University of Saskatchewan. She is currently a Coordinator: Learning Supports, with responsibilities in Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppressive Education and Jordan’s Principle with the Saskatoon Public School Division. 

With an unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, Cheryl has established herself as a prominent leader and unwavering advocate in the fight against racism. Through 25 years of teaching, she has fearlessly provided resources and tackled difficult conversations, provided crucial insights, and fostered empathy and understanding among her colleagues. Her ability to engage and inspire audiences of diverse backgrounds and differing levels of understanding with racism and oppression has been instrumental in breaking down stereotypes and promoting genuine dialogue. If elected, she intends on advocating for teachers’ rights and fostering a collaborative environment in which challenging and prosperous conversations can take place, just as she does in her current role. 

I am currently a teacher with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools at Oskayak High School. I have 9 years experience teaching kindergarten to grade 12 as a classroom and learning assistance teacher. My career has also spanned across provinces and countries. Having taught in British Columbia and China, I possess knowledge of diverse perspectives and systems. I am dedicated to representing the needs of educators and students within our system.

My name is Shauna Hilsen. I have been a Principal within Saskatoon Public Schools for 16 years. Currently I am at Ecole River Heights School. Prior to that I have been a substitute teacher, taught almost all grade levels (my favourite is grade 8), and a Vice Principal. I am a team player. I lead with the belief of doing what is ultimately best for students, staff, and families. Teaching is my heart work. I hope to bring my wealth of experience and expertise to the role of STA Executive.

As an experienced and dedicated EAL Teacher within GSCS, I submit my bid for the position of Member at Large for the Saskatoon Teacher’s Association. I have been a teacher for over 20 years, in and out of Canada, and continue to teach within GSCS.

Over the years, I have participated in the STA as a school rep, and have been an STF liaison. I have sat on STF committees including the PGN Advisory Committee and STF Professional Learning, and am a founder of the SK TEAL PGN (Saskatchewan Teachers of English as an Additional Language). 2024/25 was my first year as an STA Councillor, after many years of helping SK TEAL write resolutions. My commitment to our profession is solid. I know this position will take dedication so it is with careful consideration that I put my name forth to help in this manner.

Kelsey has been serving the STA as a member of the Executive since 2019, and as a SSR prior to that. During this time, she has sat on a number of committees, including Convention, Public Relations, and Elections, was the Substitute Teacher Chair, and has co-chaired Superannuation for the past 4 years. She hopes to be able to continue this work next year, and looks forward to the opportunity to continue working for members alongside the newly elected Executive if given the opportunity.

I am a teacher with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools with five years of teaching experience in primary and secondary settings. I currently teach at Oskâyak High School. I'm excited to continue serving the STA to work towards positive change in education.

As a candidate for Member at Large I bring experience from the different capacities I have served in the community. I have been the secretary and vice chair at Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op for the past six years and vice chair at Sum Theatre for one year. In these roles I have been able to collaborate with other members to promote the development of our programs, organize fundraisers, and support community engagement initiatives.

The last municipal election, I identified strong candidates for the Catholic School Board, persuaded them to run, and managed both their campaigns. This consisted of coordinating volunteers, executing social media strategies, and canvassing. After all this work it was uplifting to see two retired teachers join the Board of Trustees to advocate for education! 

For the last two years I led a session at the STA’s convention in my previous role as Saskatchewan Youth Poet Laureate. As Saskatchewan Youth Poet Laureate, I had the opportunity to build connections with teachers and students across Saskatchewan while exploring ways to support educators in their classrooms. I also co-organize Write Out Loud, Saskatoon’s youth spoken word collective, where we have built a strong community by creating consistent and high-quality programming.

My opportunities this past year as a participant in the class Organizing for Power and as a member of the STA Resolutions Committee have given me insights into how my experience can play an effective role in advocating for change in our schools and for our profession.

Thank you for your consideration.

I am seeking a position on the STA executive for the 2025-2026 school year. I have a wealth of experience and knowledge both in my 19-year teaching career and in my extensive involvement in multiple local teacher associations.

I have been fortunate to have served on the STA executive for the last 1.5 years. During this time, I have served as the chair of the executive allowance, resolutions, and elections committees, and co-chair of the August 2025 convention committee.

Before coming to Saskatoon Public Schools in 2018, I was a long-term member of the Prairie Spirit Teachers’ Association, where I served in various capacities, including vice president, General Assembly chair, and STF councillor.

I am currently a special education consultant with Saskatoon Public Schools, where I am fortunate to work with nine elementary schools and all secondary alternative education teachers in the division. I have taught in both urban and rural schools at elementary, middle years, and high school level in a variety of subject areas. During that time, I have also been a resource teacher in both K-12 schools and high schools.

I humbly ask for your support so I can continue the rewarding work of serving our colleagues as an executive member.

My name is Melissa Ledoux. I teach at awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik - St. Francis Cree Bilingual School. 

I am passionate about education and supporting my colleagues. I strive to advocate for TRC and indiginization. If re-elected I plan to listen and use my voice towards positive changes and inclusiveness for all. 

My name is Iona McPherson, and I have been a teacher for the last 10 years, currently at Willowgrove School.

I have been an SSR for the last three years, and this year I also served as an SSL. I was a non-executive councillor for two years and attended Fall and Spring Councils for the last three years.

Last year was my first term as an STA executive member. I was a member at large and served on the SSR Committee, Professional Development Committee, and Superannuation Committee.

I am excited about the work that the STA is doing and look forward to the possibility of serving as an STA executive member for the 2025/2026 year, doing what I can to serve the teachers of Saskatoon

I have been teaching for 6 years and currently at Holy Cross. I was on the STA executive last year and have been an active member with the STA over the last few years. I have a passion to make change and improve the working conditions for the teachers of Saskatoon.

With 16 years of experience as an educator, a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Special Education, and a post-degree certificate in special education, I bring extensive knowledge and expertise to the profession. My career has spanned both rural and urban educational settings, providing me with a diverse perspective on the needs of students, educators, and school communities. In my current role as a resource teacher, I am dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments and providing individualized support to help all students experience success.

This year, I have been actively involved with the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association (STA), serving as an STA representative and as a member of the Convention Committee. These roles have allowed me to collaborate with colleagues, represent the voices of educators, and contribute to professional development initiatives that strengthen our teaching community.

Beyond my STA involvement, I have demonstrated strong leadership through chairing committees within local associations and developing and delivering professional development sessions for educators. These experiences have enabled me to promote evidence-based practices, address key priorities, and inspire positive change within education.

As a lifelong learner, I continuously seek opportunities to grow my pedagogy and stay informed about current research and best practices. My professional journey reflects a commitment to supporting student success, fostering collaboration among educators, and contributing to a thriving, inclusive educational community.

With 15 years of experience teaching English as an Additional Language with GSCS, I am deeply passionate about the teaching profession and dedicated to supporting students and families from diverse backgrounds. Throughout my career, I have responded to the evolving needs of our educational community and worked alongside colleagues as we’ve adapted to change together.

As an Executive Member candidate, I am committed to contributing honest, thoughtful participation to the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association. My approach is grounded in listening to the collective voice of my colleagues, ensuring that your concerns and aspirations are heard and represented with integrity. It is my promise to not only work hard but also to bring my creative energy and collaborative spirit to all that I do in service of the STA. 

Since first becoming an SSR/SSL during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve grown increasingly engaged in our organization—an engagement that has deepened my appreciation for the work we do together. I have witnessed and supported the shifts in leadership and member engagement through both the turbulence of the pandemic and the challenges of recent collective bargaining. I’ve attended STA meetings regularly, shared key updates with colleagues, and helped them find answers to the questions on their minds.

This fall, I participated in Organizing for Power training sessions—an invaluable opportunity to learn how to meaningfully contribute and strengthen the power of both the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation through deep, structured, grassroots organizing. I also take part in the ongoing STA book club led by President Jessica Brown, where we are reading No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age by Jane McAlevey, famed labor organizer and scholar. Recently I joined the STA Awards Committee and am excited to be part of a team working to recognize and celebrate teachers in a sincere and impactful way for their contributions to the profession.

Like many teachers, I am driven by a desire to learn and grow—for the benefit of my students, my colleagues, and the profession that I love. I believe that working together, listening with the genuine intention to understand, and supporting one another are essential to our strength and success.

Thank you for considering me for a position on the STA Executive!

Chris Scheirer is an educator with experience supporting students who have diverse behavioural and learning needs. With a background in special education and a focus on trauma-informed practices, he works collaboratively with school teams to build supportive learning environments and provide practical strategies for student success. He is currently a Member at Large on the STA Executive and participates on several committees.

My name is Irena Smith, I’m in my second year of teaching at Mount Royal Collegiate. I’m excited to run for my second term on the STA executive. I hope to represent the voice of early-career teachers, and to build the collective power and unity of Saskatoon teachers. I believe that education is an important public goods, but that teachers need to be supported and empowered to be effective. I also believe that teachers can win the support we need if we work together through organizations like the STA. 

In my first year on the executive, I focused on building member strength by serving on the Public Relations committee, the ad hoc provincial election committee, and the Organizing for Power training, where I learned important ways to build our grassroots organization. Before I became a teacher, I worked in non-profits, advocacy and campaigning, and politics. I have also served as a board member for non-profits, and have experience with policy and governance. These experiences gave me skills I want to use in service of our members as we head into a bargaining year.

I would be honoured to get your vote. If elected, I will keep working to build the strength and organization of our membership, and to advocate for public education in Saskatoon.

This past two years, one as an Executive member, I’ve worked hard at engaging substitute teachers and advocating for their issues. I want to continue this work and take it even further next year. The representation of substitute teachers on our Executive and Council is crucial, as we make up a significant portion of STA members, facing unique challenges compared to contract teachers. I would be honoured to continue representing and supporting our substitute teachers - your vote will help ensure that our voices remain strong. 

Lea-Arin has been a teacher for 3 years but her experience in education far precedes that. Her work as an EA consisted of subbing in Living Sky School Division for 7 years, which led her to realize she loved teaching. She possesses a Bachelor's degree in music, specializing in music education, as well as her Education degree. Her passion for teaching is still going strong, as she travels Saskatoon, subbing and "stealing" teaching techniques from wherever she likes. While most of her time is spent with GSCS, she spends some time in the public division, as well. She has taught practically every subject in both elementary and high school and has mastered quickly making relationships wherever she goes. 

Teaching since 2013, I began my career with the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises before joining Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools in January of 2020. While originally trained in high school education, I quickly discovered a passion for middle years and have since found my niche supporting students in this unique stage of learning and growth. I proudly stepped into the role of vice-principal in January 2023 after returning from maternity leave and have embraced the opportunity to support both staff and students in a leadership capacity.

As a proud French-Canadian Métis from the Batoche area, I bring my identity and values into my professional practice. I am actively involved in the Indigenous In-Scope Administrators Network and am currently completing the Leading to Learn program through a partnership with Northern Lights School Division, deepening my understanding of responsive and inclusive leadership.

In my current school community, I have taken on a growing role as an SSR, advocating for and supporting my colleagues. Looking ahead, I am eager to expand my experience and continue advocating for educators by serving as a member of the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association Executive. I am committed to collaborative leadership, lifelong learning, and amplifying diverse voices in education.