Hi! I’m Lana Abercrombie. I have been a teacher in a variety of roles in Saskatoon

Public Schools for the past 8 years. Currently, I am an itinerant teacher of the deaf and

hard of hearing. Over my 30-year teaching career, I have held a variety of positions

within local associations:

STF councillor both executive and non-executive

SSR and SSL

Social committee chair

LINC liaison

Secretary/Treasurer

I look forward to continuing to be a part of the important work of the STA and the STF.

Thank you.

Good day colleagues –

My name is Melanie Bevan, and I have enjoyed being an STA councilor for the previous ten years.  Today, I humbly seek your support to continue serving as a councilor for the 2025-2026 term year.  

I have served as both an executive and non-executive councilor – roles which helped me to advocate for Saskatoon teachers through different lenses.  I am passionate about the unique perspective that comes with teaching in our beautiful and complex city and am eager to return and continue this work.  

In my 18 years of teaching math and science, I have taught at many different high schools that brought their own rewards and challenges.  This experience combined with my strong belief in the incredible value to society that public education can provide led me to co-chair the Public Relations committee for several years and spearhead various campaigns including the Teacher Project.  I am now a member-at-large of the PR committee, and I would love to continue gaining inspiration from the different advocacy ideas I hear at council from around the province. 

At council my priority is to ensure that the voices of Saskatoon teachers are heard.  I truly hope to continue this work that I am so passionate about.  Thank you for your consideration!

After serving for the past two years on the Executive for the Saskatoon Teachers' Association, I am now seeking the opportunity to continue contributing as a Non-Executive Councillor. With eight years of classroom experience, I remain deeply committed to supporting teachers and advocating for improvements to our working conditions. I took part in the Organizing for Power training this winter and look forward to the upcoming Power and Participation in Negotiations training.

My time on the Executive deepened my understanding of the issues that matter most to our members. I want to continue being a strong voice for teachers—ensuring our perspectives are heard, respected, and reflected in the work of the STA.

I would be honoured to bring my experience and dedication to this role and to keep working toward positive, practical change for our profession.

I approach this opportunity with an eye on the importance of service to the profession. With just over a decade of teaching experience and 8 years serving as an SSL and SSR, I sincerely appreciate the vital work our members do every day and the tireless efforts of those who have served our association over the years. I’m running for Non-Executive Councilor because I care deeply about supporting the profession and contributing to the continued strength of our advocacy work.

I bring a thoughtful, pragmatic approach to problem-solving built on strong analytical thinking and clear, effective communication. My experience has taught me that the most important thing we can do is listen, allowing us to collaborate with purpose and stand up for what’s right respectfully and constructively. It would be an honour to serve our membership in this role and continue building a strong, responsive, and united professional community.

My name is Michael Crowe and I have been a Non-Executive Council member for the past two years. I am currently in my 11th year of teaching elementary school. Being a Non-Executive Council member has helped me increase my understanding of the STA and the STF and what I can do to help our profession and other professionals. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue this work. Thank you!

Boozhoo/Hello!  I have been a non-exec councillor for several years in the past and would like to continue representing Saskatoon teachers at STF Council.  I enjoy learning about the various issues and policies and take my responsibility seriously.  I have taught in Saskatoon for 15 years in addition to 5 years in other provinces and countries as a high school science teacher and also in programs supporting at-risk youth and adults. I am a proud Metis originally from Treaty 10, and have lived and taught on Treaty 1, 2, 4, and 6 lands.  I thank you for your consideration and wish everyone all the best.  Miigwech!

Hi, my name is Ken Ens and I have been an Elementary Teacher for the past 35 years, 32 with SPSD.  I have had the privilege and pleasure of representing you and providing a strong voice for Saskatoon teachers at STF Council for the past 20 years.  I was also actively involved on the STA Executive for 14 of those years serving you as Public Elementary System Chair for 7 years, Past President, and Vice President for 4 years. If elected, I will continue to strongly advocate for your concerns.  Thank you for your consideration. 

I have long been an advocate for teacher issues as an STF Councillor (15+ years,) former GSCS Teacher Relations chair (10 years,) former GSCS system coordinator - elementary, GSCS LINC team member (current and former) and would be honoured if my colleagues would vote for me to continue doing this important work.

Throughout my educational career, I have demonstrated unwavering commitment to teacher leadership and professional representation. With over 15 years of experience serving in executive and non-executive counseling roles, I bring a comprehensive understanding of educational governance and teacher advocacy. My leadership experience includes chairing the teachers' convention and serving on critical committees such as LINC and teacher relations. For a decade, I have held roles as both an SSL and SSR, providing support to our educational community. As a dedicated teacher activist, I have consistently and passionately advocated for the rights, professional development, and working conditions of educators. My background and  commitment to public educational position me as a strong candidate who will tirelessly represent our collective interests and advance the interests of our teaching community.

I have 28 years teaching experience and a combined 12 years experience either as an STA Executive Member, Non-Executive Councillor, or SSL. I am current Co-Chair of the STA Superannuation Committee. My work with teacher colleagues is a fulfilling endeavour. I enjoy giving back and working with the STA team. My goal is to continue my role as an STA Non-Executive Councillor and make a difference for the teachers and students in Saskatoon. Thank you for your time and your vote.

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 Tera Hale and I have been teaching for over twenty years. I have one daughter, a son-in-law, and two beautiful grandsons who live south of the border. I have two cats that keep me company until my plane leaves a few times a year.

Most of my career has been spent in Special Programs. I consider myself lucky as I have experience in both the rural and urban centres and this give me a unique perspective and opportunity when it comes to considering resolutions at Council. I have been at council for both divisions I have been employed in, and was on the Executive for many years when I taught in South East Cornerstone. I contributed to Policy and Procedure renewal in my previous division, and I have been an SSL and/or SSR at most of the schools I have worked. I am looking forward to retirement in a few years but know it is still important to stay involved and up to date on what is going on at the Federation and in our local. I would like to ask for your support in returning as a non-executive councilor for the 2025/26 school year.

I have been teaching for 18 years in the public system and have been very involved in our professional organizations.  I was a member of the STA executive for nine years, served as Teacher Relations Committee chair for four years, sat on many other committees and am currently on our LINC team.  Provincially, I have served the teachers of Saskatoon as a councillor for the last 12 years (including this year) and really enjoy the work.  I enjoy learning about the profession, debating ideas and resolutions, learning from other teachers from various regions of the province (comparing experiences and local agreements) and most of all, advocating for improvements for teachers in this province.  

Thanks for taking the time to read about the candidates interested in Non-Executive Councilor positions.

I was an executive member two years ago and helped to bring transparency in spending regarding the practices of the STA’s previous president. During my time with the STA, I helped to uncover where a lot of unnecessary spending was happening by reviewing each line item from every budget line. There were 3 main categories of food, hotels, and travel, which could easily be cut down on so the STA could save money and increase efficiency. This helps to make the STA more cost-effective and cheaper to operate and takes less out of the pockets of Saskatoon teachers.

I am the head mechanics teacher at Walter Murray Collegiate, hold a Master of Education, and a Journeyperson certificate in Automotive, in addition to my Ed. Degree. I have run my own business, which means I have looked after marketing, taxes, sales, etc. Teaching has shown me grades as low as grade 4 up to grade 12.

I’m interested in this position because I would like to bring my experience to the STF to help make decisions to support teachers in the province. I believe in respecting the work and contributions of teachers. I believe we should be asking that less be taken in terms of money and unpaid time.

As an experienced and dedicated EAL Teacher within GSCS, I submit my bid for the position of Non-executive Councillor 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 non-executive Councillor, after many years of helping SK TEAL write resolutions. I would like the opportunity to be a Councillor again. Thank you for your consideration.

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.

Hey there, my name is Jonathan Koch and I have been teaching for 21 years.  Nineteen of those have been as a member of the STA in both Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.  I have served as a school rep and SSL in both divisions and have enjoyed representing the teachers I work with.  Over my 21 years as an educator, I have been a classroom teacher, an LAT, a resource teacher and I am currently a Special Education Consultant.  I have represented the STA as a Non-Executive Councillor since 2023 and I would love to continue in that same role for the 2025/2026 school year. 

I am seeking a position as a non-executive STA councillor for the 2025-2026 school year. I have a wealth of experience and knowledge both in my 19-year teaching career, in my extensive involvement in multiple local teacher associations, and attending council most years since 2008.

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 representing our colleagues at STF council.

I have been a teacher in Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) for the past 19 years. Throughout my professional career I have looked for ways to support teachers and the teaching profession and have held various leadership roles within both the STA and STF. 

As an active member of our local association, I have served in various leadership capacities including Executive VP, VP Finance, SPS Secondary System Chair, and President. Most recently I have been a member of the STA Executive and Chair of the Public LINC. I believe that the work of the STA is an important part of the professional lives of teachers in Saskatoon. I have been dedicated to this work for most of my professional career and look forward to continuing to represent and support teachers in Saskatoon as a non-executive councillor.

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 Professional Development Committee, Superannuation Committee, and the SSR Committee.

I am excited about the work that the STA is doing and look forward to 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.

Hello, my name is Justin Morrison. I am putting my name forward with the hope to represent the interests of the S.T.A., Saskatoon and Saskatchewan teachers as a Non-Executive Councillor for the 2025-2026 term.

My position as a System Coordinator on the S.T.A. Executive for the 2024-2025 term provided me experiences and insights into the needs of Saskatoon teachers. My term on the S.T.A. executive also strengthened my belief in the need for strong teacher representation in the relationships between teachers and other stakeholders in education. I hope to use my experiences to continue to represent the interests of the teachers of Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

I have worked for Public and Catholic divisions, in both urban and rural settings.  Throughout my teaching career, I have taught every grade level from kindergarten to grade 12, including French Immersion classroom. Over the years, my teaching roles have included Learning Assistance Teacher, English as Another Language Teacher, Literacy Support Teacher, Classroom Teacher, Release Teacher, and Teacher on Assignment. My experiences across school divisions help me to be able to represent the diverse interests of teachers.

Through the roles of S.T.A. Executive Member, System Coordinator, School Staff Liason and School Staff Representative and as part of committees like the GSCS Mentorship and Teacher Relations committees, I have seen how teachers can truly benefit through the work of the S.T.A. and S.T.F. I look forward to continuing to work in the interests of GSCS, Saskatoon, and Saskatchewan teachers.

This is my first time running for STA Non-Executive Council and I’d be honoured to have your support! After several years on and off maternity leave with my two wonderful kids, I’m ready and energized to contribute more fully to our collective work.

I’ve been a teacher with SPSD for about eleven years, mostly in Grade 1 and literacy support, and recently moved into a Resource Teacher role. Though I’ve only been an SSR for a year, I’ve always been a strong advocate for teachers’ rights. I’m passionate about supporting new educators, engaging in governance, digging into policy, analyzing the data, and making sure teacher voices are reflected in our union’s decisions. I’d love the opportunity to serve as a Non-Executive Councillor for 2025–2026

I have been a teacher in the public school division for 16 years and a non-executive councillor for 5 years.  

This is my 10th year of teaching. I have taught in both elementary and secondary. I have been a councillor for about 7 years now and have thoroughly enjoyed representing Saskatoon teachers. I hope to continue in the role. Thank you for your consideration. 

Principal at Dr. John G. Egnatoff.

My name is Martin Plemel and I am running for the position of non-executive counsellor.  After a career as a professional engineer and many years of service on not-for-profit boards of directors, I am proud to have joined the teaching profession. I am passionate about supporting teachers and the students we serve.  I am eager to bring my skills and experiences to the role of counsellor, having taken the recently offered course Organizing for Power with my STA colleagues, I can see a path to making a more effective STF for all the teachers of Saskatchewan.

Today, the demands on teachers continue to grow, even as the achievement gap among students widens worldwide.  If elected, I will use my voice at Council to push for a credible plan to win the standards, resources, and working conditions we need to support student success at the same time as protecting the health, safety, and dignity of every Saskatchewan teacher.  Together, by strengthening our Federation, we can create the future our profession and our students deserve.

I hope to continue to serve my STA/STF colleagues in the role of Non-executive councilor as I have done the last 11 years. I have been involved in resolutions both locally and provincially. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the importance of council and being the voice of all members. I have taught for 19 years in First Nation communities and in urban settings. I understand the role we all play in supporting members. 

My name is Robert Rudy and I am seeking your support as a candidate for STA Non-Executive Councillor. I have served the STA and STF as Councillor for 25 consecutive years and have held various positions on the STA Executive including:

•        Executive Vice-President

•        Public System Chair

•        Liaison Committee Chair

•        Resolutions Chair

I have also served on STA and STF committees including:

•        Board of Review

•        Collective Interest Committee

•        Resolutions Committee (Chair)

Throughout my career, I have always felt passionate about teaching, our member organizations, and how governance within those organizations impacts the quality of our daily work lives. In my role as Councillor, I am driven to bring my assets of knowledge and experience to facilitate informed decision making that best serves our collective.

It has been a privilege to serve our Association and Federation for many years and I would be honoured to accept the opportunity to continue in the role of Non-Executive Councillor.

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. 

My name is Jenna Totland and I have been a teacher for fourteen years. My first experience attending STF council was as a substitute councillor. I immediately knew it was something I wanted to continue to be a part of, and for the last couple of years have been lucky enough to attend as an elected member of council. I enjoy the process of council and being part of the debate and decision making process on STF bylaws and policies. I have learned so much about how this process works, and I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to be a part of it for the upcoming year. 

Thank you 

Lea-Arin has been a teacher for 3 years but her career in education far exceeds that time. 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. 

Hello STA Representatives!  My name is Courtney Woytowich, and I have been fortunate to have been elected as a non-executive councilor for the past 5 years. In that time, I have strived to bring a voice to provincial council for the diverse collection of teachers I represent.

For the past 12 years, I've worked as a high school teacher with Saskatoon Public Schools, presently at Estey: Home of the Flex Program. Throughout this time, I've been dedicated to enhancing my pedagogical skills and knowledge base. I've gained extensive experience teaching a diverse array of subjects. My academic journey includes a major in Indigenous Studies and a minor in Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan, and a recently completed Post-Degree Certificate in English as an Additional Language. 

I firmly believe that my passion for serving as a councilor would allow me to contribute significantly to the advancement of our collective goals. With a deep-rooted personal commitment to ensuring equitable and quality education for all students in this province, I bring to the table years of teaching experience and an aspirational perspective of our future. 

At council, I work each day to ensure that the voices of Saskatoon teachers are represented in each session and for every resolution.  I hope to continue this work and respectfully ask that you vote for me for 2025-26!