My name is Cody Appleton, and I have been a member of the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association for 16 years. For the past five years, I have had the privilege of representing Saskatoon teachers as a councillor. Throughout my career with Saskatoon Public Schools, I have served in a variety of roles, most recently as band teacher at Ernest Lindner and wâhkôhtowin Schools. In addition, I have contributed to our profession as an STA Executive member and as the Elementary Public System Coordinator.

I am a dedicated advocate for both teachers and students in Saskatoon, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving STA members in the role of councillor.

Schools are at the centre of my life, both personally and professionally. I currently teach at the high school level, while my husband teaches in an elementary school. Our family is deeply connected to public education. We have two boys in elementary school, both in French immersion and in the English stream. As a parent of a child with a learning disorder, I also bring experience navigating that from our family’s perspective. These combined roles give me a well-rounded understanding of the diverse needs within our schools and communities.

Over the past three years, I have been actively involved in the STA, serving on the executive for nearly the entire time and as Executive Vice President for the past two years. This year, I also took on the role of Public LINC Chair, surveying members and developing our bargaining package. 

Over the last three years, I have contributed to the Resolutions Committee, and this year I developed one of the resolutions submitted on behalf of the STA to the Annual Meeting of Council.

Over the last 5 years, I have been an STF Councillor. While my availability has shifted, I remain committed to supporting our profession and contributing in meaningful ways. I am seeking to continue my involvement as an STF Councillor.

I am passionate about effective governance and advocating for improved working conditions for teachers. I value thoughtful decision making and strong representation. I would love to represent you at Council and ask for your support.

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 2026-2027 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 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!

I have been a teacher in Saskatoon for 14 years and an active member of both the STF and STA throughout my career. Over the past 11 years, I have contributed in multiple leadership roles, including serving as a School Staff Liaison (SSL) with the STF, a School Staff Representative (SSR) with the STA, and as a non-executive councillor for the majority of that time. For the past two years, I have also served on the STA Executive as Systems Coordinator for Saskatoon Public Schools, while continuing my SSR responsibilities and co-chairing the Public Teacher Relations Committee. I am seeking your support as I continue this work in a non-executive councillor role for the upcoming year.

I am a middle years teacher with SPSD. I have previously worked for GSCS and a few other divisions as well. After having a student teacher I have become very dedicated to taking responsibility for the direction our profession moves in, and I take every opportunity to shape that profession - for both the teachers and the students in Saskatoon. It would be a privilege to represent the STA at STF Council.

I am a middle years teacher with Saskatoon Public Schools and have been fortunate to serve as an SSL and SSR for the majority of my teaching career. I believe deeply that a strong teachers' association depends on the active participation of its members, and that volunteering our time and voice is one of the most meaningful contributions we can make to our profession. It is through a collective, well-supported voice that we can truly advocate for the conditions that allow teachers to thrive and students to succeed. I am also a firm believer that, by taking the time to listen and engage with each other, we find the best ways forward. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to represent Saskatoon teachers' voice at council again.

Entering into my second decade of teaching, I look forward to becoming more involved with the STA and STF. Over the past ten years I have taught EAL at two different high schools in Saskatoon. While supporting and advocating for newcomer students has been the highlight of my time as a teacher, I have also enjoyed my duties as Staff President, Assessment Lead, and recently as an SSR. 

In becoming more involved with the STA I hope to put my advocacy skills to good use and represent the teachers who have sustained and supported me through my first 10 years. I am excited to listen, learn, and engage in all things STA!

After having attended STF Council several times now and being interested in this important work, I would like to put myself forward again to be a non-executive councillor. I currently teach IB Biology at Aden Bowman, and have also taught at Royal West, the Calder Centre, and both out-of-province and out-of-country in a range of programs for at-risk youth and adults, so I bring a range teaching experiences with me. My life experience has also been varied, living in small towns, cities, and on rez. I appreciate your consideration and hope that I can have your support in representing Saskatoon teachers again at STF Council. 

I am a release teacher at Cardinal Leger school, and have been teaching for 26 years.

I first attended STF Council in 2009 and have been returning ever since.

For much of my career I have been a strong advocate for the voice of teachers, chairing the GSCS Teacher Relations Committee for a decade. I was also a System Coordinator for a few years, on the LINC team through several rounds of negotiations (including the current one,) and on the STA executive for ten years, where I led a number of Mini-Councils.

I would very much like to continue doing this important work, and hope teachers feel I will represent them well.

My name is Jana Gibbons. I have 29 years of teaching experience and a combined 14 years of experience either as an STA Executive Member, Committee Co-Chair, Non-Executive Councillor, or SSL. My work with students and teacher colleagues is a fulfilling endeavour.  I enjoy working with the STA team and attending STF Council to advocate for better teacher working conditions. 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. 

My name is Michelle Gulka, and I am seeking re-election as councillor for the 2026-2027 school year following my maternity leave. I bring 11 years of teaching experience, a French Immersion perspective, and over five years of dedicated STA service to this role. I take my fiduciary duty seriously, ensuring that when I speak and vote at council, that it reflects the collective interests of my colleagues. I ask for your support to continue this vital work on your behalf and alongside the other councillors.

I have been teaching for 20 years and representing Saskatoon teachers, and the Saskatchewan teaching profession as a whole, at council for the past 15 years. I served on the STA executive for eight years and was the public system coordinator chair for four years before stepping down to spend more time raising my daughter.  I greatly enjoy debating resolutions and the opportunity to both help contribute to the improvement of our teaching profession and provincial organization, as well as learn from the perspectives and varied insights of teachers from other areas and situations in this province.  I take my role at council seriously, and always prepare for thoughtful contributions by educating myself on the information and background on the issues, taking notes during plenaries from the dignitaries present, and by asking the questions needed to understand the myriad implications of the decisions we make on the membership (now and in the future).  My main focus is on advocating for improvements to the working conditions and lives of teachers.  I believe teachers have an amazing impact on the lives of students and so I want to prioritize taking care of those teachers so that our profession continues to retain and attract the best.  Thank you and I hope you will support me with your vote so I can continue the privilege of serving my colleagues at council.

With 30 plus years of teaching experience across international and Canadian landscapes, including the Netherlands, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and a variety of educational settings in including public, on Reserve, private and International School, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a diverse perspective to the table. I have witnessed the evolution of many aspects of this field and am able to view the issues through a variety of lenses – all with the intent of improving the teaching and learning conditions for Saskatoon schools.  My passion for advocating for quality public education is unwavering, and I am committed to representing the interests and concerns of Saskatoon teachers as an elected councilor.  

My name is Lauren Klassen, and I am a teacher at Oskâyak high school with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.

As a non-exec councillor candidate for the STA I bring experience from the different capacities I have served in the community. I’ve been a board member at Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op for the past seven years and I have been a board member at Sum Theatre for the past three years. I’ve been able to attend AMOC twice. Through these experiences I have grown familiar with the functions of policy, and governance structures. I have learned lots from colleagues from sitting on the resolutions committee. I believe these experiences can better help me serve as a councillor. 

I am passionate about getting involved and taking initiative. I successfully sought out two retired teachers as candidates to run in the Catholic School Board election and managed their campaigns and saw them get elected!

I’ve been involved with the STA for the last two years as an executive member, sitting on the resolutions committee, and advocacy and organizing committee, as well as leading three breakout sessions at convention. 

I believe it is important to help organize, advocate, and work towards positive change within our local and in our federation.

Thank you for your consideration.

Julia has been working as a teacher in Saskatoon for just over 4 years after graduating from the U of S. With experience teaching a variety of subjects in both SPSD and GSCS as well as abroad, she brings a unique perspective to the table. Julia currently works as a mathematics release teacher at awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis School. 

Throughout my 20-year career as a teacher with Saskatoon Public Schools, I have actively sought opportunities to support my colleagues, strengthen our profession, and contribute to the work of our professional organizations. I have been fortunate to serve in a variety of roles within both the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association (STA) and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), and those experiences have deepened my understanding of the importance of strong, thoughtful representation.

Within the STA, I have served as LINC Chair, Executive Vice-President, Vice-President of Finance, and President. These roles have given me valuable experience in local governance, member advocacy, financial oversight, and the complex work of representing teachers’ interests. Provincially, I have served as an STF Councillor and as a member of the STF Provincial Executive, including work chairing committees such as Executive Governance and Professional Complaints. These opportunities have helped me develop a clear understanding of Federation governance and the responsibility we share in protecting and strengthening our profession.

Good governance matters. As an STF Councillor, I will continue to listen carefully, ask critical questions, and support policies and procedures that serve teachers fairly, transparently, and effectively.

I am proud of my record of service and remain eager to contribute to the work of both our local and provincial organizations. I respectfully ask for your continued support to represent Saskatoon teachers as a Non-Executive Councillor.

I’m Aidan McKeague, and I’m running to represent the STA as a Non-Execitive Councillor. 

I’m currently in my sixth year of teaching, and like many of you, I’m constantly balancing the classroom with a busy home life, which for me, includes raising my twins as a single mom by choice. These daily juggling acts are exactly why I’m passionate about helping work toward a future for teachers that is both equitable and sustainable.

True inclusivity and change don’t happen by accident; they require purposeful action and clear communication. My goal is simple: to ensure the voices of teachers at all career stages are heard, while advocating for a Federation that is transparent, member-focused, and ready to embrace the diversity and challenges of tomorrow.

I would be honoured to have your support. Let’s work together to shape the future of our profession!

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 for another term as a Non-Executive Councillor for the 2026-2027 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, Teacher on Assignment and Program Lead Teacher. My experiences across school divisions and teaching roles help me to be able to understand and 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.

I am currently a Resource Teacher, Instructional Lead, as well as a Following Their Voices Lead Teacher at King George Community School. I have been teaching since 2014, beginning in a high school setting, then teaching Grade One, and later working as a Learning Support Teacher before moving into my current role. 

I have served as an SSR for two years and previously spent one year as a councillor. These experiences have strengthened my interest in governance and policy and I value contributing to decisions that impact our profession. I am a passionate advocate for teachers’ rights and believe in strong, collaborative representation.

In my free time you can find me reading, playing board games, or spending time with my family! 

I would be honoured to serve again as a Non-Executive Councillor.

I have been a teacher in SPSD for 17 years, and a non-executive councillor for the past 5 years. I am currently an IB history teacher at Bedford Road Collegiate. 

Hello, My name is Emma Orr. 

I have my B.A. and B.Ed in French Immersion from U of R and M.Ed. in Second Language Acquisition from UBC. This is my 11th year teaching French immersion with Saskatoon Public. I taught in elementary school for 7 years and now have taught in high school for 4 years. 

I have been a STA & STF rep for about 8 years now. In the past, I have served on the STA Executive, as Public System Coordinator, on various STA Committees, and as a non-executive councillor. I truly appreciate the opportunity to participate and represent teachers at Fall and Spring Council. I am also currently a member of the STF Board of Pension and Benefits and believe it is very valuable to attend Council to get a feel for teachers' perspectives, values, and priorities. 

I would greatly appreciate your support in selecting me to continue as a non-exec councillor. 

Thank you! 

My name is Martin Plemel, and I am running for a second year as Non-Executive Councillor. As I transition into my first year on a permanent contract for 2026-2027, I am eager to continue bringing a fresh, "new teacher" perspective to the STF’s decision-making process.

While I am in the early stages of my teaching career, I bring over a decade of experience as a professional engineer and a strong background in governance through my work with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). My time on various volunteer boards has provided me with deep insights into organizational budgeting and effective oversight. I am committed to leveraging this unique combination of classroom experience and professional expertise to advocate for the teachers of Saskatchewan. Thank you for your consideration.

My name is Robert Rudy and I humbly ask your support for my candidacy as a Non-Executive Councillor for the Saskatoon Teachers' Association. Through the course of my career with Saskatoon Public Schools, I have held several executive positions on the STA Executive, served on professional committees both within the STA and the STF, and I have been proud to represent Saskatoon Teachers as a Councillor for 27 consecutive years. Currently, I am engaged with the Association as a member of the LINC team. This role aligns with my passion for protecting and advocating for teachers. I believe that I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position and am enthusiastic and ready to continue to serve the teachers of Saskatoon as an Non-Executive Councillor.

For the last two years, I have been involved with the STA as an Executive Member, SSR, and chair of the Resolutions and Advocacy and Organizing Committees. I recently stepped back for mat leave, but would be honoured to represent teachers at Council 2027. I think Council is a uniquely democratic institution and provides teachers with a real opportunity to shape teaching and learning conditions in Saskatchewan, if we are strategic and intentional in how we engage. As chair of the Resolutions Committee I gained insight into the resolutions process and worked closely with teachers, assembly, and the STF to craft resolutions. I also bring a background working in non-profits, and try to contribute my understanding of how governance works in other organizations. I would love to bring this knowledge and skill to AMOC 2027.

I have been involved with the STA, attending Representative Assembly meetings for over five years. I have also sat on the Executive for two years, serving on several committees, as well as chairing the Substitute Teacher Committee for three years. I would appreciate your vote so that I can continue representing STA members at Council. 

I am currently an LAT with GSCS and have served as an SSR for the past eight years. I initially became a representative to fill an unfilled role and have remained committed to advocacy, collaboration, and meaningful conversation. In addition, I have completed two terms on the Teacher Relations Committee, where I brought forward concerns and offered perspectives on behalf of colleagues. Most recently, I have been an active member of the GSCS LINC team during this round of negotiations. Having previously served as a councillor, I would welcome the opportunity to contribute in that role again.

My name is Jenna Totland and I have been teaching with Saskatoon Public Schools for 15 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 few 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 council for the upcoming 2026/27 school year. 

My name is Dylan Wihak, and I am currently teaching at Holy Cross High School.  I would like to be elected as a Non-Executive Councillor to expand on my current commitments with the STF to serve at council on behalf of our teachers.  I have served on the STF LTD Claims Committee since September, 2022.  We adjudicate long-term disability claims for STF members by reviewing documentation, applying policy criteria, and ensuring fair and consistent decision-making regarding eligibility for benefits.  I was the vice-chairperson last year and nominated by my fellow committee members to be the chairperson for this school year.

Hi! I’m Courtney, a high school math and chemistry teacher at Estey’s Flex Program. I’ve been with Saskatoon Public Schools for 12 years and have served as a Non-Executive Councillor for the past five. In this role, I’ve worked to represent and advocate for Saskatoon teachers at provincial council, ensuring their perspectives are reflected in discussions and resolutions. I am committed to supporting equitable, high-quality education for all students across the province and would be honoured to continue this work. I respectfully ask for your support for the 2026–2027 term.