Superintendent of Schools Donna Kriger
Taking over the reins of the district in August, 2021, Superintendent/CEO Donna Kriger’s guiding principle throughout her career has been “Students Come First” and she is determined to keep this philosophy front and centre during her tenure in School District 83.
She has 16 years administrative experience at the school and district level, coupled with extensive experience working with school-based administrative teams, teachers, support staff, students and First Nations. Kriger has a wide variety of skills and experiences to her new role. She has held portfolios in distributed learning, improving graduation rates, revising secondary assessment practices, comprehensive school community health, Indigenous education and has worked tirelessly in supporting both student and staff mental health and well-being.
Donna is looking forward to building relationships with staff, students, families, and the community members within School District 83. She considers herself to be student-centred and committed to affording students across the district with equitable opportunities within the communities in which they reside. She is passionate about listening to the voices of Indigenous Peoples and committed to be bringing about transformative change as the district continues its journey toward Truth and Reconciliation.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Calgary.
Assistant Superintendent (Human Resources) Michelle Guillou
Michelle comes to SD83 from School District No. 35 in Langley where she has spent most of her career and where she most recently served as the director of human resources. She brings a wealth of experience with her both from the school and district level. As part of her HR experience, she has been highly involved in staff development, strategic planning, compassionate systems leadership, and supporting staff wellness. She also demonstrates a sincere commitment to furthering the work of Truth and Reconciliation across the district.
She is looking forward to meeting with employees of the district as well as our trustees, Rightsholders, stakeholders, and partner groups.
Director of Instruction (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Gillian Dawe-Taylor
Gillian Dawe-Taylor is the new Director of Instruction of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in SD83. She is excited to listen to, learn from, and serve the students, staff & community of SD83 and to learn about the vibrant lands and culture of the Secwépemc people.Her Newfoundland roots, her life and northern experiences flavour her leadership style which was seasoned both before and after obtaining her Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration (focused on Indigenous education) from St. Francis Xavier University in 2005.The early years of Gillian’s career brought her to NL east coast city teaching to an isolated community on the Burin Peninsula before moving to Yellowknife. Gillian served in the NWT education system from 1997 – 2023 in a wide spectrum of roles from preschool to high school and with the department of education. As a former principal of three vibrant schools, she has expected, supported, challenged, and achieved high standards while utilizing an inclusive differentiated strengths-focused/needs-based model. Gillian has been honoured to serve in the roles of Program Support Teacher at the school level, and as Inclusive Schooling and Student Support Coordinator and then Director of the Student Support and Wellness division for the department of Education, Culture & Employment in the Government of the North West Territories.
Gillian is passionate about supporting student and staff wellness and inclusion, and ensuring schools are culturally sensitive, trauma-informed spaces of neurodiverse exploration where all students belong and can be successful on their life path. Gillian believes that continual progress is to be valued over time-defined performance and that using an asset-based approach allows us all to become our most capable selves.
Director of Instruction (Indigenous Education) Chelsea Prince
Chelsea Prince joined the district in 2007 and has held multiple roles such as teacher, department head, Vice Principal, Principal, and now Director of Instruction: Indigenous Education. Chelsea is a Mohawk of the Bay of of Quinte and a tireless advocate for social justice, vulnerable students, and Truth and Reconciliation. She is also passionate about curriculum, assessment, and inclusion of Indigenous content across the curriculum areas. Chelsea has worked with the Ministry of Education, the First Nations Education Steering Committee, and CBC to develop curriculum, assessments, and teacher resource guides, and was part of the team that wrote the First Peoples Principles of Learning. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Focus), and a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning, all from University of British Columbia campuses.
Chelsea is very excited to take on this new role and is committed to improving outcomes and connection for Indigenous students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and beyond, and ensuring that Indigenous focussed curriculum and content in our schools is supported and implemented well. Her experience working with student achievement data, graduation rates, curriculum, provincial assessment, and K-12 school leadership provide an excellent foundation for this role. She is looking forward to continuing to build strong relationships with students, district staff, Indigenous community members and rightsholders, and district stakeholders.
When not at work, Chelsea loves spending time with family, hiking, reading, cooking, travelling, and being outside.
Director of Instruction (Middle/Secondary) Reid Findlay
Reid considers himself to be a “displaced flatlander” having grown up in Killarney, Manitoba. Reid attended the University of Manitoba and earned his B.Sc (1989) and a B.Ed (1991) while attended and watching many Winnipeg Jets games. He started his teaching career in the Cariboo Chilcotin School District – where he taught for seven years – before relocating to Salmon Arm where he and his wife, Jennifer, have raised their two daughters. Reid has worked as a principal at J.L. Jackson Jr. Secondary, North Shuswap Elementary, Len Wood Middle School, and Salmon Arm Secondary over his 20 years in this district. During those years, Reid completed his M.Ed through the University of Calgary in 2004 with a specialization in Educational Leadership.
Reid’s passion has always been to be of service to the community, and his new role is particularly rewarding in this regard. Working closely with our community and post-secondary training partners, Reid and the team he leads help many students find their path to their future beyond the K-12 system. He is also serves as the Principal of the Education Outreach (Distance Learning) Program (EOP). His family, guitar, hockey stick and fly rod help him to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Learning to skate ski at Larch Hills is his mid-life pursuit.
Director of Instruction Jen Findlay (Early Learning, Elementary)
Jen is passionate about supporting students by supporting educators. She enjoys collaborating and learning with educators from around the district (and province) and encourages reflective practices for herself, other educators, and students.
Over her career, Jen has had the pleasure of teaching students from K to 7 and has held multiple administrative roles. Jen joined the district in 1999 as the vice principal of Len Wood Elementary. Prior to that, she was a teacher and vice principal in 100 Mile House (SD27) and a primary teacher in Winnipeg. When her two daughters were young, she ran a licensed family daycare out of her home. She was also an Executive Director of LASS, a non-profit literacy organization, for several years before officially returning to the school district. Jen is currently a District Principal with a varied portfolio including Early Learning, Literacy, Outdoor Learning, Instructional Leadership, and Communicating Student Learning. She is also a member of the SD83 Ed Tech Team.
Outside of work, Jen enjoys spending time with her family at the cabin, travelling, reading, listening to podcasts, skiing, hiking with her dogs, and trail running with friends.
Secretary Treasurer – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dale Culler
Secretary-Treasurer Dale Culler joined the district in August 2021. He has 14 years administrative experience in the public sector, a student-centred focus, and a commitment to lifelong learning. An experienced and skilled secretary treasurer, his strengths include financial reporting and analysis, which included receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association while serving as DCS/CFO for the Town of Taber.
Dale is looking forward to learning more about the needs of all students in the district and how his experiences can continue to ensure that all students can continuously improve their educational outcomes. He considers himself to be a lifelong learner, always seeking to learn from others, developing and implementing systems that continually improve and move the organization forward. He is student focused and that resource allocation will be aligned to the Board’s strategic plan ensuring that all students’ education experience is equitable across the district.
He holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation, a Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) from the University of Saskatchewan along with a Bachelor of Management – Major in Advanced Accounting (University of Lethbridge), and a Business Administration Diploma in Accounting (Lethbridge Community College).
Director of Finance Jeremy Hunt
Director of Finance Jeremy Hunt joined the district as Manager of Finance. He brings a strong finance, accounting, and budgeting background to the district through his work in both industry and government environments. He is excited to help foster an environment for success for both students and staff alike. He believes that there is always opportunity for growth and looks forward to the years ahead.
Jeremy grew up in Salmon Arm before heading off to the lower mainland to attend British Columbia Institute of Technology where he received his Diploma in Financial Management and Bachelor of Technology in Accounting. He then went on to earn a Chartered Professional Accountant – Certified General Accountant (CPA, CGA) designation.
Director of Operations Travis Elwood
Travis joined SD83 earlier this year from the Coast Mountains School District where he was the leader of the facilities and transportation department. He comments his extensive background in construction, renovation, and contract management makes work in the public sector a rewarding opportunity. A personal drive to improve the neighbourhood learning environments motivated him to become involved in the school district operations department. He has served on the executive committee of EFMA (Educational Facility Management Association) for the past three years to provide further training opportunities for other facility managers in the province. Being an outdoor enthusiast makes the Shuswap a great home base for all the activites he and his wife enjoy.
Manager of Facilities and Grounds Trevor Bettcher
A dedicated long-term School District 83 employee with a focus on consistent and fair delivery of services, Trevor has been with the district for 19 years. His personal objective is to provide a safe clean and comfortable environment for all students and staff. Whether it is a busing, building or site need the Operations Department believes a positive student environment is essential in putting students first.
Trevor started as a bus and auto service technician, moved to being lead hand of the mechanics shop, in house driver trainer, facilities maintenance planner, to Manager of Operations.
He has a variety of certifications including a Master Technician with Interprovincial Commercial Transport Technician trades qualification and Automotive Service Tech Qualification, certificate from University of Washington for Fleet and Shop Management, Certified Director of Pupil Transportation form The National Association of Pupil Transportation, and Certifications Facilities Maintenance and Planning from Southern Interior Construction Association, Canadian Construction Association, and Keyano College.