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 14 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) Ryan Brennan
Ryan, who joined the district in April 2018, is passionate about school improvement, student learning, and staff development and wellness.
He grew up an attended high school in Regina, Saskatchewan and received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Regina in 1999 with a major in secondary in Social Studies Education and a minor in Physical Education. He received a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Calgary in 2014. Ryan taught grades 6-12 for ten years in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta. He was a vice-principal and principal for seven years and was in district leadership as a Director of Human Resources for additional two years prior to moving to British Columbia and joining the SD83 Senior Staff team.
Director of Instruction (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Carol-Ann Leidloff
Carol-Ann is passionate about student success and ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to experience success in school. Effectively meeting the diverse learning needs of all our students through an inclusive approach to learning is a priority for her.
She began her career in 1990 in Golden, B.C. (SD6) working as both an intermediate classroom teacher and a teacher librarian. In 2000 she moved to the West Kootenays with her family, and continued her work as a classroom teacher for SD8 (Kootenay Lake). In 2003 she entered school leadership as the Principal of a K-10 rural school and has since been the Principal at both elementary and middle schools.
Carol-Ann is passionate about student success, and has been actively involved in supporting Principals and Vice-Principals with their professional learning at both district and provincial levels throughout her career as a school leader. She is well-known throughout the province for her work on the BC Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association Board of Directors, in addition to her contributions on many BCPVPA committees, some of which include the development of the Leadership Standards for B.C. Principals and Vice-Principals and Supervision For Learning committees.
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. 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.
District Principal of Indigenous Education Mishel Quaal
Mishel grew up in a small northern Saskatchewan town enjoying the beauty of nature. A life filled with berry picking, hunting and learning from her beautiful Cree grandmother instilled a love of the outdoors.
In 1996, Mishel completed her B.Ed. with Saskatchewan Urban Native Teachers Association through University of Saskatchewan. While raising two children she taught a variety of grade levels and subject in both urban and rural settings. Then in 2013, Mishel completed her Master’s Degree at University of Saskatchewan in Educational Foundations. When Mishel and her husband became empty nesters, the idea of moving to British Columbia became a reality. After researching British Columbia curriculum, Mishel realized her passion for Indigenous Education would find a welcoming home. She joined SD83 in 2017 in the Indigenous Education Department and later was vice-principal at M.V. Beattie Elementary. In September 2021 she became the District Principal of Indigenous Education.
Mishel is excited about her role and looks forward to the relationships she will build with students, families, community, and staff.
District Principal Val Edgell (K-12 Instruction)
After graduating from Salmon Arm Secondary, Val headed off to UBC to complete a science degree and then an education degree. She completed a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, as well as post-degree work in Inclusive Education. She was a teacher and principal in School District 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin), and School District 58 (Merritt) before joining SD83 and returning home to Enderby to be close to family. Her greatest joy in life is her family, including her two kids who are currently in college and university. In her spare time Val loves to work outside on our small farm, bike, swim, hike and generally do anything outside! In her professional world she is passionate about education and in particular, helping each and every student become independent, successful learners. Over the course of her career she has taught all grades from K-12.
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.