Kevin McBain
of The Clarion
Tuesday was the start of a new school year for Kindersley and area students and greeting them were many familiar faces – and a few new ones.
Here’s a brief introduction to some of those new teachers – with a few taking permanent positions, some filling in for maternity leaves and one taking her internship at Kindersley Composite School.
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At Elizabeth School, there are four new teachers – two teaching for the first time and two others who will be familiar to Kindersley and area.
Jenna-Lee Rusnak is originally from just down the road, in Saltcoats, Sask. This is her first teaching assignment after graduating from the University of Lethbridge in June.
New teachers at Elizabeth School to start the year, from left, is Teagan Jackson Belitski, David Korchinski, Brittani Neufeld and Jenna-Lee Rusnak
She completed her final internship in Medicine Hat, teaching Grades 8 and 9 English language arts and social studies.
At Elizabeth School, she’ll be teaching Grade 8 Science, ELA, Health, Art and PAA.
She will also be co-coaching girls volleyball and will be involved in homework club and girls club.
When not in the classroom, she enjoys pretty much any outdoor activity – such as quadding, fishing, hunting, running – with friends and family.
She has a twin sister who teaches in Plenty.
She says she’s enjoying Kindersley.
“Kindersley is a great size; I don’t like big cities. The school atmosphere is very welcoming and the staff are such a positive support for me. I am blessed to teach here at EMS,” she said.
Brittani Neufeld is a little farther away from her hometown of Whitehorse, Yukon Territories.
Some students and parents may be familiar with her, as she taught from April to June of last year in Grade 5.
This year, the University of Regina grad will be teaching Grade 7.
While at Elizabeth School, she will also be involved in the Student Leadership Club, junior boys volleyball and junior girls basketball, and she will be working with the drama club.
Her parents and brother continue to live in the Yukon, but she has a sister who lives a little closer, with her family in Foam Lake.
Outside of school, she enjoys sitting on her deck and reading, walking, hiking and camping.
She is also enjoying Kindersley.
“So far I am really enjoying Kindersley. The staff at Elizabeth are all so kind and supportive. I loved my first two months here and I know this year will be just as wonderful,” she said.
David Korchinski is starting his first year of teaching.
He recently graduated from the University of Regina and completed his internship at Campbell Collegiate in Regina.
He’ll be teaching Grade 5 this year, covering for Danine Calkins while she’s on maternity leave.
He will also be involved in cross-country running, curling, badminton and cooking club.
His family – mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, a niece and a nephew – all live in Regina.
He enjoys running, cooking, sports, staying active and watching movies.
“Everyone has been very welcoming and friendly. Great school community, everyone is helpful and makes me feel welcome and that I belong to the team,” he said.
A bit more of a familiar face to those in the area is Teagan Jackson Belitski.
Teagan grew up in Coleville and Kindersley, and will be working on her internship with Karen Morrison in Grade 5.
She’s a University of Saskatchewan graduate who did some student teaching in Saskatoon and taught English as a second language for five months in Mexico.
She will also be involved in coaching junior boys volleyball and implementing an ESL lunch club.
Outside of school, she enjoys playing volleyball and slo-pitch, bike riding, reading, watching Spanish movies and hanging out with family.
What does she like about working at Elizabeth School?
“The school is striving to create an inclusive, successful learning environment for all students,” she said.
Westberry School
Kate Kelly comes to Kindersley via Yorkton, where she has taught for the past two years.
New teachers at Westberry School, from left, Kate Kelly, Joanie McLay, Jennelle Minish and Tenille Kirtzinger
She’s originally from Nova Scotia and completed her undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, then got her education degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.
She will be at Westberry filling in for Alanna Burkell in Grade 1.
She’ll help with volleyball and the Lego Club.
Her parents and two sisters live in Nova Scotia.
She enjoys exercising, walking and baking.
“Kindersley has been wonderful so far. Everyone here at the school has been beyond helpful and Chris and Kathy have been very supportive and accommodating,” she said.
Jennelle Minish is originally from Rosetown. She’s in her first year of teaching and will be taking over for Brenna Orton in Grade 3.
Minish taught in May and June of last year at KCS.
She will be coaching cross-country running and volleyball.
Her parents live in Rosetown and she has three older sisters.
She enjoys visiting, volunteering, reading, running and participating in sports.
“Kindersley has been fantastic so far. Everyone I have met so far in the community has been welcoming and friendly. The staff at Westberry Elementary School have been so helpful and supportive and are always willing to answer my questions. I am excited to be a part of the wonderful staff at Westberry!”
Joanie McLay will be a familiar name to local families.
McLay grew up in Kelowna and Swift Current and has been teaching for 13 years at Westcliffe School (last one) at Westberry, Eatonia, Elizabeth and Kindersley Composite School.
She will be teaching pre-kindergarten until the new year, when Melissa Squires returns from maternity leave.
The University of Saskatchewan graduate will be involved in the gardening club at Westberry and will help coach some sports at Westcliffe throughout the year.
She is married to Brent and they have two children, Emma, 14, and Cameron, 11.
She enjoys hiking, skiing and travelling, running, yoga and exploring holistic nutrition.
“This is my welcome back to Kindersley and to Westberry School. The opportunities in both the community and school excite me, in regards to my profession and for my family. I’m especially fond of the direction of our children’s future in education and I’ve been introduced to Personalized Electronic Blended learning and I am so impressed and amazed. Coming back to Westberry has made me feel at home with welcoming colleagues and new faces to learn and work with too. I especially love our big Pre-K space, the beautiful library and a super fun, supportive and caring staff. I’ve spoken to nearly all 28 Pre-K families now and they too have shown their excitement, gratitude and care. It’s going to be such a great year.”
Tenille Kirtzinger is another familiar face returning to Westberry.
This will be the second year of teaching for the local woman. Last year, she started teaching Grade 4 in Davidson, before finishing the year in Kindersley teaching Grade 2.
The University of Regina graduate will teach Grade 3 for Jennifer Murphy this year.
While at Westberry, she will be involved in the SLC and Lego Club, as well as safety patrolling. She will also help with junior girls volleyball at KCS.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends and travelling.
Kindersley Composite School
Megan Donald will kick off her teaching career at KCS in the FIP classroom, EA 10 and Health 9.
New teachers at KCS this year are Athanasia Perdikaris (left) and Megan Donald
The Unity native just graduated from the University of Regina.
While at KCS, she will help with junior girls volleyball and badminton.
She enjoys playing hockey, volleyball, badminton and swimming, travelling and hanging out with friends and family.
“It has been awesome so far, the staff and community have been very welcoming,” she said.
Athanasia Perdikaris will intern at KCS while attending school at the University of Saskatchewan.
While in Kindersley, she will be focusing mainly on social studies, but hopes to visit and work with as many classes as she can.
She also hopes to work with the SLC.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys going for walks and she’s a big fan of the arts.
“Kindersley has been wonderful, everyone is very welcoming and supportive. Very glad to be here!” she said.
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