Stephen Richardson
Teacher - Music/Band
I am from Grand River, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and a graduate of SMU (B.A. in English (Creative Writing/TESL) and STFX (Guitar Jazz Studies Major & B.Ed in K-12 Band/ English LA). Previous to moving to the North I lived and taught English LA, ESL, and Band/Music in Halifax, South Korea, Ottawa, and Vancouver. My wife is a regional Inclusive Schooling Coordinator and our two sons both attend ESJS. I have been quite fortunate in my musical pursuits and in both 2021 and 2023 I was nominated for a Juno. In 2024 I won the Juno for (MusiCounts Music Teacher of the Year award). www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8Hf0IcHGU As a guitarist I've been endorsed by two international guitar companies, a signature guitar slide, in ear monitors/stage ear plugs, the Soundbrenner Core 2 Musician's Smart Watch, and my music has been featured on radio, television, and documentary movies. On the side I run a studio business where I mentor students, record bands, and used to also teach eighty individual guitar lessons/week. This studio coincides with our Grade 7 ESJS songwriting class where we record student compositions and then release their music on streaming platforms. Being a Band Teacher is a noble profession. It allows me to guide your children towards endless musical discoveries, self regulation skills, assist them in gaining an understanding of the business side of the music industry, and to direct them in honing their own musical skills and appreciation over a lifetime.
Janice Beland
Literacy Support- English
I am originally from Saskatchewan but have lived in the Northwest Territories since 1998 when my husband, Tim, a retired RCMP officer, was transferred to Lutselk’e. We spent two years in Lutselk’e and nearly three years in Inuvik before moving to Yellowknife in 2002. I have four amazing children – Mallory (30), Benjamin (28), Joshua (26), and Jonathan (23) – and one fur-baby, Taz.I have been with YCS since 2004 and have had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles and grade levels. I began my career at St. Joe’s as a kindergarten teacher and then taught grade 7 and 8 before moving into the role of teaching ELA to French Immersion students in grades 3 to 8. In 2011, I moved to the board office in the role of District Literacy Coordinator. In 2013, I transferred to Weledeh where I worked as a Lit Support teacher, ELA specialist and classroom teacher. Next, I spent one year at St. Joe’s as a Lit Support teacher before moving to St. Pat’s to teach high school English. In the fall of 2023, after three years at the high school, I transferred back to St. Joe’s as a Lit Support teacher. When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my family, reading and puzzling. I’m a huge fan of word puzzles, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles. You can also find me out on the roads of Yellowknife as I am an avid runner – even in the winter months.
Ruth Pickrem
Literacy Support- English
My name is Ruth Pickrem and I have been an educator for over 35 years! I have been a classroom teacher from grades K to 9. For the past 15+ years, my focus has been on literacy instruction and working with struggling readers and their teachers. This year I am a literacy support teacher here at ÉSJS. I come from the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia; land of farms, vineyards and beautiful beaches. I am the mom of three children: two girls, and one boy, and Oma to two boys, aged 7 and 5. In my free time I love to travel, go to concerts, hang out with friends, be in nature, walk, cycle, hike, swim, dance, read, and collect sea glass on sandy beaches! Fortunately I also love winter and all it has to offer! In addition, I am a health coach for people pursuing a whole food plant based lifestyle. I love animals of all kinds, especially pugs and cats. Looking forward to this great experience I have been offered at ÉSJS this year!
Daniel Rainville
Physical Education- French
My name is Daniel Rainville, and I am a Physical Education teacher who works with students from Kindergarten to Grade 7 in French Immersion. I am originally from Northern Ontario and I completed my Bachelor's degree in Physical and Health Education at Laurentian University. I also help run after-school sports programs. Outside of school, I enjoy watching sports, and spending time outdoors hiking and camping.
Cory Taylor
Physical Education- English
I grew up on a farm in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia then went to Acadia for one year of a B.A. degree. I then attended the Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro for a 4 year Education degree. I played varsity basketball and soccer at NSTC (Go Hawks!). Sports, music and outdoor activities are a passion for me, like boating, camping, fishing and hunting. I have been married for 25 years to Rosie and we have two amazing children, Emma and James. I've been teaching for 29 years now and hope to retire within the next few years.
Loretta Hart
English Language Arts
I have worked at ESJS for the past 17 years in various grade levels. For the past 12 years I have had the privilege of teaching English Language Arts to the students who are in French Immersion. I have called Yellowknife my home for most of my life and raised 3 amazing children here. In my spare time I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.
Kristin Nowak
Leadership Resiliency Program
Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, I moved to the Northwest Territories in 1995 to begin my teaching career at Lutsel K'e Dene School. Like many Northern stories, I intended to stay for a year but ended up falling in love with the land, the way of life and my husband and now, call the North my home. I am a proud mother of four beautiful daughters, all of whom have attended Yellowknife Catholic Schools. My family and I enjoy camping, being on the land and participating in community events. Currently I work as the Dǫ Edàı̀zheh Leadership and Resiliency Facilitator at Ecole St. Joseph School. It is an amazing opportunity to work alongside talented knowledge holders and Elders to provide language and culture opportunities for our students. I’m looking forward to another great year with the Dǫ Edàı̀zheh program!