Contributing Authors

Jana Blechinger (B. Ed.) is currently an EAL support teacher in an urban school. She received her teacher education from the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, and has recently completed an Additional Qualification Certificate in Teaching English as an Additional Language.  Jana and her husband are the proud parents of three school-aged children.

Rochelle Chambers (B. Ed.) is a middle years teacher who has taught primarily in urban community schools that have a high population of EAL learners. She received her teacher education at the University of Saskatchewan and is pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in Special Education. Rochelle loves to travel and enjoys volunteering in her community.

Hassan Chatha is in his third year of studies in the Bachelor of Education degree program at the College of Education,  University of Saskatchewan. His areas of study are EAL and Mathematics education. Hassan is the president of Saskatoon Bulls Cricket Club and coaches cricket with his two brothers.

Danielle Clatney (B.Ed.) received her teacher education at the University of Saskatchewan and is currently pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in EAL Education. She has been an elementary school teacher in an urban centre for 25 years. Danielle enjoys spending her free time staying active with her husband and four children.

Sarah Gerrard (B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.) received her teacher education at the University of Saskatchewan. A high school teacher with a visual arts background, she is interested in how imagery can be used to enhance communication and learning opportunities for all students. Away from school, Sarah’s life revolves around her two young daughters, Georgia and Dylan.

Kim Guillet (B.Ed.) is an EAL support teacher in an urban centre in Saskatchewan. After completing her studies at the University of Saskatchewan,  Kim’s love of travel took her abroad for 17 years where she taught in South Korea, England, Switzerland, Hungary, and Denmark. She shares her passion for reading and music with her 9 year old son, Liam.

Patricia Hicks (B. Ed.) has been teaching grades 1 and 2 in both urban and rural settings for over 20 years. She completed her teacher education at the University of Saskatchewan and is now passionately pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in EAL Education. Patricia loves to bake and decorate cakes, and plans to return to food blogging after completion of the post-degree certificate program.

Michele Hudson (B. Ed.) teaches EAL to high school students in an urban centre after teaching for many years in special education. She has completed the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language program at the University of Saskatchewan. Michele is a wife and mother of two sons, and enjoys travelling in her spare time.

Kelly Koshinsky (B. Ed.) teaches in an urban school in Saskatchewan. She completed her teacher education at the University of Regina in 2014 and is currently pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in EAL Education at the University of Saskatchewan. Kelly taught English for two years in South Korea prior to returning to the province.  She enjoys travelling, cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Karun Mann has a Master’s Degree in Biology from India and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree at the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan. Karun is the proud parent of a daughter (16) and son (12), both of whom are bilingual. Karun works tirelessly to ensure that her children remain fluent in their home language.

Victoria Oldershaw (B. Ed.) is an EAL Lead Teacher and program developer in an urban high school in Saskatchewan. Victoria completed her teacher education at the University of Regina and is currently pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in EAL Education at the University of Saskatchewan. During her 16 years of teaching, Victoria has taught in both rural and urban settings, teaching primarily in the area of English Language Arts. Her recent career shift to teaching EAL to newcomers in Canada has reinvigorated her passion for the teaching profession.

Cari Pankewich (B. Ed., M. Ed) works as an EAL specialist in an urban school division in Saskatchewan. She has a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Saskatchewan and is  pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in EAL Education. She sees herself as a life-long learner who continues to learn from her children and students.

Eddy Paslowski (B. Ed.) graduated from the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan in 2018. He teaches Industrial Arts and History/Social Studies in a rural school in Saskatchewan. Eddy and his wife are parents to five children and are proud that their oldest son is also pursuing an Education degree.

Chrystal Polanik (B. A., B. Ed.) is a secondary EAL teacher in an urban centre in Saskatchewan. Chrystal completed her teacher education at the University of Saskatchewan and is currently pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in EAL Education. She is the parent of three older children and co-organizes a high school Multicultural Club to promote community engagement and provide Saskatchewan-Canadian experiences to refugee and immigrant students.

Misty Schroeder (B.Ed.) received her teacher education from the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, and is a graduate of the Certificate for Teaching English as a Second Language program. Misty teaches EAL in an urban school setting in Saskatchewan. In addition to teaching, Misty and her husband are the parents of two young, energetic children.

Jayden Smith is currently attending the University of Saskatchewan and working toward a Bachelor of Education degree. She hopes to become a high school English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher.  Jayden received her K-12 education in a small rural Saskatchewan school.

Shawn Walker (B. Ed.) is currently a Grade 5/6 teacher in rural Saskatchewan, where he has been teaching in both elementary and middle years classrooms for the past 7 years. Additionally, Shawn spent two years teaching English in South Korea in both the public and private sectors. Shawn completed his teacher education at Brock University (St. Catherine’s ON) and is currently pursuing a Post-Degree Certificate in EAL Education at the University of Saskatchewan.