Alberta Teaching Profession Commission – Roles and responsibilities

Alana Hazelton is a curriculum lead and elementary teacher who works with teachers and their implementation of the new Alberta curriculum, as well as grade 1-5 students in various subjects. Alana has been a member of Alberta Education's Practice Review Committee since May 2017. Alana has a master’s degree in Curriculum Development and Pedagogy and is currently completing a graduate certificate in School Leadership.

Alene Mutala is presently a trustee with Edmonton Catholic Schools after spending 27 years in the field as a teacher, school counsellor, religious education consultant and health and wellness coordinator. Alene holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education in School Counselling from the University of Alberta as well as a Graduate Diploma in Religious Education and Master of Religious Education from Newman Theological College. Alene has served on many different boards and is presently on the Alberta School Boards Association’s board of directors.

Allen Billy is the interim education manager at the University of Calgary’s medical school and has worked primarily in the post-secondary education sector, including as a dean, associate dean and faculty member. Allen was on the governance boards of the Canadian Association of Allied Health Programs and the North Shore Rescue Team Society and is a public member on the Alberta Council of Social Workers. Allen has received a Canada 125 medal for volunteer service. Allen has a doctorate in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia.

Avril Colenutt is a lawyer with experience in professional conduct and competency, professional regulation, procedural fairness, adjudication and ethics. Avril has served with the Health Disciplines Board, Community and Social Services Appeal Panel, Children's Services Appeal Panel, Conduct Committee for the Law Society of Alberta, and the Nursing Education Program Approval Committee for the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick, and is a Master of Laws candidate at the University of Edinburgh.

Barry Litun is currently retired after having served as a teacher, vice-principal, principal, deputy superintendent and superintendent in Alberta, and as executive director for the College of Alberta School Superintendents. Barry Litun has served on a wide range of committees and boards related to education at the local, provincial and national level. Barry Litun holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a Master of Education from the University of Victoria.

Caitlyn Cameron holds both a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and a Master of Educational Studies from the University of Alberta. She is a passionate educator who enjoys teaching junior high math and science. Caitlyn is the principal at an Alberta-based independent school, with a preschool-through-Grade-9 program.

Cathy McCauley has more than 30 years of experience in the field of education and is a lifetime member of the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS). She currently serves as an educational leadership consultant after retiring as the executive director for the Calgary Regional Consortium (CRC). She earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and has a Master of Arts Integrated Studies from Athabasca University. Since 2011, Cathy has served as a member of the Practice Review General Panel.

Cathy Wanyandie is the board chair and past vice chair for Northland School Division. In addition, she is a board member for the governance committee on behalf of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation as well as the secretary treasurer for Aseniwuche Winewak Nation. Cathy has worked in various roles at Aseniwuche Development Corporation. Cathy is a very active member of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation and has extensive experience, skills and knowledge from working with First Nations, community boards and various industries. Cathy is a former student of Susa Creek School.

Chuck Hellman is the deputy superintendent for the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education. He is presently responsible for Human Resources. He has served as deputy superintendent since 2015. Chuck has been in the field of education for the past 35 years. He has served as a teacher and vice principal, and has been the principal of four different schools in Medicine Hat. Chuck has a Master of Arts, Administration and Supervision from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge.

Cory Albrecht has been in education for 25 years. He has served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal across all levels of education K-12. He is currently the principal at W.D. Cuts Junior High. Cory received degrees in Science and Education from the University of Alberta. He has coached a variety of youth sports and been an executive member on boards for lacrosse and rugby. Cory works hard to foster effective relationships amongst all stakeholders and enjoys working with the many different groups committed to public education.

David Bouma has a variety of experiences that have helped him develop his leadership, instructional, supervisory and interpersonal skills as a teacher, university instructor, administrator and superintendent across numerous learning environments including elementary, junior high school, post-secondary and senior leadership. His experiences and education, along with his deep understanding of the Alberta curriculum and the Education Act, have served to inform his practice as a teacher, teacher mentor and evaluator.

Elizabeth (Betty) Turpin is currently in her 16th year as superintendent with the Holy Family Catholic Separate School Division located in Peace River. Previously, Betty served three years as deputy superintendent for Grande Prairie Catholic School District with her main duties being in Human Resources and Student Services. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Special Education and Master of Educational Administration. For 38 years, Betty has had a positive and successful career in education.

Hamish Henderson has practiced law in Alberta for over 36 years. He has appeared before all levels of the Alberta courts, as well as various boards and tribunals. He is also extensively involved in mediations and the collaborative family law process. Mr. Henderson has been involved as a member of several boards, including various legal aid appeal boards and as chair of the Insurance Councils Appeal Board. He is also a part-time adjudicator with Alberta Correctional Services and a member of the Attendance Board. He believes in relationship building and being a team player, as well ensuring a collaborative, fair and balanced approach to problem-solving.

Mr. Ian Gray is the superintendent of Aurora Academic Charter Schools in Edmonton. He earned a Master of Education in Leadership degree from the University of Portland and is completing doctoral work to support research and innovation in his school authority and partnerships with community and academic institutions. Recently, Mr. Gray served on the Alberta Research Network Steering Committee. Mr. Gray is the current president of the Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools.

Jag Sidhu is the principal for a K-12 school. He’s the founder of the first Punjabi school in Alberta, Headway School. Jag has 21 years of experience with his school board. Jag is a teacher certificated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Jag is a certified Special Education Resource teacher (Manitoba) and Special Education Coordinator (Manitoba) and a certificated teacher leader in Alberta. He holds a queen’s jubilee medal for being a contributor to Albertan and Canadian life. Jag started teaching in 1983 and has been a principal since 2001. Jag holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Special Education.

Jason Harley is a lawyer at McLennan Ross LLP, practicing in their labour and employment group. His practice focuses on grievance arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. He was previously a sworn member of the Edmonton Police Service. Jason currently serves on the competence committee for the Law Society of Alberta and advises amateur sports organizations on disciplinary and governance issues. Jason holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta and a Master of Arts from Royal Roads University.

Joanne Hunt has worked as a teacher, system level administrator and high school principal within Alberta.  Her extensive experience has encompassed public, separate and private school systems. She holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education, and was previously registered as a psychologist within Alberta. In addition, Ms. Hunt has worked in the not-for-profit sector and has provided many years of service related to the teacher profession on a variety of committees, including as a long-time member of the Calgary Board of Education's Critical Incident Response Team.

Kurtis Leinweber has worked in education since 1994 and is currently the deputy superintendent at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy. In addition to his five years on the Alberta Teacher and Teacher Leader Practice Preview General Panel, he has also served as vice president of The Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools and as a member of the Alberta Career Education Task Force.  Kurtis has completed a Bachelor of Physical Education, Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts as well as doctoral coursework in moral education.

Lana Thompson is a proud wife, mother of two and current Wolf Creek Public Schools trustee. In her trusteeship, she looks to be an advocate for Alberta's children. She is currently on the audit committee; grievance committee; advocacy; community engagement and public relations committee; the student review committee; the health in action committee and the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta. Thompson commits to providing important oversight while ensuring parents' voices are heard and students' goals are reached. Her aim is for the overall success and wellness of all students.

Lorrie Sparks is an elementary teacher who works with young children to help them develop positive relationships and succeed academically, socially and emotionally. Lorrie has experience on the current Practice Review Committee for educators for the past 3 years and also sits on the board for McMan Central Region. Lorrie holds a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Alberta.

Lyne Bacon is an assistant superintendent, Human Resources who works at the Southern Francophone School Board to oversee collective agreement negotiations, administrative policy, employee wellness and conflict resolution sessions. Lyne has been involved with the Alberta Teachers’ Association as a member of the Professional Conduct Committee. Lyne is a certified teacher with accreditation from the International Baccalaureate North America. Lyne holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Education from the University of Alberta.

Lynn L. King holds a Master of Social Work with certificates in Corporate Executive Development and Public Service Management. She brings rich experience in frontline and senior leadership roles, organizational development, human resources, supervision and coaching. She has worked with teams in legislative and program implementation processes in both government and not-for-profit sectors. She has served on many boards and committees and is an active volunteer in her community. Ms. King is fluent in French and English.

Michael Hauptman has served as a school and system leader in five school divisions in Alberta with his last role as a chief superintendent. Additionally, he was a school board trustee from 1987 to 1994. During his 30-year career, he was seconded to Alberta Education in various roles including work in the assurance sector and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association. He is currently an educational consultant supporting school divisions and the executive director at the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta. Michael has his Master of Education from the University of Lethbridge.

Maryanne Kignma has a law degree with a Master of Laws from Dalhousie University Health Law Institute. Maryann has worked extensively in administrative law. Maryann has served various boards and tribunals in adjudication and professional regulation, including for workers compensation, immigration and refugee appeals, health and social service boards, criminal injuries compensation and correctional services. Maryanne is committed to respectful, transparent and fair legal processes for dispute resolution.

Nabil Malik has a Bachelor of Arts with Special Honours in Geography and Urban Studies and a certificate in Migration and Refugee Studies. He also holds a Master of Environmental Studies and a graduate diploma in Democratic Administration. He is a statutory planner and development officer within Northern Alberta. Nabil upholds strong ethical and professional standards as a candidate member with the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Alberta Professional Planners Institute, and as a member of the Alberta Development Officers’ Association.

Sean is an independent school principal who works with students ranging from junior kindergarten through Grade 5. He leads a team of over 30 teachers, 15 support staff and more than 600 students. Sean also works as a Designated Signing Authority evaluating independent school teachers for their permanent teaching certification. Sean holds a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education with a focus on School Leadership, all from the University of Lethbridge.

Shane Parker, K.C., is a practicing lawyer who graduated from the University of Alberta in 1991 and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 1992. Shane has served on numerous boards over 30 years and continues to advise boards in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

Violet has a diverse private practice in Medicine Hat, Alberta consisting of counseling/therapy mediation and trainer services. She has a Master of Social Work as well as training in mediation and arbitration/administrative law. She was a member of the Citizen’s Appeal Panel (2017-2020) under the ministries of Community and Social Services and Children’s Services and the roster of public members (2017-2020) under the Health Professions Act.

William Fayers has previous board member experience with Alberta Education, working with students and parents to maintain students' school attendance in order to complete grade school. This position was for 3 years. Further board experience was with Alberta Health as a public member on disciplinary boards. This position was for 6 years.