Learning on the Trail @BTPS28

In this Episode: Rhae-Ann talks with author Mindi Kryzanowski. We are so proud of her, not only is Mindi a mom but also a Dewberry School graduate and a published writer!!  Inspiration for her writing is from the daily adventures of her young children.  She shares with us her memories of how her skills and passion for writing were encouraged and developed by favourite teachers at Dewberry.  Mindi also recounts the process she went through to publish her book and the advice that Robert Munsch personally gave her on how to continue to be a successful writer.  A bit about her published work; it is titled "Third Winter" and it introduces us to Maggie and Ava who face what seems to be the longest day so far of their young lives, when a snowfall interferes with their excitement for warm weather. Take a few minutes to listen in and laugh with Mindi and Rhae-Ann.

Today our special guest is Matea Herauf. This interview does not follow our typical format where we have a focus on career and post secondary opportunities for high school students. Instead, Matea has an astute and knowledgeable conversation with Rhae-Ann about being a trans woman in the Trades industry.  We welcome you and hope you enjoy the casual approach to this special episode.

In this Episode: Rhae-Ann chats with Dr Thomas Isaman, a past BTPS graduate and now a chiropractor who, journeyed through a unique post secondary education and leveraged the impacts of COVID to return to his hometown (Wainwright) and open his business, raise his family and give back to the community he loves.  

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In this episode we continue to honour Women in Leadership through a visit with Cindy Escott who was recently named the new Superintendent of Evergreen Catholic School Division, commencing Aug 1, 2022 and whose current role is as Deputy Superintendent.  Cindy talks about her background and about the women and men who influenced her through her career and through a variety of leadership positions.  Cindy also shares four fundamentals for leadership; calm, gratitude, opportunities and the 'How' will you lead using these three fundamental attributes a leader must have.  Remember to recognize the "International Women's Day" on 08-03-2022 and enjoy this conversation about leadership with Rhae-Ann and Cindy.

In this episode Rhae-Ann welcomes Cheryl Sheldon as a fellow CASS WIL Committee member and an Education Consultant with the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council.  Cheryl is from the Swan River First Nation Community. Throughout her career, Cheryl has challenged herself every step of the way and has advanced into various leadership roles. She started with a dream to become a teacher and once achieved, it sparked her passion to take the lead on cultural and language resource development for Alberta Education. She eventually got her Masters of Education. She shares with us her time, background, experiences and advice on how she now finds ways to support and advocate for other women as they journey through the barriers that still exist for them. This episode is also in honour of "International Women's Day" (08-03-2022). Enjoy the your time spent with Cheryl and Rhae-Ann...

In this episode Rhae-Ann chats with Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, President & CEO of Lakeland College who shares her thoughts about Women in Leadership (WIL). Dr Wainwright-Stewart also shares her background, her current work and passion around Lakeland College programs and her vision for Lakeland graduates along with the college itself.  This episode is also in honour of "International Women's Day" (08-03-2022).  Take a moment to listen in on this great conversation.

In this episode we are introduced to Gretzie Parth, a 25 year old, who started her beauty career at 18 as a make-up artist and then did freelance work offering beauty services to bridal parties, graduates and others. She moved to the next level in the beauty industry when she opened the salon "GP MAKEUP The Beauty Haus" in St. Albert and she launched her product "G CLASS Lashes". She also partnered with a friend and started "Glam Artistry Inc." and specializes in bridal makeup. They offer a certified makeup program Glam Class Pro which teaches people what they need to know to move from a make-up artist to a beauty entrepreneur with the skills to sustain a successful business as a Beauty Retailer and Salon owner. Listen in to the great conversation with Rhae-Ann and Gretzie. 

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In this Episode: Dr Danielle Philibert, Aquatic Toxicologist with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, chats with Rhae-Ann about her passion for the aquatic work that she does. And how circumstances took her from an interest in Veterinarian Medicine at the University of Alberta to her amazing research job in Eastern Canada, she feels her education and her career journey has been a privilege. Due to economic and cultural impacts, the majority of her work is with lobsters, cod and Atlantic coast marine life. She is excited to share through this podcast, aspects of her work and her life with our students at BTPS.

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In this Episode: Robin Nielson's child attends one of our BTPS schools. Robin sent a heartfelt letter to be shared, that acknowledges the work teachers are doing in the classroom in response to the recent discovery of remains of 215 children found buried on the grounds at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. She talks about when her mother was part of the The Sixties Scoop and speaks about how that trauma made its way down the generations in many indigenous families. However, she is encouraged about the future and believes that the conversations of today in our classrooms are having an impact.  

In this Episode: Kevin John kindly gives us a glimpse into his reconciliation journey. He is the youngest in a family of eight and collectively his family has hundreds of years experience of being indigenous and raised in rural Alberta.  He reflects on how his schooling and his career has been preparing him for his current work through 'They Build Bridges'.  He shares with the students and staff of BTPS (and all listeners) little known facts and challenges that indigenous people have both currently and historically. Tune in and spend some time with Kevin and Rhae-Ann.