EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Drin Hozo!

Shozre Melissa Flynn, Tr'ondek Hwech'in dich'e. I am a Tr'ondek Hwech'in citizen from the Yukon. I grew up fishing, hunting and berry picking with my parents, grandmother and aunties.

I have worked in Education in the Yukon for the last 14 years as a Han language teacher, Vice Principal and now as the Executive Director of the newly formed First Nation School Board.

I have the honour of working with our Yukon students, families, First Nation Governments and school teams delivering an enriched learning experience that is imbedded in local culture and worldview.

DIRECTOR OF FIRST NATION SCHOOL BOARD

Yak'éi yee xwsateení

Kothetty yoo xa̱t duwasáakw

Erin Pauls dleit ḵáa x’̱éináx

Cheyonia x x̱ a̱t stiee

I am Tahltan, Tlingit, and a citizen of Champagne & Aishihik First Nations. I have two children whom I consider my greatest teachers. I was born and raised in the Yukon and am proud to call the Yukon my home and raise my family here. I am a ravenstail weaver, drummer, and traditional dancer with Dakhka Khwaan and the Dakwakata Dancers. I love being on the land and hunting and gathering with my family.

I am honored to be working as Education Director for the First Nation School Board. I have the privilege of working with land and language connectors and the language coach. I also work collaboratively with the Communication Director to implement and support community committees.

I have been working in Yukon education since 2001. I bring my experiences from working in early learning, aboriginal head start, the k-12 system in Yukon, and as a First Nation Education Director.

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS

Dénhtʼā? (How are you?), I am a Kaska and Tahltan First Nation citizen of the Liard First Nation. I grew up in Alberta but had the opportunity to reconnect with my family in the north as a young adult. I moved to Whitehorse to attend the Yukon Native Teachers Education Program (YNTEP) to start my teaching career. I was blessed to meet my husband in Whitehorse and have four daughters who have been my support in my life journey. I continued my career, teaching in Old Crow and Whitehorse before my husband's career took us to live in the Northwest Territories, Northern Alberta and then central Alberta. I am very excited to be back home in the Yukon to work alongside the staff and educators of the First Nation School Board.

In my 21 years of teaching, I have embraced a wide range of experience in education from teaching a variety of grade levels, being a division learning coach for literacy and numeracy, being a Lead Teacher for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Support Team at a division level, a vice-principal and principal. I have my masters in Educational Leadership which has extended my learning and understanding of education but is also a commitment to the ongoing work of implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action in education.

I am honored to be part of the First Nation School Board as the Director of Instructional Leadership. The opportunity to embrace all Learners and reconciliation is truly a gift.

DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

It is so nice to meet you!

My name is Roxy and I am a second-generation immigrant to Canada from Ukrainian and German descent. I grew up on the unceded Traditional Territories of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Mississauga and Chippewa First Nations in southern Ontario.

I completed my Bachelor of Journalism and Human Rights at Carleton University, and then moved to Yukon to work as a journalist for CHON FM and eventually the Yukon News.

My husband and children are citizens of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, and myself and my two children are adopted members of the Deisheetaan Clan of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation.

Prior to working with the First Nation School Board, I was the Director of Communications with the Yukon Government’s Department of Environment and also worked in both communications and as a Community Advisor with municipal and First Nation governments for the Department of Community Services.

I am honoured to work for FNSB to support Yukon First Nations’ genuine empowerment in the education system, and the real and meaningful success for all of our learners.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Drin hǫzǫ! Shozre Julia Spriggs, and I am truly proud to call Dawson City my home. Growing up here has shaped my identity, and after living in various parts of Canada and even Barbados, I felt an undeniable pull to return to the Yukon in 2015, settling back in Dawson City in 2017.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of serving in senior leadership roles within Yukon First Nation Development Corporations. These experiences have deepened my commitment to fostering economic growth and nurturing community development. As a graduate of Robert Service School (RSS), my connection to local education is close to my heart. I’ve also enjoyed working as a substitute teacher at both RSS and Chief Zzeh Gittlet School. I am passionate about creating meaningful career pathways for our youth. I want every young person in our community to feel empowered, knowing they have options and opportunities right here at home and don’t need to choose between culture and career.

In my role as Director of Finance and Operations, I aim to blend financial expertise with a warm, human-centered approach. As a chartered accountant with a systems-thinking approach, my vision is to build an integrated finance department that serves all our schools and departments. I believe that by providing our teams with the right information, we can empower them to make informed decisions that positively impact our community.

I strive to break free from the typical “numbers person” stereotype. I thrive on relationships and collaboration, drawing energy from working alongside others. You’ll often find me engaging colleagues in thoughtful conversations because I believe that great ideas flourish when we share and discuss them together.

I am deeply committed to the vision and values of the First Nation School Board. My hope is to leverage my skills and experiences not just to support our goals but to create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

With my strong roots in the Yukon, diverse professional background, and heartfelt passion for community development, I am excited to embark on this journey with the leadership team at the First Nation School Board. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for our students and communities.

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Hello! I’m Sarah Jarvis, and I am proud to be on the First Nation School Board Team! I am of Irish ancestry and was raised on the un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory in the Ottawa area.

I fell in love with the North when I began my HR career in Igloolik, Nunavut, where I worked as the Manager of Staffing and Recruitment. In 2017, I made the big move south to Whitehorse, where I spent the last six years working within the HR branch at the Department of Education, supporting partners including FNSB.

I am honoured to be the Director of Human Resources, working with board staff and educators to promote success for all learners and reconciliation throughout our schools.