LEAD LITERACY COACH

Hello! I’m Megan Norris and I’m so happy to be the Head Literacy Coach where I can combine my lifelong passion for literacy and my love for helping people that help people. I'm so grateful to be working for a school board that is committed to literacy excellence and follows a Yukon First Nations worldview.

I am of Dutch and British descent originally from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. I have a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Speech & Language Pathology (SLP). For several years, I worked in Edmonton as a substitute teacher, a teacher with the Center of Literacy, and as an SLP with the deaf and hard of hearing. I move to Whitehorse in 2021 to work as an SLP with the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate where I travelled to communities with the Mobile Therapeutic Unit. I am now thrilled to be fulfilling my lifelong dream of working in an innovative school system to develop effective literacy programming.

LITERACY COACH

Hello, I’m Angela Gale and I have been in the Yukon for 30 years! I have lived in several communities (Mayo, Watson Lake, Haines Junction), and now reside in Whitehorse. Along with my husband, we raised our three children in Yukon communities. I’m originally from a large family and grew up in Newfoundland.

I started my teaching career in Haines Junction and have worked at Elijah Smith Elementary School and Takhini Elementary. I have loved the busy pace of a primary classroom, engaging students with outdoor learning and cultural experiences, and now look forward to my new role as a literacy coach.

I’m excited and look forward to continuing working with teachers and students. My literacy practice has always been structured with direct, explicit teaching and I’m grateful that this practice is being implemented into our schools, giving students the skills they need to see themselves as readers! I will be supporting Takhini Elementary, Ross River School and Chief Zzeh Gittlit School in Old Crow.

My other passions are being outdoors, hiking, biking, paddling, and skiing with family and friends.

LITERACY COACH

My name is Lauren Murphy. I am a member of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation of Port Hardy, B.C. I grew up in British Columbia and moved to the Yukon in 2001. I am a graduate of the Yukon Native Teacher Education Program and recently finished my Masters in Early Childhood Education through University of British Columbia.

Over the past decade, I have held a variety of teaching positions including kindergarten, intermediate grades and learning assistance teacher. Throughout my career I have been passionate about literacy learning and best practices to support all Yukon students. I will be supporting the schools and communities of Pelly Crossing, Watson Lake and Carcross.

I feel privileged to be a Literacy Coach for the First Nation School Board and look forward to working with students, staff and communities by putting the FNSB Literacy Plan into action!

EARLY YEARS LITERACY COACH

Hello, my name is Terri. I grew up on a farm in southwest Saskatchewan on Treaty 4 land. My family is Scottish and English. I have spent time in Arizona, North Carolina, and North Dakota. Before moving to the Yukon, I supported families as a Speech Language Pathologist in Cree and Dene communities in northern Saskatchewan.

I am excited to support literacy. I walk along with learners on their literacy journeys by supporting school staff and caregivers to grow their language and literacy in the classroom, and on the land. I like to travel to communities to meet and learn from community members about their land, culture and relationships. I work to ensure this is reflected in their local instruction.

I aspire to give space for caregivers and learners to be seen, heard, and supported.

In addition to this work, I like to spend time outside cross-country skiing or camping.

LITERACY COACH

My name is Kayla Abrams and I am excited to be a part of the First Nation School Board’s Literacy Team! I’m passionate about helping students learn to read and am incredibly honoured to be supporting the implementation of research and evidence-based approaches to reading through FNSB’s Literacy plan!

I made the move to the North ‘for a year’ – over 15 years ago! I love spending time outdoors– camping, biking and hiking – and I am grateful to call the picturesque Yukon my home. During my time North, I’ve had the privilege of visiting, learning from, and supporting many communities across the Yukon and Northwest Territories in speech, language, and literacy in my role as a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist.

I look forward to the opportunity of spending more time in the communities of the Yukon in my role as Literacy Coach. I am excited to build relationships with our FNSB schools – especially the schools I will be directly supporting: Grey Mountain Primary, Nelnah Bessie John, St. Elias Community and Kluane Lake schools – and to helping support students on their literacy journey!

I feel very honoured to be a part of this wonderful team!