Biography

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I have dedicated my life to education, public service, and community building. With more than three decades of experience as a teacher, educational leader, and elected official, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a lifelong commitment to supporting students, families, and communities.

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Since 2016, I have served as Coordinator of Practicum for the ACCESS Education Program at the University of Winnipeg, where I place student teachers in practicums, hire and train faculty supervisors, and support students facing challenges in their placements. I also coordinate the Thailand International Practicum Program, and I teach courses in curriculum, instruction, school systems, and alternative education. To help students with financial challenges, I launched a clothing program that has provided over 6,500 donated items to student teachers and community organizations, including shelters and wildfire evacuee supports. I’m also a member-at-large with the U of W Faculty Association.

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Before joining the University of Winnipeg, I taught Social Studies at Gimli High School for 13 years, receiving national recognition such as the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History and the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

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I also contributed to the K–12 Social Studies Curriculum Development Committee and the Manitoba Education Resource Review Committee. In addition, I served as President and Executive Member of the Evergreen Teachers’ Association, where I addressed issues between the teachers’ union and the school division, and participated in collective bargaining and grievance resolution.

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I was honoured to serve as MLA for Gimli from 2003 to 2015, where I held several cabinet positions including Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth; Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade; Minister of Housing and Community Development; and Minister of Education and Advanced Learning. In those roles, I worked to strengthen public education, promote vocational training, expand apprenticeship programs, and improve housing and community supports.

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My community involvement continues today. I serve on the Board of Directors for the New Iceland Heritage Museum, the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, and the TJ’s Gift Foundation, which promotes drug awareness and prevention for youth.

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