Staff

Melissa Masse — Manager

Having spent the last 5 years teaching at the JK, I am very excited to be the manager. Supporting all of the incredible staff and families of CCCS has been so rewarding. You can find me driving the bus, singing songs, giving high fives or playing the ukelele.

When I’m not at the JK, I can be found at the “Big School” hanging out with my daughter, or riding my bike in this beautiful city and enjoying the local beaches.

Clare Fensom — Early Childhood Educator

I started working at the JK in September 2015 while completing my practicum as an Early Childhood Educator Student from Sprott Shaw College here in Victoria.

I have always had a passion to work with preschool children and I am pleased to work on a professional level. I have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. I grew up in England in an all girls’ Anglican private school. I have many years of working with children, as a volunteer in the Girl Guide Association of Canada and a School Bus Driver. Having ranched and farmed for many years, I have an extensive knowledge of animals and country life that I bring, together with creative fibre arts and Girl Guide leader skills, to Christ Church Cathedral School.

It is a pleasure to see the children’s curiosity of the world around them. Together with their parents and the staff, I enjoy in assisting the children to confidently meet the life challenges ahead, set in the warm, homey atmosphere of the JK.

Melanie Langman — Early Childhood Educator
After completing her practicum at the JK last December, Melanie is excited to join the JK team and get to know the wonderful children and families. Melanie grew up in Ontario where she completed her B.A. in French and Psychology. She has worked with children for many years and taught children’s dance and Zumba classes. “I feel that children hold a spark of curiosity and wonder about the world, that I help to build and grow, encouraging them to explore the many learning opportunities that await them.”

Elizabeth MacKay — Early Childhood Educator
Elizabeth has a passion for working with children, which she has been doing for over 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Education, but feels that working with children aged 3 – 5 is where she truly belongs. Elizabeth grew up on a farm in rural PEI and some of her most memorable moments are from exploring the beauty and mystery of the outdoors. She looks forward to sharing this passion for nature with the JK students.

Shelley Miller — Early Childhood Educator

I knew from the time I was in elementary school that I wanted to be a teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Education Elementary degree and spent 14 years working in the public school system in the Okanagan teaching Kindergarten through grade four. I joined the JK team last year and am excited to work with such a dedicated group of teachers and parents and such curious and enthusiastic children. I love creating art with children and am passionate about early literacy. Outside of work I love yoga, hiking, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding.

Sabrina Murty — Early Childhood Educator

I have been at the JK since September 2015. I have my full ECE, I obtained this past November. I love working with children. I also work with youth on a regular basis. I grew up in a small town in northern BC where I spent most of my time outside. I still love being outside, hiking and camping. I have a large family which I see all the time, I have 5 nieces and nephews and a goddaughter I see regularly.

Cindy Potts — Early Childhood Educator

I been working with children for the last two years since finishing my practicum at the JK in the summer 2014. I have always had a passion for working with children , helping them to learn and grow. In my free time I enjoy being outside, walking the beach, hiking and camping with my family. I joined the JK in May 2016 and I’m excited to get to know all the children and families.

Roger Aubin — Early Childhood Educator Assistant

Bringing a male perspective to the daycare, Roger has a bachelor of education and has taught both children and adults. His love for children became clear when he volunteered at the school when his daughter enrolled and luckily for everyone shortly after that a position came up.
“I am extremely excited to work with a team that truly loves their jobs and the students. This is a very special place and I am honoured to be asked to be a part of it. I am truly grateful.”
Besides daycare, Roger tutors math to elementary and high school students and is a certified sailing instructor.

Kindergarten
Michelle Kennedy

Mrs. Kennedy has been teaching at Christ Church Cathedral School since 2000. Over the years the school has gone through a lot of growth and development, and yet she feels it remains a caring and supportive learning community. Mrs. Kennedy enjoys working with the youngest learners as they bring such enthusiasm and creativity into every situation. She loves teaching Kindergarten because every day is a new adventure!

Grade 1 Teacher / Assistant Head of School
Tobi Blue

This is Mrs. Blue’s third year as the school’s assistant head, supporting the kindergarten to grade 8 students and families at Christ Church Cathedral School. Mrs. Blue also has been enjoying working as the grade one teacher, literacy specialist as well as a Physical Education specialist for the primary grades for many years at the school! True to her energetic teaching style, she believes education is an active and lifelong process. She strives to involve each student in a positive, active learning atmosphere, developing his or her team skills as well as each child’s individual leadership skills in the classroom and on the field playing a sport. This is obvious in her classroom where each student is engaged in his or her learning career throughout the school day and year! Catch a glimpse of this fun grade one classroom and visit their classroom blog:

http://mrsbluesclues.edublogs.org/

Ms. Micaela Winter teaches the grade 1 class part-time and is also our French teacher for Kindergarten – grade 2.

Grade 2
Jane Hehr and Kristin Meissner

The Grade 2 class is shared by Jane Hehr and Kristin Meissner.

Jane is employed as our Grade 2 teacher (along with Ms. Meissner) and school librarian.  She has a background in learning assistance and math support.  She is very excited to work with her class this year.

Kristin Meissner has both a B.Sc and B.Ed. She is in her twelfth year at CCCS and has taught grade two for the past ten. She greatly enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of this age group. Her favourite outing is the year-end bike trip she takes with the grade 2 class along the Lochside Trail. She is excited by the changes in the curriculum and looks forward to working with our great CCCS team to implement them.

Grade 3 Teacher
Matt Lurie

Before becoming a teacher, Mr. Lurie studied English Literature and Broadcasting.

Rolling up his sleeves to get messy with his students, Mr. Lurie can often be seen making plaster animal tracks, building spaghetti bridges and growing string beans as well as other plants in his classroom. He also gets his students to learn about technology by recording their spoken word stories, making short videos, and using the smart board.

Grade 3 students know how important their foundation skills are: reading, writing, and math are integral to the program. It’s a busy, messy and sometimes noisy year, but Mr. Lurie thinks that of all the grades, Grade 3 is the most exciting!

Grade 4
Heather Branscombe

Since joining the community of Christ Church Cathderal School in 2011, Heather Branscombe has enjoyed teaching many grades including primary French.  Currently the grade 4 teacher, Heather incorporates a hands on approach to learning in a classroom that is both engaging and supportive.  As facilitator of the Green Team (a middle school club), Heather is able to share her love of the environment with the school community.

Grade 5
Julia Borzoni

Mrs. Borzoni has been teaching at Christ Church Cathedral School since 1991. She has enjoyed teaching split classes with as many as four grades in the same room! She is now happy to be teaching the grade 5 class. She loves working with the children at drama and speech arts.

“I am still learning something every day-and loving it! I love the curiosity, creativity and insight of the students and feel privileged to be teaching in our School. My interests outside the School include singing in the Cathedral Choirs, reading, birds, walking, gardening and my two cats!”

Grade 6 Homeroom (Science 6 & 8 / Math 6,7,8)
Lara Salchert

Ms. Salchert is a compassionate teacher, dedicated community volunteer, professional engineer and retired Canadian Naval Officer. She brings practical experience and engaging real-world examples and learning opportunities to the classroom. She is excited to enter her second year as part of the CCCS Middle School teaching team.

Grade 7 Homeroom (Science 7, Language Arts 6 & 7)
Lindsey Corp

This is Miss Corp’s third year at CCCS. Miss Corp received her Bachelor of Education at UVic in 2012. Her passion is the fine arts and she has been a choreographer and a piano teacher.

Grade 8
Marylee McKeown

After a very rewarding 12 year teaching career in Vancouver working with middle school and intermediate aged students in the classroom, as well as teaching French as a Second Language and Physical Education, I joined the CCCS team to instruct a grade 2/3 class.

Since 2001, I have taught grades 5, 6, and 7 and am currently working with the grade 8s. My philosophy of education is a simple one; I believe that all children can and do learn if they feel connected to their learning community, especially their teachers. My job is to make meaningful connections with all students, help them to get organized, and most importantly, encourage the students to be the best they can be!

CCCS is a small school that provides a nurturing environment for all students; the staff knows the students and the students know the staff. I am proud to be a member of this learning community.

Art Teachers
Sandi Henrich (K – 5) / Whitney Hochhalter (grade 6 – 8)

Sandi Henrich joins the main campus for her second year after several years as the art teacher for our Jr. Kindergarten.

Whitney Hocchalter will continue to share her passion for art, teaching our middle school students, in addition to returning to her role as librarian. Ms. Hochhalter is on maternity leave until the Spring of 2017. Ms. Henrich will teach the middle school students for the start of the 2016/2017 school year.

French Teacher (grades 3 – 8) 
Josie Gair

Josie Gair was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She attended French Immersion Kindergarten through Grade 12, which included an exchange to Dieppe, France. She moved to Victoria to study Elementary Education at the University of Victoria in 2010. Josie completed one of her practicums in rural Thailand teaching refugees, and her second in Montreal teaching Francophone students. She finished her Education Degree in the spring of 2015 and has spent much of the past year travelling. Josie has enjoyed subbing at independent schools around Victoria, and is very excited to begin her teaching career at Christ Church Cathedral School. Josie loves socializing with friends, eating, travelling the world, scuba diving, playing soccer, exploring Vancouver Island, and spending time at her family cabin.

Learning Support Teacher (grades 6 – 8), Technology (grades 4 – 8), Health & Career Education (grades 6 – 8)
Kirsten Salmon

Music Specialists
Kathy Stacey & David Enns

Kathy has been the primary music specialist at CCCS since 2008 and also the Choir Director for the Primary choirs. In addition to her music degree, Kathy studied cello and piano at the Royal College of Music in London, England.

Kathy has always been passionate about teaching music to children, owning her own full-service children’s music school in Nanaimo for fifteen years. There she was the assistant principal cellist in the Vancouver Island Symphony orchestra for nine years and the Education Consultant for the Symphony for 5 years, compiling the educational materials for the Children’s Education Concert Series.

David takes on the exhilarating challenge of teaching band to our middle school students. Their level of enthusiasm is clear evidence of the impact he has on their growing appreciation, talent and skills. David is an active performer on the local music scene on both piano and trombone and in a variety of musical genres.

Educational Assistants
Vicki Bashista, Patricio Molina Espinoza, Dawn Harris, Cody Fitzsimmons & Valerie Crosbie

Our Educational Assistants are essential to the success of our programs. They work throughout the school and playground to ensure that all students can reach their full potential.

Learning Assistance Teacher / Special Education Coordinator
Deanna Coleman

This is Deanna’s second year at CCCS. She provides both direct and indirect services to support our school and students through individual instruction, as well as consultation and support to classroom teachers and our educational assistants. She provides Learning Assistance for children in Kindergarten to Grade Five.

Physical Education Specialist/ Learning Support
James Rhodes

James has lived in Victoria his whole life and attended Oak Bay High School. He then went on to the University of Victoria, where he graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Education degree. James played for UVic’s varsity soccer team for five years, which ended with the team winning a national championship. Over the last two years he has been working at Glenlyon Norfolk Junior school as an educational assistant. He has a passion for sports and physical activity, which is evident through his years of playing and coaching soccer, basketball, track and field, and baseball. When James isn’t involved with playing or coaching sports he can be found walking the beaches and many trails with his wife Mikaila and dog Giggs. He is also an advocate of outdoor activities, and takes every opportunity to go camping, skiing, and fishing.

Religious Education / Faith Development
Ms Kate Newman

Kate Newman has been teaching faith and arts to children for 15 years. She is the principal developer for the Anglican Church of Canada’s Sunday School curriculum, Compendium of the Church Mice. Having lived in Vancouver for the past 22 years, she is happy to be moving back to Victoria where she grew up. Kate was baptized and confirmed at Christ Church Cathedral. She has a Masters of Education and will have completed a Masters of Theological Studies by the summer. She is also a mother. Kate also directed our Theatre Camp classes this summer.

Co-ordinator of the Out of School Care Program, called Lux Mundi, which means Light of the World – Todd Fitzsimmons

Todd has worked at Cathedral School since 1994.

He runs the Out-of-School Care Program, which keeps him busy all the year round. He loves sports and keeping active and enjoys teaching children about how sports and fitness are important in all our lives. Working with children keeps him young at heart as he has been doing it for 19 years.

“My biggest joy is watching the students at Cathedral School grow up and accomplish new things. If you can’t find me at School, I’m usually playing some kind of sports or limping around.”

Assistants – Cody Fitzsimmons, Patricio Espinoza, and other school staff as needed