Current Members of the BC Teachers' Council

Member Name	Appointed or Elected		Term Expires
Danielle Neer	Elected	Interior Zone	March 2027
Gunita Gupta	Elected	Fraser Zone	March 2027
Lisa Kishkan	Elected	Northern Zone	March 2027
Jelana Bighorn	Elected	Vancouver Coastal Zone	March 2027
Carol Arnold	Elected	Vancouver Island Zone	March 2027
Jo Cornthwaite	Appointed	B.C. Teachers' Federation	April 2026
Adrienne Demers	Appointed	B.C. Teachers’ Federation	April 2026
Jim Iker	Appointed	B.C. Teachers’ Federation	April 2025
Jatinder Kaur Bir	Appointed	B.C. Teachers’ Federation	April 2027
Bob Holmes	Appointed	B.C. School Trustees Association	April 2026
Terence Berting	Appointed	B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils	April 2025
Anne Tenning	Appointed	First Nations Education Steering Committee	April 2025
Vandy Britton	Appointed	Association of B.C. Deans of Education	April 2027
Lesya Balsevich	Appointed	Federation of Independent School Associations	April 2026
Doug Sheppard	Appointed	B.C. School Superintendents Association	April 2027
Michelle LaBounty Huskilson (Michelle LaBounty)	Appointed	B.C. Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association	April 2027
Mary Mollineaux	Appointed	First Nations Education Authority	April 2026
Sarvi Brent	Appointed	Ministry of Education and Child Care	At Pleasure

Danielle Neer

Since the early 2000s, Danielle has been an active volunteer and participant in many different community- and school-based initiatives. While attending university, she served as an elected member-at-large of the University of Victoria Students' Society and co-chaired two student associations, participated in graduate research on integrated child care and early education models, supported the development of a literacy program in schools, and was awarded UT/OISE's Institute for Child Study's (ICS) Leighton McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Award for scholastic excellence and contribution to the life of the Jackman Institute. Danielle recently served as a member of the Ministry of Education's Numeracy and Literacy Proficiency Project for Grades K-5 and continues to support her colleagues around the province as the Learning Assistance Teachers' Association's (LATA) president. She knows that collaborative opportunities benefit students and teachers living and working across the province and that these relationships support and enhance educational opportunities for all students of B.C. Danielle has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria, a Master of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master of Arts from the University of Toronto/Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She currently lives and works in the Central Okanagan.

Gunita Gupta

Gunita is a teacher in the Langley School District and a sessional instructor in the University of British Columbia's teacher education program. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English (2000) and a Bachelor of Education (2014) from the University of British Columbia. In the 14 years between these degrees, Gunita worked for both the provincial and federal governments, and as a self-employed business owner. In 2019 she received a Master of Arts in Curriculum Studies from UBC and began a PhD. Gunita is currently finishing her doctorate on the historical and current governance of teacher education in BC. She is passionate about teacher education. In addition to teaching high school English and Foods, Gunita enjoys teaching and mentoring pre-service and early career teachers.

Lisa Kishkan

Lisa is a primary teacher with the Quesnel School District. She has taught kindergarten through grade 9, and she spent many years teaching in special education. She has been a teacher leader and advocate for the profession for much of her career, serving first as professional development chair of her local for several years, before spending five years as local president. She was a member of the Provincial Working and Learning Conditions Committee and was chair of the BCTF Provincial Bargaining Team before returning to the classroom. Lisa continues to serve the profession through the mentorship of new teachers and the sponsorship of teacher candidate practicum students. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education through the University of Victoria, and has done extensive additional coursework, including masters’ courses through the University of Gonzaga, in special education, curriculum development, and leadership.

Jelana Bighorn

Jelana is a registered member of the Fort Peck Sioux tribes. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in History (2004) and Bachelor of Education (2006) at the University of British Columbia and is currently completing her Master of Arts in Educational Studies at the same institution. For the past 17 years Jelana has been teaching high school English and Social Studies in the Vancouver School District. Teaching in a community with a robust Indigenous population is a priority for her, and she is proud to be a classroom educator who can support Indigenous students in achieving their aspirations. Jelana has presented at many professional development opportunities for her colleagues, particularly on the topic of Indigenous education and curriculum. As another avenue to enhance public education, she has been actively engaged in both her local and provincial union bodies. Jelana currently serves as the Indigenous Chair of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association as well as a member-at-large of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation Executive Committee. Jelana has also been a member of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and the Anti-Oppression Educators Collective, a provincial specialist association. Her pedagogical approach to education as a practice of freedom is informed by venerated scholars and activists who believe in the transformative, society-building process of learning and unlearning. 

Carol Arnold  

Carol was born and raised in Edmonton on Treaty 6 territory and is of Metis-Cree and Scottish ancestry. She received her Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), Bachelor of Education, and completed her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Alberta. Carol also spent a year studying French at Paul Valery University in France. She began her teaching career in Edmonton, was active in Edmonton Public Teachers and served as chair of the Public Education Works campaign. After moving to Salt Spring Island, Carol began teaching Social Studies, English and First Peoples courses in the Gulf Islands School District. During 20 plus years, she has remained active in her union local holding a variety of positions. Carol also worked as a faculty associate at Simon Fraser University in the teacher education program working with candidate teachers in the Indigenous Peoples Teacher Education Module (IPTEM). Carol continued to maintain her connection to teacher education supporting several candidate teachers in her classroom. She has maintained involvement in the BCTF as a member of the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and on the Social Justice Advisory Committee with the Status of Women subcommittee. Carol continues to write and facilitate workshops for the BCTF, and is currently the president of the Aboriginal Education PSA. She is married and has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Jo Cornthwaite

Jo acknowledges that she is an univited settler who lives, learns, and works on the unceded and traditional territories of the Snaw Naw As, Snuneymuxw and Stz’uminus Nations and strives to live, work and play in a manner that honours the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Jo is currently released from the classroom as the local president of the Nanaimo District Teachers' Association, a member of Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools Syeyutsus Reconciliation Committee, and past chair of the Professional Issues Advisory Committee with the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation. When she is in the classroom, she is an inclusion support teacher at Nanaimo District Secondary School. Previously, she held positions as a K/1 classroom teacher at Randerson Ridge Elementary and as an elementary learning support/special education teacher at various schools in School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith). She holds a Master of Education in Special Education from Vancouver Island University, a Bachelor of Arts from Trent University, a Bachelor of Concurrent Education from Queen’s University, and a Diploma in Special Education from Nipissing University.

Adrienne Demers 

Adrienne is currently on leave from her work as a blended learning teacher at Kootenay Discovery School in School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) on the traditional territory of the K’tunaxa people. She is an active member of the Fernie District Teachers’ Association where she is currently the local president.  She brings her experience from sitting on a number of district committees including the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning Committee, Communicating Student Learning Committee, and the Inclusion Committee. Further to this, Adrienne is involved with the BCTF where she is currently the vice-president/registrar of the Provincial Intermediate Teachers’ Association, a member of the Professional Issues Advisory Committee, and a professional issues workshop facilitator with a focus on teacher wellness. She was an active member of the Ministry of Education Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Committee and sat on the Canadian Teachers' Federation Professional Issues Committee. Adrienne believes in a diverse and inclusive education system that meets the needs of and creates time and space for personal growth for all stakeholders. When she is not involved in this important work, Adrienne can be found spending quality time outdoors with her husband and two children. Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours and a Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University, a Bachelor of Education from York University, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Education from Queen’s University. 

Jim Iker

Jim has over three decades of experience as an elementary school teacher, local union president and provincial leader. He was the president of the Burns Lake District Teachers’ Union for a number of years and served as president of the BCTF between 2013 and 2016. Prior to that, Jim was a BCTF vice-president for six years. Jim completed an honours Bachelor of Arts in sociology and political science at McMaster University before achieving his Bachelor of Education from Dalhousie University. He headed west after graduation and in the summer of 1977 arrived in the tiny community of Topley, west of Burns Lake, B.C. There he began his teaching career, with a class of 34 grade 2/3 students. He taught kindergarten for four years and the full range of elementary grades. Over the years he enhanced his credentials with additional studies in counselling, learning assistance and special education. Jim is currently a teacher teaching on call in School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) on the Burns Lake side. Jim was recently elected as president of the Burns Lake District Teachers' Union for 2023/24. He is currently in his 8th year on the British Columbia Teachers' Council and is vice-chair for the upcoming year.  

Jatinder Kaur Bir

Jatinder is a school teacher with the Surrey School District who has a passion for equity and representation of B.C. teachers. For several years, Jatinder has been actively involved in both provincial and local leadership roles, including elected positions on the Surrey Teachers’ Association Executive since 2012. Jatinder recently completed a historic term as the first BIPOC president of the Teachers’ Association. She is deeply committed to a just, equitable public education system and understands that supporting the members of the profession is crucial in this effort. Jatinder values the importance of diversity, multiple perspectives, ideas, and experiences, and she is engaged in decolonizing her mindset, teaching, and union work. British Columbia teachers need support and a clear understanding of how all aspects of their professional practice are administered, as well as the decision-making processes that significantly impact their daily lives. Jatinder prioritizes transparency and accountability in her roles. Heading into September 2024, Jatinder's teaching portfolio will focus on supporting K-7 students with diverse abilities. Having completed her term as president, Jatinder is eager to continue her dedication to seva and advocacy within the education community. Jatinder’s post-secondary education includes a Master of Education in Educational Practice (Simon Fraser University), a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (Simon Fraser University), a Bachelor of Education degree (University of British Columbia), and a Bachelor of Arts degree (Simon Fraser University).

Bob Holmes

Bob first became involved in education through parent leadership at his children's school from the time his daughter entered kindergarten in 2004, spending 10 years in various PAC executive roles, and 8 1/2 years as treasurer, co-president, and president of the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council. Bob received BCCPAC’s George Matthews Award for Excellence in Parent Leadership in 2012. Bob is now in his third term as a school trustee, beginning his tenth year. He currently serves on the finance, policy, and learning liaison committees, and he chairs the Audit Committee. In the past, Bob has been part of the French immersion, Montessori, international baccalaureate, and student voice committees, as well as the board liaison to the ELL Consortium and Surrey DPAC. At the provincial level, Bob served on the BCSTA legislative (chaired his last year) and professional learning committees, and served as the metro branch president. Bob now chairs the Finance & Audit Committee, was elected to the BCSTA Board of Directors for the first time in 2022 and was re-elected in 2023 for a further two-year term. As a lifelong learner, Bob is looking forward to the opportunity to continue his journey on the British Columbia Teachers’ Council, helping to ensure B.C.’s entire wide range of diverse B.C. students receive an excellent education in safe, caring environments.

Terence Berting

Terry has been a volunteer parent leader and education advocate at the school, district, and provincial levels for almost 20 years. During that time, he has been involved in a wide variety of education committees that included the Education Partners Healthy Schools Committee and curriculum review, ERASE Bullying, and B.C. school sports committees. Terry served as president of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) from 2012 to 2014 and received the organization’s Life Membership Award in 2016. He believes in the partnership  approach to education and has great respect for teachers and the critical role they play in the education system. He is passionate about inclusion and equality, and he believes in the need for genuine reconciliation. Terry has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Canadian Studies from  Simon Fraser University and a Diploma in Surveying from BCIT. He works in the land surveying industry. Terry is honoured to be appointed to a second term on both the British Columbia Teachers’ Council and the Professional Conduct and Disciplinary Board, and he is looking forward to continuing this important work.

Anne Tenning

Anne is a member of the Stz'uminus First Nation on Vancouver Island. Anne has been an educator in the K-12 public education system for over 20 years. In this time, she has worked as a secondary teacher and leader of Indigenous Education programs in various districts of B.C. Anne is now the senior manager of curriculum with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). Anne's late mother, Elizabeth Tenning, attended Kuper Island Residential School and Anne considers her mother to be her greatest influence and role model. In 2008, Anne received the Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. She currently lives with her husband on the beautiful, ancestral and unceded territories of the Secwepemc people in Salmon Arm, B.C. 

Vandy Britton  

Vandy is an associate professor in teacher education at the University of the Fraser Valley. Prior to moving to UFV, she worked in the Faculty of Education at SFU for eight years. Dr. Britton teaches across a wide variety of subjects and disciplines in the post-degree Bachelor of Education program at UFV (including diversity education, language arts education, arts-based education, Indigenous education, and reflective practice). She has extensive experience in K-12 schools in B.C. as a classroom teacher teaching high school English, dance, drama, and ESL. She also taught overseas in Japan for two years. Dr. Britton's scholarship and research interests include teacher education, arts-based inquiry, social justice/anti-racist education, culturally responsive pedagogy and teacher leadership.

Lesya Balsevich

Lesya has served 36 years as a B.C. educator with 30 of those years as an administrator (principal and associate superintendent) in the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA). As an associate superintendent for the past nine years, Lesya has focused on human resources, policy creation, teacher and administrator professional growth, and principal performance reviews. She currently serves on the Independent School Teacher Certification Standards Committee.

Doug Sheppard

Doug has been the superintendent of schools for the Delta School District since 2017. He has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a diploma in Transformational Educational Leadership from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Educational Leadership from Simon Fraser University. Doug has over 30 years in public education beginning as a secondary school teacher followed by various school and district administrative positions in the Richmond, Coquitlam, and Delta school districts. Doug lives and works on the ancestral territory of Sc̓əwaθn Məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen First Nation) and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band).

Michelle LaBounty Huskilson (Michelle LaBounty) 

Michelle is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister. She is a passionate educator from a family of educators. Raised and still residing on the North Shore on the traditional lands of the Squamish people, Dr. LaBounty has worked with the West Vancouver School District as a teacher, school-based administrator, and now the district principal of teaching and learning.  She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Kansas, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from San Diego State University, Bachelor of Education with a Specialization in Elementary French, and a Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology and Genetics from the University of British Columbia. Dr. LaBounty also holds a Diploma in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Within her current roles, Michelle seeks to continue to support teachers and colleagues in building their professional capacity for the future of all children.

Mary Mollineaux

Mary is a member of the Tsq’escen Nation (Canim Lake). She is the executive director of the First Nations Education Authority (FNEA), which supports participating First Nations implementing education jurisdiction over their K-12 education systems. Prior to FNEA, Mary was the K-12 policy manager at the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). Prior to FNESC, Mary practiced law for over four years serving primarily First Nations communities. Mary has a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature), Bachelor of Education (Elementary) and a law degree. She is dedicated to advancing First Nations education and to building education systems that support all students to achieve their full potential.

Sarvi Brent 

Sarvi is the Executive Director of the Teacher Regulation Branch at the Ministry of Education and Child Care. She holds a law degree from the University of British Columbia and has over 13 years of experience working as an adjudicator, fact-finder, advisor and leader in administrative tribunals, regulation, and education law and policy. She has worked on operational and policy initiatives across the education sector and with partners and rightsholders.