Faculty and Staff
At St. John’s Academy Shawnigan Lake we invest significantly in building a team of dedicated and caring educators who bring with them years of experience. Many have taught in different countries around the world, enriching their classrooms with global perspectives. They tailor their approach to meet each student’s unique learning needs, guiding them toward personal achievement in every subject and area of interest.
Our leadership team brings a global perspective and a deep commitment to student success. With experience in top-tier public and private schools, both in Canada and internationally, our leaders are united by a shared vision: to create an immersive, high-quality Canadian educational experience for every student.
Our leadership is divided into two core teams, each with a clear focus:
The Senior Management Team (SMT) oversees the school’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that everything behind the scenes, including campus facilities, admissions, and boarding, runs smoothly and supports the overall mission of the school.
The Senior Educational Leadership Team (SELT) guides all aspects of teaching, learning, and student well-being. Their focus is on delivering academic excellence, nurturing personal growth, and upholding the values of the IB and Dogwood programs.
Together, these teams work collaboratively to cultivate a vibrant, supportive, and forward-thinking learning environment for our local and international community.
Leadership
Josh Hart
Head of School
Burkie Burgess
Director of Student Life
Bradley Myrholm
Director of Teaching and Learning (MYP)
Eric Venables
Director of Teaching and Learning (DP)
Faculty
Rob Archer
PHE Teacher, Experiential Education & CAS Coordinator
Ashley Ellison
Grade 4 and 5 Teacher
Amy Heffring
English Language Learning Teacher
Alex Slizys
Science and ESS Teacher
Natalie Vargas
French Teacher
Mike Arscott
Math Teacher
Naomi Walser
Grade 5 Teacher
Julia Keller
DP Physics and Chemistry Teacher
Carson Schreiber
MYP Science and I&S Teacher
Travis Visscher
PHE and Athletics Coordinator
Tristan Clausen
Music Teacher
Martha George
Art Teacher
Beth Partridge
MYP & DP Art Teacher
Christine Szeryk
Librarian and English Language & Literature Teacher
Tim Coy
DP English Teacher
Sheri Glenwright
Inclusive Education Coordinator
Natasha Parsons
Individuals & Society and Theory of Knowledge Teacher
Maite Urzua
MYP Design Teacher
Student Services
Eileen de Guzman
School Nurse
Serena Myrholm
Guidance Counsellor
Admissions
Janice Li
International Admissions Associate
Julie Tran
International Admissions Associate
Jared Noble
Canadian Admissions Manager
Megan Hedderick
Director of Admissions
Eunjung Kim
International Admissions Associate
Boarding
Stephen Di Ianni
Assistant Dorm Parent
Justina Kanza
Lead Dorm Parent
Dora Wang
Assistant Dorm Parent
Nicole Folks
Residential Life Coordinator
Operations
Sylvie DeGagne
Housekeeping Manager
Jiale Hu
Bookkeeper
Lyn Timbrel
Receptionist
Chris Jenkins
Facilities Manager
Ron Stevenson
Kitchen Manager
Rachel Quesnel
HR & Operations Manager