Staff Directory  
     
   Director of Education (Principal)  
    Mrs. Lydia Stoesz, B.Ed. M.Div. Lydia has made Portage home since 2008.  After her time studying at the University of Saskatchewan to  become a Science Teacher, she received her Master’s of Divinity degree from Canadian Theological Seminary (now Ambrose University College) and has worked as a Pastor of Children’s Ministry full time for five years in addition to teaching Children’s Ministry at Ambrose University College in Calgary.  Lydia teaches Bible at Westpark High School and is also on pastoral staff at Portage Alliance Church.  Lydia’s main role at Westpark is to oversee the general and philosophical direction of Westpark School and to act as an advocate and advisor to Portage Alliance Church, and Westpark’s Board of Directors on behalf of the school  
     
   Deans of Academics  
 

Grades
 K-6

 Mrs. Heather Boddy, B.Ed.  Portage has been home to Heather and her family for 11 years and she has been part of our Westpark family for 7.  Throughout her time here she has taught grades 5 and 8 as well as Senior Years English.  She has also directed our preschool and was a vice principal for 3 years.  Now Dean of Academics for Kindergarten to Grade 6,  Heather brings her expertise to the leadership team through providing professional development for our teachers, maintaining our high academic standards and ensuring that every child at Westpark fulfills their full academic potential.   
 

Grades
7-12

 Mr. Merrill Friesen, B.Ed. Merrill and his family have called Portage and Westpark home for 7 years.  After taking some biblical education at Steinbach Bible College and Providence College he received his Bachelor of Education in senior years geography and physical education from the University of Winnipeg.  He has also worked with Westpark school to lead students through missions opportunities in different areas of Canada, the United States and Mexico.  Since joining our Westpark Team he has taught various Social Sciences, Physical Education, Law, Psychology and Christian Studies.  This year, Merrill becomes Dean of Academics for grades 7  to 12, and is also our grade 9 homeroom teacher.   
  Westpark Children's Centre Director  
    Mrs. Cindy Curry.  Cindy is our Preschool Director. She graduated from Assiniboine Community College in Brandon with a diploma which qualifies her as an Early Childhood Educator III. She then received her certificate in Studies in Aboriginal Child Care through Red River Community College and an advanced diploma in Early Childhood Management Program through Assiniboine Community College. She has been in the child care field for more then 20 years, and has taught Early Childhood Education at Red River College, Portage campus.  
     
   Teaching Staff  
     
   
    Mrs. Donna Guenther B.Ed. Donna has lived in Portage for 16 years and has been part of our Westpark family for 12.  She graduated University of Lethbridge with her Bachelor of Education Degree majoring in Physical Education and Early Childhood Education.  She holds a Level II Gymnastics Coaching Designation.  She coached five years in Alberta and two years in Manitoba for both competitive gymnastics and recreational.  Donna has been an Early Years Vice Principal in addition to teaching grade 10 and 11 art, Grade 3 Bible and English Language Arts.  Currently Donna is our Kindergarten teacher as well as one of our Grade 3 teachers.  
     
    Mrs. Sharalyn Hyde, B.Ed.  
     
     Ms. Jessica Cooley  
     
    Mrs. Ruth Peters, B.Ed.  Ruth was born and raised in Portage La Prairie and has been part of our Westpark family for 8 years.  She graduated from the University of Manitoba with her education degree in early years.  She has taught for 18 years and currently is doing a fantastic job teaching our grade four students.  
     
    Mr. Doug Ott, B.R.E.  B.A.  Ed. Cert.  Doug moved to Portage in August, 2009 and began teaching at Westpark School in September, 2009.  He attended Providence College where he received his Bachelor of Religious Education, University of Winnipeg where he received his Bachelor of Arts in History, and the University of Manitoba where he received his Certificate in Education. He was born in Winnipeg. He taught many years in the Fort la Bosse School Division. He has been involved in many aspects of ministry within the church setting. Doug is presently teaching: Grade 1 Math; Grades 4, 5 and 6 French; Grade 7 English Language Arts – literature and grammar; Grade 8 Math; and Grades 9/10 Woodworking.  
     
    Mrs. Judy Goertzen, B.Ed. Judy works with our special needs students as resource teacher and coordinates our Instructional Assistants.  Judy also teaches grade 5 ELA this year.  
     
    Mrs. Lorraine Sheppard, B.G.S. B.Ed.  Lorraine has called Portage home for just over a year when she joined our Westpark family as the grade 6 teacher.  She received her Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Education in Math and Science middle years from Brandon University.  Although she’s been a teacher for four years Lorraine spent 18 years in retail where she became a manager.  She also worked as a floral designer for 10 years.  Before her time with us she was a teacher in a remote community in northern Manitoba.  In addition to bringing her vast expertise to our grade 6 class she has also taught our art classes in the middle years.  
     
    Mr. Adam Sevcenko, B.Ed.  Adam and his family live in Oakville.  Adam loves to work with computers and enjoys teaching our grade 7 class.  
     
    Ms. Lisa Ott, B.A. B.Ed.  Lisa and her family has been part of our Portage community for 6 years and been on staff at Westpark for 5.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence Bible College and her Bachelor of Education in middle years English, Science and Social Studies from Brandon University.  In Lisa’s time as part of our Westpark family she has taught a variety of grades in early, middle and senior years focusing on ELA and Social Studies.  Lisa has had the opportunity through Operation Mobilization to serve in Sweden as a short term missionary.  Currently Lisa is doing a wonderful job of teaching our Grade 8 class.   
     
    Ms. Diana Stahl B.Ed.   
     
    Mr. Kevin Stoesz B.Th. B.Sc.  B.Ed.  Kevin has called Portage home for 2 years after returning to Manitoba from ministry service in Switzerland, Germany and other parts of Canada as well as being a classroom science teacher in the UK.  He has been a teacher for 5 years.  He received his Bachelor of Theology from Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now Canadian Mennonite University) and then attended the University of Manitoba where he received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in zoology as well as his Bachelor of Education.  Kevin has taught general science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, as well as our Senior Years Information and Communication Technologies courses, Math and Photography.  He has been part of our Westpark family for 3 years and is homeroom teacher to our grade 11 class.  
     
    Mr. Brian Ferguson B.R.E.  B.A.  B.Ed.  M.T.S.  Brian moved to Portage and Westpark School five years ago.  He attended Briercrest Bible College where he received his Bachelor of Religious Education, University of Waterloo where he received his Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Calgary where he received his Bachelor of Education, and Regent College where he received his Masters of Theological Studies.  Brian was born in Scotland and has travelled with various missions organizations to Mexico, Costa Rica and Belize.  Since becoming part of our Westpark family Brian has taught Math, Science, Outdoor Education, Drafting and Accounting in addition to being our Grade 12 homeroom teacher.  
     
    Mrs. Erika Finch, B.Ed. Is on maternity leave for 2011-2012  
     
    Miss Sarah Starks, B.Ed.  
     
    Mr. Shaun Cornish B.Sc. B.Ed. Shaun came to Portage and Westpark School just over a year ago.  He has attended Briercrest Bible College where he received his Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies.  He then attended the University of Saskatchewan where he received his degrees in Kinesiology and Senior Years Physical Education.  He has worked with various missions organizations in the Philippines, Peru and Mexico. Since joining our Westpark team Shaun has taught Physical Education as well as Bible.  
     
    Mrs. Amanda Zacharias B.Ed.  Amanda and her family have called Portage home for the past 20 years.  During that time she has been on staff off and on as she has been a busy mom and ministry leader.  When she isn’t working at Westpark she is involved as a faculty advisor with the university of Winnipeg and Brandon University’s faculty of education assessing student teachers.  Since coming to Westpark she has taught mainly ELA in most grades and will be teaching in the High School for 2011-2012.  
     
   Office Staff:  
    Amanda Zapocochny.  Amanda has been our Receptionist at Westpark for two years and has spent most of her life calling Portage and area home.  She is now enjoying a maternity leave.  She and her husband Shane welcomed their beautiful daughter Paxtyn to the family in early July.  
     
    Arlene Ferguson.  Arlene is joining the Westpark Team as Office Manager.  She will be the welcoming face and voice in the front office, and will maintain student records.  Arlene brings with her a wealth of organizational ability and school administration experience, as well as a passion for the mission of Westpark School!  Welcome Arlene!  
     
    Melissa McCutcheon.  Melissa has just moved into the position of Finance Clerk after working within Westpark as an Instructional Assistant for many years (and being a dedicated parent volunteer for many years before that!).  She continues to serve our school very capably in her new role, bringing her experiences with her family business to the table.  She and her husband David have 3 daughters.  Their oldest is a graduate of Westpark who is now attending Ambrose University College in Calgary, while both other daughters are active members of Westpark High.  
     
   Facility Director:  
    Ed Senecal.  Ed and his family moved to Portage 25 years ago and became Maintenance Director at Westpark 7 years ago.  Ed ensures that the facility is being used to its full potential and is often busy constructing props for the dramas, building custom furniture for offices and classrooms as well as keeping our school functioning well.  In addition to being such a valuable part of our Westpark family Ed has been able to work with us in helping to lead missions trips from Westpark to Mexico.  
     
   Network Administrator:  
    Jed Neudof  Jed is our resident computer technician, in charge of networking, IT, and any technical support for both Westpark School and Portage Alliance Church.  Jed's skill in his task, his heart for service and graciousness in his work are a real gift to the team!  
     
   Student Services Coordinator:  
   

Jackie Caslor.  Portage has been home to Jackie and her family for more than 27 years and she has been part of Team Westpark for 19.  She was a Westpark parent and now is a proud Westpark Grandparent.  She studied psychology at the University of Wisconson before joining our Westpark Family.  Jackie is our librarian and is also involved in student services, counseling, and fundraising for Westpark School.

 
       
   Instructional Assistants:  
    Kathy Letkeman  
       
    Jacklyn Hennan  
       
    Kim Otsuji  
       
   

Cecille Perrin.  Cecille and her family have called Portage home for 12 years. She works with one of our special needs students and has been part of our Westpark family for 2 years.