MEET YOUR 2025-2026 LSTA EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
LSTA PRESIDENT: Jamie Shuhyta
- I graduated from Kildonan East Collegiate in 1998.
- My first degree was a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with Distinction from the University of Manitoba.
- I worked as a researcher/lab tech for 3 years for the university (Dept. of Human Nutritional Science).
- I decided to return to the U of M and complete a 2-year after-degree education degree.
- I began my teaching career with the Lord Selkirk School Division in 2007 immediately following graduation.
- I have taught at Ecole Selkirk Jr High, Lockport School, and majority of my career at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary
School teaching math and science.
- I became involved with the Lord Selkirk Teachers’ Association in 2018 as a high school council representative. Later in 2019 I moved to
an executive position for public relations. In 2020, while on executive, I found my passion and moved to the collective bargaining portfolio.
- With announcement of Carla Mroz's retirement in June of 2022, I decided to I wanted to try something different in my career; I wanted to
use my experiences and strengths to move on to the role of LSTA President.
- In addition to the president's role, I will also look after WSH—Divisional/MTS, the PD Fund, MHWBC Divisional, Education Funding, Provincial Bargaining,, and Employee Benefits.
VICE PRESIDENT: Markus Hofer
- Markus Hofer teaches in a multi-grade classroom (grades 4–9) at Netley Colony School. He also teaches Canadian History, English, and Law via interactive television to grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in Hutterian schools across southern Manitoba.
- Markus takes great pride in being a teacher, and he will be starting his 19th year of teaching in September 2025
- Markus became active in LSTA in 2006. He started out as a council rep and then joined the LSTA executive in 2009—as the Collective Bargaining Co-Chair. Markus has chaired the Collective Bargaining Committee for the last two rounds of negotiations, from 2009 to 2019.
- For the 2025–2026 school year, Markus will serve as the Vice President, Co-Provincial Bargaining Chair, and Education Funding Chair.
- Markus is an advocate of equity and democracy, and he is always looking to improve working conditions and educate teachers about their rights. ‘Because unknown rights are not rights at all.’
- Markus Hofer teaches in a multi-grade classroom (grades 4–9) at Netley Colony School. He also teaches Canadian History, English, and Law via interactive television to grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in Hutterian schools across southern Manitoba.
- Markus takes great pride in being a teacher, and he will be starting his 19th year of teaching in September 2025
- Markus became active in LSTA in 2006. He started out as a council rep and then joined the LSTA executive in 2009—as the Collective Bargaining Co-Chair. Markus has chaired the Collective Bargaining Committee for the last two rounds of negotiations, from 2009 to 2019.
- For the 2025–2026 school year, Markus will serve as the Vice President, Co-Provincial Bargaining Chair, and Education Funding Chair.
- Markus is an advocate of equity and democracy, and he is always looking to improve working conditions and educate teachers about their rights. ‘Because unknown rights are not rights at all.’
SECRETARY: Nicole Kavalench
- I support K-2 students as a Learning Support Teacher at Robert Smith School. Although I only began in LSSD in 2023, I have experience teaching in most grades, as well as high school Student Services as a Resource Teacher. I am passionate about student advocacy and finding ways to help young learners thrive, so though I hold my certificate in Inclusive Education, I am also returning to the University of Manitoba to work on my Master’s in Language and Literacy.
- I first began with LSTA as a school representative/council member in 2024. For the 2025-2026 school year.
- I am excited to be joining LSTA executive in the role of Secretary.
- I support K-2 students as a Learning Support Teacher at Robert Smith School. Although I only began in LSSD in 2023, I have experience teaching in most grades, as well as high school Student Services as a Resource Teacher. I am passionate about student advocacy and finding ways to help young learners thrive, so though I hold my certificate in Inclusive Education, I am also returning to the University of Manitoba to work on my Master’s in Language and Literacy.
- I first began with LSTA as a school representative/council member in 2024. For the 2025-2026 school year.
- I am excited to be joining LSTA executive in the role of Secretary.
TREASURER: Laryssa Kurjewicz
- Laryssa started with the Lord Selkirk School Division in 2013 as a math and science teacher.
- She has taught at LSEC and East Selkirk Middle School. She currently teaches at the LSRCSS.
- Laryssa got involved with LSTA as a school rep in 2014. She moved into an executive position in 2017 to become our treasurer. She has been to the MTS AGM six times as a delegate.
- Laryssa returns again this year in the role as Treasurer for 2025-2026.
- Laryssa started with the Lord Selkirk School Division in 2013 as a math and science teacher.
- She has taught at LSEC and East Selkirk Middle School. She currently teaches at the LSRCSS.
- Laryssa got involved with LSTA as a school rep in 2014. She moved into an executive position in 2017 to become our treasurer. She has been to the MTS AGM six times as a delegate.
- Laryssa returns again this year in the role as Treasurer for 2025-2026.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIR: Lynne Ogale
- Lynne has been working in LSSD since the fall of 2012. She has experience teaching all grades K-6 through time as a classroom teacher, co-teacher (literacy and numeracy focused), counselor, and learning support teacher. Lynne has worked at Ruth Hooker School, Robert Smith School, and, in the fall of 2024, an alternative learning program in LSSD. Lynne currently teaches at Daerwood.
- Lynne is a passionate advocate for the rights of students and student voice in school(s) and the community at large. For over 8 years, Lynne supported student leadership groups in her school(s). These groups actively worked to support their communities through planning whole school activities and events, as well as raising awareness around a variety of topics, including the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Pink Day, and Mental Health Awareness.
- In her free time, Lynne loves to travel (she taught in Thailand before joining LSSD), knit, and spend time with her family.
- For the 2025-2026 school year, Lynne is excited to continue in her role as the Professional Development Chair.
- Lynne has been working in LSSD since the fall of 2012. She has experience teaching all grades K-6 through time as a classroom teacher, co-teacher (literacy and numeracy focused), counselor, and learning support teacher. Lynne has worked at Ruth Hooker School, Robert Smith School, and, in the fall of 2024, an alternative learning program in LSSD. Lynne currently teaches at Daerwood.
- Lynne is a passionate advocate for the rights of students and student voice in school(s) and the community at large. For over 8 years, Lynne supported student leadership groups in her school(s). These groups actively worked to support their communities through planning whole school activities and events, as well as raising awareness around a variety of topics, including the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Pink Day, and Mental Health Awareness.
- In her free time, Lynne loves to travel (she taught in Thailand before joining LSSD), knit, and spend time with her family.
- For the 2025-2026 school year, Lynne is excited to continue in her role as the Professional Development Chair.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR: Matthew Nickarz
- Matt Nickarz is in his 17th year of teaching in the Lord Selkirk School Division.
- He began his career in LSSD with a position at Centennial School for his first 2 years of teaching.
- Matt spent many years teaching at Ecole Selkirk Junior High and now currently teaches at LSRCSS.
- Matt has been involved with the Lord Selkirk Teachers' Association ever since beginning his career. He began by assisting with the Equality in Education portfolio. Matt has been the ESJH school representative for the past 10+ years and has been involved with the Public Relations committee for the last few years.
- Matt will continue in his role as the Public Relations Chair, including creating and planning the PR activities for LSTA.
- He looks forward to another great year on LSTA!
- Matt Nickarz is in his 17th year of teaching in the Lord Selkirk School Division.
- He began his career in LSSD with a position at Centennial School for his first 2 years of teaching.
- Matt spent many years teaching at Ecole Selkirk Junior High and now currently teaches at LSRCSS.
- Matt has been involved with the Lord Selkirk Teachers' Association ever since beginning his career. He began by assisting with the Equality in Education portfolio. Matt has been the ESJH school representative for the past 10+ years and has been involved with the Public Relations committee for the last few years.
- Matt will continue in his role as the Public Relations Chair, including creating and planning the PR activities for LSTA.
- He looks forward to another great year on LSTA!
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAIR: Jennifer Krawchuk
- Jennifer currently teaches at Lockport School.
- Jennifer has served LSTA over the last few years in the role of secretary.
- In September 2022, Jennifer decided to move into an executive position.
- For the 2025–2026 school year, Jennifer will continue in her executive role as ESJ Chair.
- Jennifer currently teaches at Lockport School.
- Jennifer has served LSTA over the last few years in the role of secretary.
- In September 2022, Jennifer decided to move into an executive position.
- For the 2025–2026 school year, Jennifer will continue in her executive role as ESJ Chair.
INDIGENOUS VOICE CHAIR: Breanna Bedard-Sparling
- I graduated from LSSD in 2013
- I obtained my Integrated Bachelor of Arts and Education degree from the University of Winnipeg in 2019 with a major in Geography
and a double minor in Theatre and English
- I completed a 3-year literacy internship at Bernie Wolfe School while attending university and my teaching practicums.
- I began my teaching career immediately following graduation in 2019 in LSSD.
- I spent my first year of teaching at Daerwood School during the 2019–2020 school year and then began teaching at Walter Whyte School
the following school year, where I have remained since.
- I teach grade 2/3 and absolutely love it!
- I joined LSTA as a council member in my first year of teaching and have remained a part of LSTA throughout my career, both as a council member and as an executive member. I was secretary during the 2020–2021 school year. I also returned to the secretary position again for 2023-2024.
- For the 2025-2026 year, I am excited to be continuing in the executive role as the Indigenous Voice Chair.
- I graduated from LSSD in 2013
- I obtained my Integrated Bachelor of Arts and Education degree from the University of Winnipeg in 2019 with a major in Geography
and a double minor in Theatre and English
- I completed a 3-year literacy internship at Bernie Wolfe School while attending university and my teaching practicums.
- I began my teaching career immediately following graduation in 2019 in LSSD.
- I spent my first year of teaching at Daerwood School during the 2019–2020 school year and then began teaching at Walter Whyte School
the following school year, where I have remained since.
- I teach grade 2/3 and absolutely love it!
- I joined LSTA as a council member in my first year of teaching and have remained a part of LSTA throughout my career, both as a council member and as an executive member. I was secretary during the 2020–2021 school year. I also returned to the secretary position again for 2023-2024.
- For the 2025-2026 year, I am excited to be continuing in the executive role as the Indigenous Voice Chair.
Employee Benefits: Arthur Holroyd
- Arthur teaches grade 7 French immersion at ESJH.
- He is in his third year of teaching and is new to the executive. In his three years of teaching he has had a broad range of experiences from teaching grade 9 drama and English to French immersion kindergarten.
- He started his teaching career by teaching theatre for ten years through a variety of different organizations from Manitoba Theatre for Young People to the Autism Learning Centre.
- Arthur is a committed labour activist having been tangentially involved in a variety of labour related endeavours. An example being the Selkirk and District Labour Council planning committee and workplace health and safety committee in the Interlake School Division.
- Arthur is super excited to be helping represent LSTA members and looks forward to helping members' with Employee Benefits.
- Arthur teaches grade 7 French immersion at ESJH.
- He is in his third year of teaching and is new to the executive. In his three years of teaching he has had a broad range of experiences from teaching grade 9 drama and English to French immersion kindergarten.
- He started his teaching career by teaching theatre for ten years through a variety of different organizations from Manitoba Theatre for Young People to the Autism Learning Centre.
- Arthur is a committed labour activist having been tangentially involved in a variety of labour related endeavours. An example being the Selkirk and District Labour Council planning committee and workplace health and safety committee in the Interlake School Division.
- Arthur is super excited to be helping represent LSTA members and looks forward to helping members' with Employee Benefits.