MEET YOUR 2026-2027 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 and 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 2026-2027 year, I am excited to be continuing in the executive role as the Indigenous Voice Chair and in my new role as LSTA Vice President.
- 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 2026-2027 year, I am excited to be continuing in the executive role as the Indigenous Voice Chair and in my new role as LSTA Vice President.
SECRETARY: Arthur Holroyd
- Arthur teaches grade 7 French immersion at ESJH.
- He is in his fourth year of teaching and his second year as an LSTA executive. In his four 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 endeavors. An example being the Selkirk and District Labour Council planning committee and workplace health and safety committee in the Interlake School Division.
- I am excited to be joining LSTA executive in the role of Secretary for 2026/27.
- Arthur teaches grade 7 French immersion at ESJH.
- He is in his fourth year of teaching and his second year as an LSTA executive. In his four 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 endeavors. An example being the Selkirk and District Labour Council planning committee and workplace health and safety committee in the Interlake School Division.
- I am excited to be joining LSTA executive in the role of Secretary for 2026/27.
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 seven times as a delegate.
- Laryssa returns again this year in the role as Treasurer for 2026-2027.
- 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 seven times as a delegate.
- Laryssa returns again this year in the role as Treasurer for 2026-2027.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIR: Paula Sowany
- Paula has served the members of LSTA in various capacities over the years. Starting out as a school rep for several years, she then assumed roles on the LSTA executive, such as ESJ Chairperson, Ed Finance Representative, and Vice-President. Paula was also a Member at Large for the Teacher Education and Certification Standing Committee.
- As an LSSD educator, Paula has been a part of 6 different school teams over her career. She has also served as Assistant Director of Student Services, Vice-Principal at HTS, and Principal at St. Andrews and is currently a divisional Program Director.
- Paula looks forward to continuing to serve her colleagues across the division as a member of the 2026/27 LSTA Executive.
- Paula has served the members of LSTA in various capacities over the years. Starting out as a school rep for several years, she then assumed roles on the LSTA executive, such as ESJ Chairperson, Ed Finance Representative, and Vice-President. Paula was also a Member at Large for the Teacher Education and Certification Standing Committee.
- As an LSSD educator, Paula has been a part of 6 different school teams over her career. She has also served as Assistant Director of Student Services, Vice-Principal at HTS, and Principal at St. Andrews and is currently a divisional Program Director.
- Paula looks forward to continuing to serve her colleagues across the division as a member of the 2026/27 LSTA Executive.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR: Matthew Nickarz
- Matt Nickarz is in his 20th 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 20th 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.
- Jennifer is a strong advocate for diversity across the entire LSTA and LSSD community.
- For the 2026–2027 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.
- Jennifer is a strong advocate for diversity across the entire LSTA and LSSD community.
- For the 2026–2027 school year, Jennifer will continue in her executive role as ESJ Chair.
CO-PROVINCIAL BARGAINING and EDUCATION FUNDING CHAIR: 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 2026–2027 school year, Markus will serve as the 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 2026–2027 school year, Markus will serve as the 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.’
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: Ashley Deck
- Ashley is currently working as a Guidance Counselor at Lord Selkirk Regional (Comp).
- She is currently in her second year working in the Lord Selkirk School Division.
- I previously worked as the Professional Development Chair & Educational Finance Representative for the Interlake Teacher’s Association.
- For the 2026-2027 school year, Ashley will work in her executive role as Employee Benefits Chair.
- Ashley is currently working as a Guidance Counselor at Lord Selkirk Regional (Comp).
- She is currently in her second year working in the Lord Selkirk School Division.
- I previously worked as the Professional Development Chair & Educational Finance Representative for the Interlake Teacher’s Association.
- For the 2026-2027 school year, Ashley will work in her executive role as Employee Benefits Chair.
WOMEN and LEADERSHIP CHAIR: Kelly Mendrun
- I graduated from “The Comp” in 2012 and then entered the integrated education program at the U of W, where I graduated in 2017.
- I taught French Immersion in Winnipeg for two years before coming to LSSD.
- In 2019 I started working at Ecole Bonaventure, where I taught a variety of grades as well as Reading Recovery and Learning Support.
- Most recently I moved to Happy Thought School, where I am one of the Learning Support Teachers.
- I have been an LSTA council member since 2019 and served on executive as Employee Benefits chair in 2024-2025 before going on Mat leave.
- I am excited to return to the executive team for the 2026-2027 school year as Women and Leadership chair.