Patricia Gartland
Assistant Superintendent International and Continuing Education-School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)
pgartland@sd43.bc.ca

With over twenty-five years of experience in teaching language education and administration K-12, along with her multilingual expertise, Patricia truly believes that Coquitlam’s International Education Program is the most dynamic and global education system for international students. Here in the Coquitlam School District our major goal for all our students studying abroad is to be able to experience the highest levels of academic and personal achievement while enjoying our Canadian west coast culture. Since 1999, Coquitlam‘s International program has given both parents and students peace of mind and an environment that ensures success and growth.
Patricia is continually focusing on program expansion and development whereby our program has grown considerably in the past 8 years.

Ross Davidson
Principal
rdavidson@sd43.bc.ca

Mr. Ross Davidson joins the International Education team after 31 years as an educator at several schools in Coquitlam School District #43. He has gained invaluable knowledge and a broad base of experience working with students, staff and the community at Moody Junior Secondary, Montgomery Junior Secondary, Como Lake Junior Secondary, Banting Junior Secondary, Port Moody Senior Secondary, GlenEagle Secondary, Moody Middle School and Scott Creek Middle School. Mr. Davidson earned a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of British Columbia and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Washington University. He has spent many years travelling the world and is a passionate supporter of International Education and experiential learning. Mr. Davidson's vast experience will be a positive influence in the ongoing development and expansion of the International Education Program in Coquitlam School District #43.

Glen Conley
Vice Principal
gconley@sd43.bc.ca

Mr. Glen Conley has ten years experience with the Coquitlam School District #43. In that time he has worked as a teacher at Kwayhquitlum Middle School; a school counsellor and student services Department Head at Scott Creek Middle School; and a vice principal at both Terry Fox Secondary and Centennial Secondary. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts - History Degree from Simon Fraser University, a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of British Columbia and a Masters Degree in International Education from Framingham State University in Massachussets. In addition to teaching in Coquitlam he lived in Australia and Indonesia for one year and spent three years teaching and counselling in kindergarten to grade 12 private schools in Latin America and Asia. Mr. Conley's varied international experiences living and working abroad brings a personalized understanding to supporting international students and families as they pursue educational excellence here in his home school district where he attended from kindergarten to grade 12.

Wendy Clark
Business Manager
wclark@sd43.bc.ca

Wendy Clark has many years business experience in the areas of office management, finance, human resources, communication and customer service. She gained a good understanding of ministry, board and school district operations, having worked as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools. Wendy is committed to effectively manage all office and administrative details for those studying abroad. She has lived on the west coast all of her life and enjoys all that it offers. She strongly supports the valuable personal experience international students receive in Coquitlam along with a quality education.

Robert Lajoie
Marketing Manager
rlajoie@sd43.bc.ca

 

Bob Lajoie is an education and training specialist with over 20 years of experience in education. Bob grew up in the Coquitlam School District, graduating from Centennial High School and moving along to BCIT & Simon Fraser University for undergraduate and graduate studies. His career focus has been international education; the import and export of educational products and services and has worked at several British Columbia public education institutions including Vancouver Community College, the Ministry of Education and the Open Learning Agency. Bob has lived and worked in over twenty countries and is committed to the ideals of quality education for the global community; quality education as driven by SD#43 and the Canada International College.

Geoffrey Johnston
Program Coordinator
gjohnston@sd43.bc.ca

Geoffrey Johnston has12 years experience with the Coquitlam School District. Geoff attended both Montgomery and Centennial Secondary as a student. He has a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix as well as a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University respectively. Geoff was the Counselling Department Head, Work Experience Coordinator and International Education Contact at Port Moody Secondary. He also has experience teaching Business, Science and ESL at the secondary level. As a program coordinator Geoff is committed to supporting students, parents and teachers.

Jean Wong
Program Coordinator
jwong@sd43.bc.ca

Jean Wong has over 25 years experience with the Coquitlam School District. She has taught and counseled ESL students at the middle and secondary levels; thus, having a very good understanding of the many cultural diversities, needs, and challenges of international students. Jean initiated and developed the curriculum for the ESL and Japanese programs at Dr. Charles Best Secondary School. She has also assisted in writing three ESL Board Authority Authorized Courses for the Coquitlam School District: ESL Skills 10, ESL Skills 11, and ESL Canadian Bridge 11. Jean has been a summer school principal for Coquitlam’s International Education Summer Program for over six years. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Professional Specialization Certificate in School Management and Leadership Studies from the University of Victoria. Jean is committed to investing in all learners, encouraging them to be the best that they can be, and celebrating their successes.

Office Staff:

• Brenda Niehaus bniehaus@sd43.bc.ca
• Diane Whitaker dwhitaker@sd43.bc.ca
• Joanne Marr jmarr@sd43.bc.ca
• Juliet A. Ang jang@sd43.bc.ca
• Fanta Tait ftait@sd43.bc.ca
• Judy Gwynn jgwynn@sd43.bc.ca
• Juley Biddlecombe jbiddlecombe@sd43.bc.ca
• Mati Ma mma@sd43.bc.ca (Chinese Youth Worker)
• Angela Jeoung ajeoung@sd43.bc.ca (Korea Youth Worker)