Our Staff
Our Staff
Ignite Centre for eLearning is committed to ensuring that each staff member employed by the school and each student is provided with a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self. We value all members of our learning community and believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We value and respect diversity, and treat others with kindness, caring and acceptance. To learn more about our values here at Ignite, click here.
Our staff bring years of successful experience in online learning and home education and look forward to sharing their expertise with our learning community.
DR. DAYLENE LAUMAN
CO-HEAD OF SCHOOL/PRINCIPAL
In addition to 25+ years as an educator and school leader, Daylene served in the role of Online Learning Advisor with Alberta Education, working with school and system leaders across the province. She was the lead author for the ministry’s Online Learning Guide for Students and Families and Online Learning Guide for School and School Authority Leaders. Daylene’s Doctoral thesis is titled “Closing the Digital Gap Between Parents and Their Adolescent Children” and she has completed her Superintendent Leadership Certification. Daylene has a demonstrated history of successful, student-centred, results-oriented school leadership, and has served on the Leadership Team for the National Standards for Quality Online Learning, as well as the Canadian eLearning Board of Directors. Click here or on her picture to hear Dr. Daylene share more about her story!
ALISON HANCOX, MET
CO-HEAD OF SCHOOL/PRINCIPAL
Alison Hancox is the founding principal at Ignite Centre for eLearning. Alison has demonstrated online teaching, home education and leadership experience with Edmonton Public Schools and Palliser Regional Schools
Alison completed a Masters of Education Technology at the University of Queensland focused on researching best leadership practices for building leadership capacity in schools. Alison is also recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Alberta Teaching Excellence award and the National Outstanding Principals Award. Alison has completed the Superintendent Leadership certification and is an instructor of graduate students at the University of Alberta, in addition to co-instructing the Leadership Quality Standard certification at the University of Calgary.
STEPHANIE KRAMMER
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
HS CTS/OPTIONS TEACHER
Stephanie is an energetic, highly skilled online teacher who was recently a recipient of the 2020 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Stephanie is thrilled to join the leadership team at Ignite where she will continue to apply her passion in ensuring that students feel a sense of belonging to our learning community and supporting teachers in that work. Stephanie has completed the Leadership Quality Standard certification. Click here or on Steph’s picture to hear her share more about her story!
NEELA BELL
JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER
Neela has been an online teacher and consultant for many years, and has a passion for exploring ways to build engaging, personalized online courses that support a diversity of learners. She has taught in a variety schools divisions around Alberta, including Wild Rose, Sturgeon and Edmonton Public Schools.
KOURTNEY SKIPWORTH
ADMIN ASSISTANT
Kourtney comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience from within the online school environment. Helping to create and build a flexible but solid foundation within the realm of online educational services, Kourtney believes in the value and success of educational diversity and is dedicated to supporting our staff, students, and families to reach their educational goals. Click here or on Kourtney’s picture to learn more about her!
AMARAH ISHAQUE
HS MATH TEACHER
Amarah is an experienced educator with years of online, local and international teaching experience. She has taught and designed courses using different provincial curriculums and is certified for the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. She loves to help students visualize and connect with Math and Science. She completed a Masters of Education from the University of Windsor and is focused on finding various ways to make learning more engaging and fun using technology. Amarah received the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2023.
SANDRA CHAULK
HS HUMANITIES TEACHER
Sandra is a passionate educator who brings a diverse background of education and experience across the multiple disciplines of physical education, music, business, ESL and the humanities. She has taught both online and in the classroom, at various levels, for many years. You can find her reading, creating healthy plant-based recipes, leading yoga classes, kayaking, or hiking when she is not teaching. Sandra maintains a holistic approach to teaching always focused on student mental health and wellness, helping students achieve their educational goals and dreams.
MARILYN MCKNIGHT
ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Marilyn is an experienced teacher who loves the challenge of creating innovative programs and fostering a sense of community in an online environment. She was recognized in 2009 with the Prime Minister’s Excellence in Teaching award and since then, has become a certified Google Educator and certified TESL. Marilyn is very excited to be a part of building an engaging elementary program at Ignite. Click here or click on her picture to hear Ms. Marilyn share more!
JENNY YUEN
ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Jenny is a dedicated educator and community advocate. Following her graduation with a degree in Biological Sciences, she pursued an After Degree in Education. Throughout her teaching career, spanning diverse grade levels, Jenny has honed her skills in online learning, educational technology, and innovative teaching methodologies. In addition to her classroom teaching, Jenny also offers online piano lessons, bringing her love for music into her educational practice. Jenny is passionate about building an interactive and authentic learning program at Ignite. Click here or on Jenny’s picture to hear her share more about her story!
SELINA TOYAD
HS SCIENCE TEACHER
Selina is an innovative, supportive, and inclusive educator, who has diverse experience in teaching high school sciences with online and in-person classrooms. She enjoys connecting and getting to know her students, and finding ways to connect them to their learning in a meaningful way. Selina was recognized with the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2025.
MERCEDES BENDER
HS MATH/SCIENCE TEACHER
Mercedes is a dedicated teacher with a wide range of experience in both classroom and online learning environments. Over her seven years in the classroom, she has taught a variety of junior high subjects in both French Immersion and English programs, including math, science, FSL, physical education, and health. For the past five years, Mercedes has focused on developing a deeper understanding of dyslexia and other language-related learning disorders, with the goal of enhancing awareness and providing meaningful support for individuals with dyslexia, regardless of their age or stage in their learning journey.
Mercedes’ greatest passion lies in the fields of math and science, and she is thrilled to be sharing that enthusiasm with her students this year alongside the amazing team at Ignite. Outside of teaching, Mercedes enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Bruno, as well as practicing Jiu-Jitsu.
JORDAN TINDALL
HS HUMANITIES TEACHER
Jordan is a dedicated teacher with extensive experience in the humanities, specializing in English, Social Studies, and options courses. She has taught both secondary and post-secondary students in diverse settings, including online and in-person classrooms. Jordan is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment that promotes mental health and values every student. Outside the classroom, she enjoys camping, reading, and spending time at the dog park. Jordan is eager to continue with Ignite this year, dedicated to building a supportive learning environment and connecting with her students. Click here or on Jordan’s picture to hear her story!
MASON STEWART
JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER
Mason Stewart is a seasoned educator with 13+ years of teaching experience across Winnipeg, Cairo, and Calgary. With a specialization in Math and Science, Mason thrives in diverse educational settings. As a proud Métis, he uniquely incorporates his cultural heritage into his teaching philosophy. Going beyond academics, Mason prioritizes emotional intelligence, fostering genuine student relationships. His balanced approach makes him a teacher who empowers students and provides a comprehensive learning experience. Click here or on Mason’s picture to hear him chat about his story!
MICHELLE RAKOCZY
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION TEACHER
With over 20 years of experience in teaching students with diverse learning needs across many grade levels, Michelle is committed to creating an inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environment for her students. She is passionate about connecting with students and empowering them to reach their full potential. Michelle strives to help each student feel valued and capable of achieving success.
SHELEEN ZIELKE
FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTITIONER
Sheleen is our Family Support Practitioner here at Ignite Centre for eLearning. She began her career in childcare and eventually went back to school to become a Child and Youth Services Worker. From there she branched out into helping adults and families as well. She is a mother to four beautiful children and in her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, writing, and drawing. Sheleen enjoys this line of work because she’s always believed that it takes a village to raise a child into an independent, caring and confident adult. Ignite is one of those villages and she is grateful to be a part of our team! Click here or on Sheleen’s picture to hear her speak about her role at Ignite.
MELISSA DUGGAN, CYCAA
CHILD & YOUTH CARE COUNSELLOR
We are thrilled to re-welcome Melissa as our Child & Youth Care Practitioner! Melissa recently graduated from Lethbridge College with Distinction where she won 4 scholarships, including the CYCAA student scholarship (Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta). Click here or on Melissa’s picture to learn more about her and why she loves being at Ignite!
KADY DIBBEN
CHILD & YOUTH CARE PRACTITIONER
Kady is a dedicated mother of three wonderful children and two bonus kids. With eight years of experience in healthcare, she has always been passionate about helping others and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Alongside her healthcare background, Kady is a skilled newborn and children photographer, capturing precious moments of early childhood. Her time spent working with students in the classroom has been incredibly fulfilling, and she looks forward to the next chapter of her journey with Ignite, eager to continue making an impact. Click here or on Kady’s picture to hear her Ignite story.
ERIN DANFORTH
NIGHTWIND PROJECT COORDINATOR/TEACHER
Erin is an experienced educator with over 20 years dedicated to working with Indigenous learners of all ages. She is passionate about fostering environments where students can make meaningful connections to learning and skillfully integrates Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum. Erin is skilled at differentiating instruction to meet diverse needs and excels at supporting students in discovering and exploring their individual gifts, talents, and passions.
MADDIE LAUMAN
NIGHTWIND TEACHER
Maddie is a teacher with an extensive background in special needs and individualized learning. She has been working with children, youth, and adults with exceptional needs for over 10 years. She graduated from the University of Alberta with her Bachelor’s of Education in Elementary Education. She is so excited to be a part of this team, and to re-Ignite a passion for learning amongst students!
KIMBERLEY FRASER-AIRHART
NIGHTWIND TEACHER
“nitisikason Kimberley Fraser-Airhart, amiskwaciywaskihikan ochi niya (my name is Kimberley Fraser-Airhart. I am from Beaver Hills Mountain House, a space now called Edmonton). Michif iskwew niya (I am a Métis woman).”
Kimberley is a Métis professional with over 7 years of experience advancing Indigenous education, language revitalization, and strategic program development. She is proud to share about her successes in team leadership, community engagement, and systems-level change through her work in Métis teaching and learning. Her work is grounded in relational accountability and innovation rooted in Métis knowledge systems.
She is excited to join the Ignite team working with youth at the Nightwind Treatment Centre, and is looking forward to connecting with students in relational, good ways!
KOHKOM LINDA PICHE-GORDON
SCHOOL ELDER
Kohkom Linda is a proud Métis storyteller, mother, and grandmother to 9 grandchildren. She is best known for her beautiful storytelling (Coyote’s Eyes, The Story of the Stars) , and brings a wealth of wisdom and experience in Indigenous ways of knowing to the Ignite learning and teaching community. Kohkom Linda spent much of her career as a social worker, and continues to work with youth and adults at risk. Her favourite past time is spending time with her grand children as well as travelling, reading, and e-biking.
KEVIN WTTEWAALL, M.Ed.
SENIOR TECH. CONSULTANT
KRISTINA HILL
IGNITE BOOKKEEPER
Kristina completed her Business Degree at the University of Alberta and since 2010 has followed her love for numbers and budgeting as a contract bookkeeper for small and medium sized businesses. She loves the work she does for Ignite Centre for eLearning!
Born and raised in the Edmonton area, Kristina, along with her family decided to make the big move to Haida Gwaii, British Columbia in June of 2023. She is happy her three children can experience where their ancestors came from and be introduced to a school system that embraces the Haida culture.
Partners in Mental Health and Wellness:
The Just Imagine Happiness Team
The skilled, caring, and compassionate team at Just Imagine Happiness are an integral part of supporting the mental health and wellness of our students, families, and staff at Ignite Centre for eLearning. Sandra Brenneis, Tracy Winter, and Andrea Morrison have a shared vision, belief, and understanding that happiness is attainable for everyone! Ignite is pleased to be able to offer specialized supports through Just Imagine Happiness for those students, families, and staff in need. Learn more about them here.
