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Meet the Executive

Welcome to the 2022-2023 Executive Members

Appreciation and congratulations to the latest slate of the of
The B.C. Literacy Council of the International Literacy Association

Carrie Froese
President

Carrie has been active in the International Literacy Association since her first year of teaching in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She has served on the executive committee of her local association (LOMCIRA), provincial association and presented at ILA events in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She is currently serving on the International Literacy Association Nomination Committee. She is a prolific reader, aspiring writer, and is passionate about supporting literacy learners. She worked in three school districts as a teacher, then principal; taught reading methods at Simon Fraser University; preservice teachers at SFU; practicing teachers at The Fuyang Bureau of Education in China; and is now working as the Executive Director of Wild About Outdoor Learning Society and as an Educational Consultant with Inquire2Empower Consulting.

carriefroese@gmail.com

Michael Bowden
Past-President

Mike is a currently the Director of Instruction of Aboriginal Education in Kamloops SD 73. He holds a Curriculum and Instruction graduate degree from the University of Calgary. He is also serving as a Director on the BC School Superintendent's Board. He is a past Principal in the Nechako School District. Mike is a storyteller and published children's author of fictional Secwépemc tales that reflect Indigenous ways of knowing. He is a long-time member of the ILA and has been actively involved in giving presentations and organizing professional development in literacy. He is a past president of the Canadian Special Interest Group on Literacy and founding chair of the Indigenous Peoples Special Interest Group. He has been actively involved with the Canadian Network of ILA Councils for many years and remains committed to Literacy and education.

mbowden@sd73.bc.ca

Larkyn Froese
Vice-President

Larkyn’s interest in literacy was piqued while teaching English to young children in Vietnam and Taiwan.  She completely her first degree in Philosophy at Queen’s University and recently graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Education degree with a minor in Curriculum and Instruction. She is an avid reader and fascinated with how we can support young literacy learners to answer their questions in a joyful context.  She is currently working in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver as a teacher on call. 


Secretary

open / rotating basis by Executive Members

Linda Klassen
Treasurer

Fostering the love of literacy has always been Linda's calling. She has served as a classroom teacher, reading lecturer, elementary school principal and teacher-educator. Presently Linda shares her enthusiasm for literacy learning with students and teachers in BC's lower mainland. As an educator for the past 30 years, Linda has taught students from kindergarten to university. Literacy learning is central to school life and helping teachers and students find the joy in reading is key to lifelong learning.

Linda Klassen
Membership

open / position currently assumed by Linda Klassen

linda_klassen@hotmail.com

Susan Ruzic

Susan Ruzic has 25 years' experience working in elementary education, including ELL and library. Her focus is teaching using a social justice/anti oppressive lens in her classroom and inspiring her colleagues to do the same in the teacher's union. She believes we must recognize the work on reconciliation and decolonization that must take place in the education system so that everyone can participate and have meaningful learning experiences. Many of us who benefitted from the system must now actively do the work to make sure that Indigenous, Black, people of colour, LGBTQ2S+, neurodivergent and people with disabilities can break barriers and participate in the journey with us. We all benefit from new perspectives and listening to unique voices in order to create a truly inclusive education system. Through literacy learning we can begin this journey.

Dr. Karen Addie
ILA British Columbia Provincial Coordinator

3-year term appointed by International Literacy Association (3rd year of term)

Karen has extensive experience as a K-9 administrator, elementary classroom teacher, Music Specialist and Resource Teacher. She has worked across four diverse BC School Districts. She completed a PhD from the University of Oregon and is also a UBC graduate. She supported broad literacy initiatives in her school-based leadership roles as well as served as a VSB District Curriculum & Assessment Consultant. She served on the BCPVPA Professional Learning Committee designing new administrative standards. She designed literacy components for a leading-edge district STEAM program. Karen taught at the University level and she also enjoyed working with beginning teachers as a mentoring Faculty Associate. Over time, she has actively contributed to many BCILA professional development activities. She has presented at international conferences and many schools in Canada and the US. Karen's research encompasses the area of literacy and core curriculum competencies and she brings her international expertise to the area of assessment to her work. She currently is an elementary teacher with a strong focus on literacy and she also consultants for parents, colleagues and educational organizations. She has a passion for new children's books and sharing these treasures!

karenaddie08@gmail.com