The B.C. Literacy Council of the International Literacy Association
Carrie Froese
President
Carrie joined the International Literacy Association in her first year as a teacher. 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 also served on the International Literacy Association Nomination Committee in 2023 and 2024.
She is currently the Executive Director of the Wild About Outdoor Learning Society and a Consultant with her company, Inquire2Empower Educational Consulting. She is a prolific reader, aspiring writer, and is passionate about supporting literacy learners. She has experience as a school principal, Faculty Associate (teaching preservice teachers) and Reading Instructor at Simon Fraser University, English Teacher/ teacher of teachers at The Fuyang Bureau of Education and Teacher of Kindergarten to grade 12 students; English as an Additional Language; Special Education in Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Abbotsford Schools.
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
Member at Large
Larkyn is a Grade 2/3 teacher at Maywood Elementary School in the Burnaby School District. She completed her first degree in Philosophy at Queen’s University. Her interest in literacy and young children was piqued while teaching English to children in Vietnam and Taiwan. She 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 she can support young literacy learners to answer their questions in a joyful context.
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