Celebrating Influential Women in the Langley School District
March 8, 2023
The Langley School District is proud to have a strong team of influential women who work hard behind the scenes to help our students reach their full potential. For International Women’s Day 2023, we wanted to highlight some amazing and inspirational individuals who make a difference and help make our District an innovative, inspiring and unified learning community.
To read about influential women highlighted by the District in previous years, click here for 2022 and here for 2021.
Kim Anderson
District Principal of Early Learning
What is your role with the District?
I am the District Principal of Early Learning, Technology and Inclusion. As District Principal, my role includes implementing, programming, and overseeing all of our Early Years programs which include StrongStart, Seamless Day, Preschool, Kindergarten and Childcare. I support successful transitions for our Early Learners and work alongside Learning Support Services in this work. I also oversee and support the implementation of our District Technology Plan and K-7 Curriculum. As president of the Langley Principals and Vice-Principals Association, I support my colleagues in their work. I enjoy the amazing team of colleagues that work each day to provide rich and meaningful learning opportunities for all of our learners.
What has your career journey been so far?
I began my journey as a primary teacher and worked in Kindergarten to Grade 4 before earning my credentials as a teacher-librarian. I worked as a classroom teacher and teacher-librarian for 17 years before becoming a school vice-principal while working towards my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. I worked as a Vice-Principal at both James Kennedy Elementary and Langley Meadows Community School, where I also supported students as a resource teacher, before becoming a principal at Lynn Fripps Elementary. After five years at Lynn Fripps, I became acting District Principal of Learning Support Services in January 2022. In August 2022 I became the District Principal of Early Learning, Technology and Inclusion. Now in my 25th year in Langley Schools, I continue to love my work in supporting educators, families and students.
What is a time that you felt you really made a difference?
I think the work that has made the greatest impact has been in supporting teachers, colleagues and families in providing rich and meaningful learning opportunities in Langley as we work to nurture the gifts of all of our learners. I have loved supporting the successful transitions of our early learners, whether in the classroom or in our “Early Years” setting. Being able to open our first District-run childcare and preschool programs has been a rewarding experience as we embrace and embed the Early Learning Framework.
What advice do you have for young women looking ahead to their careers?
Set goals and make a plan to achieve them. Remember that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. We can do hard things and stepping outside of our comfort zone creates new opportunities for learning. Be kind and be humble but don’t be afraid to use your voice to speak truth. Know that you have incredible gifts to share and can make a difference in the lives of others.
Lorna Goulet
International District Vice-Principal
What is your role with the District?
I am the International District Vice-Principal. My responsibilities include working with current International students and their families, as well as connecting with our agents and potential new students wanting to come to the excellent schools that we have in Langley.
What has your career journey been so far?
I began my career as a high school science and chemistry teacher. After 15 years, I switched departments and became the International Student Coordinator and ELL teacher at the same school. Eight years later, I joined the International Department at the school board office as a District Teacher Coordinator. This is my second year as Vice-Principal of the International Student Program.
What is a time that you felt you really made a difference?
Our school (Aldergrove Community Secondary) was celebrating 60 years, and our focus was school culture and connection. Part of that included exploring our history and questioning who we really were as a school with the First Nations on which our District resides. Those were powerful conversations that helped to restore pride, direction, and identity. I was so fortunate to be part of that leadership team and to work with staff, students and families to create an environment where we, as a school, knew we were second to none.
What advice do you have for young women looking ahead to their careers?
Be true to yourself and be strong! You are stronger than you know. Do not be afraid to set your goals high. Challenges will come your way, rise up, lean in and move forward with integrity and compassion. Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished.
Lisa Ellis
Principal at Brookswood Secondary
What is your role with the District?
I am the principal at Brookswood Secondary – proud to be a Bobcat! I never imagined myself a school principal, but I am very honoured and happy to have this role.
What has your career journey been so far?
I began teaching in Langley in 1996. In my first full year of teaching, I taught one day at H.D. Stafford Secondary and the next day at Langley Secondary – alternating all year. Over the years I taught physical education, English and AVID at various schools in Langley – Walnut Grove Secondary, H.D. Stafford Middle and Secondary, and Langley Secondary. I loved teaching and connecting with students at the classroom level.
What is a time that you felt you really made a difference?
I hope I make some sort of difference in someone’s life daily. I really love when I am out in the community and someone makes an effort to come and say, “Hi, Ms. Ellis, you were my Grade 10 teacher. How are you?” That is when I know I made a difference in some small way in their life, and to me it is the small things.
What advice do you have for young women looking ahead to their careers?
Be yourself – you do not need to be anyone different than who you are to make a positive impact on others and yourself. Don’t shy away from hard things you are stronger than you realize. Regrets are the things we didn’t do, not the ones that didn’t turn out like we hoped. Remember the words of T. S Eliot, “Every moment is a fresh beginning.”
Jessica Bain
Vice-Principal at Langley Fine Arts School
What is your role with the District?
I am the proud Vice Principal of Langley Fine Arts. I get to work alongside talented staff and students in a K-12 school. I also have the opportunity to serve as co-chair of the 2SLGBTQ+ committee and I am a member of the District Critical Response team.
What has your career journey been so far?
I started my career as a secondary classroom teacher teaching Social Studies, English and Dance. After 11 years, I moved into the world of counselling. I was a secondary counsellor for 12 years. I was really excited to enter the world of administration four years ago. I am very appreciative of my journey and the variety of experiences I have had over the last 27 years in education being able to support students and colleagues.
What is a time that you felt you really made a difference?
In all of my roles, I have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues to develop safe and caring schools. As the co-chair of the District 2SLGBTQ+ committee, I am able to support 2SLGBTQ+ students and help celebrate diversity and respect in our District. I also work with an incredible team called the District Critical Response Team. This team is used during a time of crisis to support students, colleagues, staff and the community. I feel honoured to be playing a role in this important work and together I know we are making a difference.
What advice do you have for young women looking ahead to their careers?
Believe in yourself and what you bring to the table. Know the importance of relationships and trust. Everyone is on their own path with their own unique talents so empower and lift up others rather than be competitive. Be kind to yourself and be aware of work/life balance.
Megan Zazelenchuk
Manager of Health and Wellness
What is your role with the District?
I am the Manager of Health and Wellness. Part of my role includes supporting staff when they are not able to be at work, supporting medical accommodation for employees when necessary, and to ensure a safe sustainable return to work is in place when an employee is ready to return to work. I am thankful to be part of the district’s Healthy Staff Health Schools advisory committee that promotes and supports well-being to all staff in the district.
What has your career journey been so far?
I have worked for the Langley School District for 10 years this summer. I started with the district in HR and then specialized in Disability Management. In 2018, I began working with an incredible district team to understand and support what makes people well at work – Healthy Staff, Healthy Schools.
What is a time that you felt you really made a difference?
In my daily work I provide support to employees that are often going through really challenging times. I try to provide each employee with as much information and assistance to ensure they feel supported throughout their journey.
The purpose of the Healthy Staff, Healthy Schools initiative is to create systemic change through the district where well-being is embedded in all aspects of our work. While this work is a passion of mine, I am honoured to be working towards creating a district culture of care that will have a long-term impact in supporting the well-being of all staff and students in the district.
What advice do you have for young women looking ahead to their careers?
Have the confidence to keep perspective and ensure you are making the right decisions for yourself to follow your passions, your goals, and to believe in yourself. Empower other women and others around you, and ensure you always understand the importance in taking care of yourself.