2024/2025 LATA Executive
President: Jennifer Chobotiuk
Jennifer graduated from the University of Lethbridge with her B.Ed. in 2003. Since then she has taught in a variety of roles and settings in both Alberta and British Columbia. Through her experience she has developed a passion for supporting diverse learners. Jennifer has been fully immersed in her role as a Resource Teacher for the past 6 years in the Vancouver School District . She uses her collaborative nature and creativity to work with classroom teachers to support all of their students.
Jennifer graduated from the University of Lethbridge with her B.Ed. in 2003. Since then she has taught in a variety of roles and settings in both Alberta and British Columbia. Through her experience she has developed a passion for supporting diverse learners. Jennifer has been fully immersed in her role as a Resource Teacher for the past 6 years in the Vancouver School District . She uses her collaborative nature and creativity to work with classroom teachers to support all of their students.
Vice-President: Natalie Raedwulf Pogue
Nat Raedwulf Pogue is an Autistic, multiply disabled Learning Support Teacher living and working on Vancouver Island on the traditional territories of the K'omox and Liǧʷiɫdax̌w First Peoples. Nat holds a Master of Education in Special Education with her thesis research receiving the Reach Award for its novel insights into Autistic student and teacher experiences in public school. A passionate champion for marginalized representation in public school, Nat was awarded the Prime Minister Certificate of Achievement for Teaching Excellence for her advocacy in 2024. She sits on a variety of committees dedicated to teacher professional development, disability justice and accessibility in school and wholeheartedly believes in the need to increase visibility and reduce barriers to disabled teachers and students in schools and other community spaces.
Nat Raedwulf Pogue is an Autistic, multiply disabled Learning Support Teacher living and working on Vancouver Island on the traditional territories of the K'omox and Liǧʷiɫdax̌w First Peoples. Nat holds a Master of Education in Special Education with her thesis research receiving the Reach Award for its novel insights into Autistic student and teacher experiences in public school. A passionate champion for marginalized representation in public school, Nat was awarded the Prime Minister Certificate of Achievement for Teaching Excellence for her advocacy in 2024. She sits on a variety of committees dedicated to teacher professional development, disability justice and accessibility in school and wholeheartedly believes in the need to increase visibility and reduce barriers to disabled teachers and students in schools and other community spaces.
Treasurer: Sylvie Afilal
I am Sylvie Afilal and I teach Early French Immersion in Surrey. I have an interest in Learning Assistance because as a classroom teacher I find that when I have a collaborative approach with the Learning Support Teacher (that is the title of Learning Assistance Teachers in Surrey) I can best support students in my classroom as they are leaning in an additional language. I am proud to serve LATA as treasurer this year.
I am Sylvie Afilal and I teach Early French Immersion in Surrey. I have an interest in Learning Assistance because as a classroom teacher I find that when I have a collaborative approach with the Learning Support Teacher (that is the title of Learning Assistance Teachers in Surrey) I can best support students in my classroom as they are leaning in an additional language. I am proud to serve LATA as treasurer this year.
Secretary: Sarah Soltau
Sarah Soltau is an educator in SD85. She currently supports educators around BC in her role as secretary on LATA's Executive Committee. Sarah supports her local colleagues as the Professional Development Chairperson for the Vancouver Island North Teachers' Association. Throughout her career, she has been an active member of several BCTF PSAs and other professional networks.
Sarah Soltau is an educator in SD85. She currently supports educators around BC in her role as secretary on LATA's Executive Committee. Sarah supports her local colleagues as the Professional Development Chairperson for the Vancouver Island North Teachers' Association. Throughout her career, she has been an active member of several BCTF PSAs and other professional networks.
Past President: Danielle Neer
Coordinator - Chapters and Liaison with LSAs: Danielle Neer
Click to see Danielle's bio from our January newsletter.
Click to see Danielle's bio from our January newsletter.
Coordinator - Professional Development: Rachael Froese
Coordinator - Membership and Surveys: Debbie Comer
Members-at-large:
Members at Large
Brianne Bartel
Brianne Bartel is new to her role as a Learning Assistance/Resource Teacher in School District 85, Vancouver Island North. Passionate about inclusive education, she is dedicated to supporting diverse learners by fostering confidence, independence, and academic success. Brianne joined the BC Learning Assistance Teachers' Association to learn and grow as an LART, and to also contribute to a professional learning community.
Brianne Bartel is new to her role as a Learning Assistance/Resource Teacher in School District 85, Vancouver Island North. Passionate about inclusive education, she is dedicated to supporting diverse learners by fostering confidence, independence, and academic success. Brianne joined the BC Learning Assistance Teachers' Association to learn and grow as an LART, and to also contribute to a professional learning community.
Kathy L. Cabana
Kathy (She/her) has always been a passionate advocate for inclusive education and is committed to supporting School Team based. She graduated from the Université du Québec in Montreal (UQAM) with her B.Ed. in Special Education in 2013.
Kathy has been fully immersed in her role as a Learning Support Teacher and School counsellor in French Communities for the past 10 years in the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique. Kathy’s commitment to ensuring the support of all families and their children is evident in her work.
She graduated from the Université de Saint-Boniface with her M.Ed. in School Counselling in 2020. She is doing a Post-graduate certificate in the cognitive didactics of learning difficulties in reading and writing from UQAM. Since then, she has taught in a variety of school, and roles and settings in British Columbia she is currently working as Learning Support Teacher in Victoria and online with École Virtuelle as a school counsellor.
Kathy’s commitment to ensuring the support of all families and students is evident in her work. She is deeply committed to empowering teachers and EA to implement differentiated instruction and supports her team to achieve success.
Kathy remains committed to the council’s mission to provide educators with increased knowledge and understanding of students with diverse needs through professional development.
Kathy (She/her) has always been a passionate advocate for inclusive education and is committed to supporting School Team based. She graduated from the Université du Québec in Montreal (UQAM) with her B.Ed. in Special Education in 2013.
Kathy has been fully immersed in her role as a Learning Support Teacher and School counsellor in French Communities for the past 10 years in the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique. Kathy’s commitment to ensuring the support of all families and their children is evident in her work.
She graduated from the Université de Saint-Boniface with her M.Ed. in School Counselling in 2020. She is doing a Post-graduate certificate in the cognitive didactics of learning difficulties in reading and writing from UQAM. Since then, she has taught in a variety of school, and roles and settings in British Columbia she is currently working as Learning Support Teacher in Victoria and online with École Virtuelle as a school counsellor.
Kathy’s commitment to ensuring the support of all families and students is evident in her work. She is deeply committed to empowering teachers and EA to implement differentiated instruction and supports her team to achieve success.
Kathy remains committed to the council’s mission to provide educators with increased knowledge and understanding of students with diverse needs through professional development.
Ali Peterson
Yuri Watanab
Tammy Bono
Katherine Tevaarwer
I am currently a primary classroom teacher, which a keen interest in evidence based methods for teaching and learning. Prior to that I was a learning support teacher for 15 years, at both the primary and intermediate level.
I am currently a primary classroom teacher, which a keen interest in evidence based methods for teaching and learning. Prior to that I was a learning support teacher for 15 years, at both the primary and intermediate level.
Melinda Park
Want to join our executive? Please contact [email protected] for more information.