Melissa Flynn, Megan Norris, Angela Gale, Kayla Abrams, and Terri Gordon
"Nothing Changes Until Something Changes”: the Yukon First Nation School Board’s Journey Transforming Literacy
The First Nation School Board (FNSB) in Whitehorse, Yukon, was established in February 2022. One of its first priorities was improving literacy outcomes for all Yukon learners. Guided by community, the FNSB created a comprehensive literacy plan, including the implementation of universal screening tools and mandating structured literacy practices. Today, members of FNSB will share about their journey so far and their vision for what’s ahead.
https://www.fnsb.ca/
"Nothing Changes Until Something Changes”: the Yukon First Nation School Board’s Journey Transforming Literacy
The First Nation School Board (FNSB) in Whitehorse, Yukon, was established in February 2022. One of its first priorities was improving literacy outcomes for all Yukon learners. Guided by community, the FNSB created a comprehensive literacy plan, including the implementation of universal screening tools and mandating structured literacy practices. Today, members of FNSB will share about their journey so far and their vision for what’s ahead.
https://www.fnsb.ca/
Melissa Flynn Executive Director
Drin Hozo! Melissa is a Tr'ondek Hwech'in citizen from the Yukon. She grew up fishing, hunting and berry picking with her parents, grandmother and aunties. Melissa has worked in Education in the Yukon for the last 14 years as a Hän language teacher, Vice Principal and now as the Executive Director of the newly formed First Nation School Board. Melissa has the honour of working with our Yukon learners, families, First Nation Governments and school teams delivering an enriched learning experience that is embedded in local culture and worldview.
Megan Norris Literacy Lead
Megan Norris has the honor of being the First Nation School Board’s Lead Literacy Coach. She was born and raised on Treaty 6 Territory and Metis Nation 4 in central Alberta, the traditional territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Salteaux, Nakota Sioux, and Métis people. Megan is the great-great-granddaughter of European settlers with Dutch, English, and Irish roots. Before moving to the Yukon, she worked as a teacher and speech-language pathologist in Edmonton, Alberta.
In the Fall of 2022, Megan joined the First Nation School Board (FNSB) and had the privilege of working with Melissa Flynn, FNSB’s Executive Director, to envision how the school board could support learners in becoming confident readers and writers. Guided by the knowledge and wisdom of students, families, and Yukon First Nations communities, the FNSB’s literacy plan, which aligns with the science of reading, was implemented in the 2023-24 school year. It has been an honour for Megan to walk alongside FNSB schools and Yukon First Nations throughout this journey. It truly feels like a gift to learn from each community. Megan is passionate about using research and evidence-based instruction to meet the needs of learners. She believes humility, compassion, and curiosity are at the heart of this work and she’s grateful for the opportunity to serve others in this way. In addition to this work, Megan enjoys being outside – hiking and skiing – and spending time with friends and family.
Megan Norris has the honor of being the First Nation School Board’s Lead Literacy Coach. She was born and raised on Treaty 6 Territory and Metis Nation 4 in central Alberta, the traditional territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Salteaux, Nakota Sioux, and Métis people. Megan is the great-great-granddaughter of European settlers with Dutch, English, and Irish roots. Before moving to the Yukon, she worked as a teacher and speech-language pathologist in Edmonton, Alberta.
In the Fall of 2022, Megan joined the First Nation School Board (FNSB) and had the privilege of working with Melissa Flynn, FNSB’s Executive Director, to envision how the school board could support learners in becoming confident readers and writers. Guided by the knowledge and wisdom of students, families, and Yukon First Nations communities, the FNSB’s literacy plan, which aligns with the science of reading, was implemented in the 2023-24 school year. It has been an honour for Megan to walk alongside FNSB schools and Yukon First Nations throughout this journey. It truly feels like a gift to learn from each community. Megan is passionate about using research and evidence-based instruction to meet the needs of learners. She believes humility, compassion, and curiosity are at the heart of this work and she’s grateful for the opportunity to serve others in this way. In addition to this work, Megan enjoys being outside – hiking and skiing – and spending time with friends and family.
Angela Gale Literacy Coach
Angela Gale has called the Yukon her home for the past 30 years. She has lived in several communities (Mayo, Watson Lake, Haines Junction), where she and her husband raised their three children, and now reside in Whitehorse. Angela is originally from a large family and grew up in Newfoundland. Angela has been a classroom teacher and Learning Assistance Teacher for close to 20 years. She loved the pace of a primary classroom, engaging students with outdoor learning and cultural experiences. She brought these experiences back to the classroom and incorporated them into the curriculum using direct, explicit instruction.
Early in her teaching career, she was fortunate to complete the Wilson Reading System, which gave her the skills to teach all children to read and write. Using direct, explicit, and sequential instruction, she taught reading and writing in the classroom and with small groups of children who struggled to learn to read. All children made gains! Angela believes all kids must have the same opportunity to learn to read. For this to occur, all teachers must be open to embracing direct, explicit, sequential instruction. Angela is grateful to be working as a literacy coach with the First Nation School Board, supporting the implementation of structured literacy practices. As a Literacy Coach, Angela supports classroom teachers in aligning their practices with the science of reading, so that all students learn the skills they need to see themselves as readers! It’s a very rewarding job!
Angela Gale has called the Yukon her home for the past 30 years. She has lived in several communities (Mayo, Watson Lake, Haines Junction), where she and her husband raised their three children, and now reside in Whitehorse. Angela is originally from a large family and grew up in Newfoundland. Angela has been a classroom teacher and Learning Assistance Teacher for close to 20 years. She loved the pace of a primary classroom, engaging students with outdoor learning and cultural experiences. She brought these experiences back to the classroom and incorporated them into the curriculum using direct, explicit instruction.
Early in her teaching career, she was fortunate to complete the Wilson Reading System, which gave her the skills to teach all children to read and write. Using direct, explicit, and sequential instruction, she taught reading and writing in the classroom and with small groups of children who struggled to learn to read. All children made gains! Angela believes all kids must have the same opportunity to learn to read. For this to occur, all teachers must be open to embracing direct, explicit, sequential instruction. Angela is grateful to be working as a literacy coach with the First Nation School Board, supporting the implementation of structured literacy practices. As a Literacy Coach, Angela supports classroom teachers in aligning their practices with the science of reading, so that all students learn the skills they need to see themselves as readers! It’s a very rewarding job!
Kayla Abrams Literacy Coach
Kayla Abrams is honoured to be a part of the First Nation School Board’s Literacy Team! She’s passionate about helping students learn to read and feels privileged to be supporting the implementation of research and evidence-based approaches to reading through FNSB’s literacy plan. Kayla love to spend time outdoors – camping, biking and hiking – and she loves calling the picturesque Yukon her home! During over 15 years in the North, Kayla has had the privilege of visiting, learning from, and supporting many communities across the Yukon and Northwest Territories in speech, language, and literacy in her role as a school-based speech-language pathologist. Kayla is grateful for the opportunity to spend more time in the communities of the Yukon in her role as Literacy Coach, building relationships with our FNSB schools and helping support students on their literacy journey! Kayla feels very honoured to be a part of this wonderful team!
Kayla Abrams is honoured to be a part of the First Nation School Board’s Literacy Team! She’s passionate about helping students learn to read and feels privileged to be supporting the implementation of research and evidence-based approaches to reading through FNSB’s literacy plan. Kayla love to spend time outdoors – camping, biking and hiking – and she loves calling the picturesque Yukon her home! During over 15 years in the North, Kayla has had the privilege of visiting, learning from, and supporting many communities across the Yukon and Northwest Territories in speech, language, and literacy in her role as a school-based speech-language pathologist. Kayla is grateful for the opportunity to spend more time in the communities of the Yukon in her role as Literacy Coach, building relationships with our FNSB schools and helping support students on their literacy journey! Kayla feels very honoured to be a part of this wonderful team!
Terri Gordon Early Learning Lead
Terri Gordon grew up on a farm in southwest Saskatchewan on Treaty 4 land. Her family is Scottish and English. Terri has spent time in Arizona, North Carolina, and North Dakota. Before moving to the Yukon, she supported families as a speech-language pathologist in Cree and Dene communities in northern Saskatchewan.Terri aspires to give space for caregivers and learners to be seen, heard, and supported. She walks alongside learners as they journey to school by supporting school staff and caregivers to grow play, language, and literacy in 4- year old and 5- year old kindergarten classrooms. In addition to this work, Terri likes to spend time outside cross-country skiing or camping.
Terri Gordon grew up on a farm in southwest Saskatchewan on Treaty 4 land. Her family is Scottish and English. Terri has spent time in Arizona, North Carolina, and North Dakota. Before moving to the Yukon, she supported families as a speech-language pathologist in Cree and Dene communities in northern Saskatchewan.Terri aspires to give space for caregivers and learners to be seen, heard, and supported. She walks alongside learners as they journey to school by supporting school staff and caregivers to grow play, language, and literacy in 4- year old and 5- year old kindergarten classrooms. In addition to this work, Terri likes to spend time outside cross-country skiing or camping.