About Us

Diana White

Director

diana.white@aplc.ca

Diana brings with her a strong educational background, having served as a classroom teacher, school administrator and Director of Learning and Instruction. Her background in leadership, curriculum implementation, assessment, numeracy, inclusion, and facilitating professional learning has equipped her to effectively support educators at all levels. Currently serving as the Director of the Central Alberta Office of The Consortium, Diana uses her experience and passion to support teachers, school administrators, and system leaders. Her collaborative approach empowers educators to navigate complex challenges with the goal of inspiring and equipping staff to do their most exceptional work for students.

Nancy Penney

Executive Assistant

nancy.penney@aplc.ca

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I have been with the consortia for 16 years, in various capacities, working with 5 different Executive Directors, moving locations 4 times, and navigating 5 different registration systems. I am Alberta born and raised and have lived in Red Deer for 38 years. I have 5 adult children and 5 grandsons all of whom live here in Red Deer.  My favorite times include family, friends, church, gardening and reading.

Margaret Savage

Financial Coordinator

centralalberta.accounting@aplc.ca

Margaret has over 20 years of experience in business management, human resources, marketing and analysis. In September 2020, Margaret joined the Central Alberta Office team in the role of Financial Coordinator.

Always up for a challenge, Margaret enjoys the ever changing demands of the Central Alberta office and working as part of the team to meet the needs of those the Central Alberta office provides service to.

Amy Ramsay

Communications Coordinator

Amy joins the Central Alberta Office with a background in office administration, library leadership and community programming. Most recently, she was the Library Manager at the Innisfail Public Library, where she discovered just how much she enjoys bringing ideas to life. She also has a background in aquatics with the City of Red Deer, where she especially enjoyed teaching first aid and advanced lifesaving courses.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys coffee and a good book, preferably while cuddling her dogs, Solo and Chewie (named for the family’s love of Star Wars). Her perfect day might also include a convertible ride to a farmers’ market to shop local or designing a tablescape for a themed dinner party.

Chris Zarski

Designer of Professional Learning

chris.zarski@aplc.ca

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Chris is supporting Alberta teachers as a Curriculum Implementation Support Consultant with the Central Alberta Office of The Consortium. She recently served as the Director of Instruction and Staff Development for the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School Division. Throughout her 40+ year career as a teacher, administrator, Examiner with Alberta Education, author and assessment & pedagogical consultant with McGraw Hill/Nelson Publishing, Chris continues her passion for learning and sharing her experiences. With years of experience and opportunities to amass a variety of resources and approaches to pedagogy and assessment, Chris continues to read and stay up-to-date with the current literature and research. “Deepening our students’ learning begins with us as educators – having a deep understanding of our subject, and a toolbox full of strategies to pull out as needed.” Come join Chris as she helps fill that toolbox and challenges your thinking!

Chris has her Master’s degree from the University of Alberta focused on assessment and professional learning. She loves to learn and believes that all students have the ability to learn at high levels. Chris also believes that teachers have the best profession ever – enlightening new minds and sparking interest in learning! WOW – how great is that!

Cathy Coers

Designer of Professional Learning

cathy.coers@aplc.ca

Cathy brings with her the experiences of: being a classroom teacher for over 20 years, taking on leadership roles within her school division that included administrative experiences, providing learning supports through being a learning coach, a math curriculum implementation lead, and an AISI leader, as well as providing professional development experiences as a Designer of Professional Learning with the Consortium since 2016. Her work has focused on the areas of literacy, mathematics, assessment, instructional practices and design. She looks for opportunities to work toward building the best possible learning environments.

Cathy earned her Master’s Degree in the Science of Education focusing on the Art and Science of Teaching. In 2018, she became a certified Independent Lynn Erickson and Lois Lanning Concept-Based Curriculum & Instruction Presenter and Trainer.

Sandi Berg

Designer of Professional Learning

sandi.berg@aplc.ca

An unscripted math classroom requires a deliberate architect. Sandi Berg is an Alberta educator, consultant, and the creator of Math Unscripted. Through her Guided Architect framework, she replaces procedural mimicry with the intentional visual scaffolding students need to make sense of mathematics. Drawing on deep roots in classroom teaching and regional PD, Sandi empowers teachers to shed the script, elevate mathematical thinking, and build absolute instructional confidence.

Lynda Kope

Designer of Professional Learning

lynda.kope@aplc.ca

Lynda Kope is a seasoned educator and career development professional with over 30 years of experience in secondary and postsecondary education. She currently serves as a Designer of Professional Learning for The Consortium in Career Education. Her background includes supporting transition research for Alberta high school students with SRDC and teaching career education courses at the University of Alberta.

Lynda spent much of her career with the Battle River School Division, where she held progressive roles such as Division Career Counsellor and Student Services Coordinator. She has led the design of student-centered programs, off-campus learning opportunities, and professional learning for educators.

Known for her blend of practical experience, instructional expertise, and system-level insight, Lynda is deeply committed to helping students explore and achieve their goals through meaningful educational and career pathways.

Jackie Taylor

Designer of Professional Learning

jackie.taylor@aplc.ca

Jackie Taylor is currently serving as the Career Education Project Manager for The Consortium. Jackie has spent the last ten years of her 34 year career specializing in leadership of career education, dual credit, work experience and collegiate programming. As the Executive Director of the Community Learning Campus for Chinook’s Edge School Division and Olds College, as well as the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI), Jackie has been deeply involved in the development of these secondary and postsecondary experiences within our school systems. Her background includes school and division administration roles leading schools and school administrators in their school career education design, as well as development of key school and division-based roles that strengthen career education design.

Jackie is known for her ability to support development and direction of school programming and lead capacity building of teams to deliver impactful learning environments for students. Jackie blends her practical experience, career education expertise, and system-level leadership to the work she does across the province. Jackie is deeply committed to achieving strong career education design where students explore and achieve their goals through meaningful career pathway experiences and support.