Personal Introductions
Trish Cull
Originally from Manitoba and then British Columbia, I received my Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary. I have been a Resource Teacher in Rocky View School Division since 1997. I was excited to join the Learning Strategies Team at Elbow Valley in 2008. Currently, I provide learning support in Grades 1 and 2. I also coordinate Individual Program Plans for complex learners in Grades 1-4 at Elbow Valley. My role includes being an active member of the students’ planning team, providing support and resources to both classroom teachers and parents as well as providing direct instruction to students according to individual needs. The best part of my job is having the privilege to work with students and their families over a period of several years. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to the families I work with and am excited to be part of their educational journey. As students grow and change, it is exciting to see them develop and progress according to their own unique beat.
Outside of school, I am a busy mom of two boys. Cameron (13) and Carson (10) both attend school in Springbank. I am grateful to be a part of the exceptional learning environment both as a professional and as a parent. We are actively involved in the Springbank community, certainly spending our fair share of time at the hockey rink and soccer pitches. I also love to read and cook, especially while hosting family and friends. In the summer months, we spend as much time as possible at our cottage in Northern Alberta.
Christi White
Although I am a born and bred prairie girl from Stettler, Alberta, I have been in Calgary since 1991. My experience with children began with Before and After School programs as I went to university. This was followed with several years as a camp counsellor at Tim Horton's Children's Ranch in Kananaskis and a Challenge Camp director teaching outdoor skills in Canmore. I spent many days on rivers and rock teaching environmental ideas as we explored how we respectively interact with the earth and everything offered there.
I earned my Bachelor of Education at University of Calgary in 1997 and began teaching at Elbow Valley Elementary in the fall of 1998 in the Special Needs area. At this time I was responsible for supporting students in grades 3 and 4 as well as creating IPPs and programs for the students with more complex needs. I thoroughly enjoyed and treasure what I learned from my students, their families and the staff at Elbow Valley during the 10 years that I was there originally. I left Elbow Valley in April of 2007 in order to begin my own family.
My husband I have two amazing children, Ryan (9) and Nyah (7). We spend a great deal of time in the outdoors camping, wakesurfing, skiing and, simply, playing. Most of this time is spent in the East Kootenays, in and around Fernie, BC. During the school year we also take part in gymnastics, swimming and skiing. Both my children are also attending Elbow Valley in grades 2 and kindergarten for this school year.
I am very fortunate and excited to become part of the Elbow Valley "family" once again. This time I am reaping the benefits of being a parent and teacher at this amazing school! How lucky can I be?!!
Judy Svarich
I have had the pleasure of working with young children for many years. I have taught students from Kindergarten to Grade 9. I am a native Calgarian, and I have lived in Springbank for 20 years. My children attended Springbank schools. I graduated from the University of Calgary with majors in Reading and Early Childhood Education. During my years of teaching with the Calgary Board of Education I had the privilege of teaching at the Learning Assistance Center for one year. I spent many years coaching junior high basketball and volleyball. I have worked at Elbow Valley for eleven years. I am currently teaching Early Literacy to Grades K through Grade 2. I am excited to continue to do the things I enjoy most at Elbow Valley; teaching students to read and working with the environment as the lead techer for Elbow Valley Green Club.
