Susan Mercer joined Fraser Academy in 2002 after emigrating from South Africa where she taught for 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand and a degree in Special Education from the University of Pretoria. Mrs. Mercer also has a BC Teaching Certificate and is a certified OG language and math tutor.

At Fraser Academy, Mrs. Mercer co-ordinates the Jr School Recognition Award Ceremony, coaches the Jr Boys Soccer Team and assists with the Jr Chess Club. She has also been in charge of props and costumes for the Sr School plays ever since her arrival at Fraser Academy. And for the past seven years she has worked with Ocean and Fisheries BC to promote the “Salmonids in the Classroom” program.

As a parent of a child with dyslexia, Mrs. Mercer understands the special care each student needs in order to become a happy and successful student, and is intent on providing an environment that is supportive and instrumental to successful learning.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, gardening and observing and photographing animals and birds in the wild.

Carrie Powers joined the Fraser Academy in 2012 as an OG tutor, and will be returning to school this fall as a Grade 4 teacher. She possesses a strong coaching background in all sports disciplines and looks forward to coaching the cross-country and track and field athletes at Fraser Academy. Her goal is to meet the individual needs of all her students on a daily basis and to provide them with fun and meaningful learning activities.

Teaching since 1996, Ms. Powers received a Bachelor of Science from Wake Forest University in North Carolina and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. Prior to Fraser Academy, Ms. Powers taught elementary students in Chile, New Zealand, Toronto and most recently, Nunavik (northern Quebec).

In addition to teaching at Fraser Academy, Ms. Powers will be pursuing her Masters of Education in Special Education at UBC. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and biking with her family and running through the trails in Pacific Spirit Park.

Courtnay Gordon has taught at Fraser Academy for one year and is looking forward to teaching Grade 4 science in 2012/13 as well as becoming active in Fine Arts. She is also a tutor at the school.

Ms. Gordon holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Dance, a Bachelor of Education and is a certified OG language and math tutor. She encourages her students to embrace joy in their learning and helps them to build confidence and recognize their potential through one-to-one tutoring.

In her spare time, Ms. Gordon enjoys the outdoors, exercise, dance, and spending time with her new husband and their dog, Goose.

Carol Ogden has taught various grade levels at Fraser Academy for 21 years. She completed her OG training in 1987 with Jane McClelland, a compatriot of Anna Gillingham. Ms. Ogden holds her Professional BC Teaching Certification from Simon Fraser University and has completed Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees with an English language specialty at UBC.

At Fraser Academy, Ms. Ogden focuses on understanding the individual needs of each student and takes great pleasure in supporting them to overcome their difficulties and maximize their abilities through a safe and encouraging learning environment.

Over the years, Ms. Ogden has participated in many activities with Fraser Academy students. She currently sponsors the Jr Chess Club, and is part of the Fraser Academy staff choir. Ms. Ogden enjoys spending time writing poetry and reading, as well as outdoor activities that include walking, skiing, flyfishing and gardening.

Leanne Penner has taught at Fraser Academy for nine years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Geography, a Bachelor of Education, a Masters of Special Education and is a certified OG language and math tutor.

At Fraser Academy, Mrs. Penner is dedicated to understanding each student as an individual and fostering a supportive and encouraging learning environment. She is also involved in implementing the Social-Emotional Learning program, coaches the Jr.Cross Country Team and organizes the ski/snowboard lessons and Race League.

Mrs. Penner enjoys spending time in the outdoors backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, swimming and gardening.

Gladys Tedesco has worked at Fraser Academy since 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies and Social Work, as well as a Bachelor of Education with a Fine Arts concentration. Mrs. Tedesco is also a certified OG language tutor, and is a member of the Canadian Academy of Therapeutic Tutors (CATT).

At Fraser Academy, Mrs. Tedesco is involved with the Sun Run Club. She appreciates the close-knit community atmosphere of the school, and seeing all staff and students in multiple grade levels working and socializing together on a daily basis. During her spare time, she enjoys interior designing, creating/playing music, reading, running and hiking.

Karen McInnis has taught at Fraser Academy for five years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology, a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Design and a Bachelor of Education. She has also received OG language training at the subscriber level. Prior to joining the Fraser community, Ms. McInnis taught at Xit’olacw Community School in Mount Currie for five years, and was a teacher-on-call in School District 48 (Howe Sound) for one year.

While at Fraser Academy, Ms. McInnis has been involved in Chess and Sketch clubs. Teaching at the school has been an enriching experience—Ms. McInnis enjoys working with a diverse group of students and exploring the ways in which they learn in a respectful and structured environment.

In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, camping and travelling.

Cindy Dang has been with Fraser Academy for eight years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English (and an extended minor in Psychology) from SFU, as well as her teaching degree from UBC. Ms. Dang recently returned to UBC to pursue her Masters in Counselling Psychology.

During her tenure at the school, Ms. Dang has taught a variety of classes—although mainly Grade 7 and Planning 10. This upcoming year Ms. Dang will be teaching Humanities 7, Math 7 and English 9. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing with her dog, travelling, reading, swimming and writing.

Katie MacDougall is entering her second year at Fraser Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Education, has done coursework in Nutrition and Dietetics and also completed her OG tutor training.

Ms. MacDougall has thoroughly enjoyed her experience at Fraser Academy thus far. Not only does she love to see so many unique and talented students learning in many different ways, but she feels like she learns in many different ways from them, too. In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. MacDougall has coached the Jr Soccer Team and attended Camp Malibu.

Before joining the Fraser community, Ms. MacDougall was a teacher assistant at Collingwood Junior School and also worked with English as a Second Language students. In her spare time, Ms. MacDougall enjoys hiking with her dog, running and spending time with her family and friends.

Dawn Johnson began her career at Fraser Academy six years ago. Prior to this, she taught in Toronto at various schools, and worked as an acting coach, writer, director and teacher at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People. Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Education in Drama and English. She is also a certified OG tutor.

She loves the energy and creativity at Fraser Academy—the students and staff make it a unique and active place to come everyday. While at Fraser, Ms. Johnson has taken part in school drama productions, the tennis club, staff choir, running club and events, graduation ceremonies, Malibu planning and creating theme-based fairs throughout the year. She is thrilled and proud to be part of the Fraser family.

Outside of school Ms. Johnson enjoys running, skiing, travelling and spending time in the outdoors.

Lucie Sharp has been a familiar face to Fraser Academy for four years, both as a tutor and as a teacher. She enjoys the challenge of teaching to many different learning styles, and prides herself on finding new and exciting ways to engage and challenge her students in a respectful and caring environment.

Mrs. Sharp holds a Bachelor of Arts (Geography and Geographic Information Systems) and a Bachelor of Education. She has also received her certification in OG language training. Prior to joining the Fraser Academy team, Mrs. Sharp taught English in South Korea for one year, moving back to Canada to teach Gr 7 at an alternative public school. She spent her first year in Vancouver as a Faculty Associate in a Gr 3 classroom at Collingwood School.

Mrs. Sharp has enjoyed being involved in the Jr Ski Club, Jr Track and Field and the Sun Run. When she's not at work, she enjoys camping, skiing, and spending time with her family on their sailboat, exploring the BC coast.