Meet Our School Principals

The Alberta Conference Office of Education is grateful to our heavenly Father for providing incredible people to Lead our Adventist Schools as Principals. We would like to take a moment to introduce you to them and ask that you lift them up in prayer as they begin another school year.

Martha Boehner

School: South Side Christian School, Red Deer

Years of Experience: Martha is one of our newest principals! As South Side Christian School grew so much it moved out from under the MicroSchool umbrella to become an independent school with its own principal! SSCS poured its belief into its head teacher, Martha and she graciously agreed to step into this new role. We're excited to have her as a part of our administration team and know you will all provide her a "village of support" as she endeavours to follow God's calling for this new chapter in her life. Welcome to the team, Martha!

Tami Braman

School: Higher Ground Christian School, Medicine Hat

Years of Experience: Tami has taught in various schools since 2012 but joined us here in Alberta in 2017 answering the need for a teaching principal in Medicine Hat. Teaching full time and administrating a school at the same time is a challenge and Tami's ability to talk to anyone and everyone in any situation is impressive! She can make friends anywhere! Tami loves the outdoors, and her love of nature has added awesome support to our outdoor school programs.

Aldo Bruccoleri

School: Chinook Winds Adventist Academy, Calgary

Years of Experience: Aldo has served as a university professor, researcher, and educator in the public sector previous to his employment with us but answered the call of his heart for Adventist Education in April 2023. Aldo's research and expertise in grant writing and proposals provides an incredible resource that he has graciously offered to all our principals for which we are extremely grateful!

Dani Desjardins

School: Parkview Adventist Academy, Lacombe

Years of Experience: This is also Dani's first experience in Adventist Education joining us as PAA's principal in August 2022. As a PAA Alumnus, Dani offers a unique perspective to the success of our schools and our Principals Council, often reminding us of our purpose and mission for the decisions we are making. He is a wonderful addition to our leadership team!

Chris Dubyna

School: MicroSchool Principal

• Woodlands Adventist School, Ponoka

• Sylvan Lake Adventist School, Sylvan Lake

• Peace Hills Adventist School, Wetaskiwin

Years of Experience: Chris has served as a teacher in the Adventist system for many years prior to stepping into administration as CHCS principal in 2019 moving to the MicroSchools (his passion) the following year. Chris is one of our longer standing principals and we are grateful for his experience and the zest that he brings to our administration team.

Dave Elias

School: Prairie Adventist Christian eSchool

Years of Experience: Dave started his educational career as a student of Chinook Winds and returned there in 2010 to give back to the school that gave him so much. Moving to the Vice Principal role at CWAA gave him a wealth of experience and knowledge, which he used as he branched out into other realms gaining more experience as he went. In 2021, Dave came back to Adventist Education as the PACeS principal and has worked hard with his staff to create an amazing online and home school option for our students. This unique program ensures that quality Adventist education is always within reach. Dave provides amazing insights, great comic relief and is always up for a new adventure. We're grateful to count you among us, Dave!

Steven Gabrys

School: College Heights Christian School, Lacombe

Years of Experience: Steve started his career as a teacher in BC, but shortly thereafter, moved home to Lacombe to teach at CHCS in 2005. Over the years, many people have attempted to move him into administration, but Steve loved the classroom too much to leave it! In 2020, Steve heard God's calling and took up the mantle of leadership just in time to lead his school through COVID. While it’s been an incredible learning curve, Steve has provided mentorship and leadership to so many of us as we too navigated unchartered waters. We're grateful for his ability to see roadblocks and challenges before we hit them and provide insight based on his experience. And if you've met him, you know he loves "his" kids a lot!

Rayette Hetland

School: Coralwood Adventist Academy

Years of Experience: Before taking the call to administration in August 2021, Rayette enjoyed teaching elementary grades at her school (CAA). Rayette's amazing attitude and ability to look out for all of us adds a much-needed support to our leadership team. Her kindhearted spirit and willingness to do the hard things is inspirational to all of us. Thanks for being you, Rayette!

Roxanne McPherson

School: Mamawi Atosketan Native School, Maskwacis

Years of Experience: Roxanne is also one of the newest additions to our Administration Team. Roxanne has served as the Mamawi elementary VP for many years, and we are grateful to her for her willingness to step out in faith into this new role. We know that her experience at Mamawi will help to provide stability during this time of transition. We are looking forward to supporting you through this as we get to know you as "Principal McPherson"!

There are many more people we would like to introduce to you, but we thank you in advance for taking the time to pray especially for these amazing individuals. As our school year gets underway, we pray that God's will is done in the lives of our students, staff and parents and that God's love will shine through in all our programs and activities. Thank you seems insufficient, but it is what we have.

Submitted by Holly Kay, MS, Data Coordinator/Education Support, Alberta Adventist Office of Education