Staff Bios

Kailee Carr

Kailee Carr is the Principal of haahuupayak. She is from the Ahousaht First Nation and is the daughter of Peter Horbatch and Leee Horbatch (nee Charlie). Kailee grew up and went to school in Ahousaht and Port Alberni with her older sister, Naomi, and younger brother, Cole. Kailee has been a classroom teacher for the past five years, teaching Science in Port Alberni, Vancouver and Boston and has a Master of Education degree with a focus on First Nations education from the University of British Columbia. Kailee is excited to be a part of the educational team at haahuupayak and in her spare time she enjoys learning about her culture, playing hockey, walking her dog, Yukon, and driving around in her blue station wagon.

Cheryl Kehler

Cheryl Kehler is the Kindergarten teacher at haahuupayak. After completing her Bachelor of Education in Winnipeg, she taught Kindergarten in the public school system there for fourteen years. Ms. Kehler and her husband and daughter then moved to the Okanagan Valley where she continued to pursue her teaching career at the independent schools of the Spallumcheen and Okanagan Bands. Though their home is still in Vernon, Ms. Kehler's love of teaching and travelling the Island brings her back to Port Alberni each year.

Leslie Tandrup

Leslie Tandrup is the Grade 1/2 Teacher at haahuupayak. Prior to graduating from University of Alberta and becoming a teacher, Ms. Leslie taught ballet, jazz, creative movement, and gymnastics for eight years. She has numerous years of child care experience, She has a varied teaching background, including teaching oversees in Thailand, teahing in Alberta, as well as here at haahuupayak. Ms. Leslie is very passionate about working with children and brings a lot of energy into her classroom.

Jackie Heywood

Jackie Heywood is the grade 2/3 Teacher at haahuupayak. She comes to us directly from Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux School in Lytton. Ms. Jackie has extensive teaching experience in the public and independent school systems in both Ontario and British Columbia. She has also been a key worker and support worker for children with non-verbal autism disorders. Ms. Jackie loves to hike, skate, read and play her classical guitar. She has raised two daughters and now has a very lively grandson.

Sonja Efford

Sonja Efford is the grade 5/6 teacher. She graduated from Vancouver Island University's Education department and is looking forward to teaching at haahuupayak School. She and her family have recently relocated here in Port Alberni from Haida Gwaii where they lived for many years. She has worked in Forestry, Emergency Services, Elementary and High School. Ms. Efford understands that students in Grade 5 and 6 are learning to take responsibility for themselves as young adults. Ms. Efford helps students recognize their learning styles and celebrates their successes with them. It is important to Ms. Efford that students are well prepared for the transition to Middle School. Classroom studies follow the prescribed Learning Outcomes of the BC Ministry of Education. In addition, students are taught nuuchahnulth culture through dance, singing, drumming, written and oral language. This combination of academics and nuuchahnulth helps to give students confidence and knowledge as they move on to Middle School.

Cherie Thomas

Cherie Thomas is an Education Assistant in the Learing Assistance Room at haahuupayak. She was born and raised in Port Alberni and comes from the Tseshaht First Nation. Cherie enjoy's working with the students and plans to be with haahuupayak for a long time.