2022-2023 Executive
Natalia Nazaroff - Chair and Policy Committee Rep
Hi! My name is Natalia Nazaroff and I have lived in Krestova my entire life. I went to school at Brent Kennedy and graduated from Mount Sentinel Secondary as did myhusband. Our daughter is currently in Grade 11 at Mount Sentinel in the Academy PM program (Performance and Media Academy) and our son has been at DESK (Distance Education School of the Kootenays) since Grade 2 and is now in Grade 7.
I am the DPAC Chair as well as the Elev8 DESK DPAC rep, the Mount Sentinel PAC DPAC rep, DPAC rep on the Governance and Policy Committee, and the Advocacy coordinator for our Advocacy program as well as a parent advocate. I became involved in PAC's and DPAC in the spring of 2016 when it became clear to me that as a parent your voice matters where your children's education is concerned. I used our District trained advocates to help me navigate education for my son and the first DPAC meeting/event I attended was the Advocacy 101 seminar.
I am currently a stay at home mom teaching my neurodiverse son at home. I have some education in the Social Work field as well as in photography. I spend most of my year in an arena as both of my children are figure skaters and I myself have been taking lessons as an adult figure skater. I am an artistic person and love to sew, craft and create art. I am a Doukhobour and Russian was my first language and I love to garden and preserve my own food. My father is a Doukhobor residential school survivor from the New Denver Dormitories and my mother in law is the School Trustee for Slocan Valley Bonnington.
I have a strong belief that every child matters and in order to ensure this, we as parents need to stand together and advocate for our children. We are the only unpaid/volunteer partner group sitting at the board table and we have the opportunity to look at education from a unique perspective.
Hi! My name is Natalia Nazaroff and I have lived in Krestova my entire life. I went to school at Brent Kennedy and graduated from Mount Sentinel Secondary as did myhusband. Our daughter is currently in Grade 11 at Mount Sentinel in the Academy PM program (Performance and Media Academy) and our son has been at DESK (Distance Education School of the Kootenays) since Grade 2 and is now in Grade 7.
I am the DPAC Chair as well as the Elev8 DESK DPAC rep, the Mount Sentinel PAC DPAC rep, DPAC rep on the Governance and Policy Committee, and the Advocacy coordinator for our Advocacy program as well as a parent advocate. I became involved in PAC's and DPAC in the spring of 2016 when it became clear to me that as a parent your voice matters where your children's education is concerned. I used our District trained advocates to help me navigate education for my son and the first DPAC meeting/event I attended was the Advocacy 101 seminar.
I am currently a stay at home mom teaching my neurodiverse son at home. I have some education in the Social Work field as well as in photography. I spend most of my year in an arena as both of my children are figure skaters and I myself have been taking lessons as an adult figure skater. I am an artistic person and love to sew, craft and create art. I am a Doukhobour and Russian was my first language and I love to garden and preserve my own food. My father is a Doukhobor residential school survivor from the New Denver Dormitories and my mother in law is the School Trustee for Slocan Valley Bonnington.
I have a strong belief that every child matters and in order to ensure this, we as parents need to stand together and advocate for our children. We are the only unpaid/volunteer partner group sitting at the board table and we have the opportunity to look at education from a unique perspective.
Tamara Ziemer - Vice-Chair and Education Committee Rep
I am a long-time advocate of public education in our province, serving as a School Trustee in School District 59 in Northern BC since 2010. As a School Trustee, I have developed expertise in leadership, interpersonal communications, critical thinking, and the ability to establish credibility and professional relationships with broad stakeholder groups. I developed strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to interact with individuals from various backgrounds with competing interests, from parents and students to staff, government representatives, trustee colleagues across the province and public representatives. To do this I practice the principle of listening to understand and by asking questions that help to determine the other parties’ interests and needs. As a Trustee, I often found that people need to be heard and feel valued before I can help them find the information needed to solve the issue at hand.
Over the past decade, I have represented families and community member’s interests in education. I regularly attended PAC and DPAC meetings and invited community members to share their perspectives through these and other platforms, such as social media, in person events, and even when you might run into me at the grocery store. My priority has been to help families and community members to understand school district policies and processes to help address specific needs within the system. In my role with DPAC for SD 8, I will continue to be
available as a resource to guide families and students to district personnel and services that reduce barriers and improve outcomes for students.
Currently, I work part time to manage the provincial roster program with Mediate BC, helping to expand public knowledge of conflict resolution resources and to build awareness options for people who need support in disputes relating to family, workplace, business, and community. This year, I also became the Program Coordinator for the Kootenay Restorative Justice Program, serving the Central Kootenays. The emphasis of this work is on repairing harm caused by conflict and crime through the process of restorative justice. In this role, I strive to create new pathways for those responsible for harm by fostering connections between people and their community, developing relationships, and providing opportunities to make amends. We also provide support for people and communities affected by crime.
I believe that public education can provide each child in our district with the opportunity to succeed and I believe that trustees play an integral role in delivering that education in a way that reflects local values and priorities. As a DPAC representative, I will continue to be a strong advocate for a public education system that provides teachers and schools with the support and flexibility needed to personalize learning and advance equity for each student. I will advocate for an education system that helps students to discover their own strengths, a system that teaches strong literacy and numeracy skills and an education environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, confidence, and success for all students.
I look forward to working together to improve student outcomes in our district.
I am a long-time advocate of public education in our province, serving as a School Trustee in School District 59 in Northern BC since 2010. As a School Trustee, I have developed expertise in leadership, interpersonal communications, critical thinking, and the ability to establish credibility and professional relationships with broad stakeholder groups. I developed strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to interact with individuals from various backgrounds with competing interests, from parents and students to staff, government representatives, trustee colleagues across the province and public representatives. To do this I practice the principle of listening to understand and by asking questions that help to determine the other parties’ interests and needs. As a Trustee, I often found that people need to be heard and feel valued before I can help them find the information needed to solve the issue at hand.
Over the past decade, I have represented families and community member’s interests in education. I regularly attended PAC and DPAC meetings and invited community members to share their perspectives through these and other platforms, such as social media, in person events, and even when you might run into me at the grocery store. My priority has been to help families and community members to understand school district policies and processes to help address specific needs within the system. In my role with DPAC for SD 8, I will continue to be
available as a resource to guide families and students to district personnel and services that reduce barriers and improve outcomes for students.
Currently, I work part time to manage the provincial roster program with Mediate BC, helping to expand public knowledge of conflict resolution resources and to build awareness options for people who need support in disputes relating to family, workplace, business, and community. This year, I also became the Program Coordinator for the Kootenay Restorative Justice Program, serving the Central Kootenays. The emphasis of this work is on repairing harm caused by conflict and crime through the process of restorative justice. In this role, I strive to create new pathways for those responsible for harm by fostering connections between people and their community, developing relationships, and providing opportunities to make amends. We also provide support for people and communities affected by crime.
I believe that public education can provide each child in our district with the opportunity to succeed and I believe that trustees play an integral role in delivering that education in a way that reflects local values and priorities. As a DPAC representative, I will continue to be a strong advocate for a public education system that provides teachers and schools with the support and flexibility needed to personalize learning and advance equity for each student. I will advocate for an education system that helps students to discover their own strengths, a system that teaches strong literacy and numeracy skills and an education environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, confidence, and success for all students.
I look forward to working together to improve student outcomes in our district.
Taryn Stokes - Secretary and Education Committee Rep
My name is Taryn Stokes. I grew up north of Edmonton and worked at a chemical plant for 15 years in Prince George. We moved to the east shore of Kootenay Lake in 2018 and my sons are currently in grade 9 at CBESS and
grade 11 at LVR.
I started volunteering with the school PAC and was the Chair until October 2021. I am excited to serve the DPAC as
secretary again this year. I am also the DPAC rep on the Education Committee.
I love riding my bike, paddleboarding and reading. I am the Librarian for our East Shore Reading Centre (part time) where I get to order all the new books!
My name is Taryn Stokes. I grew up north of Edmonton and worked at a chemical plant for 15 years in Prince George. We moved to the east shore of Kootenay Lake in 2018 and my sons are currently in grade 9 at CBESS and
grade 11 at LVR.
I started volunteering with the school PAC and was the Chair until October 2021. I am excited to serve the DPAC as
secretary again this year. I am also the DPAC rep on the Education Committee.
I love riding my bike, paddleboarding and reading. I am the Librarian for our East Shore Reading Centre (part time) where I get to order all the new books!
Michelle Sylvest - Treasurer
Michelle grew up in the Kootenays, and after attending university, they moved back home. Michelle's child started grade two this past fall, so they are new to the world of PAC.
Michelle has spent over 20 years volunteering in executive roles. Michelle works in nonprofit operations management and is excited to bring their experience to where it matters.
Michelle continues their educational journey alongside their child by working through an MBA specializing in Human Resources Management.
Michelle grew up in the Kootenays, and after attending university, they moved back home. Michelle's child started grade two this past fall, so they are new to the world of PAC.
Michelle has spent over 20 years volunteering in executive roles. Michelle works in nonprofit operations management and is excited to bring their experience to where it matters.
Michelle continues their educational journey alongside their child by working through an MBA specializing in Human Resources Management.
Colleen Bayly - Operations and Finance Committee Rep
My name is Colleen Bayly, and I am a wife and mother to four kids (ages 12, 10, 7 and 5). We moved to Creston from Vancouver Island in 2018, with the intention of allowing our kids to be a little more “free range” and to have all the simplicities and pleasures life in a small town can bring. We have not regretted our decision once!
Our oldest children are new to Homelinks this year, and the youngest two are attending Erickson Elementary. All of them are loving their schools, and I am enjoying connecting with the two PACs. As parents, we love that there are many different schooling options available to meet the needs of each unique learner.
I am honoured to be working as a Parent Advocate and helping parents of students with diverse learning needs to navigate the school system. I strongly believe in preserving the rights of parents and our responsibility to hold the education system accountable.
I look forward to my second year on the Operations and Finance Committee, where I can ask the challenging questions that parents want answered. It is a privilege to be included in the budgetary process a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
My name is Colleen Bayly, and I am a wife and mother to four kids (ages 12, 10, 7 and 5). We moved to Creston from Vancouver Island in 2018, with the intention of allowing our kids to be a little more “free range” and to have all the simplicities and pleasures life in a small town can bring. We have not regretted our decision once!
Our oldest children are new to Homelinks this year, and the youngest two are attending Erickson Elementary. All of them are loving their schools, and I am enjoying connecting with the two PACs. As parents, we love that there are many different schooling options available to meet the needs of each unique learner.
I am honoured to be working as a Parent Advocate and helping parents of students with diverse learning needs to navigate the school system. I strongly believe in preserving the rights of parents and our responsibility to hold the education system accountable.
I look forward to my second year on the Operations and Finance Committee, where I can ask the challenging questions that parents want answered. It is a privilege to be included in the budgetary process a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
Tyler Rice - Operations and Finance Committee Rep
Having grown up in Lethbridge, Alberta with a 7 year layover in Calgary, my family moved to 9-mile on the North Shore of Kootenay Lake in 2014. Our sons are currently in grade 4 and 7 at Redfish School.
I am one of two DPAC Representatives to the Finance and Operations Committee as a Whole and Treasurer for Redfish PAC since 2018, amongst a myriad of other Community, Private Company and Public Boards.
I have a strong belief that it takes a Village to Raise a child and that it is the responsibility of every adult to advocate for every child, especially those without a voice. With SD8 representing a significant annual budget spend in the West Kootenays, it is imperative that Community input and understanding is derived from the spend thereto.
With a background in finance and operations as a designated Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Accountant with a Masters Degree in Professional Accounting and as the Founder of Rice & Company LLP, an accounting firm that recently obtained certification as a B Corporation, attention to a triple bottom line of Environment, Social and Finance drives my decision making.
An active community member, Tyler was recently honoured as the 2020 Volunteer of the Year by Community Futures of Central Kootenays for his contributions to the area, including coaching hockey and basketball teams, serving on volunteer boards and mentoring local businesses.
Having grown up in Lethbridge, Alberta with a 7 year layover in Calgary, my family moved to 9-mile on the North Shore of Kootenay Lake in 2014. Our sons are currently in grade 4 and 7 at Redfish School.
I am one of two DPAC Representatives to the Finance and Operations Committee as a Whole and Treasurer for Redfish PAC since 2018, amongst a myriad of other Community, Private Company and Public Boards.
I have a strong belief that it takes a Village to Raise a child and that it is the responsibility of every adult to advocate for every child, especially those without a voice. With SD8 representing a significant annual budget spend in the West Kootenays, it is imperative that Community input and understanding is derived from the spend thereto.
With a background in finance and operations as a designated Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Accountant with a Masters Degree in Professional Accounting and as the Founder of Rice & Company LLP, an accounting firm that recently obtained certification as a B Corporation, attention to a triple bottom line of Environment, Social and Finance drives my decision making.
An active community member, Tyler was recently honoured as the 2020 Volunteer of the Year by Community Futures of Central Kootenays for his contributions to the area, including coaching hockey and basketball teams, serving on volunteer boards and mentoring local businesses.
Eden DuPont - Policy Committee Rep
Hello, my name is Eden DuPont. I am a writer, mother and strong arts and culture enthusiast. Heeding the call of the mountains, together with my potter husband Robin, we chose the Kootenays as the best place to set down
roots and build a life when we moved here from Alberta in 2004. Two kids, two dogs, and three wood-fired ceramic kilns later...we’ve happily crafted a piece of the mountainside in the Slocan Valley where we currently reside and maintain a home, garden and ceramics studio, while also working from home.
I have worked as an independent communications consultant for the last decade as the lead project manager for multiple contracts in the K-12 education sector. Working closely with school district administrations, both here in the Kootenays as well as in the lower mainland, my role is to analyze and evaluate communication practices and to assist in the development of new content management systems by providing ongoing guidance and employee training.
I am also a strong advocate for community development and avid volunteer, sitting on various community boards in the Slocan Valley. Having served as PAC Chair at Winlaw Elementary for many years when my children attended elementary, I am now the DPAC Governance and Policy Representative. I have two children (ages 15 and 17) attending two different high schools in the district (Mt. Sentinel and LVR).
Hello, my name is Eden DuPont. I am a writer, mother and strong arts and culture enthusiast. Heeding the call of the mountains, together with my potter husband Robin, we chose the Kootenays as the best place to set down
roots and build a life when we moved here from Alberta in 2004. Two kids, two dogs, and three wood-fired ceramic kilns later...we’ve happily crafted a piece of the mountainside in the Slocan Valley where we currently reside and maintain a home, garden and ceramics studio, while also working from home.
I have worked as an independent communications consultant for the last decade as the lead project manager for multiple contracts in the K-12 education sector. Working closely with school district administrations, both here in the Kootenays as well as in the lower mainland, my role is to analyze and evaluate communication practices and to assist in the development of new content management systems by providing ongoing guidance and employee training.
I am also a strong advocate for community development and avid volunteer, sitting on various community boards in the Slocan Valley. Having served as PAC Chair at Winlaw Elementary for many years when my children attended elementary, I am now the DPAC Governance and Policy Representative. I have two children (ages 15 and 17) attending two different high schools in the district (Mt. Sentinel and LVR).
