Darlene began her academic career as a teacher and inclusive education consultant in Edmonton followed by leadership positions in the K-12 public system in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Western Provinces. For four years, Darlene worked as a sessional instructor at Concordia University, the University of Alberta, and Northern Lakes College. She also worked with the Alberta and Nunavut Ministries of Education in the areas of curriculum development, assessment, inclusive education, and provided professional development to educators and principals in public and independent schools across Canada.
Before starting her role as a learning resource teacher at the Middle School in September 2019, Darlene worked at St. Margaret’s School for 16 years, serving in various senior positions, including Director of Curriculum and Instruction and sessional instructor at the University of Victoria.
In her time at SMUS, she co-led the creation of a Response to Intervention multi-layer approach to the identification and support for students at the Middle School.
Throughout her career, Darlene has been a fierce advocate for children and creating systems of support that provide space and support for teachers to have generative conversations about the strengths and stretches of all learners. She is passionate about building on the excellent work of her Middle School colleagues who embrace a shared purpose of helping all students learn at high levels and taking collective responsibility for that shared purpose.
Darlene earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba in 1988, Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1990, and Masters of Education from the University of Alberta in 1993.
