Delta School District

Deirdre Annett

Director - International Education

Deirdre has been an educator for over 21 years as a teacher, counselor, coordinator, and principal in International Education, Multicultural and English Elementary/Secondary Programs. She holds a Bachelor degree in Education from UBC, a Master's degree in Leadership and Administration from the University of Victoria, and is currently working on a Doctorate degree in Leadership from Simon Fraser University. Deirdre has traveled extensively, giving workshops and seminars to overseas educators and parents on the unique aspects of Canadian education. The Delta School District has a stellar international reputation for its academic programs, for inspiring leadership and global awareness, and for developing a strong sense of community and social responsibility in its students. Deirdre is committed to providing a high quality international program which will enable students to learn English and graduate with the opportunity to further their dreams and become dynamic and productive global citizens. Our team in International Student Programs provides personal and caring attention for each child, and we are excited to share in the success of all our outstanding graduates as they move on to university and other exciting challenges.

Lynedah Vartell

District Coordinator - International Education

Lynedah has been in Education since 1990. She began her career as a classroom teacher and then moved into special education and ESL. During her time as a specialist she has had the opportunity to work as a Department Head, Pro D committee chair, Pro D presenter and Mentoring Teacher. For 9 years she took the opportunity to continue her learning and teaching in international schools in Beijing, China, Yokohama, Japan, Jakarta Indonesia and Doha, Qatar. She holds a Bachelors degree in Education from UBC, a Masters degree in Special Education, Diplomas in both special education and ESL and is currently working on a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from North Central University. Lynedah has traveled extensively in Asia, and has taken each opportunity as an adventure traveler to share her expertise and passion for learning with both international and local communities. Lynedah strongly believes that through cultural awareness and sharing of our cultural background we will all have greater opportunities to create bridges of understanding. Lynedah is committed to providing support to the International program by enabling students, teachers and the community to be a part of developing the global citizens that will lead us in the future.

Joanna Skorulski

Administrative Assistant

Joanna, in her role as Administrative Assistant takes care of all the details to ensure that parents, students and agents receive the necessary support to make their experience with the Delta School District a positive one. Having immigrated to Canada at a young age she understands the needs and challenges faced by the students, and is dedicated to working with the international team in providing personal and caring attention for each child.

Gerda Chase

Homestay Coordinator - North Delta

Gerda is responsible for the homestay placement of international students and in particular the careful screening of homestay families. She also works with school administration and counselors in the North Delta schools to ensure a successful home and school partnership.

Gerda enjoys working in International Programs, particularly learning about cultural diversity and training others to have the same appreciation. She is a homestay parent and enjoys hosting students with her family. She has also traveled to Korea and Thailand with her family.

Gerda is a wife and mother of 3 children who enjoy the experiences that come along with hosting international students in their home. Gerda resides in North Delta as well, and hopes to see many more international students attending our Delta schools in the coming years.

Gerda has an undergraduate degree in Sociology and has also completed her TESL certificate. She enjoys volunteer teaching and tutoring internationals students.

Kerstin Dash

Homestay Coordinator - Ladner

Kerstin looks for a homestay that is flexible, inviting, vibrant and nurturing. She has many families who have provided homestay for a number of years and works in close contact with them to find the right student to match their household.

Kerstin truly believes in the value of the International Student experience. She was one herself while in University, studying poetry in Wales, U.K. The friendships she made then continue to this day around the world.

A married mother of three herself, Kerstin chooses homes for her students that she would place her own children in.

Teri Gallant

Homestay Coordinator - Tsawwassen

Teri Gallant is the homestay Coordinator for the Tsawwassen area. Having lived in the seaside community for over 15 years she is proud to call Tsawwassen home.

Her years of work in the travel industry have taken her to many exciting countries and she always looks forwarding to sharing the Delta experience with International students.

Teri has an Education Degree (Psychology/ Phys.Ed.) and a diploma as a teacher of the visually impaired.

Young Kim

Korean Multicultural Worker

Young Kim is our Korean-speaking multi-cultural worker in the International Student Program. She acts as a liaison between the parents and our schools. She attends open houses with parents and deals with many different types of issues. Young is not only an asset to our students in this program, she is also essential to our Korean mothers who are settling into their new life in Delta. Young is here to lend her support in whatever ways possible to help students successfully complete the Delta school program.