About Us
Our Team
Executive Committee
Amy Jamieson
President
Role/School: Facilitation Specialist – Let’s Talk Science
I am a science educator with experience in curriculum development and professional learning. I currently works as a Facilitation Specialist with Let’s Talk Science, supporting educators and Teacher Leaders across Canada.
I hold a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master of Education in Science Education from the University of British Columbia. I have taught a variety of middle years and secondary science courses since 2011, both online and in person, and have contributed to the development of Saskatchewan curriculum and resources as a writer for Health Science 20 and 21 and Forensic Science 20L and 30L. I am passionate about authentic assessment, scientific literacy, and creating engaging STEM learning experiences that help students connect science to the world around them. Science is everywhere!
As President of the Saskatchewan Science Teachers’ Society, I am committed to supporting Saskatchewan science educators through professional learning and advocacy for high-quality science education across the province.
Shayne McMillen
Vice President
Role/School: Coordinator – Regina Public Schools
I have been in education for 29 years in various roles including middle years teacher, high school science and math teacher, learning leader, administrator, consultant and currently as the Math and Science Coordinator with Regina Public Schools. In my career I have had the opportunity to be part of curriculum renewal as a pilot teacher and implementation team. I have been on various committees including the Canada Wide Science Fair 2017 planning team, the Regina Regional Science Fair Committee and now with the SSTS. I have been a member of the committee since 2022. My kids are a real focus in my life as they transition through university. It is exciting to watch them grow as young adults and support them in this journey. My wife and I enjoy traveling when we can, hiking, playing games and watching movies.
Mick Rissling
Treasurer
Role/School: Martin Collegiate
I have been teaching sciences with Regina Public Schools since 2005. Some of my involvement in the teaching profession has included membership in the Regina Regional Science Fair planning committee and Sciematics/SPARK provincial conference planning committees in addition to my role as treasurer of the SSTS. I have done a lot of work in the internship program with the University of Regina, I’ve done many presentations including at ASSIST and Sciematics, I have been on writing teams for curriculum and departmental exams, and many other workshops and professional development opportunities. My non-teaching interests include movies, commuter cycling, and hobby board games.
Patrick Kossman
Secretary
Role/School: Greenall High School
I have been a physics teacher since 2000, having taught Physics, Physical Science, Science 10, Robotics, Forensic Science, and Drama. I have been on the SSTS since 2002 where I have helped plan and present conferences. I was part of the planning committee for the Canada Wide Science Fair when it was held in Regina, and I work with the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics presenting workshops across Saskatchewan. I have been an exam developer for the Ministry of Education and frankly my exam creation has become a lot better because of it. When I am not teaching and thinking about science, I act in musicals, build set for drama, and play DnD.
Makayla Heslip
Member-at-Large
Role/School: Milestone School
I started my career in Lucky Lake teaching 7-12 math and 9-12 science. I have since moved to Milestone, another rural K-12 school teaching 9-12 science. My hope is to increase scientific literacy and excitement among students. I have always been passionate about increasing the number of females in science, so in the past I have helped organize events and panel discussions on the importance of girls’ education, and I was a panelist in 2020 for Illuminating the Stars: Shining Light on Forgotten Women in Astronomy. In my free time I enjoy to garden, run a STEM club aimed at female students and write music.
I joined the SSTS 2023 and head the Grants committee and am the person behind many of our social media posts! I am excited to continue to scientific knowledge and professional development in years to come.
Kaity Taylor (She/her)
Accelerator Editor and Embers Co-Host
Role/School: McNaughton High School
I have been an educator since 2019 primarily as a high school Science and Math teacher, teaching everything from Science 8 to Physics, Chemistry, and Biology 30. In my classroom, I enjoy teaching science through an Indigenous lens and incorporating science literacy and skills across curricula. I joined the SSTS in 2020 as a member-at-large, but soon took on the role of the Editor of the Accelerator, our biannual newsletter, and most recently have taken on co-hosting the Embers podcast. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy life in southeast rural Saskatchewan, gardening, camping, hiking, lane-swimming, and stamp collecting.
Dakota DeCaux (she/her)
Member-at-Large
Role/School: Lloydminster Comprehensive High School
I have been a science educator in Saskatchewan since 2016 and my passion for teaching and learning began through my own K-12 education and cultural experiences in the northern Saskatchewan community of La Loche on Treaty 8 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. I completed a B.Sc. Honours in Biology (2014) and B.Ed. in Secondary Education (2016) through the University of Saskatchewan before returning to my home community to teach for the first 4.5 years of my career. My passions for life-long learning, anti-racist/anti-oppressive pedagogy, and dismantling colonial structures of education led me to pursue graduate studies through the Indigenous Land-based Education Masters Cohort at the University of Saskatchewan (2020). When the desire to be closer to family prompted me to leave the north, I taught senior math and science at Dinsmore Composite School (2021-2026) and served as Principal there for three years (2023-2026). After 10 years of teaching in northern and rural communities, I will be shifting to a more urban environment to teach senior science at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School in August of 2026. I have been on the SSTS Executive since 2021 and love networking with educators throughout our province to discuss all things science, but especially land-based learning, environmental sustainability initiatives, student led projects, community-based programming, food sovereignty initiatives, and strategies to support healthy eating for students and their families.
In my free time, I love connecting with family and friends, tending to my garden and indoor jungle of house plants, sharpening my photography skills, relaxing with a good book, traveling with loved ones, and returning to my northern roots!
Jaedyn MacNeill (she/her)
Member-at-Large
Role/School: Twin Lakes Community School
I was born and raised in Saskatoon, SK and began my teaching career in 2021. Since 2023, I have been teaching grade 10-12 science and math in Buffalo Narrows, SK. I aim to make science accessible for students through hands-on labs and inquiry, and more importantly, I love to continue to learn from my students and their lived experiences. I joined the SSTS executive after attending the SPARK conference in 2025. I hope to connect teachers in northern SK to resources, ideas, and enthusiasm about science education. In my free time I enjoy listening to podcasts or audiobooks, watching reality TV, cooking, and hosting Nintendo switch nights for my friends/family.