About Us
Our Team
Call For Nominations!
Note: to be eligible for nomination, you must have been a member of the SSTS in the 2023/2024 school year.
Executive Committee
Amy Jamieson
President
School: Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation (SaskDLC)
Bio:
I have been a science teacher, online and in person, for over 10 years in both middle years and high school. Currently, I am teaching most science classes 10-12 in a live broadcast setting. In my classroom, I focus on developing scientific literacy for students. Professionally, I have been involved in writing provincial curricula (Health Science 20 and 21 and Forensic Science 20 and 30) and departmental exam item development. I have also been involved in planning Sciematics/SPARK and been a member of the SSTS since 2018. In my personal time, I enjoy gardening, working out, and watching movies.
Shayne McMillen
Vice President
Role/School: Coordinator at Regina Public Schools
I have been in education for 27 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 from high school to university. It is exciting to watch them transition from teenagers to young adults and support them in this journey. My wife and I enjoy traveling when we can, hiking, playing games and watching movies.
Lindsay Shaw
Past President
Role/School: Program Development Manager – Let’s Talk Science
Bio:
Let’s Talk Science, a leading STEM organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering educators and students across Canada. With over 13 years of experience in education, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my role. Prior to joining Let’s Talk Science, I spent over a decade teaching math and science in a rural high school setting.
During my teaching career, I was actively involved in curriculum development and renewal initiatives. Specifically, I supported the writing of the renewed Biology 30 curriculum and piloting innovative courses such as Health Science 20, Physical Science 20, and Earth Science 30. These experiences provided me with valuable insights into educational best practices and the importance of hands-on, inquiry-based learning.
Outside of work, my family and I enjoy spending time at the cabin, boating, and traveling to new destinations. In addition, I spend a lot of time supporting my daughters in their extracurricular activities, including dance, volleyball, and swimming. It brings me great joy to see them pursue their passions and thrive in their pursuits
Mick Rissling
Treasurer
School: Martin Collegiate
Bio:
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
School: Greenall High School
Bio:
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.
Kaitlyn Taylor (she/her)
Accelerator Editor
School: McNaughton High School
Bio:
I have been an educator for 5 years 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 lense and incorporating science literacy.
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. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy life in rural Saskatchewan, gardening, camping and hiking, and spending time with my friends and family.
Makayla Heslip
Member-at-Large
School: Lucky Lake
I am a new teacher to the profession, I convocated from the university of Saskatchewan in 2022 and started teaching shortly after. Currently, I teach 7-12 math and 9-12 science in a rural K-12 school where 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, coach volleyball and write music.
I joined the SPARK 2023 conference planning committee and then joined the SSTS at the 2023 AGM. I am excited to continue to scientific knowledge and professional development in years to come.
Dakota DeCaux (she/her)
Member-at-Large (& Social Media Manager)
School: Dinsmore School
Bio:
Dakota de Caux is a white settler who was fortunate to be raised in the northern Saskatchewan community of La Loche on Treaty 8 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. She completed a B.Sc. Honours in Biology (2014) and B.Ed. in Secondary Education (2016) through the University of Saskatchewan before returning to her home community to teach for the first 4 years of her career.
Dakota’s passion for life-long learning, anti-racist/anti-oppressive education, and dismantling colonial structures of education led her to pursue graduate studies in the Indigenous Land-based Education masters cohort at the University of Saskatchewan (2020). Dakota is currently the principal of Dinsmore Composite School where she continues to teach high school science and math. This is her third year as a member at large on the SSTS executive. As an educator, Dakota has a passion for land-based education, environmental sustainability initiatives, student led projects, community-based programming, food sovereignty initiatives, and promoting healthy eating for students and their families.
In her free time, Dakota loves spending time with her family, tending to her garden and indoor jungle of house plants, practicing photography skills, relaxing with a good book, traveling with loved ones, and returning to her northern roots!
Logan Petlak (he/him)
Member-at-Large (& Website Manager)
School: Pathways School – Prairie South School Division
Webpage: loganpetlak.ca
Bio:
I’m an educator born, raised, and teaching on Treaty 4 territory in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan with Prairie South School Division. I’m a 4th generation, predominantly Eastern-European descended individual who, along with my ancestors, has benefited greatly from the destructive colonial practices that affected and continue to affect this territory and its peoples. I am privileged to have grown up and raise a loving family that includes my spouse, children, and our four cats on this land for over 30 years.
If I’m not with my family or pursuing academic interests related to digital and scientific literacy, I’m enjoying gaming (board games, video games) and being physically active which includes weight training and playing football & hockey. I have worked as a consultant, student support teacher, and classroom teacher (in-person and virtually) teaching middle years and high school health, science, technology and math courses.
Tim Molnar
University of Saskatchewan Liason
School: College of Education – U of S
John Macdonald
University of Regina Liason
School: University of Regina
Bio:
Currently a sessional at the University of Regina instructing science education classes for the faculty, SUNTEP and FNUC. I retired from the Regina Catholic Schools after thirty years teaching high school science. During those years I participated in the SSTS as member at large, accreditation seminars and co-chairperson of a Sciematics. Also, I was a pilot teacher for biology and on a prehistoric science 10 curriculum committee. During my final years of teaching I had the opportunity to be involved with AP biology. After retiring from teaching and coaching there still seemed to be a desire to do some science education type stuff. Thus I started to take graduate classes, graduating with a Master degree in 2005. Being involved with new science education is a constant enjoyment and helps keep one young, feeding off their enthusiasm and energy.
