Our Staff
Mina Desjardins
PrincipalHello! My name is Mina Desjardins. I am a wife to 1 great husband and mother to 3 wonderful kids. I have been here at PACeS 5 years and I spend my time helping the principal, working with our Home Education families, and teaching French as a second language for our high school students. I love Jesus and am grateful for the opportunity to work here to be able to share Him with others as I work.
One amazing thing about God is that He loves us, and wants us to trust Him. A Bible verse that I love to always go back to is Phillippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Lindsay Boscher
Vice-Principal, Social Studies 9, 20, 30, Comparative Government, Home EducationI love learning and trying new things, and this year I get to serve our school community as Vice-Principal. When I am not at my computer, teaching Social Studies, or visiting Home-Education families, you will find me working on a class for my Master’s in Educational Leadership at Andrews University. For fun, I chat with my two girls, who are attending Union Adventist University, or will be working on a project in our yard or house with my husband.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Kathleen Campbell, M.A.
Registrar, Office Manager, Librarian in ChiefI graduated with a BA in French & History from Walla Walla University and an MA in Human Rights from the University of York. I moved to Alberta in 2023 from Seattle when my husband began teaching Religious Studies at Burman University. I have lived in 5 different U.S. states and 5 different countries (U.S., Canada, UK, South Korea, & France) and traveled to 30 countries. My husband Jon and I love hiking with our 16 year old dog Gromit, traveling, and playing one of the ~200 board games we have with our friends and family.
Isaiah 54:10 “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Jason Williams
School PastorHello! I’m Pastor Jason and I am excited to be a part of the PACeS family as our first School Pastor! I have been serving in evangelistic and pastoral ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 24 years, including the last 8 years here in Alberta. My family and I live in Wetaskiwin, AB, from where I also serve as the Stewardship Coordinator for the Alberta Conference. I’m grateful to God for the many blessings He has given me, and I look forward to the opportunity of sharing and serving among the PACeS students and staff as we grow together in Jesus!
Philippians 1:6 ESV – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Corene Glover
TreasurerComing soon!!
Kerry Sackett
Grades K-2, Home Ed FacilitatorMy name is Kerry Sackett. I’m married to my wonderful husband, Scott, and I’m a mama to two beautiful boys. I love many of life’s simple, earthy joys—I’m a farmer of vegetables, flowers, garlic, and chickens, and I love kittens and riding motorbikes! But after losing my son, my heart and perspective changed. The things of this world began to feel much less important, and my focus shifted toward the things that are eternal. One of my greatest joys as a teacher is sharing my sweet Jesus with my students and their families. My hope is to help prepare little hearts—not only for this life, but for the beautiful Kingdom to come.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
Divina Buhia
Grades 3-4, Home Ed Facilitator
I am from Montreal, Quebec, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Canadian University College and my Masters in Arts: Curriculum and Instruction from LaSierra University. Most of my teaching career has been teaching grade 1; other grades have included grades 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8. This will be my 7th year teaching at PACeS. It is a passion of mine to help students grow up knowing that the Lord truly loves them. Outside of the classroom, my family loves to go on adventures hiking in the Rockies or exploring new destinations on road trips. I enjoy cooking and baking and love the changing of the seasons.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Kelly Briere
Grades 5-6I’m an Ontario girl and have lived here for most of my life. I’m blessed with two amazing daughters, an incredible husband, and two spunky pups, Maple and Oakley. I love spending time in nature, exploring new places, and, of course, travelling whenever I get the chance!
I have had the privilege of teaching with PACeS since 2008, and it has been an incredible journey. One of the greatest highlights of teaching online is the opportunity to connect with students and families from all over the world. I especially enjoy meeting our Ontario families at the end-of-year field trip and, most importantly, sharing the love of Jesus with my students. After all these years, I’m still grateful for the relationships, memories, and experiences that PACeS has brought into my life. I look forward to many more wonderful years of learning, growing, and connecting with students and families!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10
Kristin Brock
Grades 7-8I graduated in 2003 with a major in elementary education and minors in math and group science. I live in a farming community, in northern Ontario, with my husband of 20 years, 3 amazing kiddos and a bichon frisé pup named Sir Winston Brock. I was an alpaca and sheep farmer for many years, and love all things wool. In my spare time I weave wool rugs, mountain bike, garden and I’m challenging myself to learn how to play the harp! You are never to old to learn something new!
I am so amazed by our loving Creator and how He interweaves the paths of us all!
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ Eph 3:17-19
Nadine Sebetlela
Socials Studies, Religion, P.E.I’m Nadine! I live in rural Alberta with my husband and three children. I love teaching and exploring human connections and expressions, and I anticipate a thought-provoking and inspiring year with our PACeS community. James 1:5 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” It’s my prayer that we will have the courage to ask God for what we need, because His resources are endless, and He’s waiting to hear from us. Maranatha!
Chelsea Portillo
Mathematics, Physics, ScienceChelsea Portillo graduated with her Bachelors of Education from Canadian University College (now Burman University) in 2013. She began her teaching career at Parkview Adventist Academy before joining the PACeS team in 2018. Chelsea has a true passion for teaching, specifically the math and sciences, and hopes her students will appreciate the content she teaches as much as she does. When she’s not in the classroom, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family and friends, escaping to the beach, and playing board games.
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Lori Wiens-MacDonald
English, Art, Work ExperienceI’ve been teaching English and Art for over 20 years, and, happily, 17 of those have been with PACeS. I have a Masters of Arts in English from the University of Alberta. In my spare time I enjoy writing poetry and painting. While I love the whole book of Psalms for its beautiful imagery and for the writer’s honest voice, one of my favorite and one of the most reassuring verses is Psalm 46:1-3 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Tawnya Willing
Biology, Chemistry, Science, P.E.Welcome! I graduated from CUC (now Burman University) and have been teaching since 2003, with a few years off to focus on motherhood. I am married and have two wonderful children. I love exploring God’s creation through birding, nature photography, SCUBA diving, and travelling. I am passionate about teaching science and helping students discover that science is fascinating, exciting, and fun!
Psalms 19:1-2 NIV “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”
Matthew Okimi, B.Sc.
Mathematics, Information Technology, Religious StudiesMath is fun! No, really. Just keep working at it and asking questions! Making mistakes (and then fixing them) is how we learn. B.Sc. in Mathematics from WWC. PACeS teacher since 2000 + √144. Prior to PACeS I taught Math in BC and English in Japan. Riding boards, photography and the outdoors keep me entertained. Licensed to tell Dad jokes. “That is interesting and I’d love to talk about it – but we need to focus on today’s math…”
Joshua 1:9 MSG “Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”