Meet our Staff!
Administration
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Principal: Trine Dennis
Dä̀nnchʼe?, hello. I am honored to help lead at Kwata kets'adan ku. I have been living in the beautiful Yukon for 24 years on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, and I was fortunate to be able to raise my three children here. Before coming to the Yukon, I lived in Fort Nelson B.C., Port Hardy B.C., and Kamloops B.C.. Kamloops is where I grew up after I immigrated from Kristiansand, Norway. My interests range from reading a good book, CrossFit, hiking, camping, cooking, and fishing. I love getting on the river with my husband to fish for salmon in the summer and fall. My passion for learning is something I hope is contagious with the wonderful staff and students I have the pleasure of working with each day at Kwata kets'adan ku! Nanugishį (see you again soon) |
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Vice Principal - Jon Allen
Danch'e?, hello, I have been a member of the Hidden Valley School community since 2016. I live in Whitehorse with my wife and our 2 children. I was raised in Southern Ontario and from an early age began making connections to my outdoor surroundings. My peers and I were given the space, time and trust to explore the forests, parks, creeks and trails that surrounded my family home. It was here that my understanding of who I was as a learner, a friend, a creator, an explorer and as a person, began. My love of teaching and education was largely developed through working with children as a young adult. As an educator my desire to create and foster opportunities for the children that I work with is rooted in play, hands-on experience and helping children DO! At the core, I want to help influence the development of happy, kind, thoughtful students that value themselves, their families, their peers and our community. |
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Southern Tutchone Teacher
bio coming soon - Tu Shat K’e - Nicole Smith
Primary Teachers
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Kindergarten: Melaynie Campbell
My name is Melaynie Campbell. This will be my sixth year at Hidden Valley School. The Yukon is my home, and I am grateful to be living and working in such an amazing and beautiful place! I live with my husband, my son Damon, and our dogs (Kirby & Mac). My daughter, Ocean is heading to Vancouver for College, this fall. I love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking, camping, swimming, and exploring with our ATVs. We are so fortunate to have access to wonderful outdoor spaces, trails, and wildlife right out the doors of our school. In Kindergarten, we are outside in our forest classroom, every day so that we create a connection with our community and the environment. We focus on kindness and building our skills for strong relationships. I look forward to exploring, investigating, and learning through play each day, with my students. Learning is always an adventure |
Grade 1 - Laura Erickson
Hello, Danch'e? My name is Laura Erickson, and I am happy to be teaching at Hidden Valley for the remainder of the school year. I come to Hidden Valley from Yukon University where I have been instructing in the Early Learning program and Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP). Prior to my time at YukonU, I was a classroom teacher in Mayo, Ross River, Northern BC and in the NWT. While I enjoyed my time at YukonU, I greatly missed being in the classroom. I am very excited and so happy to be teaching at Hidden Valley School!
Hello, Danch'e? My name is Laura Erickson, and I am happy to be teaching at Hidden Valley for the remainder of the school year. I come to Hidden Valley from Yukon University where I have been instructing in the Early Learning program and Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP). Prior to my time at YukonU, I was a classroom teacher in Mayo, Ross River, Northern BC and in the NWT. While I enjoyed my time at YukonU, I greatly missed being in the classroom. I am very excited and so happy to be teaching at Hidden Valley School!
Grade 2/3: Jennifer Jang
Dännch’e?, bonjour, hello, my name is Jennifer Jang. I am from Vancouver and initially came to the Yukon to fulfill a wish to see the north. Instead of staying for 3 months, I stayed and taught in the Yukon for two years. Afterwards, I worked for the Vancouver School Board as an itinerant teacher but the call of the north was always whispering in the wind. I returned to the Yukon in 2013 to continue as an educator. My favourite time of the year is the fall because I love the crisp, cool fall weather highlighted by the vibrant colours of change. It also means it is the start of a new school year, new friends, and a fresh box of crayons. This year, I am very excited to begin another journey of wonder and learning with the Hidden Valley Family. I am looking forward to learning with the students in the grade 2/3 class and helping them grow into caring individuals who understands the meaning of kindness and perseverance.
Dännch’e?, bonjour, hello, my name is Jennifer Jang. I am from Vancouver and initially came to the Yukon to fulfill a wish to see the north. Instead of staying for 3 months, I stayed and taught in the Yukon for two years. Afterwards, I worked for the Vancouver School Board as an itinerant teacher but the call of the north was always whispering in the wind. I returned to the Yukon in 2013 to continue as an educator. My favourite time of the year is the fall because I love the crisp, cool fall weather highlighted by the vibrant colours of change. It also means it is the start of a new school year, new friends, and a fresh box of crayons. This year, I am very excited to begin another journey of wonder and learning with the Hidden Valley Family. I am looking forward to learning with the students in the grade 2/3 class and helping them grow into caring individuals who understands the meaning of kindness and perseverance.
Grade 2/3: Aviam Soudack: I’m honoured to be a homeroom teacher at our Learning House/Bush School, Kwata kets'adan ku. I arrived at Hidden Valley Elementary 4 years ago as a Learning Assistance Teacher. I'm nearing 2 decades of homeroom experience, teaching from Canada to far flung communities including South Korea, Colombia, Guatemala, Senegal and Egypt. My growing family enjoys the natural beauty that Yukon offers, and my daughters, Nora & Mollie, simply adore all things Whitehorse. I look forward to contributing to our Dän Shawthän community.
Shaw ni'than, Todah, Merci, Thank You
Mr. Aviam Soudack
Shaw ni'than, Todah, Merci, Thank You
Mr. Aviam Soudack
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On Leave: Tracy Klein
My name is Ms. Tracy Klein. I grew up in the West Kootenays, a small town called Edgewood, B.C.. My parents still live there, and my grandma lives with them too. My sister lives in Ontario. We always look forward to seeing each other. I have been teaching in the Yukon since 1998, in Carmacks and in Whitehorse. I have primarily taught Kindergarten to grade 3. I have 3 wonderful children of my own, who are 20, 18 and 14. I love living in the Yukon, taking advantage of all the various outdoor activities that surround us. I like to jog, bike, hike, camp and fish in the summer. In the winter I cross country ski and downhill ski at Mt. Sima, as well as walk my dog Timber. I also have 2 cats, Clover and Buddy. I love creating arts, music, dance, and cooking for my family. This photo is taken from the Dempster Highway, Tombstone mountain range from Discovery Days weekend. |
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My name is Melissa Oulton and this is my fourth year teaching at Hidden Valley!
I moved to the Yukon 4 years ago from Kamloops, British Columbia shortly after completing my Bachelor of Elementary Education at Thompson Rivers University. The Yukon was always a place that I wanted to explore and I knew that it would be a great place to start my teaching career. It was a big change after growing up in the Okanagan Valley but I quickly decided it was where I was meant to be! I live here with my husband William and our dog Cojo. We love camping, exploring the trails around our home and we love to ice fish in the winter months.
For the last 2 years, I have been teaching Kindergarten/Gr.1 and prior to that I was our Neurodiversity teacher here at HVS. I have a passion for Inclusive Education and I am currently working on my last few Masters courses for my masters in Inclusive Education & Literacy Education through Queen’s University. Thank you for reading! :)
Shaw ni ‘than
I moved to the Yukon 4 years ago from Kamloops, British Columbia shortly after completing my Bachelor of Elementary Education at Thompson Rivers University. The Yukon was always a place that I wanted to explore and I knew that it would be a great place to start my teaching career. It was a big change after growing up in the Okanagan Valley but I quickly decided it was where I was meant to be! I live here with my husband William and our dog Cojo. We love camping, exploring the trails around our home and we love to ice fish in the winter months.
For the last 2 years, I have been teaching Kindergarten/Gr.1 and prior to that I was our Neurodiversity teacher here at HVS. I have a passion for Inclusive Education and I am currently working on my last few Masters courses for my masters in Inclusive Education & Literacy Education through Queen’s University. Thank you for reading! :)
Shaw ni ‘than
Intermediate Teachers
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Grade 4/5: James Mitchell
Hello, Danch'e?, my name is James Mitchell (he/him). Students can call me James Teacher, everyone else can call me James! My family roots reach back to Italy, Greece and Ireland. I grew up in Southern Ontario and have called the Yukon home for many years now. I live in Whitehorse with my partner Emily and our children Birdie and Gabe. As a teacher I believe my childhood really did shape my understanding of education. I was given a lot of freedom to explore when I was a young person. I still love to learn this way the most! I am happy to share that last year I completed my Forest School Certification and can't wait to get students back out and learning on the land! He |
Grade 5/6: Nicole Birkeland
Hello! My name is Nicole Birkeland, and I am excited to return to the Hidden Valley community this spring as an intermediate literacy teacher.
Originally from Salmon Arm, BC, I moved to the Yukon eight years ago with my husband, Phil, and our daughter, Rémi. We spent three years living and working in the traditional territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin in Old Crow before returning to Whitehorse in 2020. In 2024, we welcomed a new addition to our family—a son, Ember.
As an educator, I am dedicated to continuous growth and improving my teaching practice. I am passionate about fostering community and a love learning in my students.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends, as well as exploring my creative side through textile arts.
Hello! My name is Nicole Birkeland, and I am excited to return to the Hidden Valley community this spring as an intermediate literacy teacher.
Originally from Salmon Arm, BC, I moved to the Yukon eight years ago with my husband, Phil, and our daughter, Rémi. We spent three years living and working in the traditional territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin in Old Crow before returning to Whitehorse in 2020. In 2024, we welcomed a new addition to our family—a son, Ember.
As an educator, I am dedicated to continuous growth and improving my teaching practice. I am passionate about fostering community and a love learning in my students.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends, as well as exploring my creative side through textile arts.
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Grade 7: Thomas Cheng
Hello, my name is Thomas Cheng. I grew up in Vancouver, BC and have had my fair share of rain. My wife and I decided to move too Whitehorse in August of 2020 and so far there have been no complaints. We have survived our second winter and cannot wait to see the snow in a few months. My hobbies include hiking, snow-shoeing, walking our Samoyed Hyko, and practicing my accuracy at the range. I cannot wait to explore the outdoors with the 7 students. My goal as an educator is to empower the students to be able to advocate for their learning and to develop their critical thinking skills throughout all disciplinary areas. |
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Bios Coming Soon - Nigel Sinclair-Eckert
Educational Assistants
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Tammy Reed
Hello, my name is Ms. Tammy. My life is shared with my loving and supportive partner Jeff. We have a large blended family with seven children (ages 10-22) and two fur babies. Our house is very busy but full of love and adventure. I have a background in Early Childhood Development with over 15 years experience working in a variety of rolls within childcare in Whitehorse and this will be my 3rd year at Hidden Valley School as an Education Assistant. I grew up on the traditional territory of the Taku River Tlingit in Atlin and moved to Whitehorse at age 15 to finish my schooling. Growing up in the small community of Atlin gave me a childhood filled with outdoor play and education much like that at Hidden Valley School. I spent my time with friends hiking, canoeing, hunting, fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, camping, buiding forts, picking berries, playing sports and helping out in the community. Working with, learning alongside and exploring with children brings me joy. Seeing their excitement when they discover new things or achieve new goals makes me smile. I am very excited to continue working with the team at Hidden Valley School and look forward to new adventures this year! |
Dénht'ā? How are you in Kaska. My name is Alexandrea Lutz. I was born and raised in the Yukon. I come from Watson lake, a little community on the bc border. I'm a proud member of the Liard First Nation.
12 years ago I moved to Whitehorse and never left. I met my partner Felix and we started our forever life together. We have two boys and both have autism. Being a mom of two kiddos with autism pushed me into my now career at Hidden Valley. I love being a EA! |
Mabuhay! My name is Gilbert Tagalog. I was born and raised in the Philippines. My family and I came to Yukon with a heartfelt dream — to finally live together under one roof after nine years of long-distance while my wife worked in Singapore. Yukon made that dream possible, and today we are happily raising our two wonderful children here in the North.
Living in Whitehorse has been an incredible experience for our family. We’ve embraced adventures we never had back home — from experiencing our very first winter and playing in the snow to enjoying sledding and skiing together. With 10 years of experience as an elementary teacher, and as a Filipino, I bring the values of bayanihan (community spirit) and malasakit (genuine care and compassion) into my work each day, helping create a positive, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every child feels supported and valued. I truly enjoy being part of the Hidden Valley community and look forward to continuing to grow alongside the students and staff here. |
Dana Wilson -This is my second wonderful year as an Education Assistant at HVS. I feel incredibly lucky to work with such an amazing group of students and staff. My husband and I moved to Whitehorse in May 2023, and we often say we wish we had made the move sooner! We love spending time outdoors, exploring the beautiful surroundings with our dog, Freyja. One of the things I appreciate most about HVS is how much we incorporate outdoor learning and exploration into our days.
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Danch'e? bonjour, hello! My name is Amandine, and the Yukon has been my true home since 2019, when I arrived from France — right into a new language, a new culture, and a new adventure. I am the lucky mother of three amazing human beings — Agathe, Luke, and Iris — whom I’m so grateful to raise with my wonderful husband, Jordan. You’ll often see our family biking, hiking, canoeing, and camping with our loving dog, Mollie, on the beautiful Yukon land. Before moving here, I worked as a registered nurse, caring for others in a variety of settings. In Whitehorse, I’ve worked as an early childhood educator. These experiences have taught me patience, compassion, and the joy of helping people grow. What I love most about Hidden Valley School is its heart, a place where every child is seen, valued, and trusted to become their full self. The outdoor learning, the laughter of children in the forest, and the connection to the land and Yukon First Nations ways of knowing all make this a very special community to be part of.
I feel truly grateful to walk alongside students as they discover who they are and what they can do. Thanks for reading about me — all the best! |
CLAUDIA HARDING- Hello! My name is Claudia Harding, and I’m originally from Australia, though I’ve been fortunate to call Canada home for the past 20 years. Recently, my family and I made the move to the beautiful Yukon after living in central BC.
I’m passionate about spending time outdoors and love hiking, camping, canoeing, biking, and skiing with my husband and two young children. Nature truly is my happy place.
I was drawn to Hidden Valley because of its unique focus on getting children outdoors, connecting with nature, and fostering their curiosity through hands-on, engaging experiences. What has kept me here, however, is the incredible sense of community—the passionate and supportive students, as well as the amazing team of educators. (photo to follow)
I’m passionate about spending time outdoors and love hiking, camping, canoeing, biking, and skiing with my husband and two young children. Nature truly is my happy place.
I was drawn to Hidden Valley because of its unique focus on getting children outdoors, connecting with nature, and fostering their curiosity through hands-on, engaging experiences. What has kept me here, however, is the incredible sense of community—the passionate and supportive students, as well as the amazing team of educators. (photo to follow)
My name is Pratham Saddi, and I’m so happy to be part of our school community. I moved to Canada in 2021 and completed my Diploma in General Arts and Sciences at St. Lawrence College in Ontario. Before becoming an Educational Assistant, I worked as a Support Worker and a School Bus Driver, where I learned the importance of patience, kindness, and safety.
I love supporting students, celebrating their successes, and helping create a caring and positive classroom where every child feels included and confident. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning and growth together!
I love supporting students, celebrating their successes, and helping create a caring and positive classroom where every child feels included and confident. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning and growth together!
Bios coming soon: Tannen Elliot, Shantell Risby, Janice Anonuevo, Erin Neufeld,
Learning Assistance
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Denise McDiarmid
Danch'e?, bonjour, hello! My name is Denise McDiarmid (she/her) and I have the wonderful pleasure of teaching at Hidden Valley School. I was born and raised in the small Yukon community of Stewart Crossing/Mayo, where my childhood saw me engaging in the vast outdoor experiences our territory has to offer. From horseback riding, dog sledding, salmon fishing, and trekking through the natural wilderness, I was able to learn and experience my local environment in a fun and hands-on manner. Play was the vehicle for my daily adventures in the forest in my backyard, and all of these experiences have shaped how I approach teaching. I hope to provide the students at Hidden Valley with an opportunity to connect with themselves, their local environment, and feel a sense of belonging and success by building on their strengths and interests. |
Danch'e? Hello, and Kia Ora. My name is Stephen Horton (he/him) and I am excited to be a learning assistance teacher for numeracy at Hidden Valley School. I am the proud parent of 3 children with my beautiful wife. My family and I recently returned to the Yukon following many years in New Zealand. Seeking to raise my family with the same type of experiences that I grew up with, we now spend our time enjoying the Yukon outdoors, skiing, hiking, canoeing, boating and enjoying the wilderness. It is these types of experiences that I strive to immerse students learning in as well as we explore numeracy together.
Danch'e? Hello, and Kia Ora. My name is Stephen Horton (he/him) and I am excited to be a learning assistance teacher for numeracy at Hidden Valley School. I am the proud parent of 3 children with my beautiful wife. My family and I recently returned to the Yukon following many years in New Zealand. Seeking to raise my family with the same type of experiences that I grew up with, we now spend our time enjoying the Yukon outdoors, skiing, hiking, canoeing, boating and enjoying the wilderness. It is these types of experiences that I strive to immerse students learning in as well as we explore numeracy together.
Katie Feht
Danch’e, Hello, my name is Katie Feht. This will be my fifth year teaching in the Hidden Valley community. I have called the Yukon home for seven years, which has helped shape who I am as a person and teacher. I spend much of my time hiking, biking, paddling, hunting, fishing and playing hockey. I take any opportunity I can to get on the land with my husband, our daughter and our dog, as well as with my students. I’m looking forward to the learning, adventures and growth the come with a new school year.
Bio Coming Soon - Andrea Webber
Specialists
D'Arcy Hill - Physical Education Teacher
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Hello, my name is D’Arcy Hill (he/him) and I am excited to be the new Physical Education teacher for Hidden Valley School. I am originally growing up in Whitby (just outside Toronto), Ontario and played a lot of sports growing up. I was lucky enough to play Basketball, Baseball and Lacrosse for York University while I was getting my degree in Kinesiology. I then ended up doing my teacher degree, with a focus on Health and Physical Education, at the University of Queensland in Australia. I moved to Whitehorse 8 years ago and now have two boys, Sean (4 yrs) and Douglas (6 yrs) with my partner Julia. As you can see, I love all types of sports and activities and value participation, fair play and fun when doing any sport or activity. I look forward to a great active school year, GO HUSKIES!
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Allen Penny - ADST/Music Teacher
Hello, Danch'e?, my name is Allen Penny (he/him) and I am the music and learning commons teacher here at HVS. I am originally from New Brunswick but my partner Greg and I took a chance at moving to a new place we knew very little about at the time and since arriving - it has very much felt like home and is now the place where we have started our family. We love the Yukon so much we named a little one after it! Aside from music and performing as hobbies – I enjoy exploring the outdoors, gathering with friends and family and as all the kids know – gaming J. I am excited to be here at HVS and I look forward to collaborating, creating and seeing all the amazing upcoming engineering and musical productions.
Hello, Danch'e?, my name is Allen Penny (he/him) and I am the music and learning commons teacher here at HVS. I am originally from New Brunswick but my partner Greg and I took a chance at moving to a new place we knew very little about at the time and since arriving - it has very much felt like home and is now the place where we have started our family. We love the Yukon so much we named a little one after it! Aside from music and performing as hobbies – I enjoy exploring the outdoors, gathering with friends and family and as all the kids know – gaming J. I am excited to be here at HVS and I look forward to collaborating, creating and seeing all the amazing upcoming engineering and musical productions.