The ATEQ Board of Directors 2026/27

Before becoming a teacher Heather worked in the English language theatre community at Infinitheatre and Black Theatre Workshop. She practices project based / experiential learning and has implemented various sustainable and arts based projects. She has also piloted the Accessible Reading Quebec Project, an initiative of the Direction des services a la communaute Anglophone (DSCA) of the Ministere de l’Education et de l’Enseignement superieur and ALDI Initiative, on behalf of the English school boards of Quebec as well as the Advanced 5 Balanced Literacy Approach. Heather is honoured to be part of the growing ATEQ community.

Nick is currently teaching ELA (among other subjects) at Outreach High School in Montreal, Quebec.  He has a jumbled undergraduate degree that consists of History, English Literature, Philosophy and Creative Writing, shared between McGill and Concordia University.  After spending several years working in various fields, he returned to school where he found his true passion – teaching.  He strives to infuse his craft with his multitude of personal interests – from gaming, to film, to literature, politics and technology.  His main priority as an educator is to help foster an equitable and inclusive learning environment and pedagogy for each and every student. 

Abigail began her career as a high school ELA teacher and then was the Coordinator of ELA Programmes at Quebec’s Ministry of Education for twenty seven years, during which time she directed the team that produced the QEP’s ELA programmes and Progressions of Learning. She has always believed in the grassroots power of teachers working together, and of the importance of encouraging professionalism in teaching.

Jessica is the Head Teacher at Programme Mile End High School, which is part of the Outreach Schools Network in the EMSB. She has worked there for her entire teaching career, spanning over 30 years, with the exception of her 3-year secondment to the Ministry to co-write the SELA2 program. She is (still!) working part-time on her Master’s Degree at McGill, applying a critical lens to the discipline practices and policies implemented in schools in the name of school safety. She is also known for her passion for working with disenfranchised youth, as well as dressing in black, loving British crime procedurals, and reading about how to change the world through education.

Emily is passionate about teaching, researching, and geeking out over all things theatre and YA. After working as an educator for several years within the EMSB’s secondary schools and Outreach Network, she completed a PhD in McGill’s Department of Integrated Studies in Education in 2025. Emily’s research centered the rich and complex literacy practices that flourish in informal learning spaces, such as youth centres, afterschool clubs, and online fandoms. ATEQ has provided an essential space for connection and care since Emily completed her B.Ed. in 2017, and she’s honoured to be a member of the community. 

Pamela is a Secondary ELA Teacher with the New Frontiers School Board. She graduated from McGill’s MATL program in 2015 and has worked with the ETSB, EMSB, and SWLSB before finding a home with the NFSB. She loves reading YA, memoir, and flash fiction and has a passion for incorporating the Arts in ELA. She lives in Chateauguay with her husband, daughter, cat, dog, and piles of books.

Mary has been teaching ELA at Chateauguay Valley Regional HS for over 24 years, and has been the department head for most of that time, with the exception of her five and half year stint seconded to the Ministry as a curriculum writer for both SELAs 1 and 2, and the Secondary Progression of Learning. She is passionate about traveling, learning, and teaching. She lives in the country and tries not to kill too many plants.

Mary is a student-teacher field supervisor through McGill’s DISE. She continues her work as a member of the CPIQ executive and as an editor of their journal, and is a long-standing member of the ATEQ board. Mary is passionate about reading and literature, and being an advocate for the ELA community.