Margaret Mattess has been the well-respected principal of Eugene Joseph School for over 3 years. However, even before she ascended through the ranks, she worked hard for 26 years to improve our education system in many capacities. She served as Chairperson of the Education Committee, worked as School Secretary for 10 years, was employed as a Support Worker at Fort St. James Secondary School, and taught as both a Substitute and Certificated Teacher.

Mrs. Mattess is a visionary leader and a positive Tl'azt'enne role model for the community. She maintains high expectations for her staff and students, while maintaining a positive school environment. She has been integral in introducing cutting-edge, research-based educational programs into the school, such as Roots of Empathy, Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory Education, Readwell, and Successmaker, as well as implementing school-wide Effective Behaviour Supports.

Mrs. Mattess has created a school environment where everyone can strive to achieve success - children, staff, parents, and community members can all access opportunities to share knowledge, enhance their education, and contribute to school endeavours.

Tracy works hard keeping the school running smoothly and efficiently. She has been working at Eugene Joseph School for 9 great years, where she provides lots of advice and support to the school staff. Tracy routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty without complaint and keeps staff and students in good spirits with her wonderful sense of humour.

Gloria Duncan has been working for 30 years as a Carrier Language & Culture Teacher both at Eugene Joseph School and elsewhere in the School Division. This year, she started co-instructing a Carrier Language and Culture Program so other people can become certified language teachers in a 3-year program, while still teaching at our school. Ms. Duncan has developed a hands-on, interactive curriculum that provides language instruction in a fun and interesting manner, which our students love.

Anne keeps the library organized, researches and provides support materials for the classes, performs general office work (i.e. photocopying and laminating), helps out in the classrooms, and works as a relief receptionist. She is a dedicated employee and a great help to other staff.

William Pierre safely and reliably transports our students to school and back home in our small bus, and also takes students on field trips. William also busses Daycare and Headstart, and is appreciated for his easygoing nature and positive attitude.

Paul Anatole is our dedicated and hardworking Maintenance Person. For several years, he has been tirelessly ensuring that the school building, grounds, and fixtures remain safe and functional.

Maureen Thomas comes to Eugene Joseph from Saikuz First Nation, a Carrier community located near Vanderhoof, British Columbia. Miss Thomas has many years of experience in teaching and administration in First Nations schools. She speaks a different dialect of Dakelh than her students, but still integrates First Nation knowledge and language into her classroom. Miss Thomas' classroom is filled with singing and storytelling, and she places particular emphasis on multisensory education.

Leonie Anatole has been an integral part of Eugene Joseph School for 13 years. Her gentle manner and limitless patience have made her a positive additon to the Kindergarten class. Leonie loves to fundraise for extra activities for students (i.e. field trips, Christmas presents, Easter baskets), and takes a leadership role by managing some school activities and supervision scheduling. Leonie is a positive role model.

Vicki Prinsen is a returning teacher at Eugene Joseph School, and has been teaching for nearly 4 years in total. Mrs. Prinsen puts particular emphasis on basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the classroom, enhanced by multicultural appreciation and the infusion of First Nations traditional knowledge. She engages students in building social skills and contributing to a positive classroom community. She is the in-house computer dork.

Crystal has been working at EJES for 3 years, and has been an asset in several classrooms. Her perseverance, assertive manner and take-charge attitude make her an indispensible addition to the Grade 1/2/3 classroom. Crystal has maintained a central role in school fundraising for extra activities for students (i.e. field trips, Christmas presents, Easter baskets. She helpfully contributes her knowledge of Carrier language and culture to the classroom.

Bruce McKay is a Metis teacher with an abundance of diverse employment experience. He emphasizes experiential learning both in the classroom and out in the field by providing lots of hands-on opportunities for students to develop important life skills in tandem with curricular knowledge. Mr. McKay has developed some classroom initiatives for his class to work towards so that they become accustomed to hard work, volunteerism and homework. He has been building a supportive classroom climate for his students, so that they have a caring and safe environment in which to learn.

Sharmon Joseph is a recent addition to the classroom, but has been a supportive parent at Eugene Joseph School for several years. Her positive attitude and willingness to contribute have already made her an asset to the school community. Sharmon loves the outdoors which complements Mr. McKay's outdoor education program.

Ernie joined our staff with a positive outlook and a great deal of enthusiasm. His energy, sense of humour and adventurous spirit have been an appreciated addition to the school staff. He has an outgoing manner and is a good role model, especially for the boys in the classroom.