Stephen Armitage – Vimy Ridge Sport Rec Program Coordinator
Stephen Armitage is a 2007 graduate of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Physical Education specializing in Sports Performance. Stephen started with the program as a U of A practicum student in the fall of 2006, and then began working full time at the beginning of the 2007 school year. Within the Program he is focused on building better athletes through fitness training and on ice instruction, as well as character through hard work. Stephen also holds certificates in health and sports nutrition and athletic first-aid from the Sports Medical Council of Alberta and is designated as a Certified Personal Trainer by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
During high school in his home town of Dawson Creek, B.C. volleyball, basketball, baseball and skiing as well as hockey kept Stephen active. Today he keeps his passion for sports alive playing in an Edmonton men's hockey league and making frequent trips to the mountains to enjoy the snow during the winter. He plays baseball and softball during warmer months.
Stephen has also worked with many local sports teams as their athletic trainer including the Spruce Grove Saints, Maple Leafs Athletic Club Bantam AAA hockey club and Sherwood Park Titan's Junior Lacrosse.
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Kerrie Locher – Teacher/Instructor at Donnan School
After graduating from the University of Alberta in 1995 with a Bachelor of Education, Kerrie has been teaching at Donnan, minus a few years off on maternity leave. She returned from maternity leave, taking a part time position with the Sport Rec program last year. Kerrie is thrilled and grateful for this opportunity to be involved in a program that helps foster a love for a healthy, active lifestyle in students.
Kerrie has participated in a wide variety of recreational indoor and outdoor athletics throughout her life. Her interest and passion for living an active, healthy lifestyle are simply for pure enjoyment and quality of life. She hopes to remain active and be able to continue to participate in many activities alongside her 5 children, not just watching and waiting. It is her desire to pass on this commitment to lifelong fitness, leading to healthy bodies and healthy minds, to her Sport Rec students.
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Jeff Jones – Executive Director, Academic and Athletic Development (AAD)
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Dave Tran – Teacher/Instructor
Dave Tran has been a teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board for the past 6 years and was a former member of the Canadian National Men’s Water Polo program from 1995-2001 and a Provincial U17 Head Water Polo Coach from 2003-2004.
A graduate of the University of Alberta, Dave holds a Bachelor of Education as well as a level 2 National Coaching Certification. He also facilitates the Students’ Union at Vimy Ridge Academy which encourages leadership and pride. These experiences, in combination with his interests in all sports, allow him to provide students with a high motivation and enthusiasm for an active and healthy lifestyle.
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Rob Schmidt – Teacher/Instructor - Vimy Ridge Academy
Rob Schmidt is new to Vimy Ridge Academy this year. He has been a teacher with Edmonton Public Schools for the past 14 years and has previously taught at Donnan School where he worked as a coach in the Sport Rec and The Hockey Program for the past ten years. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Rob holds a Bachelor of Education Degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Rob has been involved in outdoor athletics for many years and during his spare time he works as a ski instructor and coach. His interests and experience help to provide students in the Sport Rec Program with a desire for lifelong fitness leading to healthy bodies and healthy minds.
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Chris Kleinmann – Department Head of Science / High School Athletics Coordinator / High School Sport Rec Instructor
Chris has taught at Vimy Ridge Academy since 2003 and has been involved with high school Sport Rec program since its inception at Vimy Ridge.
A graduate of the University of Alberta, Chris holds a Bachelor of Education with a major in General Sciences and a minor in Physical Education.
Chris has coached numerous high school athletic teams such as volleyball, golf, and badminton while at Vimy Ridge.
Chris draws on his wide variety of interests and experiences in athletics and sport/outdoor activities to provide students with a well rounded program that encourages life-long learning and participation for a healthy and active lifestyle.
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Lindsay McAlpine – Teacher/Instructor - Vimy Ridge
Lindsay McAlpine has been a teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board for the past 3 years and was a former member of the University of Alberta Pandas Hockey Team from 2001-2007, winning 5 National Championships and CIS Player of the Year in ‘06/’07.
A graduate of the University of Alberta, Lindsay holds a combined Bachelor of Physical Education/Education and has recently completed her Masters degree in Sport Sociology. She holds a National Level 2 Coaching Certification in Ice Hockey, and was just named the Grant MacEwan Griffins Head Coach for the 2010/11 season.
All of these experiences, allow her to provide students with a high motivation to take their passion for sport to the next level.
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Olli Megley – Teacher/Instructor - Vimy Ridge
Olli Megley is one of the Vimy Ridge "originals" who came to the school the year of its inception, and with the exception of taking two years off to teach Physical Education in the private school system in Toronto, she has been at Vimy Ridge since, teaching in her co-favorite area, English Language Arts. Last year she returned to her roots, and one of her majors: Physical Education (Sports Rec).
A graduate of U of A, Olli is a former national champion and record holder in waterskiing, and has earned medals in tournament play in volleyball, basketball, badminton, and squash. Her current favorite sports are golf, walking, and yoga. Olli is most often seen around school with a camera in her hand, beckoning for a smile, capturing your best antics, the photos of which you are bound to see in the yearbook, on the display boards, or in assembly productions.
Years of competitive and recreation sports, and an understanding of the evolution of activity in the individual, make Olli as an excellent example and resource for students in Sports Rec programs.
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Clark Kerby – Teacher/Instructor - Vimy Ridge
This will be Clark's third year with Vimy Ridge Academy and he is once again looking forward to instructing in the Sport Rec Program.
Clark received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in 2007. He strongly believes that wellness has a place in everyone's life, and that being physically active creates healthy bodies and more focused minds. While he has been involved in many sports over the years, much of his recreational focus in the past has been on Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which has led him into both amateur and professional Mixed Martial Arts bouts. Clark draws on his past experiences with activities and wellness to encourage students to participate in an active lifestyle.
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Claire McAlpine – Teacher/Instructor - Vimy Ridge
Claire McAlpine has been a teacher with Edmonton Public schools for the past two years. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Claire holds a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Physical Education. She was a former member of the Kings University Volleyball Team from '04-'06. Claire is in her third season coaching the Vimy Senior Girls Volleyball Team, and has also coached the Park Girls U17 club team during the winter months. During her spare time, Claire still plays volleyball and soccer year round. She is very excited to be with the students and staff of Vimy Ridge this year.
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Lindsay Robinson – Teacher/Instructor - Vimy Ridge
Ms. Robinson has been a teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board for the past 3 years. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Education in mathematics and Special Education. She was a former member of the University of Alberta Pandas Hockey Team and presents a member of the Alberta Hockey Team in the CWHL. She holds a Coaching Certification in Ice Hockey, and spends much of her time in the winter coaching the MacEwan Griffins. Ms. Robinson enjoys working with the students at Vimy Ridge Academy in a unique environment.
