Staff Members
Dariel Bateman, Co-Executive Director
Dariel brings over 30 years experience contributing to the community non-profit and educational sectors in our city.Prior to joining us, Dariel was with the United Way of Calgary and Area for seven years as founding project manager of the Calgary Children's Initiative, and in United Way's poverty reduction endeavors. She worked closely with many community stakeholders to help change the conditions that impact root causes of poverty.Dariel also worked with the Calgary Board of Education in various roles including System Coordinator for Staff Development, school principal, teacher and resource teacher.
Steacy Lee Collyer, Co-Executive Director
Steacy has been a leader, educator, project manager and consultant for over twenty years in the Public and Non-Profit sectors. She is a recognized specialist in innovative teaching practices, literacy, leadership, resiliency and the intentional use of hope in learning communities. As an experienced teacher and trainer, she has facilitated staff professional development in hundreds of schools across Alberta and British Columbia. Steacy's commitment to and involvement with Leadership Calgary, The Calgary Children's Initiative, Roots of Empathy and the Calgary Learning Village Collaborative demonstrate her adept ability to connect people and enable collaborations. Steacy is a founder of Calgary Reads, a passionate reader, life long volunteer and most importantly proud mom of three daughters who are her best teachers .
Dawn Cruickshank, Office Manager
As a mother of two and former medical secretary, Dawn brings to Calgary Reads a background rich in volunteerism. She has spent over 9 years volunteering for Valley View Elementary School, as well as, being Treasurer for School Council, PAC Chairperson at Ian Bazalgette Junior High and as a family literacy facilitator.
Colleen Ferguson, Director of Volunteer Services
Colleen comes to Calgary Reads with a passion for volunteerism. She has an education in volunteer management, and a life long commitment to volunteering herself and with her family. She is a mother of three children. Colleen is responsible for all aspects of the Volunteer Program with Calgary Reads.
Gena Howat, Program Teacher
Gena is a program teacher with specific responsibilities for Calgary Reads with a Friend, and Together Events, and assists in tutor training, research and early literacy teacher training. In her career with the Calgary Board of Education, Gena has been a classroom, literacy lead and information literacy teacher. Working in Grades 1 to 4, Gena has been committed to high needs families, English as a Second Language (ESL) and special needs students and students who struggle with literacy. She has two adult daughters and a new grand child.
Meran Wilson, Program Teacher/Facilitator
Meran brings twenty five years of teaching experience to Calgary Reads. She has taught in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, and for the Calgary Board of Education. Meran has worked as a Special Education Teacher, a Behaviour Strategist, a Grade 1 teacher and as a Resource/ELL Teacher to students from Kindergarten through Grade 3. Meran's greatest joy throughout her teaching career has been to help children learn how to read.