Staff
Curtis Kleisinger
B.Ed., B.A., M.A.
Executive Director
Curtis received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Regina in 1996 and Bachelor of Arts in History from Campion College at the University of Regina in 1999. He also completed an M.A. in Educational Leadership via the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame in 2016.
Curtis taught at the high school level in the Regina Catholic School Division for fourteen years before taking on the challenge of becoming the founding principal of Canada’s first Jesuit middle school based on the NativityMiguel model. Under his guidance and leadership, Mother Teresa Middle School opened its doors in 2011. Curtis moved into the role of Executive Director/CEO of Mother Teresa Middle School in 2013.
Curtis was inducted into the Jesuit Honor Society - Alpha Sigma Nu in 2015 and received the Magis Medal as one of 100 Alpha Sigma Nu Members who best exemplify scholarship, loyalty, and service in their work to better the world. He was the recipient of Campion College Alumni of Distinction Award (2014), the Regina Catholic Schools Catholic Leadership Award (2013), and the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation (2009). In 2008, he was named a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. He currently serves on the Saskatchewan War Memorial Committee, the Board of Governors for the Saskatchewan Corps of Commissionaires, and on the Judicial Advisory Committee for the Province of Saskatchewan.
Terri Cote
B.Ed. , M.Ed.
Principal
Terri has a deep passion for educating students in marginalized communities. She is exceptionally creative and is known as a leader and innovator in curriculum and instruction. Terri was the first 6th-grade teacher at MTMS after spending 15 years at Sacred Heart Community School. She has been recognized on a number of occasions for her teaching excellence. In 1998, she was awarded the Roy C. Hill Award, Great Merit and in 2009, she was part of a Sterling McDowell Research Project which focused on “Unleashing the Power of Collective Intelligence”. She completed her master's degree in curriculum and instruction in August 2017. Terri has also served on the Board of Directors for the Jesuit Schools Network.
Ron Gonzales
BPAS, B.Ed.
Director of Student Support/Graduate Support Director
Ron began his teaching career with the Ranch Ehrlo Society in 1998. He served as a teacher/youth mentor in the Guidance Department of Archbishop M.C. O’Neill Catholic High School for ten years before moving to St. Luke School. A two time Canadian body building champion, Ron has a passion for health and wellness. He spent five years as a collegiate wrestler at the University of Regina, and coached the men’s wrestling team to a gold medal and the women’s team to a silver medal at the Canada Summer Games in 2005. Ron’s positive energy and enthusiasm make him a wonderful mentor and role model for students.
Evie Sawatzky
CFRE, BA Mus
Director of Development
Evie has experience as a professional performer, director, manager, educator, collaborator, entrepreneur, and planner. Her passions include classical music, theatre, arts management, non-profit organizations, and tourism/events, and social media strategy & management.
Evie was a Management Fellow at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-On-The-Lake and a Social Media Strategist at HJ Linnen Associates. For 13 years, she was the founding Artistic Director & CEO of RuBarb Productions Inc. and a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. She has taught dance, drama, and voice for over 25 years (Briercrest College, Doris Sitter School of Dance, RuBarb School of Performing Arts, Class Act Studios, Sawatzky Studios), sat on many non-profit boards (Saskatchewan Association of Theatre Professionals – Chair, Moose Jaw Downtown Committee (Vice President), Association of Creative Industries of Saskatchewan, The Jaleta Pacer’s Royal Road Race), and has directed, produced, conducted, or choreographed over 50 full-length productions (Globe Theatre, RuBarb Productions Inc., Briercrest College).
Evie is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Management from Harvard University. She has completed a Graduate Certificate in Marketing Management and Digital Strategies from the Harvard Extension School, and the CORe program with Harvard Business School Online. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and a member of the South Saskatchewan Association of Fundraising Professionals. She loves fundraising and planning gala events that tell a story and help you connect with your donors. She was awarded the CBC Future 40 under 40 (2013), Discover Moose Jaw’s Top 40 under 40 (2014), and a Canadian Arts & Business Award (2013).
Jane Brundige
B.Ed.
Intervention Specialist
Jane has had the pleasure of being a part of the Mother Teresa Middle School family since 2011. She began as a volunteer in the grade 6 classroom. The following year Jane was given the opportunity of interning under Terri Cote in the grade 6 classroom. Jane completed her education degree at the University of Regina in 2012. She began her teaching career with Regina Public Schools in a grade 7/8 classroom. In the fall of 2013, she then took on the role of the grade 7 teacher at MTMS for the next five years. Jane is now in the role of Intervention Facilitator where she loves being able to work with the students in grade 6 all the way up to the alumni in post-secondary. Jane loves the MTMS mission and believes that at the heart of what we do is the relationships with our students and families – this is her favourite part of her job!
Becky Bernhardt
B.S.W.
Graduate Outreach Coordinator
Becky has brought a wealth of knowledge and passion in working with students and families to the MTMS Team. After obtaining her Social Work degree from the University of Regina in 2010, Becky served as a Community School Coordinator at St. Francis Community School for four years. Becky spent six years serving the middle school youth and families at MTMS in a social work capacity. Becky then transitioned to working with the MTMS high school and post-secondary team in a similar role. Becky will continue to build meaningful and lasting relationships with the MTMS School Community.
Liz Fogarty
B.Ed., B.A. Honours
Graduate Support Assistant
Liz is an “unretired” high school teacher who brings over 30 years of experience to MTMS, with a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in Visual Arts and minoring in Christian Ethics. While teaching, Liz earned a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Theology. Throughout her career, Liz has had the good fortune of having had a diversity of teaching experiences. These range from regular classroom teacher to alternative educator at St. Luke’s School where she served as a teacher, guidance counsellor, and lay chaplain, to program developer for Regina Catholic Schools in the area of drug and alcohol education. Finally, as a teacher of Advanced Placement programming in Psychology, she left that program the most successful course of its kind in Canada as she retired from Regina Catholic Schools. Liz then went on to supervise teacher interns for First Nations University, as she continued to volunteer for and serve on the boards of organizations focusing on childhood and adolescent advocacy for at-risk populations. Happily married for 36 years, a mother of four, and a grandmother of seven, Liz looks forward to building positive relationships with the students and families of MTMS that lead to success for all.
Evan Whitestar
Indigenous Advocate
Evan is Cree, from the Pasqua First Nation. He brings a wealth of knowledge in traditional First Nation cultural ways. As an elder's helper Evan is actively involved in various ceremonies and religious events. Evan is a drum carrier whom loves to sing and share the gift of the drum whenever, wherever he is needed. Evan is excited to be a part of the Mother Teresa family and contributing in any way that he can.
Amber Bayda
B.S.W., M.S.W.
Community Outreach Coordinator
Amber completed her Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Regina in 2014, and Master of Social Work at Dalhousie University in 2021. Amber has been working with children and their families in a variety of roles for the past several years through the YWCA Regina, Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and through her private children’s therapy practice.
Amber spent a year with MTMS in 2020-2021 on our Graduate Support Team. Amber is excited to now be back at MTMS working with our Middle School students as the School Community Outreach Coordinator.
Alice Dumba
B.Ed.
College and Careers Coach
Alice brings over 30 years of teaching experience to MTMS with a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Regina. Spending her teaching career at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, SK meant involvement in all aspects of her student’s lives. Mind, body, and spirit. An English, Economics, and History teacher by day she also served the Hounds community in the dormitory for over 15 years, was the Drama and Multimedia Club Director as well as a coaching a variety of sports. During her long career at Notre Dame College, she served as Languages Dept Head, trained, and developed curriculum for International Baccalaureate certification for Notre Dame College, and served a term on the College’s Senior Leadership team in the role of Director of Communications.
Very familiar with MTMS since its inception, Alice brings passion, positive energy, and expertise in education. Her ability to communicate and collaborate with young adults while building relationships with each of them as individuals is perhaps her greatest skill. As MTMS alumni journey through their post-secondary education, Alice will provide coaching and mentoring in all aspects of their lives.
Greg Rieder
B.Ed.
Teacher – Grade 8
Greg brought over fifteen years of teaching experience to MTMS when he began in 2012. He spent 10 years as a radio news reporter and disc jockey (announcer), prior to attending university. Greg taught for 9 years at Holy Rosary Community School, followed by a year as a teacher on special assignment with education technology for Regina Catholic Schools. Prior to arriving at MTMS he taught Grade 8 at St. Matthew School. Greg has a passion for integrating technology into teaching and helping to prepare students for high school. Outside of school Greg is an avid cyclist which he shares with students through the annual Stage 3 cycling trip.
Jayde McFee
B.Ed., B.H.J.
Teacher - Grade 7
Jayde joined the MTMS team in 2018 after teaching high school in her hometown of Prince Albert. She graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Education, as well as a Bachelor of Human Justice. She is also currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Notre Dame. As a former University of Regina soccer player, who has experience in both justice and education, she values teamwork, commitment, and finding innovative ways to support student learning and wellbeing. Jayde is dedicated to making a positive impact within the MTMS community.
Harmony McMillan
B.Ed., M.Ed.
Teacher – Grade 6
Harmony joined our MTMS family after ten years of teaching in both local and international contexts. Her journey began in Asia, first teaching English in central China and then later at an international school in Hong Kong. She spent the five following years at Jack MacKenzie School in Regina. As a former provincial softball athlete and U of R Cougar Women’s Basketball player, Harmony brings a passion for sport and coaching to MTMS. In the classroom, she loves finding innovative ways to engage students in their learning. Harmony completed her Masters in Education from the University of Regina in 2016.
David Nelson
B.Ed., M.E.T.
Teacher/ I.T. Coordinator – Grade 6, 7, 8
David began at MTMS in 2012 and brings a lot of expertise from previous teaching and life experiences. He spent his first three years teaching in the Regina Public School division. He comes to MTMS offering an extensive knowledge of music, as well as he has a passion for physical education and science. David also maintains the technology at the school and offers plans of improvement to enhance the student’s digital literacy. David is a young, enthusiastic teacher and a great asset to the MTMS Community. David completed his Masters in Education Technology from the University of British Columbia in 2019, and his certificate in educational technology through Queens University in 2020.
Laura Liebel
Executive Assistant
Laura has several years of experience with Regina Catholic Schools, both working with students and as an Executive Assistant. She is a caring and enthusiastic person and her strong multi-tasking abilities have proven to be highly valuable to the MTMS staff, students, and parents.
Nicole Rueve
B.A.
Student Support Assistant
Nicole is a graduate of the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology. Nicole has many years’ experience with Regina Catholic Schools starting at Michael A. Riffel as an Administrative Assistant. She then moved to St. Matthew as an Office Manager followed by Ecole St. Mary. Wanting a bit more time for family Nicole accepted the part-time Administrative Assistant position at MTMS. Nicole is a compassionate and enthusiastic person and is enjoying her time with the MTMS community.
Jeff Zerr
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Jeff joined the MTMS team in 2021. He has a passion for helping others with many years of experience working in the non-profit sector. He is inspired by the great work being done at MTMS and enjoys sharing stories with the community through the MTMS communication channels. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his young family, playing basketball, and being outdoors in nature.
Stan Klisowsky
Bus Driver
Stan has been part of the MTMS family since 2013. His cheerful and positive personality is always appreciated by students, families, and staff at MTMS. Stan is reliable and always willing to go above and beyond to get students to school, extracurricular activities, events, or appointments.
