Staff
Henry Contant | Executive Director
About Henry: Henry’s 30+ year commitment to Christian
education began as a high school teacher and curriculum writer, then
elementary school principal, and later as director of development. In
1996 he joined the staff of the SCSBC as Development Coordinator and in
July 2003 he assumed responsibilities as Executive Director. Henry
believes that one of the foremost tasks of leadership is articulating a
compelling vision for Christian education among its supporting
community.
Responsibilities include: School Leadership (Administrative Teams and School Boards). Supervise and support the work of SCSBC Directors, Employees and Consultants. SCSBC Board Member, LPG and Compensation Committees Advisor, CSC Board Member, FISA Board Member.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa; Master’s of Education in Administrative Leadership from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC.
Send Henry an email: leadership@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366 ext. 104
Joanne den Boer | Director of Learning (Preschool - Grade 5)
About Joanne: Joanne is first a learner, then a teacher,
interested in the how, what, and why of learning in a Christian school
community. As an elementary generalist for over 15 years, Joanne has
taught Grades 2 – 6. She held the positions of Director of Student
Support Services, Curriculum Coordinator and also provided career
guidance counselling to high school students.
Responsibilities include: Preschool/Early Learning, Special Education, Elementary, English Language Learning.
Education: Bachelor of General Studies from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC; Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC.
Send Joanne an email: joanne@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366 ext.106
Bill de Jager | Director of Learning (Grades 6 – 12)
About Bill:
Bill has been a teaching principal at Terra Ceia Christian School in
North Carolina, a teacher and curriculum coordinator at Immanuel
Christian School in Lethbridge, Alberta and at Abbotsford Christian
Secondary School (ACSS) in Abbotsford, BC; and a vice principal and
interim principal at ACSS. He has a deep passion for creating
highly-engaging learning experiences within a Christian learning
community.
Responsibilities include: Middle School, High School, Library, Distributed Learner (DL), Technology within education, School Emergency & Crisis Management.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa.
Send Bill an email: bill@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366 ext. 103
Consultants
Marlene Bylenga | International Student Program Coordinator
About Marlene:
Marlene Bylenga has been working with international students and their
families since1996 as a homestay parent, International Student
Coordinator at Langley Christian School and with the SCSBC as
International Education Program Coordinator.
Responsibilities include: International Program support to principals, international student coordinators and homestay coordinators. Promotes school based International Student Programs. Providing in-services for staff on issues dealing with new students entering Canada, and cross-cultural joys and challenges.
Education: Certificate in Intercultural Studies from the University of BC, Vancouver, BC.
Send Marlene an email: ieprogram@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366
Irwin DeVries | Special Projects Consultant
About Irwin:
Irwin has entered into a consulting contract with SCSBC. His primary focus this
year is to work alongside Surrey Christian School
and Fraser Valley Christian
High School as they
proceed with the merging of their two societies. Irwin's previous involvements
with SCSBC include membership on the Leadership, Policy and Governance
Committee, and provision of mediation services. Irwin's background is in
professional education and educational technology.
Responsibilities include: Merge Manager for Fraser Valley Christian High School and Surrey Christian School, as well as Facilitation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution with all SCSBC schools.
Education: Currently working on his PhD in Education at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
Send Irwin an email: irwin@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366
Gerald Ebbers | Consultant for Stewardship & Development
About Gerry:
Gerry began his career in Christian education serving 17 years as a
high school teacher and principal in the Edmonton, AB and Lynden, WA
Christian school systems. Gerry has a wealth of experience in
development work, particularly in organizing capital campaigns and
planned giving. He also has a passion for stewardship education,
understanding that it is the foundation for all development work.
Responsibilities include: Development and Community Relations Consultation - Capital Campaigns, Feasibility Studies, Marketing/Recruitment, School Development Reviews, SCSBC Development Directors Network Facilitator, Christian Stewardship Services Liaison.
Education: Bachelor of Arts from Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa. Funding Major Current + Deferred Gifts with Non-Cash Property, National Planned Giving Institute. Making the Most of Volunteers and Planning for Fundraising Success, CASE. Person to-Person Planned Giving and Planned Giving Development, R+R Newkirk.
Send Gerry an email: development@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366
John Vegt | Director of Finance
About John:
John's area of support to schools includes the administrative areas of
school finances, accounting, budgeting, long term financial planning,
charitable tax receipting, tuition-assistance, endowments, and
foundations.
Responsibilities include: Financial Management Consultation with Business Administrators, Finance Committees, and School Treasurers, SCSBC Business Administrators Forum Facilitator, Financial Stewardship Review Facilitator, SCSBC School Budget Template, SCSBC Framework for the Issuance of Charitable Tax Receipts.
Education: Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Chartered Accountant (CA) designation from BC Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Send John an email: finance@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366
Administration
Sheila Burkinshaw | Secretary / Resource Librarian
About Sheila:
Sheila works for the SCSBC as well as the CTABC and Convention Planning
Committee. She provides secretarial support for the SCSBC, and oversees the
organization of the SCSBC Resource Library.
Responsibilities include: SCSBC Resource Library. Office secretarial support.
Send Sheila an email: sheila@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366 ext. 105
Jean DeVries | Office Manager / Administrative Assistant
About Jean: Jean has been with the SCSBC since May of 1986.
Responsibilities include:
Administrative support to the Executive Director and to the SCSBC
Board/Standing Committees. Jean also administers many aspects of the
SCSBC's finances: the annual budget, accounts receivable/payable,
benefits, purchasing etc. She is the contact person for many SCSBC
group enrolments (such as video licensing and library management
software), is involved with conference planning, and provides contract
administrative support to the CPABC.
Send Jean an email: jean@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366 ext. 102
Karen Bush | Communications and Publication Coordinator
About Karen: Karen is a graphic artist who previously worked as the Publications Designer at The Salvation Army Cascade Community Church in Abbotsford. She also was the owner of Aspire Art and Design School for Kids in Mission, BC. She is no stranger to SCSBC - she filled a maternity leave here just over a decade ago. Now history repeats itself as she replaces Carol Van Muyen during her maternity leave. Karen studied graphic design at Conestoga College and Mohawk College in Ontario, and website design at BCIT.
Responsibilities include: Managing the website, conference planning and registration, producing The LINK newsletter, designing brochures, publications, and PowerPoint presentations for SCSBC. Website and conference management for CPABC and CSC. Reception and administrative support at the SCSBC office.
Send Karen an email: karen@scsbc.ca
Phone: 604-888-6366 ext. 101
