Alva Holliday - Principal; Senior English, Senior Options
Being the Principal of West Country Outreach School is incredibly rewarding. Our school prides itself on offering an excellent educational environment within the richness of relationships and a sense of 'family'. Our mission/vision statement is "To instill hope and inspire success for all learners". We invest our time and hearts into every student at WCO.
After obtaining my Bachelor of Education, I taught in both Alberta and Nunavut before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology; Native Studies) and a Master of Education in Leadership. Every day, I am thankful that my path led me to Rimbey and this incredible group of students, educators, and families.
I enjoy travel - locally, nationally, and internationally! My summers are usually spent in the Yukon, hiking, and sightseeing with family and my little dogs, Scout & Lizzie. People who know me well would describe me as someone who loves a strong cup of coffee, great conversation, and laughter – especially if those 3 things go together with a student or colleague, or friend. Those same people would say, "Alva loves her work and is proud of the school." They would be right. I do, and I am.
Kim Beierbach - Administrative Assistant
I have been the Administrative Assistant at West Country Outreach since September 2013. Every year, I enjoy getting to know the students and staff better; it truly is like a second family. My husband and I grew up in Rimbey and stayed here to raise our family. We have a daughter, a son, and a daughter-in-law, who are the lights of our lives! When I'm not at work, I spend time with my sweet pup Benny. I also enjoy traveling, reading a good book, camping, spending time with my family, enjoying live music, and socializing with my friends.
"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you." Princess Diana
Samantha Chick - School Social Worker
samantha.chick@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Hello fabulous humans! I like to think of myself as the live-action version of a Care Bear; full of heart, a little sparkle, and always ready to help, but officially, they call me the School Social Worker! I have been with Wolf Creek School Division since March 2018, starting in Eckville and adding WCOS in October 2020. Since becoming a Social Worker in 2013, I have worn many different hats and worked with a wide variety of populations. No matter where I landed, though, I was always drawn back to working with children and youth, so finding myself in the schools felt like the job jackpot! I adore what I do, love my students, and feel so lucky to work alongside incredible coworkers every day. On a personal note, I have been with my partner Dylan since 2013, and we tied the knot in 2023. We LOVE animals and our house motto is the more paws the merrier! When I am not at school, you will probably find me laughing with my friends, walking/running/hiking, traveling, snuggling my animals, or spending time with my 4-year-old niece. She is my favorite person (she is my favorite human, hands down).
John Jones - Senior English, Senior Social Studies, CALM
Hello! My name is John Rees Jones, and I’m thrilled to be teaching again at WCOS. I have lived my whole life in Ponoka and graduated from Burman University in 2024. This will be my first full year after teaching for a semester at this school. My experience here has been wonderful, and I’ve really enjoyed the accepting atmosphere and caring community at WCOS. I spend my spare time playing chess, painting, and playing the accordion.
Casidy Martens - Senior Science, Work Experience, RAP, Green Certificate, Dual Credit
casidy.martens@wolfcreek.ab.ca
I grew up and live on a cattle farm in Rocky Mountain House. I love to go quading and camping where I can sit around a campfire staring at the stars. I get to test my carpentry skills when I get wrangled into building my sister's home or helping my grandmother in her carpentry shop. At the farm, I get to act as foreman and mechanic, where I am either wrestling calves or repairing the skid steer. When I get some time to myself, I love to read and learn something new.
Megan Pezderic - Junior High, PE, Senior Social Studies
megan.pezderic@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Hello! After a fun and fulfilling summer break, I’m excited to begin a new chapter at West Country Outreach this fall! I started my teaching career in 2004 and have had the privilege of working with both Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools and the Black Gold School Division. This year marks my first with Wolf Creek Public Schools, and I feel incredibly grateful — and truly thrilled — to be joining the West Country Outreach family.
I grew up surrounded by the mountains in Fernie, BC, but became a proud prairie girl after graduating from the University of Lethbridge, where I earned degrees in Fine Arts (Theatre) and Education. Not long after, I made a spontaneous (and very out-of-character!) decision to move to central Alberta to begin my teaching career — and I’ve been here ever since. Although I still miss the mountains from time to time, I’m constantly inspired by the wide-open skies, breathtaking prairie sunsets, and those long, golden summer days.
This year has brought some exciting changes! My husband and I recently relocated from our hobby farm near Millet to beautiful Pigeon Lake, and we absolutely love it. We share our home with my mom, two lovable dogs (Rosie and Teeter), two mischievous cats (Emmylou and Mittens), and a couple of charming old chickens who all keep life interesting!
Another exciting part of my journey this year is beginning my Master of Education through St. Francis Xavier University, with a focus on mental health. I spent the first two weeks of July on campus in Nova Scotia and the rest of the month learning online — an inspiring and energizing experience.
In August, I made time for the things I love most: walking my dogs, running along the lake, reading great books, catching up with friends, and learning how to (finally!) balance on my new stand-up paddleboard.
Now, with a fresh start, a full heart, and a deep appreciation for lifelong learning, I’m ready to dive into the fall — and everything this new school year has in store!
David Robertson - Senior Social Studies, Senior English, Aboriginal Studies
david.robertson@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year. As I contemplate this being my 31st year of teaching, I realize that I’ve been doing this for a very long time. What keeps me coming back year in and year out is a genuine love of what I do. The relationships I’ve built and maintained with staff and students over the decades, the subject matter I’ve been able to teach (and in some cases forget) keeps me interested, and the knowledge that every day is different, fresh, and new really does make it all worth it.
I was born in Dover, England and grew up in a small Vancouver Island town called Nanoose Bay, graduating high school at Ballenas Secondary in Parksville. After many years of university that had me studying at Malaspina College, University of Victoria, and Simon Fraser University, I became a certified teacher.
My first paid day of teaching was as a sub in Campbell River, BC. It was Halloween Day. It was the Drama room. It was chaos. In my first three years teaching I taught Math, Drama, SS, Science, and French, took a couple of turns as Santa, and once supervised an entire school dance in an Easter Bunny costume.
I moved to Alberta in 1998, teaching grades 3 - 9 at Zama City School and Blue Hills Community School. In 2001, I moved to Rimbey Junior-Senior High School for four years before making the best move ever to West Country Outreach School, where I have taught, learned, and grown ever since.
Outside of school, I am the proud dad of three wonderful children who fill my life with love and joy. Emily is working on her Masters of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, Alex is in the Science program at Red Deer Polytechnic, and Violet is in Grade 12 at HJ Cody High School in Sylvan Lake. We enjoy reading together (and swapping books), going to movies, Broadway theatre, Shakespeare in the park, concerts (I love concert stories), and anything that makes us laugh.
For fun, I enjoy soccer, baseball, travel, reading, and listening to music. I don’t really have a favourite genre, and my day-to-day listening varies depending on my mood, but there is always music playing in my house.
I’m looking forward to what this school year brings. Let’s learn together!
Paul Way - Senior Math, Physics
My name is Paul Way, and I am very excited to be joining the team at WCOS this year, teaching all the high school mathematics and physics. I have been teaching math and physics in Alberta high schools for the past 35 years, the last 27 years in Wetaskiwin.
The best part of teaching for me is seeing the growth that students experience, whether it’s weekly, monthly, or over their entire high school journey. Knowing that I am lucky enough to help my students continue to improve, not just academically, but also personally, is something I find very fulfilling.
Every year of my teaching career has been better than the one before, and I love
working with students more now than ever before. The more personalized educational experience that WCOS provides is something I am excited to be a part of.
In my spare time, I enjoy baking, practicing and performing magic, listening to classic rock, watching classic movies, and playing video games. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with everyone.
Gail Booth - Custodian
