Meet Mr. Byrka and Mr. Johnston
By Ms. M. MacMillan, Communications Director
Learn more about senior school teachers Mr. Devin Byrka and Mr. Cameron Johnston, two of our newest staff members.
Learn more about senior school teachers Mr. Devin Byrka and Mr. Cameron Johnston, two of our newest staff members.
By Ms. M. MacMillan, Communications Director
In this ongoing Howl feature, I interviewed our newest staff members to learn more about them and their lives pre-WPGA. (Click here for last week's profiles.) This week, I sat down with Mr. Devin Byrka, math and science teacher (and devoted Blue Jays fan), and Mr. Cameron Johnston, social studies and finance teacher (and all-round outdoor enthusiast).
Mr. Devin Byrka
Mr. Devin Byrka joined WPGA in January 2012 as a full-time tutor in the Skills Centre, providing curricular support in all levels of math and science. This past spring, he took over Ms. Kaela Lee’s Math 10 and 11 support classes as she left for maternity leave. This school year, he continues to teach these classes and provide Skills Centre support.
After moving from his hometown of Kelowna to attend UBC, where he received his Bachelor of Science (2007) and Bachelor of Education (2011), Mr. Byrka taught English in Taiwan for a year. He reflects fondly on that year, and found the Taiwanese to be exceptionally generous people who would go out of their way, literally, to help a stranger.
When asked how he finds teaching and working at WPGA, he says he really values the open communication and connections between students and teachers. He also appreciates the friendliness and collegiality among staff members, not to mention the outstanding surroundings (“Few schools anywhere can compete with this view!”).
When he’s not helping students learn to figure out math and science problems, Mr. Byrka likes to cycle, explore the Gulf Islands (particularly Mayne Island), play and watch sports (“I spend way too much time watching Blue Jays’ games”), and read; favourite books include The Information by James Gleick (which chronicles the evolution of communication and information, from African tribes to present), and anything by Carl Sagan and Marshall McLuhan.
Mr. Cameron Johnston
In this ongoing Howl feature, I interviewed our newest staff members to learn more about them and their lives pre-WPGA. (Click here for last week's profiles.) This week, I sat down with Mr. Devin Byrka, math and science teacher (and devoted Blue Jays fan), and Mr. Cameron Johnston, social studies and finance teacher (and all-round outdoor enthusiast).
Mr. Devin Byrka
Mr. Devin Byrka joined WPGA in January 2012 as a full-time tutor in the Skills Centre, providing curricular support in all levels of math and science. This past spring, he took over Ms. Kaela Lee’s Math 10 and 11 support classes as she left for maternity leave. This school year, he continues to teach these classes and provide Skills Centre support.
After moving from his hometown of Kelowna to attend UBC, where he received his Bachelor of Science (2007) and Bachelor of Education (2011), Mr. Byrka taught English in Taiwan for a year. He reflects fondly on that year, and found the Taiwanese to be exceptionally generous people who would go out of their way, literally, to help a stranger.
When asked how he finds teaching and working at WPGA, he says he really values the open communication and connections between students and teachers. He also appreciates the friendliness and collegiality among staff members, not to mention the outstanding surroundings (“Few schools anywhere can compete with this view!”).
When he’s not helping students learn to figure out math and science problems, Mr. Byrka likes to cycle, explore the Gulf Islands (particularly Mayne Island), play and watch sports (“I spend way too much time watching Blue Jays’ games”), and read; favourite books include The Information by James Gleick (which chronicles the evolution of communication and information, from African tribes to present), and anything by Carl Sagan and Marshall McLuhan.
Mr. Cameron Johnston
Although he tries to temper his accent and native expressions, it’s clear Mr. Cameron Johnston is from the land down under. Mr. Johnston, who teaches Social Studies 8/9, Finance 8/9, and outdoor education, moved to Canada from Perth, Australia, about 18 months ago, and joined WPGA partway through last year, as a guide on outdoor education trips.
After getting his Bachelor of Commerce in Australia and working in human resources for a year, he realized he wanted to teach, and taught at an independent coeducational school in Margaret River, Australia. Upon moving to Vancouver last year (“quite similar to Australia, but for the rain”), he worked as a guide for outdoor education programs at several independent schools, including St. George’s, St. Michael’s in Victoria, and WPGA. When asked what he likes most about WPGA, he says, “The students are great, the class sizes are ideal, and the location is beautiful. The focus is on learning, of course, but you can have fun in class, too.”
It should come as no surprise that in his free time Mr. Johnston seeks outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking, snowboarding, and skiing, which he learned to do last year. He’s also learning Spanish, in preparation for a family trip to Spain over Winter Break. Until then, he’ll be busy in BC’s backcountry, rockclimbing at Skaha Bluffs and seakayaking in Strathcona with our outdoor education classes these next two weeks. As Mr. Johnston would love to say, “Good on ya, mate!”
Next Week: Meet Ms. Kelly Simpson, Kindergarten Intern, and Ms. Ruth Fraser, University and Career Counsellor.
Next Week: Meet Ms. Kelly Simpson, Kindergarten Intern, and Ms. Ruth Fraser, University and Career Counsellor.
Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.
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West Point Grey Academy
4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750
