Laura-Lee Toews

Laura-Lee Toews has worked on colonies for 30 years and has held many different roles over the years including: classroom assistant, special needs assistant, as well as the classroom teacher. She is currently the Principal of Colony Schools for Prairie Land Public School Division based out of Hanna, Alberta. She is passionate about creating a format in which colony teachers are able to access additional support and professional learning opportunities.

Becca Reid

With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Becca Reid has dedicated the past 11 years to teaching in Hutterite colony schools. She has had the privilege of working at two different colonies, where she has built relationships with students, families, and the community. Becca holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Social Studies and Religious Studies from St. Thomas University and a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies from the University of Lethbridge. She is passionate about creating engaging, supportive learning environments and is committed to helping every student reach their full potential.

Becca lives just outside of Brooks, Alberta, with her husband and their three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, appreciates the slower pace of rural life, and values the strong sense of community that comes with living and working in rural Alberta.

Karl Peterson

Karl Peterson has worked in the education sector for over 20 years and is currently in his 11th year as the Division Colony Principal of 19 colony schools in the Westwind School Division. He has a B.Ed. in Geography from Brigham Young University, an Education Degree from Simon Fraser University, and an M. Ed. in Leadership from Gonzaga. When not working with colony teachers and students, Karl enjoys gardening, spending time at the family cabin and exploring nearby Waterton Park. He resides in Magrath, Alberta, with his wife and their two youngest children.

John Brophy

John Brophy has been a colony teacher since 2017.

In August 2026, he will be starting a new adventure as the teacher at Iron Creek Colony near Bruce, AB. John currently resides in Two Hills, AB and has a

BEd (Elementary) from The King's University and a BA in Sociology from Concordia University of Edmonton. When not in the classroom, John enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Jenna Gabert

Jenna Gabert (she/her) has been teaching in and around southern Alberta since 2009, and on colonies since 2020. She teaches at Springside Colony (L) right beside Dinosaur Provincial Park. She currently lives in Brooks with her partner, daughter, horse-sized dog, and secretly never wants to go back to teaching in town. She does not enjoy long walks on the beach because she is pale and prone to sunburn. Also, sand gets everywhere. She thinks you should also consider joining an Alberta Colony Educators committee. We are a riot.

Nancy Schwager

Nancy Schwager has been teaching for over 20 years. She has been the Kindergarten to Grade Four Teacher at Morinville Colony School since 2019 and doesn’t see herself leaving anytime soon! She has a BEd from the University of Windsor as well as her ECE diploma from St Clair College. She has lived in and taught in three provinces. When her husband was in the Military, she made many moves due to his postings, so she has lived in many places in each province. Nancy enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dog as well as reading and crafting.

Adelee Penner

Adelee Penner BHEc, BEd, MEd - CEO Elk Willow Consulting
Adelee Penner is a highly sought-after consulting professional who has demonstrated her ability to realize system improvement and change disruption. She brings her practical experience working with teachers, school-based and district leaders to her project consultation/work. She has been an educator and leader in Manitoba and Alberta school authorities. Adelee also has experience as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Alberta.  She has worked for Manitoba Agriculture and Alberta Education, which has allowed her to innovate, create, and problem-solve at a provincial level.   In addition to consulting, Adelee is a Lecturer in the Education Faculty at the University of Alberta.  She also has a passion for seeking food security for folks around the world.  In the last few years, Adelee has supported diverse projects for farmers, including seeking multiple sources of revenue.  She has also supported folks as they worked to enter the alternative protein market. Adelee has also used her background in mental health literacy to support equity, diversity, and inclusion in both the workplace and in system and policy planning.