The current St. Francis of Assisi School Council was formed in 2022 and has a two year term.  The Council meets monthly and guests are welcome to come and observe, or raise an agenda item in advance.  The best way to get in touch with the Council is through the generic email: sfoacouncil@gmail.com

Each Council member has written a short introduction to help you get to know them better.

Desiree Martsinkiw
​Council Chair

I have two children at SFOA, my son Tiam in grade 8 and my daughter Jayden in grade 12. I am also a previous Vanier Catholic Secondary Graduate. I wanted to join the council to be involved in my children's school and to gain knowledge of how councils are run and the impact they have on the education of our students. I am passionate about our school and I believe we have great values. I also have a passion for volunteering and I currently sit on two other sports boards. 
Monica Best
​I am a Catholic educator and have been a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Whitehorse for the past twenty years. I currently hold the position of Religious Education Coordinator and Teacher at Christ the King Elementary School. I am happy to serve on the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School Council to do my best for the students of St. Francis, their families and the teachers and staff.  Saint Francis pray for us! 

Shanon Louise Cooper

  • Elementary School in Elsa, Yukon in the 1950’s
  • Graduate of F.H. Collins, Whitehorse, Yukon
  • University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Bachelor of Education, (Psych/Fine Arts)
  • Yukon University, Whitehorse, Yukon, Teaching English as a Second Language
  • Newman Theological College, Edmonton, AB, Masters of Religious Education
  • Yukoner forever!
Being on council gives me the faith filled opportunity to work together alongside others to continue to support Catholic Education in the Yukon.
Kathleen Coventry
​I am a primary school teacher in Riverdale, and have a son in Grade 10 at Saint Francis of Assisi and a daughter who will start Grade 8 next year.  I am pleased to be on Council to help be a voice for students, parents and teachers.  I believe that the culture of a school is fundamental to its success.  I hope to help foster a learning community that embodies inclusion, diversity and acceptance.  I think our collective goal should be to ensure that each student at our school can feel seen and connected, and each family can feel part of a broader school community.  I am honoured to serve as a Council member.

Tyler White

My name is Tyler White and I am a teacher in town. I completed my Kinesiology and Teaching degree at Lakehead University, followed by a Masters of Coaching from the University of Alberta.
After hearing amazing things about the work life balance of teaching in the Yukon, I decided to move from Ontario to Whitehorse in 2020 and begin my career as a TOC. Since I have been in the Yukon I have remained mostly at Christ the King Elementary as a TOC, and have also chaperoned outdoor trips at Wood St Centre with their grade 10 CHAOS program. I decided to join the school council in order to provide a different perspective on topics and as an act of service for the community and students at St Francis.

Ryan Sikkes

I’m the father of three kids who have attended or who are currently attending St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary.  I am a secondary teacher by training who taught at and was an administrator at the school for 17 years.  I value the school as a place where students may fully inform their consciences by learning about the various perspectives or worldviews that relate to any issue.  I value the school council as a democratic institution where various viewpoints can be explored and debated in the best interests of developing the whole child: academically, physically, socially, emotionally, aesthetically, and spiritually.  Above all, the school must be a place where the safety and dignity of every person is maintained.