The Choice School for Gifted Children Society is a non-profit organization charged with the operation of Choice School for the Gifted and Exceptional. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors whose members are as follows:
As a dedicated Choice School parent, Victor has personally witnessed the profound, positive impact Choice has on his son’s life. Holding a CA, CPA accreditation, Victor has honed his financial expertise through roles at Ernst & Young LLP and BC Hydro, gaining international exposure in the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong.
Victor’s commitment to community service extends beyond his professional life. He served as the Treasurer of the BC Council for Families, contributing to the organization’s financial literacy initiatives and ensuring its long-term financial sustainability. Additionally, he’s made a significant impact as a high school basketball coach, imparting strong character values to young individuals.
As an active member of the Choice community, Victor looks forward to contributing his financial acumen and passion for community advocacy. His primary objective is to harness his financial expertise to champion gifted learners throughout their educational journey, ensuring their academic excellence, fostering their happiness, and unlocking their full potential.
Matt’s daughter is entering her second year at Choice School. Being at Choice has changed her life, and Matt works to ensure that the school’s supportive academic and social culture can thrive for years to come for current and incoming students.
His background spans 15 years of consulting, strategy, business development, and consultative sales across various industries. Most recently, Matt has been supporting strategic Microsoft customers with their digital journey. In his free time he enjoys being with family, travelling, snowboarding, and playing sports (hockey, baseball, and golf).
From Matt: By fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion at Choice, we create a community where children can bring their authentic selves to school each and everyday. If we can empower these kids to be the very best versions of themselves and achieve more, we can call that success. I believe that leading with empathy, being a learn-it-all, and having a growth mindset are essential building blocks for these kids to go change the world.
Maureen is an educator who has worked across the K-12 system in 4 school districts in British Columbia. As an elementary teacher she taught both primary and intermediate grades and at the secondary level was part of a team that designed and delivered the Richmond School District’s Incentive Program, an enriched 3-year program for gifted students. While working as a District Curriculum Coordinator responsible for supporting gifted students in SD #38, Richmond, BC for over 12 years, she also taught university courses in critical thinking.
She currently makes presentations and provides in-service on understanding the BC curriculum and curriculum planning and programming for gifted learners. She and her husband have raised gifted twin boys and have 5 grandchildren, all designated as gifted. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Gifted Children’s Association of BC and is a past member of the Board of Directors of Choice School for the Gifted where she served for 9 years.
In her journey navigating through the education system and researching various programs, Shora found Choice School. Here, she has a community that supports her children, their unique needs, personalities, and helps empower them.
Shora holds a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene as well as a Master in Health Studies. She is a community clinical instructor in the Dental Hygiene Degree Program at the University of British Columbia. She comes to the Board with experience from Committees for two non-profit organizations in oral health with mandates to promote research and advocacy. Shora hopes to lend her voice and experience to help the Board support the interests and needs of Choice School students and parents.
Carly’s daughter joined Choice School in 2022. Carly’s interest in serving as a director on the board comes from wanting to give back to a school community that fosters acceptance, builds connection, and nurtures the academic and social emotional development of students with diverse and gifted learning profiles.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, as well as in depth continuing education in trauma-informed and equity-informed care, mental health, and yoga instruction.
Carly is an occupational therapist with previous professional experience in the educational system in New York City and in the greater Seattle area. She now works in adult mental health with a focus on stress management, burnout prevention/recovery, depression/anxiety management, return-to-work planning, and parenting support.
Gary has supported Choice School for several years, most recently completing his first 2-year term on the Board as Vice Chair. While on the Board, he was Chair of Facilities Committee and a member of Finance and Human Resources Committees. Previous to that he served in a volunteer supervisory role for outdoor education camp experience, as a member of the Finance Committee, and assisted with maintenance and upgrading of the school facilities as well as the school gardening program. He has also served on various non-profit Boards. Gary is a retired businessman with a career as an executive and manager in forestry and helicopter companies in BC. He is the father of gifted twin sons and is a long time resident of Richmond with his wife Maureen, an education consultant, who previously served on the Choice Board for 9 years.
Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Science (Computing Science Honors) from Simon Fraser University. With over 25 years of experience as a senior software developer, he has gained expertise in enterprise applications, cloud computing, and business AI, driving innovation and efficiency in the industry. As the father of two children, including one currently enrolled at Choice, Benjamin understands the importance of providing an environment that satisfies the unique needs of gifted learners. He is excited to work with the other Choice School Board members to continue to foster Choice as an environment where gifted children can thrive and shine.
Shaheen has a long history at Choice school! She was an administrative assistant at Choice for two years, and was inspired to become a teacher by the incredible staff and students she worked with. Choice has therefore had a profound impact on her career and her outlook on the education system.
Shaheen holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and History from UBC, and a Bachelor of Education specializing in Secondary Social Studies from University of Calgary. She is currently working on her Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University while teaching full-time.
Shaheen has taught high school Social Studies and English in Calgary and Qatar, and switched gears to teach Grades 2 and 3 in Delta. She is now teaching Pre-Literacy English Classes through the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program, working primarily with adult refugees from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, and Syria to help them develop competency in English and to support them in the resettlement process.