GMS Staff

Executive Director

Ray brings 34 years of teaching, counselling, and educational leadership experience from St. Paul's High School. Throughout his career, he taught French at all high school levels, as well as English and Religion, while taking on a variety of leadership roles focused on student development, service, and community engagement. Early in his career, Ray was asked to redesign the school's service program, a role that led to opportunities in student counselling, mentorship, and leadership development. In 2021, he was appointed Director of Mission and Vision, where he worked collaboratively with staff, students, parents, board members, alumni, and community partners to strengthen the school's culture and shared vision.

Beyond the classroom, Ray has been actively involved in the St. Paul's Dramatic Society as both a director and executive producer. He has also led numerous student retreats and music initiatives, creating opportunities for students to develop leadership, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.

A proud father of four Métis young adults and an active volunteer in Winnipeg's North End, Ray joins Gonzaga Middle School with humility, a collaborative leadership style, and a deep commitment to building meaningful relationships with students, families, staff, and the wider community. He is excited to support Gonzaga's mission of providing a welcoming, inclusive learning environment where every student is encouraged to grow, discover their strengths, and achieve success.

Tom Lussier has been an integral part of Gonzaga Middle School since its inception, bringing more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, educational leader, and administrator at St. Paul's High School to the vision of establishing Winnipeg's first Nativity model middle school.

As Project Director for the Winnipeg Nativity School Feasibility Study, Tom helped guide the planning that led to the creation of Gonzaga Middle School. He then served as the school's founding Executive Director and Principal during its first two years and then continuing on as Executive Director, helping to shape Gonzaga's mission, culture, and commitment to supporting students, graduates and families.

Throughout his career, Tom taught Chemistry, Biology, Science, and Religion, while serving in a variety of leadership roles at St. Paul's, including Science Department Head, Pastoral Team Chairperson, Vice-Principal, and Principal. He has also contributed to the wider community through coaching, educational leadership, and volunteer service.

As Gonzaga enters its next chapter, Tom has retired from full time employment and continues to support the school as Founding Executive Director and Leadership Consultant. Working alongside Executive Director Ray, he is providing mentorship and guidance throughout the leadership transition, ensuring continuity while helping Gonzaga continue to grow and thrive for the students, families, and community it serves.

Student and Graduate Support Director

Ms. Karla Grobb, B. Ed., Post Bac. 

Karla brings over 25 years of teaching experience in Lord Selkirk School Division. Over that time, she has taught a variety of grade levels and subjects, developed extensive literacy and numeracy instructional support skills, and been a leader in supporting and counselling students. She also brings experience in helping to develop and implement behavioural and learning plans and providing socio-emotional support and guidance to students individually and in groups. Karla has also coached a variety of sports at school and in the community. She looks forward to enhancing the academic and socio-emotional growth and development of students and collaborating with GMS teachers and the rest of the GMS team in advancing our mission of changing lives and fulfilling potential through our extensive wrap-around school model.  

Intervention Specialist Teacher 

Mrs. Laurie-Anne Regula, B.Ed.

Laurie-Anne brings over thirty years of teaching experience to GMS. She has a deep passion for developing students’ literacy skills and is known as an instructional leader and innovator. Laurie-Anne is a strong advocate for assessing and meeting student needs. She is a leader in integrating technology into teaching and learning. She comes to GMS from St. Alphonsus Catholic School where she taught for over 15 years. Having grown up in The Pas, she is proud of her Metis heritage and after graduating from the University of Manitoba she returned to northern Manitoba and taught for several years at George Knott School in Wasagamack First Nation and also at schools in The Pas and Thompson. She has been an active member of the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg including serving on the executive for many years. Laurie-Anne is looking forward to new challenges and opportunities to teach and serve children and the community as a teacher at GMS.

Grade 6 Lead Teacher, Grade 6 through 8 Social Studies

Mr Quinn McLeod, B.Ed.

Information to follow

Grade 7 Lead-Teacher Literacy, Mathematics Science, Social Studies, French and Arts Support

Ms Tori Eggum, B.A., B.Ed.

Tori comes to GMS with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg. She has two years of Middle Years teaching experience at Ecole River Heights where she taught theatre, English and Social Studies. She brings a passion for supporting students of differing interests and abilities and engaging with students in supporting their artistic and athletic interests. She has experience with teaching theatre, school productions and in coaching volleyball and track and field.

Grade 8 Lead Teacher

Mrs. Pamela Sarfo Akrofi, B.Sc., B.Ed.

Pamela brings energy and enthusiasm to GMS as the Grade 7 and 8 Science teacher, will collaborate with our Music specialist in Grades 6 to 8 and will also support English and Math instruction in Grades 6 through 8. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science (in Physics) from the Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, she moved to Canada and completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Brandon. After teaching for a year in Ecole Morden Middle School, she looks forward to bringing high learning expectations to GMS while meeting the diverse needs of our learners. She brings a passion for music, singing and technology to GMS.   She also brings significant experience tutoring middle years and high school students to GMS. She is looking forward to contributing a diverse perspective to the GMS team as we inspire our students to strive toward excellence in their education and develop towards their full potential.

Student Support and Community Outreach Worker

Ms. Kaylie Gardiner, BSW, RSW

Kaylie brings caring, passion and enthusiasm to GMS as our Student Support and Community Outreach worker. After studying Family Social Sciences she went on and then graduated with Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba. She has experience supporting children and families in her time at Youth in Care Voices, as volunteer coordinator at Ma Ma Wi Chi Itata Centre and most recently at the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre. She looks forward to working closely with our Student and Graduate Support team in supporting students in their time at GMS and graduates through high school and post-secondary studies.  She also looks forward to collaborating with parents and families and building connections in the broader community to further support students’ growth, education and resiliency.  

Office Manager/Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Danica Kyrzyk, C.I.M., C.Mgr.

As a certified professional in Management and Administration and Human Resources, Danica provides a diverse set of skills and brings years of experience in the human capital management, non-profit and indigenous culture and education sector.  As a former graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, and within a Metis family, Danica hopes to share her experiences, compassionate heart and humour with students and their families. She has the ability to build strong and trusted relationships through her commitment to high ethical and professional standards and willingness to take responsibility and be accountable in all that she does, both personally and professionally.  Through positive leadership, she looks forward to working with the GMS family, students, parents and the community.

Nutrition Support Worker

Ms. Katherine McLaren

Katherine comes to Gonzaga Middle School with extensive experience as a chef and cook at diverse Winnipeg restaurant kitchens. She brings her knowledge of food preparation, kitchen management and sanitation, food sourcing and menu preparation to the well established nutrition program at GMS. She will maintain the nutrition and healthy eating practices at GMS and adherence to Manitoba school nutrition guidelines while using her creativity and experience to improve the nutrition program at GMS.  She works part-time at GMS preparing daily nutritious meals and snacks for the students and will be part of the Gonzaga team supporting student’s health and learning each day.