Member Biographies

Twelve members were appointed to the 15-member Provincial Advisory Council on Education on September 28, 2018. The additional three seats are designated for representatives of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, the Council on Mi’kmaq Education, and the Council on African-Canadian Education.

On October 29, 2020, 3 members were reappointed, and 2 new members were appointed to the Provincial Advisory Council on Education.

The appointees and the representatives from each member organization are:

Gin Yee, Halifax Regional Municipality

Initial Appointment: September 28, 2018 (2 year term)
Re-Appointment: October 29, 2020 (2 year term)

Gin has served as a member, Chair, and Vice-Chair of the former Halifax Regional School Board, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Nova Scotia School Boards Association. Gin has completed Policy Governance training and is a member of the International Governance Policy Association. Gin was a member of the Provincial Advisory Council on Education Transition Team and has served as Chair on PACE.

Archy Beals, Halifax Regional Municipality

Initial Appointment: September 28, 2018 (2 year term)
Re-Appointment: October 29, 2020 (2 year term)

Archy holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Dalhousie University and a Master’s in Education Life Long Learning with an Afrocentric Course from Mt. Saint Vincent University. Archy has been involved in educational issues for 47 years. Archy has been involved in student government at Sir Robert Borden, Cole Harbour High and Dalhousie University. Archy is the Student Advisor and African Canadian Support at the Nova Scotia Community College for the 25 years.

Lynn Levatte, Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Initial Appointment: September 28, 2018 (2 year term)
Re-Appointment: October 29, 2020 (2 year term)

Lynn has a Doctorate in Education with a focus on Inclusive Education and Down Syndrome. Lynn is employed as a faculty member in School Education and works closely with the Cape Breton Down Syndrome Society. Lynn assists parent groups providing access and opportunity for students with Intellectual Disability.

Margaret (Joan) MacDonnell, Pictou County

Initial Appointment: September 28, 2018 (1 year term)
Reappointment: September 26, 2019 (2 year term)

Joan is a psychologist with experience working with students, parents, teachers and administrators in the areas of gifted education, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and emotional/behavioural issues. Joan has provided training for teachers and psychologists in these areas.

Stephen Parsons, Cape Breton County

Initial Appointment: September 28, 2018 (1 year term)
Reappointment: September 26, 2019 (2 year term)

Stephen was the former chair of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board. Stephen has more than 10 years’ experience teaching in the community of Eskasoni First Nation and is currently the General Manager of Eskasoni Corporate Division. Stephen is a member of the Board of Governors of Cape Breton University and a volunteer with Big Brother/Big Sisters.

Maura Ryan, Kings County (Chair)

Initial Appointment: September 28, 2018 (1 year term)
Reappointment: September 26, 2019 (2 year term)

Maura has been actively involved in the public education system as a parent. Maura served on the School Advisory Councils of her children’s schools, volunteered with the Breakfast Program, and hosted students involved in exchange programs.

Maura served as a coach and manager with the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation and worked as Acadia’s Director of Admissions and High School Liaison.

Nastasya Kennedy, Kings County

Initial Appointment: September 26, 2018 (1 year term)
Reappointment: September 26, 2019 (2 year term)

Nastasya is the Director of Education and a Councillor with Annapolis Valley First Nation. Nastasya serves on the Council for Mi’kmaq Education and was the Mi’kmaq representative to the former Annapolis Valley Regional School Board. Nastasya has also worked as a teacher, is a mother, and is an advocate for the autism community in Nova Scotia.

Shamus MacDonald, Inverness County

Initial Appointment: September 26, 2019 (2 year term)

Shamus holds a PhD in Folklore and is a Sessional Instructor at St. Francis Xavier University in the Department of Celtic Studies. Shamus has the ability to speak, read and write Scottish Gaelic and French.

Shamus also has extensive experience organizing and conducting oral history fieldwork in Nova Scotia, Scotland, Newfoundland, and Nunavut, and is affiliated with the Folklore Association of Canada.

Samantha Graham, Halifax Regional Municipality

Appointment: October 29, 2020 (2 year term)

Samantha is a 4th year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Economics with over three years’ experience conducting research and advocating for students/youth in various positions. Samantha is currently the Chair of Student Nova Scotia, and Vice President External and Academic Officer of the Saint Mary’s University Student Association.

Lesley Keeley, Lunenburg County

Appointment: October 29, 2020 (2 year term)

Lesley has a Master of Education (UBC), Bachelor of Science Mathematics (Dalhousie), and a Bachelor of University Studies Mathematics Education (UMFK). Lesley is currently a Regional Timetable Coordinator at the Nova Scotia Community College. Lesley has experience working with diverse communities, including a First Nations Education School Board, and the Native Education College (Vancouver).

Organizations with a designated seat on the Provincial Advisory Council for Education are:

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, represented by Blair Samson, substitute Katherine Howlett

Council on Mi’kmaq Education, represented by TBD

Council on African-Canadian Education, represented by TBD