Thoughts on Prince Rupert

About Tom Kertes

Tom Kertes is a teacher in Prince Rupert, BC. Tom grew up in a small town outside of Spokane, WA and he moved to Canada with his now husband Ron Braun in 2007. He is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.

Tom moved from Vancouver to the North Coast region in 2016. Since moving here he’s taught at Tahayghen Elementary in Masset, Sk’aadgaa Naay Elementary in Skidegate, and Gidg̱alang Ḵuuyas Naay in Daajing Giids. He also taught at Prince Rupert Middle School and currently teaches at Charles Hays Secondary School. Tom teaches English and coaches the Rainmakers Debate Team.

Before teaching, Tom helped produce children’s educational television and other media as a communications advisor. Tom was production coordinator for Biz Kids, an Emmy Award-winning TV series about money and business. He also helped produce viral videos and other media campaigns viewed by tens of millions and covered by the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, CBC News, the New York Times, ABC News, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and other news outlets.

Tom was a policy advisor at the self-regulatory College for Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, where he helped launch North America’s first self-regulatory body for Early Childhood Educators. He was an instructor of Early Childhood Education at Seneca College in Toronto and he worked at UBC Child Care as an Early Childhood Educator in Vancouver, helping care for toddlers and preschoolers. 

Tom’s volunteer work includes advocating for clean water and public infrastructure, helping get places of worship reopened at the close of the Covid pandemic, serving his church on its church council, and supporting early literacy for all students. Tom was president of the North Coast Labour Council. He coaches debate at Charles Hays and PRMS, helps organize an annual Future Teacher Conference, and advises the CHSS Business Club and Charles Hays Journalism Club. 

Contact Tom Kertes

Phone/Text: 778-884-5343
Email: tomkertes@gmail.com

School Website: TomKertes.ca

Image Source: Northern View