Thomas Kertes

Thomas Kertes with preschoolers at UBC Child Care. He’s in the back (far left).

Thomas Kertes di waayu. Kittitas ada Boosn di wil ‘waatgu. Canadian ada Boosn ‘nüüyu. Kxeen di wil dzogu. Adabiis di pdeegu.

Thomas Kertes is a high school English teacher in Prince Rupert, which is in the territory of the Ts’msyen, at Charles Hays Secondary School (CHSS) – home of the Rainmakers. The language of the Ts’msyen is Sm’algya̲x.

Course Website

Highlights

  • Teaching experience in Pre-K, elementary, intermediate, middle school, and high school.
    • Over ten years teaching experience in the public schools (K-12).
    • Seven years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator.
  • Specialize in teaching basic literacy skills across subjects, from PK to high school.
  • Experience in public administration includes the Policy and Communications Advisor of Ontario’s self-regulatory College of Early Childhood Educators.

Resume

EXPERIENCE

  • Prince Rupert School District 52 (Prince Rupert, BC)
    • Charles Hays Secondary School – English teacher (2023-current)
      • English Language Arts Department Head (2025-current)
      • Ama Goot, Ama T’ilg̲oolsk Co-Advisor (2024-current)
      • CHSS Debate Team Advisor (2022-current)
    • Prince Rupert Middle School – Grade 7 Core and Drama 8 (2018-2023)
      • Ama Goot, Ama T’ilg̲oolsk Co-Advisor (2021-2023)
      • Drama Club Co-Advisor (2021-2023)
  • Haida Gwaii School District 50 (Daajing Giids, Skidegate, and Masset, Haida Gwaii, BC)
    • Gidg̱alang Ḵuuyas Naay – Language Arts, Socials, Math, and Drama teacher (2016-2018)
      • School Play Advisor (2016-2018)
      • Student Council Advisor (2017-2018)
    • Sk’aadgaa Naay Elementary – K/1 teacher (2015)
    • Tahayghen Elementary – 4/5 teacher (2015)
  • University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)
    • Early Childhood Educator – Owl Child Care Centre (2010-2013)
  • College of Early Childhood Educators (Toronto, ON)
    • Policy and Communications Advisor (2009-2010)
  • Seneca College (Toronto, ON)
    • Instructor – Early Childhood Education and Child Development (2008)
  • Pike Market Child Care (Seattle, WA)
    • Executive Director (2003)
  • Puget Sound Learning (Silverdale, WA)
    • Director of Learning Services – Reading and Writing Specialist (1994-2000)
    • Early Childhood Educator – Children’s Garden Preschool (1997-2000)

EDUCATION

  • Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo, BC)
    • Master in Educational Leadership (2019)
  • Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC)
    • Bachelor of Education: Indigenous Perspectives in Education (2014)
  • Langara College (Vancouver, BC)
    • Diploma: Early Childhood Education (including Infant/Toddler) (2010)
  • University of Toronto / OISE (Toronto, ON)
    • Graduate Studies: Human Development and Applied Psychology (2008-2009)
  • University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
    • Bachelor of Arts: Psychology (2003)
  • Olympic College (Bremerton, WA)
    • Associate in Arts and Sciences (2001)
  • Olympic High School (Bremerton, WA), Cheney High School (Cheney, WA), Gonzaga Preparatory School (Spokane, WA)
    • High School Diploma — Olympic High School (1991)